nessundorma

Perugia is definitely worth more of your time. I highly recommend you plan to extend your stay there. Even if you are seized with the urge to re-visit another Umbrian town you felt was shortchanged in your walk, you can most easily do that as a day trip from Perugia than elsewhere. If for some reason you were left unsatified by your trip and Perugia, do a day trip to Gubbio from Perugia.

But I suspect you won't want to leave Perugia. It is rich with art treasures and is as amazing a city as Venice in terms of engineering and history. If your tour doesn't take you through the art museum (or to eat chocolate at Sandi's!) you will want to do these things. You will be thrilled by the evening passegiata in the Corso Vanucci. Don't miss it!

As for weather and Roma, there is not really a lot of difference in your chances for sunshine or rain in the window of those September dates. If you are terribly bothered by hot weather, go with the later date, because the temperature almost inevitably declines as September proceeds. But there really is no predicting. September is usually lovely. My guess is that you will more enjoy Roma solo *after* your group trip, because you will have picked up some useful Italian and know more about how you like spending your time in Italy.

Buon viaggio! Umbria is a wonderful place. If you go to Frantoio Brisi in Montefalco (where the olive oil mill is often a stopping place for walking tours) please give Emmanuela Brisi "un abbracio" from me. And buy a bottle of olive oil for yourself!

EmBee

You are going to have such a wonderful time wherever you decide to spend your time.

I am excruciatingly envious!!Perugia is a fascinating town, but if I were you, I would spend the extra day in bella Roma.

Buon Viaggio