Italy has countless small villages filled with charm. Although we drive through many, my favorites are the ones nestled on the hillsides or serving as a crown on a hill. Enjoy your trip to a few of these picturesque gems. Any favorite?
Pinocchio on the Square in Collodi
Collodi is the village of Pinocchio
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My maternal grandmother was born up there in Uzzano
Uzzano
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Palleggio is on the way to my paternal grandparents hometown
Palleggio
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San Cassiano’s church built in the 8th Century
San Cassiano
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Dotting the countryside, and imagine more on the opposite slopes
Hillside Spots
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The towers in San Gimignano, which is more than a village
San Gimignano
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Look closely – The villages of the Cinque Terra
Cinque Terra
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Vernozza, one of the Cinque Terra villages
Vernozza
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Lucchio is a treasure where chicken eggs are cube shaped
Up to Lucchio
Across to Lucchio
Lucchio at the Top
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Debra at Bagni di Lucca and Beyond has wonderful posts. Not only does she capture the essence of Italy, she features here own collections of photographs when she visits Tuscan villages. See for yourself in the sample below.
A Frank Angle 
These are gorgeous pictures…yet, I’d really like to see a cube shaped egg. For reelz?
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Georgette,
That’s a chicken adaptation in Lucchio so their eggs don’t roll down the mountain.
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oh my gosh. that is wonderful. Love your pictures! Will you post any of these intriguing eggs?
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Catalina,
Welcome first-time commenter! On this trip I was able to capture some good photos, especially as a nonphotographer. if you’re interested, go to the sidebar > Catagories > Words …. where you will find some that I used in themes as corridors, arches, windows, shadows, etc. … A few more post from this trip are in About Me and Travel. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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The boys from Top Gear UK ended up in a town (I forget the name) with some streets too narrow for even their minicars (like the new FIAT 500), and surrounded by an earthen wall so wide, there was a two-lane road on the top. Absolutely gorgeous! Any of the mountain towns with late Medieval/early Renaissance architecture.
Were any of these towns in the northern/midway-east-west area that got hit with the earthquake last year? (Or was that 2011 – dang, the memory is offline tonight.)
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John,
I don’t believe any of these places were affected by the last major quake … although Lucchio is the closest to a common quake zone. Regarding Top Gear, maybe you’ll catch the name on a re-run.
BTW – great to have you back!
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I feel as if I should send you a gift card to anything you want, being as how you have saved me a boatload of money on travel with your posts.
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Cayman,
Ha ha …. glad you enjoyed the journey.
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All are wonderful, of course, Frank. They’re in Italy. But I have to say that I do love it when the mountains meet the sea — that’s why l love Maine. So I will choose any of the Cinque Terra villages. Any one will do. They serve Italian food in all of them, don’t they?
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Elyse,
Ah … the Cinque Terra is wonderful. My cousins took us there for a Sunday lunch in Monterosso … simply fabulous!
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Sadly, I have never been to Italy. I would love to go there and your images are stunning xx
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Spiced,
Italy is a long trip for you, but put it on your wish list, and I doubt if it will disappoint you.
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I think every place in these pictures looks lovely, with the exception of the Pinocchio head shrine. That’s a little creepy. I feel like I’d walk past and glass eyes would follow me or one of the mouths would open slowly as if to speak.Of course, everyone else around me would be oblivious to this freaky deaky stuff.
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Lame,
Ha ha … very funny. I will admit being a bit surprised at the display, but the eyes didn’t follow me … uh … I think.
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I too enjoy the sight of such villages. Have been to Italy a number of times, and enjoyed it very much… Especially the warm human relations. And of course, we have such villages too in our country. Thanks for the tour.
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Shimon,
The old villages throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa must have quite a few stories to tell and beauty to share.
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Thank you for the links to Bagni di Lucca and Beyond. I love these villages too.
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Debra,
My pleasure … and I hope others visit your wonderful posts!
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Gorgeous, Frank. You know how fascinated I am with Italy. It’s too hard to pick a favorite, but I like the Cinque Terra ones, and the San Cassiano’s church looks amazing. Thanks for sharing these!
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Bumble,
Cinque Terra is simply a fabulous region, and one I hope to return in the future. My paternal grandparents are from San Cassiano, and that church was built in 772! Here’s a past post about the town I think you will enjoy. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/on-a-heritage-walk/
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These are all great–make me feel like I am there. I cannot pick a favorite.
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Patti,
Not picking a favorite is fine, that is having multiple favorites! 🙂
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San Gimignano certainly gets my vote. What a charming and interesting town. The Cinque Terre is also a must see. 🙂
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Paradise,
Ah ha … I imagine these reminded you of your journeys. 🙂
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Absolutely so, Frank. 🙂
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Luchhio looks like an amazing place. THat middle image is a perfect shot – the lighting is fabulous. I always enjoy your travelogues Frank.
