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Cortona,
Tuscany:
45 minutes, 39 kms
Birthplace of the famous painter Luca Signorelli,
Cortona is another beautiful hill town with the centro
storico and piazza made famous by the book and film
“Under the Tuscan Sun.” There are delightful
restaurants and a first class classical music festival
that takes place in August every year. There is a
weekly Saturday morning market |
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Città
di Castello, Umbria:
20 minutes, 23 kms
This is a beautiful walled town which is neither on
a hill or on the tourist map. Another wonderful centro
storico and piazza from which to enjoy the evening
“passegiata” ,where all Italians young
and old spend the couple of hours before dinner strolling
and socialising before returning home for the evening
meal. There is also a weekly Saturday morning market. |
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Perugia,
Umbria:
40 minutes, 45 kilometres
Perugia is the capital of Umbria and is a larger,
more important city. Founded by the Eutruscans in
the 3rd century, Perugia runs along the spine of a
mountain ridge with wonderful views from all sides
of the city. Among Perugia’s many attractions
are the Palazzo dei Priori, a wonderful example of
14th century gothic architecture, which houses the
National Gallery of Umbria with fine examples of renaissance
art including frescos by Perugino who owes his name
to the city of his birth. On the famous Corso Vanucci
you will find many cafes and stores that specialize
in another of Perugia’s specialties, chocolate.
At the end of the Corso is the Grand Piazza 4th November
with the medieval fountain”Fontana Maggiore”
in the middle and the wonderful 14th century Basilica
of San Domenico behind. Perugia is also home to two
large universities and is a vibrant bustling place
to explore. |
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Arezzo,
Tuscany: 60 minutes, 69 kms
Arezzo houses one of the most stunning central piazza’s
in Tuscany, which was made famous by the Oscar winning
film “Life is beautiful”. It is also known
for it’s monthly antique fair, with dealers
from all over Italy descending on the first weekend
of every month. Although not inexpensive, one can
find art and antiques of every description that will
make the antique- lover swoon. Among Arezzo’s
most famous sons are the poet Petrarch, and Piero
della Francesca whose frescoes of the stations of
the cross grace the walls of the Basilica San Francesco.
Arezzo was also home to the famous art historian Vasari
whose house is now a museum in the town. |
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Gubbio,
Umbria:
35 minutes, 37 kilometres
Perched on the side of Monte Ingino, Gubbio is a grey-white
stone town with a beautiful historic center. Attractions
include the Palazzo della Signora, which houses the
famous Eugubine tablets (the largest surviving texts
in Umbrian), the wonderful views of the Valtiberina
for those strong enough to climb to the top slopes,
and the 1st century Teatro Romano, the second largest
ampitheatre in all of Italy . Gubbio is also famous
for it’s Festa dei Ceri, feast of candles, which
takes place on May 15th every year. |
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