I dodged the crowds in Rome and visited a charming, underrated city just over two hours away

• After traveling to many of Italy's most-visited cities, I stayed in a less-popular one: Perugia.

• Perugia is only about a two-hour drive from Rome, but it didn't feel as overrun with tourists.

• The historic town was full of culture, and I enjoyed the standout local cuisine.

After visiting some of Italy's hot spots, like Rome, Venice, and Florence, I wanted to check out a lesser-visited city that a friend had recommended: Perugia.

The city, which is only about a two-hour drive from Rome, is the capital of Central Italy's Umbria region.

Although it's often overlooked in favor of more popular tourist destinations, I learned that Perugia has just as much to offer.

Here's what my trip was like and why I think this underrated location should be on everyone's travel bucket list.

I started my journey in Solomeo, a village located within the Province of Perugia.

Before heading to the city center, I stopped in Solomeo, which is located within the Province of Perugia.

Solomeo is a preserved rural Italian village with a picturesque atmosphere straight out of a fairytale. This makes sense since fashion designer and Umbria native Brunello Cucinelli restored the town, and has invested significantly in keeping his region's culture and architecture intact.

Stopping here was a highlight of the trip — it truly felt like stepping back in time.

In Perugia, I stayed at the only 5-star hotel in the city center.

I stayed at the Sina Brufani, a 140-year-old property and the only 5-star hotel in the city center.

The hotel felt modern but had a distinct old-world charm. At only $300 per night, I found it was more affordable than comparable properties in other cities, like Rome.

My room offered beautiful views of the city and the surrounding greenery. The property was also within walking distance of many of the city's major sites.

The hotel’s wellness spa offered views of 3,000-year-old ruins.

I was most excited to stay at Sina Brufani because of the pool in the wellness spa, which has a transparent floor overlooking the ruins of a 3,000-year-old ancient Etruscan settlement.

This truly felt like a bucket-list experience, and I spent hours swimming while gawking at the historic details.

The city center was easy to explore on foot.

Exploring on foot is my favorite pastime when traveling. I found Perugia to be very walkable and loved that the winding cobblestone streets featured local bars, restaurants, shops, and historic locations.

I also visited the stunning Piazza IV Novembre, home to picturesque steps, Medieval architecture, and a bronze-and-marble fountain that dates back to the 13th century.

The local meals were some of the best I’ve had in Italy.

The food in Perugia was incredible. I especially enjoyed dinner at Collins' Restaurant, which served traditional Umbrian cuisine.

The seasonal menu, which featured goods from local producers, offered many of the region's token specialties, like truffles, Umbrian olive oil, and wild mushrooms.

I also enjoyed sampling grab-and-go meals.

Some of my favorite meals when visiting Italy include the readily available grab-and-go sandwiches made with fresh bread, cheeses, and meats.

The one I tried at a local café in Perugia comprised simply of fresh mozzarella and prosciutto. It was by far one of the best I've had.

I already can’t wait to return to Perugia.

Full of history and picturesque villages, I can't wait to head back to the underrated Perugia.

Since the city is less tourism-focused, there was a certain calmness that made it a welcome respite from nearby Rome. The local cuisine was fantastic and tapped into many of the area's local bounties.

I also loved having the opportunity to intimately experience history in places like the hotel spa — undoubtedly one of the coolest experiences I've had while traveling.

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