A Secret Italian Island For A 'Slow-Life' Vacation In The Mediterranean Is A Pristine Beach Beauty

Slow travel is quality over quantity — a style of visiting a destination that focuses on experiencing it deeply without attempting to cover as many sights as possible. A day spent at a beach or park, or just walking around town, is a good example of how a slow-life vacation unfolds. Perhaps you've just finished exploring Naples, the Italian city with a reputation for being dangerous, and need a bit of a breather. Or you found the serene beach town of Anzio near Rome and are looking for a similarly peaceful Italian destination. Either way, the island of Levanzo off the west coast of Sicily is the pristine Mediterranean paradise that epitomizes a slow-life vacation destination.

The smallest of the three main islands that constitute the Egadi archipelago, Levanzo is a little over 3 miles across and dotted with spectacular coves, beaches, and bays. A short ferry ride from the coastal town of Trapani, which is also the closest international airport, the island is the perfect place to disconnect and soak in the local rustic charm. While the beaches and the remarkably clear water might be enough for some, the island does have a few impressive attractions. A dive site with a shipwreck and a grotto with paintings that date back over 10,000 years draw quite a few visitors to the island. It's the perfect place for a slow-life vacation, but its small size also means hotels and tours fill up fast, so be sure to make your bookings well in advance.

The island is a rocky ridge jutting out of pristine blue waters with patches of greenery and quaint white houses clustered around the coast. Its diminutive scale makes it perfect for exploring on foot, but if you try to cover the entire island on a day trip, your slow vacation might feel a little rushed. Instead, book yourself accommodations well in advance so that you can spend a few nights here. Short-term rental apartments are available that are not too expensive. To not get hit by peak tourist season prices, avoid visiting Levanzo between June and August. Instead, plan your trip during the shoulder seasons between March and May or September and October.

Levanzo has several beaches; you can spend the day lounging at any one of them and have fun talking to the locals. To get closer acquainted with the pristine blue waters, go snorkeling or dive down to the old Roman shipwreck that lies sunken off the island's coast. History buffs will have a particularly fun time exploring the remains of ancient pottery on the seabed, but the pièce de résistance is the Grotta del Genovese, or The Cave of Genoese. Not too large, this ancient cave features paintings dating back to prehistoric eras. Be sure to book your visit at least 48 hours in advance. A guided tour costs 40 Euros (about 41 U.S. Dollars) and includes transport to the grotto.