On your first day in Italy, you'll see why this country is one of the world's most popular destinations.

And you'll also likely learn the downside of all those crowds.

Hi, I'm Rick Steves. Today on Travel with Rick Steves, we're venturing away from the crowds and learning about two lesser-known regions.

Places where you can find all the ambience and beauty of Italy's more touristy locations,

but at a fraction of the cost and with a lot more elbow room.

Fred Plotkin is the definitive expert on regional Italian cuisine.

He finds the highlights of Italian culture as much in its cuisine as in its great sights.

Chasing Italy's best food gets you close to the culture

while taking you far from the crowds.

If you go to Frely Vanetsia, Julia,

they are so welcoming because they're so surprised to see you.

And two tour guides tell us how easy it's been for them to turn old farmhouses into dream

homes. Think under the Tuscan sun, but in the less expensive region just next door.

It's a bit like Scotland with the sunshine.

Lesser-known Italy, it's just ahead on Travel with Rick Steeves.

If you're looking for something new and affordable under the Tuscan Sun, our guest today on Travel with

Rick Steeves might recommend you set your sights a little further to the east to see what a

neighboring region of Italy can offer.

Fred Plotkin joins us today to tell us why he thinks the Friuli Vanitia

region, or FVG for short, is about as good as it gets in Italy.

And later, two tour guides, one American and one British, explain how they're turning

old farmhouses in La Marquet into homes with a grand view of the countryside of Italy.

...