Photo: Matteo_Ciani/Shutterstock

Italy's Most Underrated Islands Are Hiding in Plain Sight

When people think of Italian islands, Capri, Sardinia, and Sicily usually come to mind. But some of Italy's most compelling islands are the ones most travelers never consider. They're smaller, quieter, and full of distinct traditions, histories, and landscapes that feel worlds away from the tourist trail.

If Italy is on your list this summer and you're after something less crowded, these are the islands worth knowing about.

SEE ITALY’S UNDERRATED ISLANDS

N E W S

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky: 'Sometimes, a Hotel Is the Better Option.'

Photo: Suzie Dundas

Brian Chesky made a surprising admission at Airbnb's California headquarters on May 20: sometimes, a hotel is the better choice.

But the real news is what comes next. Airbnb is getting into the boutique hotel game, with a slate of new features designed to turn the platform into a full trip-planning tool rather than just a home-booking site.

SEE WHAT’S CHANGING AT AIRBNB→

T O - D O

May Edition

Where to travel: Pass Island in the Philippines
Where to stay: Hotels where the wildlife is the main attraction
What we’re loving: Video editor Sarah Dyrr skipped the hotels and slept on the Adriatic instead, exploring Croatia's coastline the way it was meant to be seen
What to do: Matador is now on Substack. Check out editor Tim Wenger's latest post: My Dirtiest Travel Habit Has a Name
Trip planning: Humans vs. AI: who actually plans a better trip?

G U I D E

Where to Turn a World Cup Trip Into a Beach Vacation

Photo: B Cruz/Shutterstock

Beach.com ranked the best beaches near every US, Canadian, and Mexican host city stadium, analyzing 1,500 beaches, filtering for quality, and calculating real-world drive times.

Here are the five host cities where a beach day is a genuine, practical add-on before or after kickoff.

FIND YOUR MATCH-DAY BEACH→

S T A Y S

Fiji Was Made For Island Hopping. These 3 Marriott Resorts Prove It.

Photo: Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island

Fiji is an archipelago of more than 330 islands, and spending your whole trip in one spot means missing the point.

This group of Marriott properties makes it easy to move around and see the country's more remote beauty. Here's what to expect at each one.

GO ISLAND-HOPPING IN FIJI→

G E A R

The Ultimate Summer Backpacking Gear Guide

Photo: Suzie Dundas

The right gear can make or break a trip. Whether you're building out your setup for the first time or upgrading a key piece before your next adventure, these are the summer backpacking essentials worth investing in before you hit the trail.

GET THE GEAR GUIDE→