Places onlyfrancis Wants to Go

Locals pay their respects at a shrine to soccer player Diego Maradona—which claims to contain a real lock of his hair.

Fried artichokes and other Roman–Jewish classics are executed with care at this no-frills cafeteria.

Though they look like Hobbit houses, these semi-underground stone structures were built for winemaking.

For one of Rome’s finest renditions of cacio e pepe, head straight to this osteria.

A stunning medieval castle houses this eclectic, interactive tribute to all things wine.

An Italian vineyard invites religious pilgrims to stop by 24/7 to get their drink on, for free.

The world's first underwater farm is home to more than 700 plants.

Before it was buried by volcanic ash, this fast-food restaurant fed the hungry hordes of ancient Rome.

This 17th-century passageway is home to numerous bookshops, a witch legend, and the oldest pizzeria in the world.

A popular legend claims that the famous pizza was invented at a restaurant in this alley.

This real life asylum of horrors is now an abandoned ruin that hides the unbreakable code to one patient's insanity.

This abandoned Brutalist treehouse is a hidden architectural relic.

This medieval Italian town is a sheer (and beautiful) cliffside defense.

Natural cathedral designed by Italian artist Giuliano Mauri.

A medieval weapon rumored to have been used by the brilliant poet himself.

An incredible menagerie of more than 3 million taxidermied animals at the oldest science museum in Europe.

Every day is like Christmas on this street where the traditional Neapolitan nativity scene comes to life.

Eco-village hidden in the foothills of the Alps that created a massive system of psychedelic underground temples.

A fairytale island floats in the middle of Italy's little-known Lake Orta.

Filled with goldfish swimming in a shallow pool of sea water, this ancient crypt is more wishing well than burial site.

This Tuscan lake hides a 13th century town that is still visible when the water recedes.

Legend says this mysterious stone head belongs to a woman who was petrified by an alchemist.

Abandoned medieval hill town.

The graveyard is filled with beautiful funerary art and boasts breathtaking views of Florence.