CORTONA

Cortona was originally an Etruscan city fortress, then a Roman city, and finally the southern gateway to the Medici’s Florence.This splendid Tuscan town therefore harmoniously combines Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance and some modern architectural elements.

Its strategic location, at the crossroad of Tuscany, Umbria and the roads to Rome, made it an ideal trading hub all through centuries. Today Cortona is a very important cultural center, and we find several branches of foreign universities, mostly active in the Art and History of Art fields.The presence in all seasons of culturally-sensitive foreigners has generated a positive synergy and transformed Cortona in a very international and active holiday destination for Americans, English, Dutch, Swiss… and obviously Italian lovers of the magnificent countryside, artistic treasures and excellent food of Tuscany and Umbria.

Centrally located, Cortona (pop. 30,000+) is about midway between Rome & Florence. Going to Cortona by car is easy - it's convenient to both the A1 (Autostrada del Sole) and SS326 (Siena-Perugia Superstrada) - detailed directions from A1 below. The central location and excellent transportation connections make Cortona a superb base for touring the rest of Tuscany and Umbria.

The closest international airport is Pisa, while Rome is 2 hours away.

For more information about Cortona, its history, and the film “Under the Tuscan Sun”, we recommend you have a look at he Cortona official website http://pweb.jps.net/~tuscantrgp/cortinfo.html

"UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN"

This book of the US writer Francis Mayes has had for Cortona the same boosting effect as “A year in Provence” by the English author Peter Mayle had for Provence as a launching pad to international fame and tourist heaven. “Under the Tuscan Sun” was for months in the best-sellers list in the US, and it managed to transform Cortona into a Anglo-Saxon household topic of conversation.

I was quite amazed when some Indian friends of mine living in Shanghai immediately commented “oh, Cortona! your stone farmhouse must be so romantic!…I have read the book about Cortona, and I long to go there and see with my own eyes, etc…”

A second book (Bella Tuscany) and a third (In Tuscany) from the same author have further confirmed Cortona’s status as a trendy and stylish destination within Tuscany, while Tuscany itself has increased its visibility among the global VIP society, with stars such as Sting buying farms and villas, often with vineyards and olive trees.

A film was shot recently from the book “Under the Tuscan sun”, and was released on 12 Sept 2003.

http://pweb.jps.net/~tuscantrgp/cortinfo.html#news

"LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL"

This oscar-winning film by Roberto Benigni was actually shot in Cortona and Arezzo, which is 20 Km away.

CULTURAL TOURISM

In the Cortona area, nice farmhouses, restored with taste and provided they are equipped with a swimming pool, can easily be rented-out for 30 to 34 weeks/year to tourists eager to relax and use Cortona as the ideal starting point for daily trips to Perugia, Assisi, Siena, Florence, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pisa, Lucca, etc…

SPORTS

Several golf courts are reachable within 1-hour radius, such as the Golf Club Casentino (near Arezzo), the Golf Club Esse (near Siena), Circolo del Golf di Perugia , the Golf Club Antognolla and the Golf Club Lamborghini (near Perugia), while the Trasimeno lake, 15 min away from the house allows sailing, windsurfing and water skiing.

And there are also several horse-riding and tennis clubs all over the area

INTERNATIONAL JET SET

Cortona is becoming every day more a gathering point for international stars and VIPs. They include Italian actors and show-people, and foreign satrs such as Sting, Gerard Dépardieu, and others. In Cortona itself, the Italian star Giovanotti has purchased the splendid villa here on the left.

It is expected that once the film “Under the Tuscan Sun” will be released in September 26, 2003, property prices will surge in Cortona and surrounding areas.

__________