Romantic Italy Photos

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

Small cars navigate the narrow streets, or vicoli, of the hill towns of Umbria, a region of central Italy that includes Gubbio. Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler. In medieval times, towns such as Gubbio, Perugia, Spoleto, and Assisi were their own little fiefdoms, built for defense. The vicoli tend to suddenly dead end or circle back—the better to confuse enemies chasing you with swords—but making navigation today rather confusing for visitors.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

One of the main attractions in the Umbrian hill town of Spello is the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which dates to the 12th century.

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

Inside the chapel in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore are frescoes by Renaissance painter Pinturicchio, born in nearby Perugia.

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

Iglis Meloni and his girlfriend, Letizia Pintauro, share an intimate conversation outside Perugia's Pasticceria Sandri.

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

Nuns from around the world come to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan order here in 1208. These nuns, visiting from Germany, overlook the town from the ramparts of the Rocca Maggiore, the larger of two castles in Assisi.

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

"It's not unusual to find travelers and locals strolling side by side along the little streets of Spello," says photographer Justin Guariglia. "Umbrian hill towns are filled with hidden niches and quiet corners waiting to be explored—and photographed."

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

The Mastio fortress offers a perfect vantage point for admiring Lake Trasimeno outside the town of Castiglione de Lago.

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

In Gubbio, a couple standing at an overlook on Mount Ingino take in the environs of the Palazzo dei Consoli, a 14th-century seat of medieval government. The palace now houses an art collection and the Eugubine Tablets, a series of seven bronze slabs inscribed with the ancient Umbrian language.

Photographer Justin Guariglia explored Umbria while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

Piero Miccio is the headwaiter at Perugia's most renowned pastry shop, Pasticceria Sandri, which dates to 1860. Today, besides pastries, the shop also has a full bar.

Photographer Justin Guariglia captured scenes of Perugia while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Photograph by Justin Guariglia

One of Sandri's offerings is a fish-shaped cookie.

Photographer Justin Guariglia captured scenes of Perugia while shooting "The World's Sexiest Small City" for the November/December 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.