Skip the Crowds, Keep the Charm: Discover This Italian Gem That’s Just as Beautiful as Tuscany – for Half the Price

Basilica of Assisi: Majestic and peaceful – the Basilica of San Francesco is where even your heart and camera pause for a moment.

If the word Italy instantly makes you think of Tuscany, prepare to reset your inner compass. Because tucked somewhere between cypress trees, pasta, and la dolce vita lies a lesser-known treasure: Umbria.More precisely: Assisi and Perugia. Two towns that surprised me so much, I almost hesitate to share them with you.Why? Because Umbria tastes like truffles, croccante, and espresso served in quiet old-town cafés – all for prices that might just make you drop your cappuccino (in the best way).

Basssilica Ceiling Assisi:

Frescoes that tell stories – the painted vault will make you feel like a child on your first museum visit.

Assisi – Between Heaven, Saints, and Hazelnut Croccante

Assisi, the town of Saint Francis, welcomes you with such beauty and silence that you instinctively lower your voice. The famous Basilica of San Francesco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of medieval art with its radiant Giotto frescoes. For photographers? An absolute dream.

Have you ever been somewhere that suddenly feels quiet, even with tourists buzzing around?

That’s what happened to me in Assisi.

A view from below – Assisi isn’t just on a hill, it feels closer to the sky.

The moment I stood on the square in front of the Basilica, everything else melted away. The air, the light, the voices – it was like someone hit the mute button. And that basilica! Majestic, yet deeply human. Maybe it’s the spirit of Saint Francis buried there. Maybe it’s the vivid frescoes glowing all the way up the arches. I just stood there thinking: This is what peace feels like.

1.Rocciata and Crocante, Assisi Crispy, sweet, and oh-so Umbrian: croccante and rocciata – perfect snacks for a photo walk. 2. A pastel dream: these meringue sticks look like a unicorn had a birthday party 3. Pasticceria Ristorante Sandri, Chocolate Cake, Perugia 4.Sandri Perugia Since 1860: Pasticceria Sandri is a sweet institution along Corso Vannucci.

And just as I was sinking into this meditative moment, my stomach took over. Time for sweets. And Umbria knows how to do sweet.

I nibbled my way through every little pasticceria I passed: from croccante artigianale – those heavenly almond brittle slabs – to rocciata, a strudel filled with fruit, pistachios, or chocolate. If you’re lucky, you’ll even find spiedini di meringa– colorful meringue sticks that look like a unicorn threw a birthday party.

Local tip: Just around the corner from the basilica, you’ll find Ristorante San Francesco, lovingly decorated with little angels on the sign and flower pots at the entrance. It's picture-perfect – and the coffee’s not bad either.

Perugia – Chocolate, Cobblestones, and Quiet Corners

Perugia sits like a crown on a hilltop. Its historic center is a dreamy maze of archways, stairs, alleys, and stone squares – perfect for those who love to get lost while discovering something beautiful.

Just a 30-minute drive from Assisi, Perugia is the capital of Umbria – and trust me, it has true character. Not flashy or polished, but real. Think cobblestone streets, ancient stone walls, a vibrant student vibe, and just a whisper of chocolate in the air.

Yes, chocolate. Perugia is the hometown of the famous Baci Perugina and hosts the Eurochocolate Festival every year. But even outside of festival time, you’ll find tempting chocolate shops everywhere – like the whimsical Chocostore, with storefronts so charming you’ll forget to count calories.

What truly amazed me?

Via dell’Acquedotto, Medieval Perugia. Walking along an ancient aqueduct – one of Perugia’s most scenic photography spots.

The Via dell’Acquedotto – an ancient Roman aqueduct turned pedestrian walkway that winds right through the city. You walk across stone arches with colorful houses and green shutters beneath your feet – a photographer’s paradise.

The Piazza IV Novembre is the heart of the city, with the impressive Palazzo dei Priori and the Fontana Maggiorefountain. During the day, the square buzzes with students, locals, and school groups. But in the evening? It transforms. I was lucky enough to catch the blue hour – the piazza felt enchanted. And me? I couldn’t put my camera down.

Piazza IV Novembre, Perugia

The heart of Perugia: where history, gelato, and local conversations flow together.

Umbria – More Than Just a Tuscany Alternative

What touched me most about Umbria was its honesty. Nothing is over-polished or artificial. Everything feels lived in – and alive. People greet you without expecting you to buy anything. The food is fabulous – and without Tuscany’s inflated price tag. The photos I took here? Some of my all-time favorites.

And to be honest: next time, I might just skip Tuscany altogether.

Why would I? I found peace in Assisi. Inspiration in Perugia.And both – at half the price.

Warm light on a golden city: when Perugia glows in golden light , you simply stop – and shoot.

Assisi’s medieval walls tell stories – of pilgrims, poetry, and pizza Margherita.

Why September Is the Best Time to Visit Umbria

• Fewer tourists than in summer, but still lively in the towns and villages

• Pleasant weather (usually around 75°F/24°C) – perfect for strolling and photography

• Grape harvest season! Enjoy regional festivals, markets, and culinary highlights

• Affordable meals: trattoria menus at half the price of Florence

• Gentle light: dreamy for camera or phone photography

My Travel Tips for Your September Trip to Umbria

• Best travel time: Early to mid-September – sunny, but no longer scorching

• How to get there: Fly into Rome or Florence, then rent a car or take the train (about 2 hours)

• Suggested itinerary: 2–3 nights in Perugia, 2 nights in Assisi

• Where to stay: Boutique hotels or B&Bs with hillside views – many still very affordable

• Must-pack: Comfy shoes – old towns mean cobblestones and stairs

• Souvenirs to bring home: Chocolate, croccante, local olive oil, or handmade ceramics from Assisi

• Photo spots:

  • Assisi: Basilica square at sunrise and blue hour

  • Perugia: Via dell’Acquedotto and Piazza IV Novembre at night

  • And don’t forget a snapshot of those pastel meringues – they’re like cotton candy for the camera!

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© All images and text by Susanne Kremer. No unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution allowed. For licensing or collaboration inquiries, contact me at skremerphoto@gmail.com. Visit my Etsy shop: WanderlustSKremer.