Spain is less parochial than Portugal, but for me.. Italy every time
Far more laid back, plod are, in general, great.. Local govt easy to get on with, and unlike Spain, you make the smallest effort to join in the local community ( and nope, I canna speak barely a sentence of Italian so I aint talking about language ) and you will be welcomed with open arms..
However, avoid the whole area of Rome ( unless of course you have designs on either being robbed blind or you are 'connected' and intend being the next gangster there )
Down to Terni is fine, and past say, the Isernia area are all fantastico ! @tu*