Umbria Jazz Festival 15th July

So after three weeks at the festivals it was time to take a day off and have a look around our lovely surroundings. Perugia is an ancient town, the oldest part perched on top of a hill, with the newer parts spreading down and into the valley below.

With such a long history on every street and around each new corner you will find there is Roman or Etruscan architecture to greet you.

Away from festival time and without the extra crowds just here for the music, Perugia is a great place to relax and take in a still living history lesson.

There are dozens of super restaurants and cafe's to sit and watch the world go by and take in the Perugian way of life.

...and loads of viewing points to enjoy the rolling Umbrian hills, or just pretend to read the paper!



About 30 minutes in the car from Perugia is lake Trasimeno, the oldest and fourth largest lake in italy. Regular boat services take you from the lakeside villages to the island, Isola Maggiore, near the north shore of the lake. Here you can wander along the beach or climb to the church in the middle of the island. There are small cafe's and a selection of restaurants mostly serving fish, caught from the lake, which has been the life blood and history of this lake and it's surrounding towns.

There are several museums that document the lakes history on the island and in the surrounding lakeside towns, they are well worth visiting and inexpensive to look around.

Considering this is a very small island and a huge tourist attraction the costs here are exceptionally reasonable. The ferry costs 6 euros return or 12 euros for unlimited boat travel to and from the island to any of the other towns that offers a ferry service to the island.

This is a great day out and very relaxing after the hectic schedule of the festival, just be careful and take sun and fly protection, as this beautiful place has both in abundance!!