Perugia

Perugia, the historic capital of the Umbria region, is a powerful hilltop city defined by its dramatic Etruscan foundations, fierce medieval history, and modern reputation as Italy’s chocolate capital. Built on a spine of high hills overlooking the Tiber Valley, the city features an intricate network of ancient walls and underground medieval streets.

Piazza IV Novembre is the monumental main square, anchored by the Fontana Maggiore, a 13th-century masterpiece of medieval sculpture.

Palazzo dei Priori is a massive Gothic town hall that houses the National Gallery of Umbria, home to masterpieces by Perugino and Piero della Francesca.

The Etruscan Arch (Arco Etrusco) is a colossal city gate built in the 3rd century BC, standing as one of the world’s best-preserved examples of Etruscan military engineering.

Rocca Paolina is a 16th-century fortress built by Pope Paul III over a destroyed rebel neighbourhood. Today, visitors can take escalators through these dark, perfectly preserved underground medieval streets.

The city is the birthplace of Italy’s most famous hazelnut chocolate kisses known as Bach Perugina It hosts EuroChocolate every autumn, one of Europe’s largest chocolate festivals.

The University for Foreigners (Università per Stranieri): founded in 1921, is Italy’s oldest and most prestigious institution dedicated to teaching Italian language and culture to international students.

Destination: Italy