Perugia is famous as Italy’s most central point, an important artistic centre and capital of Umbria. It has much to offer lovers of music and the arts.The town lent its nickname to the famous painter Pietro Vannucci, ‘Perugino’ who worked in Perugia, Rome and Florence and is thought to have been Raffaello’s teacher. The city is also home of the Euro Chocolate festival held annually in October, due to the excellent reputation of its local chocolate company Perugina, whose chocolates known as ‘Baci’ (kisses) are exported world wide.

The city has two popular main universities, the Università degli Studi and the Foreigners University (Università per Stranieri), which serves as an Italian Language and Culture school attracting students from all over the world. The city also hosts the Umbra Institute, an American school for students studying abroad and the famous Accademia delle belle arti (Art Academy).

The city also invites serious students of jazz to attend regular jazz clinics run by the University. Jazz is a passion in Perugia and now that cheap flights are in operation between Stansted and Perugia there is no better excuse to take flight to enjoy the cool sound of jazz on a hot summer night. The annual Umbria Jazz Festival provides an oasis for lovers of jazz between 6^th – 15^th July 2007. Increasingly the festival has showcased talent in the worlds of rock, salsa and merengue. Last year the festival was kicked off with the sound of African music with impressive performances from students attending the University for Foreigners.

There are free nightly open air concerts set against the backdrop of the historic centre and an outdoor arena which in the past has welcomed the likes of Sting, Elton John, Herbie Hancock and Alicia Keyes. This summer George Benson, Al Jarreau, Solomon Burke and Sonny Rollins are among the guests who will delight old and new fans alike. Tickets are available from May 2^nd and a complete on line program can be consulted from 19^th April 2007 at www.umbriajazz.com.

By Diane Wheeler