'''Perugia''' [http://www.comune.perugia.it] is a city in the Italian region of Umbria.

Get in

By air

The Airport in Rome is three hours away (see the By bus section for transportation) and Milan's Malpensa airport about 4 hours away. Perugia has a small regional airport with connecting service to Milan and flights from London and Barcelona on Ryanair. A little further away, Pisa and Bologna are served by low cost European airlines.

By train

The train station is in the valley, a few kilometers from the '''centro storico''' (historic center) of the city. You can take the Mini Metro railway, a local bus or a taxi from the station. From Rome to Perugia by train is only 10.50? if you take Tren Regionale otherwise it's double.

By bus

Buses from Rome Fumicino Airport depart from the lower level parking area at regular intervals (3 hours, 20 ?)[http://www.sulga.it]. ''(NB: Many of the buses in the Tourist Bus Parking area are privately hired, and are not available to the general public. Some buses, such as the Sulga, may appear on the upper levels of Terminal C, but do not be concerned; they will arrive at the scheduled time in the lower level parking area. Be sure to check timetables online or elsewhere before arriving to be sure of departure times.)''

By car

Perugia is just off the A1 autostrada that runs from Rome to Milan. Approximate travel times are Rome 2.5 hours, Orvieto 1 hour, Milan 4 hours, Florence 1 hour. Perugia is also accessible from other parts of Italy by car via the Autostrada. Additionally, if you plan to stay in Perugia, there is a regional airport, which can be reached through a connection in Milano.

Get around

It is very hard to drive in the Centro Storico. You will drive very slowly over the many cobblestoned one-way streets and may very well end up driving around in circles several times. You are best advised to do as little driving as possible, and get around on foot. As usual in Italian cities, taxis can be called if you need them. One unusual alternative is to take the long escalators from parking in the lower town up to the Centro Storico.

See

Visit the lovely Duomo (cathedral) and the nearby building which contains very well-preserved frescoes by Perugino, the great painter who was native to this city.

There is probably no city in the world that better rewards the casual explorer in the sheer variety of its streetscapes. You can stroll along a Roman aqueduct that connects two of the city's hills, passing doors on the third stories of homes to peer over the edge at the doors at street level below. You can walk along the Via delle Volta della Pace, which follows the Etruscan city wall, but is now wholly arched over by a Gothic portico. You can stumble along cobbled streets that have the unique combination of slopes interrupted by small steps that only Italians seem to master. You can tread under the Etruscan arch, which was ancient when Caesar trod the same path. You can loll with the students from the International University on the steps of the Cathedral or amble down the broad pedestrian way from those steps to sit on a bench at the other end and watch as the Umbrian hills dissolve into a twilight vision that is the landscape behind the Mona Lisa. The more energetic can hike out to St. Angelo's in the northwest of the city, where sixteen ancient columns form the centrepiece of a brick church that glows with the light from garnet windows on a site that has been sacred from the times of the Etruscans.

Do

It could be a good idea to see the Umbria Jazz Festival. During this period Perugia has a really beautiful atmosphere, with jazz concerts in the center of the city. for more info: http://www.umbriajazz.com/

Also, a 10 minute train ride will take you to Assisi.

  • Take a guided walking tour of Perugia. ttp://www.love-umbria.com/index.php?sezione=custom_tours&id=27. Take an escorted walking tour of Perugia with a fluent English-speaking Umbrian-native guide. mail: [mailto:info@love-umbria.com info@love-umbria.com]

    Buy

    Eat

    For most tourists, the center, or downtown, of Perugia will be the most rewarding place to eat either lunch or dinner. The main street 'walk' begins at the Piazza Duomo at the Fontana Maggiore and ends with a dramatic overlook that showcases the city's churches and the Umbrian countryside. There are many dining options along this street. The last hotel on the right hand side before reaching the overlook offers five star accommodation and regional dishes, specializing in legumes and fantastic olive oils. At the other end of the walk, just to the right of the Duomo, is a charming pizzeria, La Mediterranea. It is comprised of two rooms, the first with a brick oven and a buffet where an expert pizzaiolo slides freshly topped pizzas onto the stone hearth. This restaurant is always crowded, and only open from 1-4 and 7-11. Arrive either right at opening or after the traditional Italian dinner hours if you don't want to wait outside. The prices range from 5-10 euro per pizza, with a 1 euro cover charge per person. The pizzas are also available for take-out without the cover charge. Step inside the door and give your order to one of the white-aproned gentlemen who will take your money and deliver you your pizza (wait outside while it's being cooked). Located on the historic Via Volte della Pace lies La Botte pizzeria. La Botte operates from 12-3 and 7-11 and offers a variety of local pizzas for in restaurant dining or take-out. At 3.50 Euro for a take-out pizza, La Botte offers one of the best deals in town for those on a budget. For dessert, the gelato shop, called Gambrinus Centro, on Via Bonazzi just off the opposite side of the Piazza is delicious with a great many flavours. Or continue down the road past the pizza shop, go down the winding street. When you come to the end, turn left and walk down the road through the historic apartments until you see the ducal palace which is now the Universita' dei Stranieri di Perugia. On the right side of the street is a delightful chocolate shop which serves freshly made chocolates as well as an assortment of gelato--the chocolate flavours are fantastic.

