By bike, along a path, in a village. The ten commandments of an "undertourism" vacation. Even in August.

The ten commandments of undertourism for holidays away from mass tourism. Ten ideas for slow travel, favoring nearby, lesser-known, and less crowded destinations, often accessible on foot or by bicycle. To escape the frenzy of hit-and-run travel.

Lonely streets, deserted squares in the summer heat, small, rarely visited museums. This is undertourism, a neologism of Anglo-Saxon origin that emerged around 2019. In contrast to overtourism , it refers to the tendency to prefer vacations in lesser-known, less crowded, and often nearby destinations, accessible without a plane. A slow, mindful form of tourism, respectful of the environment and local communities. Here are ten ideas, suggested by Altroconsumo experts, for a sustainable yet equally interesting trip.

1. Traveling by bicycle

You don't have to be an expert cyclist to plan a cycling holiday. Cycling is accessible to everyone, as long as you choose routes suited to your fitness level. The choice is truly vast: from family-friendly tours to those designed for expert cyclists, from short trips to multi-day tours, from itineraries immersed in nature to those that allow you to visit villages and cities.

On the BikeItalia website, for example, you can find many suggestions for cycling across Italy. Those who prefer to tour Europe can consult the European Cycle Route Network (EuroVelo) portal, the network of 17 cycle paths that crisscross and connect the entire continent.

2. Choose small villages

Militello in Val di Catania, a small Sicilian village, won the title of Borgo dei Borghi 2025. The previous year, the award went to Peccioli, a gem nestled in the province of Pisa. Each year, twenty towns participate in the challenge, one from each region, each boasting a precious historical heritage, rich in cultural and food and wine traditions. To explore the myriad of small wonders dotting our country, simply click on the website of the association I Borghi più belli d'Italia (The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy), founded in 2002. The web pages also offer packages offering various stay experiences. Some examples? Passignano sul Trasimeno, in the province of Perugia; Specchia, in Salento; and Bosa, near Oristano.

3. Participate in a journey

Summer holidays can also be the perfect opportunity to combat a sedentary lifestyle. From walks, multi-day itineraries, and more challenging treks, slow hiking tourism offers many opportunities. Browse the website of the Compagnia dei Cammini (cammini.eu), a national association active for about thirty years, which organizes and promotes trails in Italy and Europe, for ideas and advice. Certified trails include the Cammino dei Briganti, the Cretan Way, the Spallanzani Path, the English Path, and the Tratturo Way. During the Jubilee Year, you can also choose to undertake one of the many pilgrimages, offering opportunities for reflection and spirituality: from the Cammino di San Colombano to the Via di Francesco, and the Cammino di San Vicinio.

4. Visit the parks

Those who appreciate greenery and nature can plan a vacation in the parks that abound in our country. For example, Pollino National Park, the largest protected area on the peninsula, covering over 190,000 hectares, between Basilicata and Calabria. Or Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park in central Italy, which also offers tastings of local food and wine, following culinary itineraries. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security website lists the 27 national parks, including the La Maddalena Archipelago and the Tuscan Archipelago. There are also other parks that, while not of national importance, are certainly worth a visit. For example, the Madonie National Park in Sicily, one of the richest biodiversity areas in the Mediterranean basin, includes a dense network of trails and equestrian routes, suitable for both beginners and experts.

5. Leave on board a historic train

Steam locomotives, carriages from the 1950s, old railway lines. The historic trains of the Italian National Railways Foundation allow you to travel back in time to every corner of the peninsula, crossing majestic mountains, rolling hills, and hidden villages. Speaking of rails, we can't forget the Bernina Express, which departs from Tirano, in Valtellina, reaches an altitude of 2,253 meters, and, after passing through fairytale landscapes, arrives in St. Moritz. A special experience, perfect for families with children.

6. Sailing

Those who love to lose themselves in the boundless blue can opt for a sailing vacation, less polluting than a traditional cruise, but equally exciting and certainly more dynamic. Sailing boats ensure lower emissions, as they are powered by the wind and the propulsion system is only activated for docking maneuvers. There are so many destinations in Italy to explore by sea, including the Aeolian archipelago, the Pontine Islands, the Amalfi Coast, and the Gulf of Orosei.

7. Immerse yourself in history

A holiday among towers and spires, crumbling walls, and narrow alleys, from which a knight or queen might suddenly emerge. In our country, to leap back to the year 1000, simply choose one of the many medieval towns that are the envy of the entire world. From Pergine Valsugana in Trentino, with its emblematic castle, to sumptuous Viterbo, with the largest medieval quarter in Europe, not to mention Fucecchio, Volterra, Fermo, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Anagni, Tarquinia, Narni, and many others. Furthermore, during the summer, these places often come alive with evocative events, with shows, markets, games, and tournaments that recreate the atmosphere of times gone by.

8. Exploring the rivers

River tourism, highly developed in France and Europe, is also gaining ground in Italy, which boasts over 1,500 kilometers of waterways. For a quiet and peaceful journey, far from crowds, simply rent a houseboat, which does not require a navigation permit, and set sail. Slow Flow, a network of tour operators in the Veneto region, organizes various experiences on the region's rivers and navigable basins. Friuli Venezia Giulia also offers numerous canal itineraries that, crossing natural landscapes, lead to extraordinary towns like Aquileia. Another ideal area for a holiday between land and water is the Po Delta, where you can visit the renowned park, a 64,000-hectare area home to over 400 animal species and nearly 1,000 plant varieties, surrounded by oases, pine forests, and ancient woodlands.

9. Have a farm experience

From the concrete that swallows cities to outdoor living. An original and increasingly popular idea is a countryside vacation. Sustainable and regenerating, it allows you to contribute to the farm's work, receiving food and lodging in return.

The day is spent, essentially, alongside the farmer, tilling the land, caring for the animals, and learning how to make cheese. Anyone interested can find excellent ideas on the WWOOF Italia website, an association that connects visitors with farms in need of willing helpers.

10. Volunteer

Finally, you can choose to combine your vacation with volunteer work: this is known as voluntourism, a form of travel that can be tailored to your time, skills, and the destination. These range from community service projects to childcare, environmental protection, and wildlife conservation. This year, for example, the WWF is offering camps in the Policoro and Torre Guaceto nature reserves or in Crotone, while Legambiente offers experiences on the island of Elba, Lampedusa, or the Sinis peninsula in Sardinia. But there are many smaller organizations operating at the local level that need a helping hand, especially during the summer months.