HOLIDAY HOUSE and B&B Cortona


Welcome nature lovers


Casa SoleLuna is in a strategic position for lots of activities in Val di Chiana.

Only a few kilometres from here art lovers can visit Arezzo, Anghiari, Pienza, Montalcino, Chianti, Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio and Trasimeno Lake in Umbria. You can easily reach also the center of Florence or Rome with the direct train, leaving from Camucia-Cortona station.

Here nature lovers can take beautiful walks and excursions, dive in the woods and discover old traditions such as olive and grape harvest.

Walk, meditate, have good time, take pictures and get lost in the hills or along paths lined with cypresses. Follow the sun from sunrise to dawn.

Everyday start a new journey from Casa SoleLuna.

I will offer you my best advises!

Nature and art

The estate and the surrounding olive groves and wineyards can be explored by taking long walks. Also a riding school for horse lovers is not far from the property.

 

One of the most suggestive excursion leads to the Cells of San Francesco, a fascinating monastery in the middle of the woods around Cortona. A real jewel of peace and serenity, with its torrent just in the middle of it, beautiful gardens, the church and the mystical cell of the holy saint.

 

Just 900 metres from the house there is also the Etruscan tomb of Sodo, an important find that testifies the great civilization that founded Cortona.

Cortona

Only 5 minutes by car from Casa SoleLuna there is Cortona.

 

This old city, surrounded by Etruscan walls, has maintained its medieval charm and it will delight you with its art, pictiuresque views, characteristic craft shops and delicious restaurants.

 

You will be able to visit one of the most important Etruscan museum the MAEC, the beautiful church of Saint Margareth; the Girifalco fortress and the monastery of San Francesco.

Wine and Villages

The house is placed just a few steps from one of the most important communication links between Arezzo and Perugia, and an entire network of internal connections that enable you to explore all the area.

 

You will find cellars and wines of Chianti, and you will  stop in one of the countless vineyards along the road. Then you will visit the cities of Montepulciano and Monticchiello, only 30km far from Casa SoleLuna.

 

Going on the Val d’Orcia, you will meet a different kind of Tuscan landscape and you will find the Vitaleta chapel, San Quirico, Pienza, and Bagno Vignoni.

 

Only half an hour by car from Casa SoleLuna there is also Rapolano Hot Springs with its two thermal establishments, perfect for spa lovers.

MontepulcianoMonticchiello

Film location “Under the tuscan sun”

Among all the Cortona’s attractions there is also casa Bramasole, a beautiful cottage bought in 1996 by Frances Mayers, who decided to spend here some time in Tuscany.

The american writer described her days in her house and her walks in Cortona, in the bestseller book Under the Tucan sun. Together with many other famous personalities such as Francois Mitterand, Alexander Dubcek, Jovanotti, Frances Mayers has become Cortona’s honorary citizen

casa Bramasole
Cortona - 3 Km The town of Cortona stand high on a hill 600 meters and has a spectacular views of the Valdichiana, Lake Trasimeno and Mount Amiata. Originally, an Etruscan stronghold, From the Piazza Garibaldi (still referred to by the local population by its older name, Piazza Carbonaia) is a fine prospect of Lake Trasimeno, scene of Hannibal's ambush of the Roman army in 217 BC (Battle of Lake Trasimene). Parts of the Etruscan city wall can still be seen today as the basis of the present wall. The main street, via Nazionale, is the only street in the town with no gradient, and is still usually referred to by locals by its older name of Ruga Piana. . The Medici fortress affords the best views of the town and countryside. In the north east of Cortona you can tour the hermitage Eremo delle Celle, founded by S. Francesco in 1211.

Castiglion Fiorentino 9 Km - Situated on a hilltop 345 meters above sea level, the town has splendid views overlooking the Val di Chio, with beautiful olive groves. The panorama is dominated by the 10th-century Castle Montecchio, home of the famous captain of mercenary troops, John Hawkwood. The town it self originated on the hilltop in Etruscan times in the 8th century B.C.

Arezzo - 30 Km Arezzo is an old city in central Italy. It is the capital of the Province, in the region of Tuscany. Arezzo is about 80 km south-east of Florence. It is at an elevation of 296 m above sea level. Piazza Grande medieval square is one of the finest in Europe, with stunning buildings on every side. Situated behind the 13th century Romanesque apse of Santa Maria della Pieve, the Piazza Grande was once the main marketplace of the city. It was also the site of Giostra del Saracino, an ancient joust held here in the 16th and 17th century.
Arezzo has some treats in store for wine lovers, who can take a trip along the Terre di Arezzo, or 'Road of Wine', to admire and enjoy the sights and tastes of this picturesque wine growing region. This winding 200km route will take you through vineyards, olive groves, tobacco plantations and forests, and visitors can taste and purchase some of Italy's finest wines along the way. Food lovers will also find some of the area's finest gastronomic delights here.

Gubbio - 70 Km The Roman town of Gubbio has the most medieval appearance of the northern Umbrian towns. It is famous for its local crafts and well preserved medieval traditions, including the procession of Candles in May.

Assisi - 70 Km Assisi, the most enchanting and spiritual town in Umbria lies at the foot of the biggest hillside in Umbria, Mount Subasio. Founded by the Etruscans and later became part of the Roman Empire, the town is the birthplace of San Francesco Patron Saint of Italy.

Montalcino - 65 Km is located on the hill top that over look the three valleys of D’Orcia, D’Arbia and D’Ombrone. It is structured in a typical medieval way and it offers places of interest to visit, such as the Town Hall Palace, the Cathedral and S. Agostino, S. Egidio and S. Francesco churches.

La Verna Camaldoli - 70 km The sanctuary of La Verna is located on the Tuscan Apennines perched up on a mountain covered with beech and fir forests. The sanctuary is clearly visible from the whole of the Casentino and the Tiber valley and stands out for its unique shape with its peak ( m 1283) being divided into three parts.

Siena - 70 Km To the south west of Arezzo, edging through the Chianti region, enter Siena and step back to the Middle Ages. Formed by the meeting of three hills on which Siena is built, the square is divided into nine sections, commemorating the council of nine who governed the town in the 13th century

Perugia - 50 Km The city of Perugia is divided into five quarters, each named after the original city gates: Sant’Angelo , Porta Sole, San Pietro, Eburnea e Santa Susanna. Piazza IV novembre is the city’s main square here you will find the San Lorenzo Cathedral finished in 1430 and the Fontana Maggiore designed by Fra Bevignate.

Pienza - 40 Km The medieval village of Pienza is to be regarded as a real monument as a whole in its orderliness and rationality and offers some incredible views of the Val d’Orcia as in a painting by the best Renaissance artists.

Montepulciano - 30 Km The highest of the Tuscan hill towns, Montepulciano, offers stunning views and fine example of Renaissance architecture