This does not include our adopted home of Riomaggiore.

Nice, Ray! So how about your Top 10 of that list?

I’ve stayed at four of the places you’ve listed and will be staying at another one in a few months. I do like the less touristy locations & experiences, too. There’s others I would add to my list for Italy; the fun is researching & the anticipation of finally being there in person! ; )

(A crazy busy touristy location like Alberobello can become serene in the evening/night & early mornings.)

Which of these are easiest to get to without a car?

Padova (12) trivial without a car and difficult with a car, but hardly a back door

Capri (2) also hardly a back door, only doable by boat, and useless with a car.

Yes, I shouldnt have included Padua, Capri, Alberobello, Monopoli, Spello, and Porto Venere as "back doors". All are well know by repeat travelers. But certainly not as well know as the biggies...Rome, Venice, Napoli etc. A car is certainly needed for the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo, Sorano, Apricale, Tindari, Fosdinovo, and maybe a Jeep for Bussana Vecchia. Everything else is easily reachable by Italy's excellent and under-rated public transportation system. Several of these are only for day-trip visits...Tindari, Tarquinia, Bussana Vecchia, & Fosdinovo. Italy is loaded with fascinating places.

San Casiano dei Bagni and Celle Sul Rigo in Italy.

Like many on this forum we are making our way around Italy. We did go to Padua last year and will be in Assisi and Ravenna this year. So many great places to visit - large cities, small cities, hilltowns, villages - who knows how many trips it will take us to see them all. Rest assured, we have having fun doing it!

Cella Sul Rigo Tuscany, Trevi, Umbria. I firmly believe that both Umbria and Tuscany are full of charming villages like these that are off the tourist track. Also of note (but have not stayed overnight in), Bevagna & Montefalco, Umbria and San Casciano de Bagni, Tuscany