Follow this part of the trail
17 articles
Planning a Perugia trip means choosing between the city's two iconic festivals: Umbria Jazz in the summer heat and Eurochocolate in the crisp autumn. Each brings a distinct crowd and atmosphere, so your decision hinges on your tolerance for chaos and your love of music or chocolate. This guide pits them head-to-head and offers strategies for enjoying Perugia before, during, or between the celebrations.
Eurochocolate is Europe's largest chocolate festival, drawing nearly a million visitors to Perugia each October. This guide covers what to expect at the festival, how to navigate the event and the city, the Perugina factory tour, and the best chocolate experiences beyond the main fair.
Orvieto's Corpus Domini is a deeply rooted religious and historical celebration, anchored by the Sacro Corporale and a medieval procession through the town's streets. Discover its Bolsena miracle origins, the route from Palazzo del Popolo to Piazza Duomo, and practical advice for attending.
Every Whit Monday, Orvieto celebrates the Festa della Palombella, a centuries-old tradition where a dove on a zip-line triggers fireworks before the cathedral. This guide explains the event's history, symbolism, and how to experience the spectacle in the city's main square.
Orvieto, a hilltop town in Umbria, brings its medieval heritage to life each year through religious processions and historic parades. This guide explains the most important recurring events—the Corpus Domini festival and the Festa della Palombella—and offers tips for planning your visit around them.
Calendimaggio turns Assisi's historic center into a living medieval stage. Learn how to secure a spot—whether you book grandstand seats or find free standing room—and navigate street closures for a smooth, respectful festival experience.
Every May, Assisi transforms into a medieval stage as two historic factions—Parte de Sopra and Parte de Sotto—compete in song, dance, and pageantry. Rooted in 14th-century family feuds, this friendly rivalry now defines the Calendimaggio festival, offering visitors a living glimpse into the city's past.
Immerse yourself in the medieval pageantry of the Giostra della Quintana, Foligno’s historic jousting tournament. Learn about its origins, the ten districts, the atmosphere of the June and September editions, and how to plan your visit with practical tips on tickets, seating, and experiencing the city beyond the arena.
Plan a day trip from Perugia or Assisi to see Gubbio's Festa dei Ceri on May 15. Discover the key moments, practical travel tips, and how to experience this UNESCO-listed festival like a local.
Gubbio's living heritage centers on the Ceri, three towering wooden structures raced through the streets every May 15 and housed year-round in the Basilica di Sant'Ubaldo. This guide explains what the Museo dei Ceri preserves, how to reach the mountaintop basilica by funicular or on foot, and how to plan a visit that captures both the festival's energy and its quieter everyday devotion.
Perched atop Monte Ingino, Sant'Ubaldo Basilica holds the relics of Gubbio's patron saint and the historic ceri carried each May. Reach it by a birdcage-like funivia or a steep 40-minute hike. For current prices and hours, check locally before you go.
The Giostra della Quintana in Foligno is more than a joust. It's a living 17th-century tableau, and its grand historical parade—the Corteo Storico—sets the stage. With around 800 costumed participants from the city's ten districts, the procession winds through Baroque streets before the knights compete in the arena. Here's how to experience it, whether you're watching from the streets or the stands.
