Cortona

The picture perfect Italian town of Cortona

There is a small hill town under the Tuscan sun called Cortona. Its undulating landscape, mountain backdrop, refreshing sky, many paintings and sculptures, and amazing food and wine are overwhelming to say the least. Roughly 100 kilometres from Florence and 200 kilometres from Rome, the place is a utopia come true for visitors looking to unwind and surrender themselves to the picturesque panoramas of a cosy hill town. Let Renaissance art and architecture keep you occupied for hours, and stroll endlessly through winding pathways, passing through cafés, markets,bars and piazzas.

The city is small, but the list of places worth visiting is quite elaborate. The Palazzo Comunale (communal palace) in the heart of the city steals the show with the 13th-century Cortona town hall. Truly communal in spirit, it is the hub for musical concerts, weddings and family gatherings. Those enthralled by Etruscan history should visit the Diocesan Museum and the archaeological park. The number of churches in Cortona is in double digits, but you need not bother visiting all of them. In fact, you can even spend your day overlooking the valley surrounding Lake Trasimeno with a novel in hand, or strolling purposelessly to absorb the mood of the charming town. There are enough sunflowers, homemade wines, quaint shops, and, of course, music in the air to uplift your spirits.

Walking around the city also exposes you to a plethora of human activity. The place is a classic mixture of warmth and affection without any pomposity.

Cortona holiday villa accommodation with shared pool, beach/lake nearby, internet access and balcony/terrace

Casa Contea was created from an old farmhouse dating back to 1800, completely renovated. With its stone walls, the courtyard, the wooden beams, you can recreate the atmosphere of the ancient past, combined with the comfort of our days. Its elevated position, surrounded by forest, dominates the entire Valdichiana offering a glimpse of the Lake Trasimeno. With its swimming pool which enjoys a breathtaking view, where you can see in the distance Montepulciano and the outline of Mount Amiata, you can indulge in blissful relaxation, leaving behind the stresses and strains of everyday life. To really get the beauty and fragrance of the countryside, we recommend healthy walking and cycling among the many routes available in the area, including the famous passage of Hannibal. Its strategic location allows to reach, with just a few minutes drive, the most important Umbrian and Tuscan historical, cultural and gastronomic sites. Casa Contea lies at 9 Km from Cortona, an Etruscan city in which you can visit historical buildings of a great interest, such as Fortress or the hermitage of the Celle, founded by St. Francis. Lovers of art and archeology, will satisfy their curiosity by visiting the Diocesan Museum, containing works by Luca Signorelli.The farmhouse is divided in 3 apartments, two of which are in the main building (one on the ground floor and the other one on the first level) and the last one is an independent cottage which lies at 20 mt from the main house. La Quercia apartment on the first floor is composed by a typical countryside livable kitchen separated from the living room by a brick arch. The living room is accessorized by the brick fireplace, a couple sofa-bed, LCD sat tv, and all the typical furniture of a farmhouse. Laterally both on the left and on the right you can find two ample double bedrooms with two bathrooms on each side. The outside garden of 8000 square meters has got an amazing panoramic view overlooking the Lake Trasimeno from side to side and the whole Valdichiana; it's furnished by a grill and a stoned pizza wood oven and a panoramic stoned patio with outdoor tables and chairs with umbrellas just beside a big swimming pool surrounded by a roses enclosure and secure parking inside. In addition, for the free use of the guests, there are 4 mountain bikes, a laundry and a little grove of trees with a vineyard and a olive grove in which it's possible to take a walk, free wi-fi connection.During spring and summer the area is fulfilled by cultural and typical folklore events. About 38 km from Arezzo, which was a major lucumonies Etruscan, then Roman city of strategic importance. Center full of interesting monuments such as the amphitheater, the Cathedral, the Medici Fortress and the town hall. Among all its beauty stands the Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Pieve. He was renowned for its famous coral vases. About 30 km from Montepulciano, famous for its imposing Renaissance palaces, the elegance of its churches, but especially for its fine wine noble, well-known importance of international importance. About 73 km from the city of Siena has a fabulous repertoire and geographic environment, full of villages, historical memories and treasures of art. Center that keeps alive its ancient traditions, of which the most important is the festival of the Palio. Perugia (42 km), Assisi (65 km) Spello (70 km), Firenze (90km)

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