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Top Ten Unknown - and Unspoiled - Regions

With obvious exceptions such as Provence, the Dordogne and Tuscany, the regions which we feature in our various programmes are not very well known to the British, and in some cases (such as the province of Teruel in Aragón, Spain) are largely unknown even by the population of the country in question. It could be argued, however, that this is no bad thing - it does at least mean that these regions remain wonderfully unspoiled and tranquil, making them a joy to discover for those who do venture there.

The Engadine, Switzerland. Despite the fact that St Moritz lies at one end of the valley, the Engadine in eastern Switzerland thankfully remains completely unspoiled. Today, idyllic villages such as Guarda and Zuoz look largely the same as they did several centuries ago, their cobbled streets lined with sturdy stone houses whose arched doorways and deeply recessed windows are decorated with delicately painted patterns and murals (sgraffiti) and window-boxes dripping with flowers.

The Lot Valley, France. Picturesque scenery, plentiful sunshine and an intriguing history (this was an important battleground in the Hundred Years War) lend the Lot Valley to leisurely exploration. From its exquisite stone villages to its delicious cuisine, and from its beautiful, meandering river to its crumbling châteaux, the Lot Valley holds much in common with its northerly neighbour, the Dordogne. The one difference is that this is France off the tourist trail, and in the tranquillity you can truly appreciate the Lot’s timelessness and rich wildlife, including many raptors, butterflies and wild orchids.

The Apennines, Italy. Inntravel may have been offering walking holidays to the Apennines for many years, but they remain largely unknown. Stretching from Liguria to Umbria, these rugged mountains form Italy's spine, and are great walking country. Autumn is a particularly special time here as the woods of beech, oak and chestnut that coat the lower slopes provide wonderful displays of colour, and the abundant chestnuts and wild mushrooms are incorporated in a variety of delicious local dishes.

Lake Iseo, Italy. Iseo is the smallest of Lombardy's four major lakes and, though it nestles between the famous lakes of Como and Garda, is a secret jewel. To the north, the landscapes are rugged and wild, while its southern shores yield to the gentle, vine-covered hills that produce the delicious Franciacorta wines. However, perhaps the lake's loveliest feature is its delightful island, Monte Isola, with its distinctly Mediterranean landscape.

The Garrotxa, Spain. Catalonia as a whole may be well known, especially because of its vibrant capital, Barcelona, and the tempting beaches of the Costa Brava, but this corner of the region in the foothills of the Pyrenees still feels very much like uncharted territory. Here, you can walk across warm, wooded hills on scenic paths that have linked the stone villages and their pretty Romanesque churches for centuries and not meet another soul all day.

Auvergne, France. Thanks to the adverts for a certain brand of mineral water, most Britons will at least have heard of the Auvergne, even if very few have actually visited it. Admittedly, it is not the easiest place to get to – from Paris you face a six-hour train journey – but it is well worth the effort. The bulky (and deceptively high) mountains are surprisingly green, their pastures grazed by the omnipresent Salers cow whose milk is made into a delicious cheese of the same name, and the cones of the extinct volcanoes (puys) add a certain enchantment to the scenery.

Borderland between southern Catalonia and Aragón, Spain. Just two hours south of Barcelona, the frontier land between the ancient kingdoms of Catalonia and Aragón are strikingly beautiful and utterly timeless, dotted with ancient chapels, crumbling hermitages, and fortified villages. Here, you enjoy the sensation of being in 'real', undiscovered Spain, and are made to feel like honoured guests at the area's handful of hotels.

Sicily's Madonie Mountains, Italy. Rising from Sicily's centre, the Madonie Mountains stretch northwards towards the Tirrenian Sea. Unaware of the wonderful possibilities for walking, few tourists, British or otherwise, venture here, and the result is a great sense of space and freedom – and absolute tranquillity, broken only by the occasional cry of a royal eagle. Spring, when endemic flowers coat the ground, and autumn, when the reds and golds of the turning leaves light up the wooded slopes, are particularly special times.

Salzburgerland, Austria. There are parts of the Salzburgerland that are very well-known to skiers, and others which are not. One such corner is the Hochkönig ski area whose slopes, in contrast to those of domains elsewhere in the region such as Zell am See, are enjoyed by a relatively small number of skiers each winter. You can ski from one narrow, tranquil valley to another, and marvel at tiny villages that cluster round pretty churches. Similarly, the Saalach Valley, a paradise for cross-country skiers, is also very much the quiet face of the Salzburgerland, dotted with traditional hamlets and framed by the Leoganger Steinbecke Mountains.

Basilicata, Italy. With the exception of the Apennines (see above), northern Italy is pretty well-known, but this is not the case for regions of southern Italy (referred to by Italians as il mezzogiorno – 'land of the midday sun') such as Basilicata. A sure sign that the region remains largely untouched is that small numbers of wolves can still be found in the Pollino National Park. The Park is also home to rare trees and an abundance of wild flowers – despite being Italy's deep south, Basilicata is surprisingly green. Contrasting with the rugged mountains of the region's interior is the magnificent coastline, dotted with tiny coves.

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