From its perch in Puglia's Gargano region, the medieval town of Monte Sant'Angelo is announced by rows of whitewashed houses tracing the slope of the hillside it's nestled upon. One of the little-known towns exuding old-world charm along Italy's coast, Monte Sant'Angelo's main attraction is the Sanctuary of San Michele, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. It dates back to the 5th century, when the holy apparitions of Saint Michael the Archangel were said to have occurred in the town's cave. 

While the Sanctuary attracts its fair share of devotees and tourists, there is much more to Monte Sant'Angelo. The historic 9th-century castle, a medieval town center with its cobblestone streets and stairways, stunning views of the Gulf of Manfredonia, and the overall atmosphere of this centuries-old town can seemingly transport you back in time, provided that you're visiting during the quieter and cooler months of April to June, away from the throngs of summer tourists.