By Catherine Sabino

Authentic has become a buzzword in travel in recent years, as visitors increasingly seek out unique and immersive experiences, the quest for what’s genuine revamping itineraries as travelers re-evaluate what to see and do, where to dine, and, as importantly, where to stay. This pursuit of the authentic has meant, among other shifts in travelers’ tastes, a renewed interest in hotels with strong ties to their local cultures, which can include historic structures and heritage properties, often independently owned.

If you’re planning for travel to Italy in 2022 (or sooner), you can find some of the most enchanting of these sites by checking out the hotels that are part of the Autentico (autentico means authentic in Italian) collection. Founded in 2015 by Beatriz Gimeno and Mario Cardone, who held senior positions at iconic properties like Porto Ercole’s Il Pellicano and Ischia’s Termi Manzi, the now 18-member network includes locations from Italy’s Alps to such coastal havens as Amalfi and Sardinia … continue reading

Catherine Sabino has worked for magazines in Italy and the US, and was editor-in-chief of Forbes Special Interest Publications, Gotham Magazine and Four Seasons Magazine, a travel and lifestyle publication. In addition to living and going to school in Italy, she has written two books on Italian design, published by Crown/Clarkson Potter, and has produced features from many regions in Italy and countries in Europe. Her focus is on travel in Italy and Western Europe.