About DolceRoutes

Dolce Routes began with a simple belief: Italy at its most beautiful is not the Italy of the brochures. It is an unmarked trattoria in Matera, a country road in Puglia on an August evening, the silence of a Baroque church that organised tours have yet to discover.

This guide is for people who want to travel slowly and with curiosity, taking time to understand the places they pass through rather than simply ticking them off a list.

Behind Dolce Routes is a discreet network of writers who know Italy first-hand: enthusiasts, expatriates and experienced travellers, each with a deep knowledge of their region.

We have chosen to keep our writers anonymous to ensure complete objectivity. They explore incognito, pay their own bills and follow the itineraries under real conditions, just as you would. We do not take press trips or specially arranged guided tours: we focus on the experience you can expect on the ground. This approach allows us to offer candid advice and notice the details that come from having walked the streets ourselves.

Dolce Routes does not aggregate other people’s recommendations. Every city guide, itinerary and article draws on real experiences, with attention to practical details and a measured voice: neither breathless enthusiasm nor a dry list of facts.

You will find in-depth city guides to places such as Lecce, Matera and Otranto, itineraries tested day by day, monthly guides to help you decide when to go and what to expect, and feature articles on Italian food, culture and everyday life.

For questions, editorial partnerships or to report an error, write to us using the details on our contact page. We read every message and reply as soon as we can.