luxury rental tuscany villa - Residence in Cortona, Italy

CORTONA: BRUSH WITH THE PAST
About 80 km from Florence, Cortona is a town and commune in the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany, Italy. Founded by the Etruscans, who called it Curtun in their language, Cortona was also an important town during the Roman era. But Cortona is most famous for the numerous legends that surround its origins.

The 17th-century Guide of Giacomo Lauro, which draws on the writings of many ancient writers, states that 108 years after the Great Flood, Noah arrived at the Val di Chiana and, because it was so fertile, stopped and dwelt here for 30 years. One of his sons named Crano came to the hilltop and, liking the high position, the picturesque countryside and the climate, built Cortona on it in the year 273 after the Flood. Noah, approving of Crano’s work, named him Corito, i.e. King, and heir to the kingdom.

Crano, taking this title, built a palace atop the hill, and you can still see its remains at Torremozza. Crano’s kingdom was called Turrenia, which was the original name of Tuscany, and its inhabitants were called Turreni. But as descendants of Noah, who was saved from the waters (ab imbribus), some were also called Imbri or Umbri.

Quite a legend, huh? Appropriately, most of Cortona’s architecture is medieval with steep narrow streets situated on a hillside, with a magnificent view of the Val di Chiana. From the Piazza Garibaldi you can look out to Lake Trasimene, scene of Hannibal’s ambush of the Roman army in 217 BC. And you can also see parts of the Etruscan city wall.

Inside the Palazzo Casali is the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca that displays ancient Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian artefacts, as well as those from the Medieval and Renaissance eras. Nearby are Etruscan chamber tombs, including the Tanella di Pitagora, believed to house Pythagoras’s tomb. Not to be missed are two panels by Fra Angelico in the Diocesan Museum, an Annunciation and a Madonna and Child with Saints. A third surviving work by Angelico is the fresco above the entrance to the church of San Domenico, painted during his stay at Cortona in 1436. Also magnificent is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Accommodation in Cortona Hotels range from hotels to farmhouses and luxury resorts, and includes Bed & Breakfasts, luxury villas, and country villas and cottages. As our list (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Cortona.htm) will tell you, you can sleep in some of the most charming historical residences of the area, as well as experience the authentic rural life of Cortona in our list of exclusive accommodations. So what are you waiting for?

RESIDENCES IN TUSCANY: YOUR OWN PRIVATE PARADISE

Okay, how does this sound: 10 elegant apartments offering a luxurious, timeless taste of Tuscan country life. Pretty gardens, a large swimming pool and delightful views of the ancient city of Cortona... Residence Il Casale offers guests a rare opportunity to sample the lifestyle and opulence of the Renaissance nobility in eastern Tuscany. This is a marvellously well-preserved 16th century structure that looks out towards the towers and churches that pierce the Cortona skyline. The 10 vacation apartments are dominated by the original building with its stone tower, wide balcony and external staircase.

You think we’re rambling? Well, not really, because we offer you the choicest Tuscany vacation residences for your sojourn to one of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations, and we assure you that the description in the last paragraph is only a sampler of the kind of Tuscany residences that we can offer you. All you need to do is visit us and go through our list of the best residences in Tuscany, any of which can be your vacation home. We enable you to speak to the owners of these beautiful properties direct, and you can make your own arrangements thereafter. All we do is act as facilitators, and once you experience our services, you will agree that approaching us for help is a good way to begin your trip to Tuscany.

And in case you thought we were limited to a single region of Tuscany, here’s one more sampler: Located in Venturina Terme (Campiglia Marittima) province of Livorno, the Residence Le Corti Del Sole is the perfect location to enjoy your holiday and devote your time to the various thermal springs in and around the area. Near the Residence are the Costa Degli Etruschi, Elba Isle, and within easy reach lie important cities like Pisa, Siena and Florence. It’s also an ideal starting point to visit the lovely cities of Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Suvereto and Campiglia.

As is obvious, then, we can offer you residences in all parts of Tuscany, and would invite you to visit us without further ado. Without exception, the residences that we have chosen for you are perfectly located to offer tourists every modern facility, as well as allow them to soak in the delightful ambience of old world Tuscany. Still not convinced? Maybe you should just check us out then.

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