Jun 17, 2013 - Cortona and pool day

Today Joyce, Mel and myself went by ourselves to Cortona. We had some other places that we didn't get a chance to see last week. As well, the shopping in Cortona is fantastic! We came home and made a nice lunch for all of us. The temperature is sizzling today and it's definitely pool time. Chow!

May 21, 2013 - Cortona and Castiglione del Lago

Bryan and I were up on and on the road pretty early today. Rested and ready to explore more nearby towns, we initially set our sights on Cortona and Assisi, however once we stopped in Cortona our plans changed slightly. We made it to Cortona by 11:30 am and were able to find parking pretty easily. The Piazza Della Republica was a short walk from where we parked. Again, we found a charming little town (maybe they are really all this cute?)! One of the few sights I wanted to see in Cortona was "Bramasole"....sound familiar? Anyone who's seen...

Jul 20, 2012 - Savouring the Good Life at Borgo di Vagli

Monday evening, July 20th Monday night is tradition Pizza Night at Borgo di Vagli, an event that absolutely must not be missed. Returning from Gubbio, we became impossibly lost at the town of Umbertide on the way home and after wasting at least a half hour, we feared that we would not return in time for the olive tasting and apperativos on the front lawn. We made it however with just enough time to change. We joined our friends as well as the architect who created Borgo, Fulvio de Rosa, and the sales director, Lee Cogher and other guests....

Jul 17, 2012 - Return to Borgo di Vagli

July 17 It has been a few days since or last post, for which we make no apologies. Since arriving at our Luxus villa in Borgo di Vagli in the heart of the Tuscan woods, our pace of life has slowed considerably and we have been relaxed, enjoying la dolce vita with the "rustic" accommodations, the fabulous views, the food and wine, along with excellent company of people we have met here at Borgo. Our trip from Venice, where we had flown from Basel and picked up our rental car, was long and rather arduous. After a customary sumptuous Italian...

May 12, 2012 - San Gimignano, Castello de Paneretta and Cortona

Today we left Florence for the beauty of the Tuscan hillside towns. The drive was through rolling green hillsides studded with farmhouses, olive groves and wild poppies. Tony says the Italians leave no hillside un- castled . Around every turn you see villages with castle towers. There was a reason for this, apparently every region needed defenses to protect them from their competing regions, apparently no one loved thy neighbor in the 12th century. Our first stop was San Gimignano, a12th century town with 13 remaining towers from the...

May 12, 2012 - Ah! Cortona bella

After a time at the huge Roma Termini, with the help of a 5EU guide,I was on the train out of Rome to Cortona in the Hill Town area between Rome and Florence, the next major city. This is really the Italy of dreams as FRances Mayes wrote of in her book Under a Tuscan Sun. I think she may have been in town as the first night I noticed an American looking woman of the right age being greeted by many townspeople. Cortona is much smaller than Rome, quieter, clearer air, and friendlier people. The Casa Betania is indeed an old convent with three...

Jul 20, 2011 - The Lure of Cortona

Tuesday, July 19th – Day trip to the Etruscan hilltown of Cortona We started out day trip to Cortona around mid morning. Having some trepidations about the trip down the “little white road” from Borgo, we tackled it with some caution. The contortions of the road with its hills and switchbacks and blind corners were easier going down and we felt somewhat more at ease about the return trip up to Borgo. . It is about a 20 kilometer trip to Cortona with lovely valley views and clear signage. Once near Cortona we climb to the free parking area...

Jul 19, 2011 - Borgo di Vagli - A Philosophy of Life

July 17th – Borgo di Vagli We had a very relaxing sleep in our comfy bed at Borgo. There is something to be said for having refreshing breezes waft through the open window and awaking to views of the surrounding hillsides of Tuscany. We had pre-booked Sunday Brunch through Luxus, and we enjoyed a hearty spread offering an interesting array of goodies. We chatted at length with some people from England, a couple with a toddler and their friend who was the child’s godfather. The couple had lived in New York City for 7 years. We lazed the...

Jul 17, 2011 - Falling in Love with Tuscany

Saturday, July 16th – Tuscany and the Borgo di Vagli We packed and left our Florence hotel in mid-morning to pick up our rental a little Mercedes B hatchback diesel. With good instructions from the rental car agent we managed to get out of Florence . We missed the autostrade and took a smaller less travelled route with no tolls and less frantic traffic. After travelling for a about 3 hours and missing a few corners and doubling back we tackled the Borgo path up to the site and after a few hairy moments we arrived at the village. We were...

May 14, 2010 - Sancutuary in Cortona

Friday 14th May 2010 Weather:-Rain/Hail/Overcast-15 degrees Cortona-- Hotel San Luca After another sleepless night as more details are coming forth of missing items from our home and no clear explanation yet as to how the culprits got hold of our remote control of our garage, we are having a hard time trying to stay calm, but calm we must stay as there is nothing that we can do from over here. We feel frustrated that it has all been left to our lovely neighbours. Other people have stepped forward to see if they can help but in order to not...

May 13, 2010 - Relaxing in Cortona

Milan to Cortona by train Hotel San Luca A 6am wake-up call got us to Milano Centrale in time to catch the intercity EuroStar at 7:15 am. It is 421k from Milan to Cortona but the first 303 of it to Florence will be done on the EuroStar in one and three quarter hours. The rest will be done on a regional train with a few stops on the way. Why so early you ask? Well we do not want to miss out on any time that we can spend in our comfort zone, Cortona. We are looking forward to a coffee and a Panini for breakfast at the 'Bar Posta' and saying...

May 21, 2009 - Last day Cortona

Thurs 21st May---Weather:-Hot/28degrees 16/5/09 We were a little disappointed just after our arrival in Cortona for after inquiries we found out that the ‘Theatre Signorelli’ is closed for refurbishment and they will not have any performances until after we leave here. Our objective apart from anything else was to take photographs of the place to show the world how beautiful that little theatre is on the inside. Not to be distracted I marched Herman up to the open stage door and asked permission (which was given) to enter and take some...