Perugia

The regions capital is surrounded by medieval walls this most gorgeous of cities and known for its chocolate festival and wonderful architecture is a foodie heaven

The capital of Umbria is a large cosmopolitan city with a number of historical attractions and is actually the largest walled medieval city in Italy.

The city's main hotspot has always been the Pietro Vannucci with epic palaces and stunning architecture that have participated in the city's history. The pedestrianized street is the place to enjoy a stroll, look in the shops with many fine designer boutiques and artisan shops. Perugia has a high number of students, with two major universities, one of which is for overseas students only, which in turn means there is plenty of trendy bars and drinking venues in the town center.

If you like Jazz music then head here in the summer for it's annual festival in July, where homage is paid to this culture and that attracts leading artists and bands from around the world. The hometown of Perugina Chocolate still proudly produces masses of decadent confections and also hold an annual festival in October.

There are direct budget flights to Perugia from the UK and most major european cities, making the town a good starting point for a tour of this part of central Italy. The city is ideally situated along the border with Tuscany, near Lake Trasimeno, Assisi, Spello and Citta della Pieve in Umbria, but close to Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano and Pienza in Tuscany.