We’ve often found that the most beautiful villages in Italy are small, off-the-beaten-track towns that we never heard of, ones we find serendipitously or are told about by friends. These diminutive destinations tend to be more authentic and far less touristed. And, as a rule, the residents are more likely to welcome visitors more warmly than the denizens of larger, anonymous cities that often grow tired of seeing too many tourists invade their towns and cities.

This month, the association I Borghi pìu belli d’Italia added seven new hamlets to its list of The Most Beautiful Borghi of Italy, a wonderful list of places to explore. With these additions, 361 villages are now part of this prestigious group.