Cortona, from its high perch in the green of olive groves offers a stunning view over the whole of the Valdichiana. An ancient Etruscan town Cortona is still surrounded in many parts by its original cyclopean walls. Except for a number of beautiful Renaissance buildings Cortona is essentially a medieval town; such character is to be seen at its best in the narrow and steep alleyways that give Cortona a charming and quaint aspect. Cortona offers visitors several monasteries, churches housing a real wealth of works of art, the Piazza della Repubblica with its peculiar clock tower as well as the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca (MAEC) housing the famous Etruscan Lamp dating back to the Etruscan period. Cortona was once the home of several saints and artists: Santa Margherita, whose Sanctuary housing her uncorrupted body stands lofty on top of the hill of Cortona, lived an died in town. Saint Francis travelled to Cortona and here founded in one of the most charming spots of town the Eremo delle Celle. Here were born Friar Elia, first successor of Saint Francis at the head of the Franciscan Order who built in his town the large and magnificent church dedicated to the Saint from Assisi and painters Luca Signorelli and Pietro Berrettini. Cortona also offers visitors a chance to taste excellent wines and typical products from the area. Events held in Cortona include the Fiera del Rame (copperware market – late April), the Giostra dell’Archidado, a costume cross-bow competition (in May), the Steak Festival (August 15th) and the Antique Fair (late August-early September).

The location of the “Antico Porto della Chiana” makes the farmhouse an ideal base for trips to some of the most interesting towns and cities of Central Italy. In the following paragraphs we’d like to propose a number of trips to some of the most interesting destinations of Tuscan and Umbria.

One of Tuscany’s most charming cities both from a cultural and artistic point of view is definitely Florence (80 miles). Masterpiece city par excellence, brimming with monuments, historical and artistic buildings, galleries and museums Florence is a perfect expression of the splendour of the Italian Renaissance. Sitting in the valley of the Arno river encircled by gentle rolling hills Florence is a city you would never tire of visiting as well as an essential destination for those who appreciate beautiful things that were created once for today’s life. A walk through the uncountable monuments and museums of the centre is an absolute must . A number of natural terraces surrounding the city such as the Piazzale Michelangelo, the nearby church of San Miniato, the Piazzale of the Belvedere Fortress as well as the Uffizi palace, the Battistero (with its precious mosaics) and the Duomo allow visitors to enjoy breath-taking views of this huge expanse of red-brick roofs dotted with old towers and belfries as well as a real wealth of monuments and the river crossed by old charming bridges.
Other town worth visiting is Arezzo (20 miles). This town is perched on a low hill on the border of the plains formed by the Arno floodsand still preserves in its upper area its old medieval aspect. The Cathedral and the Fortezza Medicea stand lofty at the top of the hill surrounded by aristocratic buildings and old towers. Sights include the church of Santa Maria housing paintings by Lorenzetti and the church of San Francesco housing frescos by Piero della Francesca.

A unique and must-visit destination is the Siena area, an area that is charming and interesting both from an artistic point of view and for its food and wine attractions. Montepulciano (20 miles), the Senese town nearest to the Antico Porto della Chiana, is well-known for its wines and one of the most interesting centres from an artistic and cultural point of view. Events hosted by Montepulciano include a number of folklore events, concerts held in the Piazza Grande in July and August as well as the renowned “Bravio delle Botti” a competition amongst the different “contradas” in which heavy empty wine barrels are pushed up the hill all the way to the Piazza Grande. Located just a short distance from Montepulciano, Pienza (30 miles) features the trapeze-shaped Piazza Pio II hemmed in by the Palazzo Piccolomini, the Cathedral, the Palazzo Vescovile and the Palazzo Comunale. Piezza is known all over the world for its production of unique seasoned pecorino-cheeses covered in ashes or nut leaves as well as other typical local products. Only few miles away from Pienza Montalcino (45 miles) is known all over the world for its Brunello and a wide range of other locally produced wines. Originally an Etruscan town this ancient village sitting on top of a hill offers stunning wide views ranging from the mountains all the way to the sea showing a country-side that is rich in forests and charming vineyards. Montalcino is also a town rich in monuments including the Palazzo Comunale, the Monastero s. Antimo, the Museo Diocesano and the Rocca, a pentagon plan Fortress with ramparts and towers built by the Senese in the year 1300. Siena (45 miles) is one of the main towns  of Tuscany and is known all over the world for its works of art, its history and its unique traditions. The very “heart” of this town is the Piazza del Campo that suddenly surprises with its vivid red colour the visitor descending from the steep and narrow Senese alleys. Sights include the Duomo, one of the greatest masterpieces of the Italian Romanesque and gothic art, the Sala del Pellegrinaio in the church of Santa Maria della Scala, the Fortezza Medicea, the Piccolomini library as well as the remarkable Accademia Chigiana and many other places. One of Siena’s most known and interesting events is the world famous Palio, the unique horse race held twice a year (July 2nd and August 16th) in the Piazza del Campo accompanied by propitiatory songs reminiscent of ancient rites and modern allegories. Further villages well worth a visit include Rapolano and Bagno Vignoni, both known for their spas.

Another interesting tourist route is the one travelling to Perugia and surroundings. Perugia (30 miles) overlooks the valley of the Tiber river from its high perch on a rugged and irregular hill. An ancient urban centre Perugia is today a modern and cosmopolitan town well known all over the world for its cultural events and its University for foreigners. The monumental heart of the town is located in the Piazza IV Novembre and the steep lanes leading to the older walls belonging to the original Etruscan perimeter. The Piazza overlooked by magnificent buildings and with the beautiful Fontana Maggiore at its centre is doubtlessly one of Italy’s most commanding and charming squares. Next to the square the Palazzo dei Priori, the ancient medieval residence of the town’s supreme political authorities, houses today the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, the region’s most significant art collection for the medieval and modern period. Also overlooking the square the cathedral of San Lorenzo dating back to the 1300s houses a wealth of important works of art. Events organized in town include the world-famous Umbria Jazz festival and the gastronomical event Eurochocolate. Located only a few miles from Perugia Assisi (45 miles), originally a Roman settlement, preserved to this day an eminently medieval aspect. The birthplace at the end of the 12th century of San Francesco and Santa Chiara the town became over the centuries one of the favourite pilgrimage destinations of Christendom. The town offers a real wealth of important places to visit including the gothic Church of San Francesco, the Church of Santa Chiara with its elegant portal and the three rosettes as well as the cathedral of San Ruffino. Several places linked to the life of San Francesco may be visited in the area including the Eremo delle Carceri and the convent of San Damiano. Other destinations include the town of Castiglione del Lago (10 miles) sitting on a limestone promontory and once the fourth island of Lake Trasimeno. Symbol of Castiglione del Lago is the 13th century Castle with four turrets and a lofty keep known as the Rocca del Leone. Lake Trasimeno’s best known resort holds every year the unique “Coloriamo i cieli”,  a famous kiting event.