When seeking out new destinations in Italy, you often don’t have to go far to find them. Even as popular an area as the Italian Riviera has a good choice of intriguing villages and towns that many well-traveled visitors have yet to discover. Here are four coastal havens you might not know about but should consider for your next trip to the region; three are designated among the most beautiful villages in Italy (I Borghi Più Belli D'Italia): Noli, Cervo and Tellaro.

NOLI

In a country where many destinations have unique histories, Noli stands out. This small town was once a maritime republic, like Venice, Pisa, and Genoa, and managed to retain its independence far longer than some better-known rivals, enduring from the 12th century until it succumbed to Napoleonic forces in 1797.