Things to do in  Perugia

Capital of the rustic and rural region of Umbria, Perugia surprises with its stately architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere—the latter fueled by two local universities. The medieval center is a time machine, transporting visitors back centuries with its Escher-like maze of alleys and staircases winding past Romanesque churches and Gothic palaces. When night falls, however, the city zips back to the 21st century and its cafés and squares fill with a rolicking mix of students and locals. The city is especially animated each July during Umbria Jazz, Italy’s top jazz festival.