Cortona and surroundings

Taking a holiday in the Valdichiana means an opportunity to enjoy the peace and splendour of nature in welcoming and picturesque surroundings.

Taking a holiday in the Valdichiana means an opportunity to enjoy the peace and splendour of nature in welcoming and picturesque surroundings. Many centuries ago the Etruscans clearly must have shared the same feelings since they were particularly active in this area. Of course they did not have the convenience of agritourism accommodation, bed and breakfasts and holiday homes at their disposal, but they certainly knew how to choose the right places to settle.
The lands of the Valdichiana extend into four provinces of Tuscany and Umbria, but it is especially in the province of Arezzo that the magnificent necropoles and cities of this ancient and ingenious people can be admired. 

In particular, we would like to indicate Cortona and its surroundings, which have seen many discoveries of tombs and artefacts. This historic Tuscan town is also home to a wonderful Etruscan Museum. Visitors will be immediately struck by the care with which all the archaeological finds are ordered and exhibited. Each room contains detailed descriptions, at times accompanied by accurate reconstructions, models of the necropoles and excavations, or even audiovisual documents. The so-called tactile experiences deserve a special mention; they consist of reproductions of artefacts made available so that visitors can literally touch them, which is not only commendable on an educational level, but it also allows the visually impaired to participate. The museum also contains other permanent collections, among them a section devoted to ancient Egypt. 

And to get to know the Etruscans “live”, there is the Archaeological Park to explore, where the settlements of this great and ancient people can be discovered. It extends from the centre of Cortona to the surrounding areas, including Camucia and Ossaia.
But Cortona, the birthplace of Luca Signorelli, obviously does not only offer the Etruscans. Of particular interest, for example, is the Diocesan Museum, which houses works by Signorelli, Cortona’s most illustrious son, and other masters of the period, among them Fra Angelico.
The city, itself an open-air museum, also hosts numerous events, including historical pageants and cultural occasions, as well as gastronomic festivals that are certain to delight.


The farmhouses, holiday houses and B&Bs of the Valdichiana await you for a holiday filled with colours and flavours.