Discover Italy’s Hidden Gems: Cervinia-Breuil, Genoa, and Assisi Make the New York Times’ 2026 Travel List
Italy is once again in the spotlight as three of its destinations have been included in the New York Times’ annual list of 52 alternative tourism proposals. Cervinia-Breuil, Genoa, and Assisi have been selected for their unique offerings, from glamorous ski tourism to historic palaces and spiritual celebrations. This year’s list also features a tiger reserve in India and a festival in Iceland for the total solar eclipse in August.
Anniversaries and Celebrations
Some destinations were chosen due to significant anniversaries, such as the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the halfway point of the first century of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories in East Sussex, England. Opera lovers will be delighted to know that Bayreuth, home to a festival celebrating its 150th anniversary, is also on the list. The festival will feature seven titles of Wagner’s operas this summer.
Cervinia-Breuil: A Rising Star in Ski Tourism
Breuil-Cervinia, located on the Italian side of the Matterhorn, is finally emerging from the shadow of its Swiss neighbor Zermatt. The inauguration of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, the highest cable car in Europe, in 2023 marked the beginning of a new era for the town. Old facilities have been replaced with high-speed chairlifts, and a $235 million modernization project is improving access to Plateau Rosa, a high-altitude skiable glacier open year-round. The historic Valtur Cervinia Cristallo has been reborn as a five-star resort, and the Wood restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin star, offers a unique blend of Nordic and Piedmontese cuisine.
Genoa: A City Reborn
Genoa has taken over from Milan as one of the top destinations in Italy. The city’s Levante Waterfront project, designed by Renzo Piano, is nearing completion and is reconnecting Genoa to its illustrious maritime past. The historic center’s sumptuous Palazzi dei Rolli are reopening rooms that had long been closed to the public, and the Palazzo Ducale will host a large exhibition dedicated to the Flemish master Anthony van Dyck in March. A new generation of chefs is rethinking traditional Genoese dishes, such as fish, trofie with pesto, and focaccia, making the city’s gastronomic scene feel fresh and exciting.
Assisi: A Spiritual Celebration
Assisi, a UNESCO site since 2000, is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. The city will host a year-long series of initiatives, culminating in the exhibition of the saint’s remains to the public for the first time from February 22 to March 22. The historic festival Calendimaggio will also return from May 6 to 9, featuring music, theater, processions, and other events that recall the medieval rivalries between the two districts of Assisi.
For more information on these destinations and the New York Times’ 2026 travel list, visit Here