When not in Rome. With colder weather on the way, tourist season is tapering off in Italy, leaving an empire’s worth of hidden gems open for savvy travelers to explore in less crowded conditions, one travel expert shares.

The best places to see on the boot during the fall and winter are lively but lesser known towns, miles and miles from major cities and tourist magnets like the Amalfi Coast, according to Maria Nuzzolillo, who loves to share her home region of Campania with interested visitors.