It’s easy to see how Assisi could have inspired St. Francis’s rejection of worldly goods for a life of poverty and prayer—this hillside town glows with a simple, profound, and moving beauty. As the birthplace of the saint, it has been attracting pilgrims for nearly a millennium and is thus well-adjusted to its role as a tourist destination. Fortunately, Francis’s spirit has kept the souvenir schlock and wax museums away from his hometown, letting serene Assisi remain filled with a lot of long, pretty streets and a heck of a lot of churches. It’s a relatively small town that can be seen in a daytrip, but it is also unhurried and elegant. If possible, take your time and spend a night here so that you can stroll the ancient streets while the sunset dances on the stone. Listen carefully, and you might hear the whispers of the olive trees, grape vines, and oaks below—who says communing with nature is just a saintly thing?