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Mobius,
Lucchio was very interesting! What a perch!!!! Meanwhile, the success of the second image was due to luck, but I do appreciate the thoughts from your trained eye.
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I never get bored to watch Italy photographs… They are so beautiful… and always fascinates me. Thank you dear Frank, love, nia
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Nia,
Never getting bored with Italy is a good description!
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Love those hill towns, Frank; thanks for sharing the photos!
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Lynn,
Their beauty is a sure winner!
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amazing just amazing post & pics! really like your blog 🙂
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Arif,
Welcome first-time commenter, and good luck with your new blog. Come on back because there are many good people here.
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Lucchio is my favorite, Frank. I love the villages of the countries around the Mediterranean. I’ve seen similar looking places in Spain, especially the pueblos blancos (white towns) of southern Spain. Thanks for the tour!
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Cathy,
Lucchio is easy to like … and thanks for the tip on southern Spain – a place I haven’t visited … yet. 😉
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Truly beautiful images Frank, each one pulling at me to visit Italy. It would be difficult to choose a favorite, but if I had to it would be Across to Lucchio. Wonderful!
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Alex,
Each village is different, and special in their own way. Gotta love ’em.
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Very picturesque villages, but perhaps not the place to imbibe too much chianti or you might find yourself at the bottom of a long hill.
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Fasab,
Well said! 😉 …. especially in Lucchio!
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Once again – very cool . Love the curve street with the building with the buildings hugging both sides. Pinocchio, houses like terraces up the hill – such views every where. Ahhhhh.
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Mouse,
Glad this post was able to transport you into a wonderful getaway … well, for a moment.
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They’re all gorgeous. What a treat for the eyes and mind. I love the shot of the narrow street in Vernozza.
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Carrie,
Vernozza is one of the Cinque Terra villages … thus a must visit!
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Each of these photos and locations they represent are so incredibly beautiful I don’t think I could pick a favorite. I love the villages up on the hills and the photos with a hint of fog and clouds creates such a peaceful setting. I really enjoyed seeing Pinocchio’s “home” and the village above the beautiful coastline calls my name! 🙂 What wonderful memories from this trip you have and I’m sure you’ll always have a strong pull to return. i know I would!
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Debra,
Pinocchio’s home village is very small, but with a grand estate that is now a museum. Because the coastline is calling your name, besides the Cinque Terra, add the Amalfi coast to your wish list!
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Love Italian villages, specially up north.
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Doggy,
I’m not as familiar with the north, but I’m sure I would enjoy it! After all, I want to visit Piedmonte!!!!
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I like the shots of Lucchio hugging the hill, Frank. Most charming.
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John,
It’s easy to like … and this was my first time there, and it captured me!
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Just wonderful!
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GFB,
Thanks … and someday I hope to see the charm of the villages in the UK.
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I can’t decide on a favourite, Frank. I was going to say Uzzano, but then saw another… and another… and ANOTHER! I like all!!!
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Tom,
It’s easy to understand … many thanks.
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Just wonder how they make their way home … if they leave their villages … some climbs. Wonderful photos all of them. Last photo my favorite … working on your challenge – but I can’t find any post that fit’s two of the letters. Really stranded, not so easy as I thought.
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Viveka,
The road to Lucchio as a narrow and winding up the hill. But back in the day, it must have been a protective place. Meanwhile, on the challenge …. sometimes creativity is the key … besides, you also have a second language. 🙂
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I would happily visit any one of those! I like the picture of Vernozza because it looks like you could step straight through the picture and start walking up that street! I like those kind of streets that you get in Mediterranean towns and villages, they’re kind of dark, but then you can turn down a little street off them and be in a glorious sunlit square.
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Vanessa,
Your great description of the Mediterranean towns and villages says it all.
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Cinque Terra was already on my list of places to see next time I get to Italy. But you make every street sound desirable. For us Americans, the thrill of seeing things that have been standing for hundreds of years speaks to us in a nearly spiritual way. I love Europe and Italy is so warm and welcoming. You must be proud of your roots.
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Renee,
No doubt, Cinque Terra is a must visit. My cousins took us there, so that was my first time – only visited Monterosso and Vernozza … and by train, not foot. Nonetheless, we view Europe like you do!
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The photo of Vernozza shows the lovely narrow streets that are so appealing to me.
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Cuttlefish,
Once you get settled in your new residence, keep Cinque Terra in mind! Flew into Pisa and then the train will get you there!
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Thanks for the pics. I went to Italy years ago and those pics immediately reminded me of what I loved so much about my time there. Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday!
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Dave,
As you know, there are so many glorious things to enjoy in Italy. Glad I was able to reignite memories of your trip.
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