India, April 27 -- Located along the Adriatic Coast in central southern Italy is the quasi-anonymous, blink-and-you'll-miss-it region of Molise. Encircled by the regions of Lazio, Abruzzo, Puglia, and Campania, it's about a three-hour drive from major cities like Rome and Naples. Few have ever heard of it, and even fewer have visited.

For such a small destination, Molise packs quite the punch when it comes to geographic diversity. It has the Apennines shawled with snow, rolling green valleys, and a stretch of pristine coastline that's home to some of Italy's best and most underrated beaches. Its small size, while often overlooked, is also the region's superpower. If you're up to the challenge, you could spend the mornings in its mountai...