For Perugia, you basically skip the lower city and head straight to the medieval center (you’re probably there anyway if you’re staying in the medieval center). It’s a beautiful city, very chic and easy to navigate. At the top of the city is the Piazza d’Italia which connects to the Corso Vannucci (main street and pedestrian area). You make your way down the Corso Vannucci passing many shops, side streets and medieval buildings and look ahead to see the Piazza IV Novembre (a grand square right in the center of town). Contained in the square are the Fontana Maggiore, a 13^th century fountain with perfect proportions and sculptures along the lower portion. The 13^th century Palazzo dei Priori/Palace of the Priors (also in this square) contains both the Collegio del Cambio and the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria. Take note of the façade of the palazzo. Inside you’ll find frescoes and carvings. Upstairs is the National Gallery of Umbria which has art from the area dating from the 13^th to 19^th centuries. Believe me, this is a must see — there are masterpieces beyond belief here. The Collegio del Cambio has some interesting frescoes. The Duomo was built in the 14^th century and has a rather austere façade. Inside you’ll find two notable paintings: The Descent from the Cross/Barocchio and the Madonna/Signorelli. At the Piazza d’Italia there are pretty gardens called Giardini Carducci (look out over the valley below — great photos). These gardens are on top of the ruins of Rocca Paolina (an old fortress). If you take the escalator down (just across from Hotel Brufani), you can walk among the ruins — you enter through an Etruscan gate (Porta Marzia). Also down here is the Museo Archeologica. This wonderful city is filled with side streets, alleyways, palazzi, ancient buildings and many other places to explore. Market day in Perugia is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.