Perugia

Perugia is the capital of Umbria, often called the “Green Heart of Italy,” and the region that lies next to Tuscany. Umbria is no longer the “undiscovered” gem that it might have been decades ago, but it still sees far less tourist traffic than its more famous neighbor - although that doesn’t mean you won’t find Perugia packed to the gills during its annual chocolate festival.

Perugia is a university city, with one large university and a smaller one catering to foreign students. The student population gives the city a more youthful feel than a city as old as Perugia might otherwise have, and the university for foreign students brings a distinct foreign presence, even if there aren’t as many tourists. The city’s history dates back to pre-Roman times, and some Etruscan ruins from that era still exist in the city.

There are several annual festivals in Perugia, but the best-known is the annual chocolate festival, EuroChocolate, which takes place each year in October. Italian chocolate maker Perugina, creator of the “Baci” candies, is based in Perugia. Visitors during EuroChocolate should plan well in advance, as the city is often extremely crowded. During the rest of the year, Perugia makes a good home base for exploring the western side of Umbria, and is easy to reach since it’s well-connected via public transport.