Cortona Tuscany Lodging in Luxury

Cortona is located in the provincia Arezzo,in the region Tuscany ,central Italy. The town is about 10 miles from the border with Umbria, and its magnificent views extend over the green fields and hills of Tuscany and Umbria, extending beyond the large Lake Trasimeno. Cortona is a town which you can use as a base for your relaxing holiday. The town is attractive and welcoming, with many inviting bars and restaurants (Trattorias) in the central piazzas, and also museums and churches, art galleries and very good ice cream.
At the foot of Cortona, there is the ValdiChiana valley and about few miles from town there is an old farmhouse, turned into a luxurious suites accommodation, called “La Mucchia casa vacanze”, the name “La Mucchia” was taken from the small torrent which crosses the Chiana valley. The building covers an area of 1,000 sq. meters (10,764 sq. ft) it is located at the foot of the beautiful town of Cortona. It was built in 1760 by a noble family called Fabbri. In 2005, the present owners obtained the house in a state of ruins.
The renovation lasted three years (reminds of Under the Tuscan Sun) and has followed the instructions of the superintendent for Cultural Heritage. According to the old-world design provided by the town of Cortona, all original materials were recovered and used to rebuild the estate. The ultimate goal was to maintain the appearance of its age; at the same time equip it with modern comforts. That is why every apartment is outfitted with internet, a satellite TV multilingual set, A/C, and heating; also each bedroom has its own private bathroom. Particular care was taken to furnish the house in the classic Tuscan style “arte povera”, as well as the old-world style kitchen decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles. The house is currently divided into eight apartments. It is surrounded by 7,000 sq. meters of land used for lawn, garden and other various services. Some of these services include parking, a play area, swimming pool and soccer court.The old farmhouse has a revival after 300 years of abandons, and it is named : La Mucchia casa vacanze ; Suites farmhouse hotel, in Cortona.
within the walls; narrow streets and hidden churches:
Cortona is enclosed by enormous walls, constructed by the Etruscs, about 3,000 years ago, before even Rome was built .Narrow streets and alleys lead up to the crest of the Cortonese hills, where the Girofalco Fortress (the fortezza Medicea) is still standing tall. Before wandering through the confusing quantity of small streets and piazzas of the town,it’s wise to provide yourself with a map of the town. Just below the fortress there is the cathedral of saint Margaret, rebuilt in the nineteenth-century, not really interesting, although it does contain the mummificated remains of the saint. A local bar is the right place to reinforce yourself ,especially if you climbed your way up by foot up Guelfa road or from Roma gate to the town centre; a climb which can be exhausting in the summer heat.
One piece of art in Cortona that you must see, is the Annunciation by Fra Angelico (Beato Angelico), in the Museo Diocesano ..There other artworks by Cortona-born Luca Signorelli and by Pietro Lorenzetti in this museum. A wide range of local archeologic findings from various periods can be seen in the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca, (MAEC) where a bronze chandelier, dating to the 5th century BC is exposed.. The museum is located in the 13th-century Palazzo Casali, the beautiful building in piazza Signorelli in Cortona. Churches that you should visit, include the pretty fifteenth-century Chiesa di San Niccolo, a small church where you can admire a, painting by Signorelli, and the church of r Santa Maria del Calcinaio (1485), a domed Renaissance church ,which you find outside the walls. At a few miles' distance, the Franciscan monastery of Le Celle from the thirteenth-century ,has a bond with various saints, including Francis and Anthony.
To Cortona by train;
Cortona is on a slow railway line between Florence and Rome, and is served by trains from both cities. The railway station is called Camucia-Cortona or Terontola-Cortona, and is located at the foot of the hill on which Cortona is sited. Buses or taxi run from the railway station up to Piazza Garibaldi, by the city walls; tickets can be bought at the adjacent bar. If you just miss a bus at the station, more frequent services pass by the crossroads a short distance uphill. If you are travelling from a nearby town, like Arezzo, you may find it more convenient to take a bus between the towns.
Under the Tuscan Sun, the movie and reality;
Under the Tuscan Sun, a bestseller set in Cortona, put Cortona on the tourist itinerary. A personal story about the restoration of a house, bought locally, gives insight into local society and people, is strong on atmosphere and Italian food. American Frances Mayes bought a holiday home here , renovated the property and cooked a lot of meals. To many people this portrayal of the good life , incited a holiday to Cortona; A recent film was based loosely on the book, and the local tourist board is beginning to capitalise on the association.