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Much has been said about Cortona, most notably by Frances Mayes in "Under the Tuscan Sun." Apart from the way it sprawls across its majestic hillside, its walls gleaming soft pink in the afternoon sun, starkly contrasting against the dark green forest and completely monopolizing your eye even when glimpsed from miles away, there are two things we love the best about this unique Tuscan hill town. First are the immense views it affords of the valleys, hills and mountains from its 2000-foot heights. Second are the excellent wine bars, trattorias and restaurants that now line its narrow winding streets, making it a great place to just "hang out" -- something that is not necessarily present in most Tuscan towns because, well, if we are to be honest we must admit that "hanging out" is not an activity in which the industrious Tuscans normally indulge. But since it is indeed a favorite pastime of the educated traveler, Cortona turns out to be a great base for your visit, because it offers lots to do when you are not sightseeing.
As you probably know, Cortona is a walled medieval village. Just outside one of the ancient gates, Porta Mazzini, a narrow paved lane plunges down the hillside, winding its way past the vegetable gardens of the local residents. Only 400 yards from the gate is a minuscule property owned by a delightful couple, Valerio and Franca. He is an amateur painter whose naïf depictions of rural Tuscan life have now gained him national recognition; she is a schoolteacher whose enthusiasm for her hometown and her guests seems to know no end. Together they restored the old barn next door to their own home, and now they offer it as a truly relaxing vacation home for travelers who plan far enough ahead to reserve this extremely popular property.
When you pull into the driveway here you will notice Valerio's many bonsai plants, including several miniature olive trees. Next you'll see the wrought-iron table and chairs where you will enjoy your meals along with the view that stretches as far as Montepulciano. This outdoor dining room is protected by a large gazebo, standing on the lawn next to the ping pong table and a beautiful 12-x 30-foot in-ground swimming pool that has a shallow end for children and a deep end for adults.
The former barn is not big, but it has been cleverly restored so that it offers everything a couple or small family could ever desire. You enter into one big room with an excellent working fireplace, a dining table for four, and a kitchenette with full fridge, oven and burners. At the far end of the room is a double sleep sofa, next to the sunny bedroom. Here you will enjoy views from the queen bed, through the French windows that lead out to the pool. Next door is a very nice big bathroom with round stall shower. Completing the accommodations is a stairway up to a big loft with two twin beds or one king bed. The loft measures about six feet at its tallest point. Amenities in this delightful property include window screens and satellite TV, and a shared washing machine. On the ground floor of Valerio and Franca's house is a big room where you can admire his paintings or use the Internet point, and where once a week guests enjoy homemade pizza cooked in the ancient wood-fired oven.
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| 2008 Weekly Prices (for the house) | |
| Low Season: Jan. 5-March 22 April 5-May 24 Sept. 27-Dec. 13 |
1192.00 EURO |
| Mid Season: March 22-April 5 May 24-June 28 Aug. 30-Sept. 27 Dec. 13-Jan. 3, 2009 |
1308.00 EURO |
| High Season: June 28-Aug. 30 |
1427.00 EURO |
Included in the price: all taxes, services, one set of linens per person,
gas, electricity, water, weekly cleaning, use of the swimming pool (mid-May to
early October)
Not included: heating, which costs 20 Euro/day; optional extra linens, which cost 10 Euro/set; and optional extra cleaning, which costs 10 Euro/hour; firewood, which costs 10 Euro/basket
Check-in: 3-7pm
Check-out: 10am
Refundable security deposit: 250 Euro
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about private transfers to the property.
