Rimini

Ravenna is located inland in Romagna and is connected to the Adriatic Sea via the Candiano Canal. In the 5th century, the city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, then the residence of the Ostrogothic King Theodoric, and the seat of the Byzantine administration in Italy.Dating from this period are churches, baptisteries, and mausoleums with early Christian mosaics; those of San Vitale are among the largest and best-preserved Byzantine mosaics outside Istanbul. Eight of these 5th and 6th-century structures have been UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1996. Additionally, Ravenna is home to the tomb of the poet Dante Alighieri.

Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and lies on the edge of the Po Plain at the foot of the Apennines. The old town, with its arcades and medieval towers, defines the cityscape. The university, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest continuously operating university, and the city is known for its hearty cuisine.

Emilia-Romagna stretches across northern Italy from the Apennines over the Po Plain to the Adriatic coast; the Po forms its northern border. Along the ancient Roman road Via Emilia, cities like Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna, the region's capital, are strung.To the east, in the Romagna, lie Ravenna with its Byzantine mosaics and the Adriatic beach resorts around Rimini. The region is known for its cuisine, from Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano to balsamic vinegar and egg pasta.

Perugia is the capital of Umbria and stretches across several hills. The city dates back to the Etruscan Phersna; a city gate and fountain from that era are preserved. At its center are the Piazza IV Novembre with the Fontana Maggiore, the Cathedral, and the Palazzo dei Priori with the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria. Perugia is home to the University of Perugia.

Umbria in central Italy is the Apennine Peninsula's only landlocked region. Around 850,000 people live here; Perugia is its capital. The landscape shifts between hills, the Tiber Valley, Lake Trasimeno, and the mountains bordering Marche, where Monte Vettore, at 2,476 meters, is the highest peak. Numerous towns sit on hills, retaining their medieval character, including Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Todi, and Spoleto.