One of the reasons I love Italy so much is because the country is so unpretentious. Apart from Milan, there is actually very little that is 'hip'. Don't get me wrong: I, too, am not averse to a matcha or a glass of natural wine every now and then, but sometimes it is a bit tiring, isn't it? Always wanting to go looking for the trendiest spots you've seen pop up on Instagram…

And I believe there are more people like me. Given the enormous rise of the neo-bistro and – as Mara Grimm wrote after a visit to Athens – also the neo-tavern. People yearn for classic and authentic places. Hear hear.

What do we need, then? Do we want to go back to simple? Perhaps for our wallets too. I get the feeling we do. Here in Amsterdam, too, brown pubs are popular again. And also the recently opened Amsterdam Bouillon shows that people yearn for somewhat classic, timeless, and affordable places.

For me, this is largely what Italy is all about. If you ask me to describe this country in one word, I would say: patinaSomething that bears a visible layer of time, history, and character. Think of antique tiled floors, weathered marble staircases, sun-bleached shutters, and wooden tables that have been eaten at for generations. Nothing feels new or perfectly polished – and therein lies the beauty. Italy lives, wears, discolors, and this is precisely why I love Italy so much. 

Okay, if you like places like this, then Turin is your favorite city too! After all, the city is known for its  “caffè storici” and that in combination with many modern art and design shops. 

The classic: Caffè TurinRight on the square, this is the place to be for a appetizer and to get a taste of the authentic Turin atmosphere.

We will, however, sleep in one of the nicest and newest spots in the city: Casa Del Pingone.

Planning a holiday to Sardinia? Unlike most people, I would say: Be sure to Cagliari not over. Even if only for Antico Caffè. A place where I could spend hours (followed by wine or dinner at, for example, Old friend Cagliari, Vineria Villanova of Cerchio Rosso) 

Photos Antico Caffé

I do prefer sleeping outside Cagliari, though, because I'm completely lost in Giulia's breakfast at Mario Cesare. Too fun bed and breakfastin the old house of artist Mario Cesare. 

 Photos Mario Cesare

Not the most famous city in Puglia, but absolutely one of my favorites. And honestly? Caffè de Parisi is perhaps the reason why. 

Photos Caffe Parisi by Linde Rozis

Op plinius By the way, you will find plenty of nice hotels or houses near Nardò, perfect as a base to discover the charm of this region. For example N059 

I love Liguria! Especially the stretch between Nice and Genoa, which is bursting with picturesque towns and beautiful beaches. Also a very good (and much cheaper) alternative to the adjacent French Côte d'Azur.

Imperia has both, a nice city and a great beach: Start your day at Caffè Pasticceria Piccardo for a coffee with something sweet. Visit the market and then the beaches of Porto Maurizio.

You can sleep very well at this amazing little apartment (N042) which lies 10 minutes inland, in Montegrazie. A sleepy village, but where you can eat wonderfully at the little Slow Food restaurant: Ristorante Al Santuario 

Ascoli Piceno is a small Italian town that surprised me enormously. It is like walking through a film set; everything is so perfect and beautiful. The square is not called one of the most beautiful in Italy for nothing, and the town has indeed served as a backdrop for films on several occasions.

The crowning glory of the square is undoubtedly Caffè Meletti. Just put me here for a day, and I'll effortlessly switch from coffee with their world-famous anisetta to an aperitivo, while endlessly people-watching.

Oh, and what you really must try: olive oil, the famous fried olives filled with meat or cheese — a local snack that tastes perfect with a glass of Verdicchio.

Photos of Caffè Meletti

Where to stay? In a Call Me By Your Name-like villa, run by a lovely family. Romantic, charming, and thoroughly Italian. No 5-star luxury, but a place with character, warmth, and a healthy dose of Italian charm.. Perfect for those who value atmosphere over perfection.

Photos by Linde Rozis

Another place that naturally cannot be missed: Caffè Florian, the most famous and oldest coffee house in Venice. It has existed since 1720 and is located on the famous St. Mark's SquareIt is a true Venetian classic where artists, writers, and intellectuals once sat.

Sleeping in a palace on the Grand Canal is exactly what you want when you are in Venice. And especially in the Venice Venice HotelThe hotel is located in Palazzo Ca' da Mosto, one of the oldest palaces on the Grand Canal, right by the Rialto Bridge.

What makes it special: it is not a classic Venetian palace hotel full of baroque and gold, but rather a artistic and modern hotel that combines historical architecture with contemporary art, design pieces, and installations.

Photos Venice Venice