    If you wish to not eat Italian food, there is a chain restaurant called '''Roadhouse Grill''', about a 5-10 minute walk from Hotel Fiera (near the railroad tracks) on Via Stalingrado. Good if you feel like sinking your teeth into a nice juicy burger and having some beer. They also have salads, pasta and some Mexican dishes (fajitas and the like).

  • Osteria Il Gufo. ia della Viola 18. ww.osteriailgufo.it. pm-1am, closed sundays, mondays. A very good osteria with good green salads and decent prices. The homemade Limoncello is a nice touch.

  • Settimo Sigillo. ia Ulisse Rocchi phone="075 5724306. An excellent trattoria/ristorante with great prices that serves wonderful local cuisine, good wines and deserts, and has very friendly staff.

    Drink

  • The Cafe Di Perugia, Via Mazzini. has very nice decor, and a smoking lounge upstairs for days when the weather isn't so great. The do a very good hot chocolate.
  • Merlin Pub Via del Forno: Good place to drink, good mix of locals and students alike. Good offers on beers, remember if you get a leaflet, make sure the barman sees it, otherwise you will get charged full whack.
  • La Tana Dell Orso: Very popular with the local student population, foreign and nationals alike. Its very close to the University for foreigners, so expect a mixed crowd. the cocktails are very good and reasonably priced.
  • Sleep

  • '''Agriturismo Le Quattro Stagioni''' - Via Marchetti, 58 - 06061 Loc. Piana, Castiglion Del Lago (PG). Farm,nursery , wildlife and rural tourism in the town of Castiglione del Lago,Lake Trasimeno. Swimming pool, great room convivii and meetings (with large fireplace and beautiful arches cross). Garden equipped with games for children. Direct sales of oil, wine and fruit and vegetables. Tel: 075951919 - 3338280114 - 3487488503 - email: guest@agriturismo-quattro-stagioni.it - URL: http://www.agriturismo-quattro-stagioni.it .
  • '''Castllo dell Oscano''' - Strada della Forcella, 37 Perugia. The Castello dell'Oscano is situated in the outskirts of Perugia, Locality Cenerente. This is only 7 km from Perugia city center. Other major locations in the vicinity are: Perugia airport (20 km), Assisi (25 km), Gubbio (40km).
  • '''La Preghiera in Calzolaro''' - Calzolaro (PG) 06018 Umbria. The hotel is located in the province of Perugia, in the green foothills region of Umbria, close to Umbertide, Citta di Castello, Gubbio and Assisi.
  • '''Castello di Petroia Hotel''', Localita' Petroia - 06020 Scritto di Gubbio.[http://www.petroia.it] Since it is situated on a strategic location between Gubbio and Perugia overlooking the Chiascio valley, Petroia Castle was the scene of many important events of the XII, XIII and XIV centuries.A very important historical date is to be remebered when talking about the Castle of Petroia. The 7 of June 1422, the very young Elisabetta degli Accomandugi, gave birth to '''Federico of Montefeltro''', who later on became Duke of Urbino.
  • ''' Relais Borgo Brufa & SPA ''', Via del Colle 38 - Brufa - Torgiano PG - Telefono +39 075985267, [http://www.borgobrufa.it]. Borgo Brufa is a wonderful resort set in a highly panoramic position on the crest of a hill, offering superb views of Perugia , Assisi , Spello, Foligno, Spoleto, and of the Umbrian countryside, with its fertile soil, luxuriant valleys and hills cloaked in olive groves and vineyards.
  • '''Borgo Monticelli''' 14 km from the centre of Perugia, it is a tiny hamlet dated back to 1100 with 18 apartments all recently renovated. Riding centre and golf courses nearby. Parking by the house. For shared use: garden and swimming pool. There are also agritourism hotels just out of town, which are easily accessed by car. There may also be free buses to certain hotels, depending on where you wish to stay.
  • ''' Alla Posta dei Donini''', Via Deruta 43 - 06132, [http://www.postadonini.it/en/index.htm-perugia]. An historical residence in San Martino in Campo, near Perugia.
  • Villa Nuba Charming Apartments - Perugia - Umbria - Italy Address Villa Nuba residenze di pregio, Strada vicinale Colle San Giorgio, 70 06122 - Perugia (PG) Umbria - Italia tel & fax: (+39) 075.5725765/ cellular: (+39) 338.6872362 Luxury vacation rentals in Perugia, Umbria directly by the owners. Every comfort such as swimming pool with salty water and Jacuzzi. Twenty minutes walking from medieval center of Perugia. Villa rentals in Umbria for long or shorts term stay. http://www.perugiarentals.com/