CORTONA-AREZZO
authorized guides but rather a practical and valuable source to help navigate you to the points
of interest. While on board your vehicle your driver or assistant will provide you with some g
eneral information to help orient you for your walks around each town.
Please refer to the web-site link explaining each professional role. http://www.privatetuscanytours.com/en/Helpful-information Your driver will meet you at the location of your stay in Tuscany(Hotel, Villa, Farm,
Agritourism’s). At the end of the day your driver will bring you back to the location of your stay.
If you prefer to be dropped off elsewhere that can be arranged too just let your driver know
the details. Your driver will recommend which would be the best city to start for the first part of your tour. Cortona and Arezzo are located in the southeast region in Tuscany. Makes no difference if your
party is large or small the itinerary will not change. Cortona & Arezzo do not have any check
points or city entrances fee to pay at this time. Both entrances of both cities are reachable by
bus or van. As we drive towards Arezzo, we will pass some of the beautiful Valleys in Italy such
as: Val Tiberina, Val D’ Arno, Casentino, Val D Chiana. Another highlight is that your driver
will use the Cassia Road. Cassia Road is the second oldest road in Italy built by the roman
emperor Cassius. The land where Arezzo was first occupied by the Etruscans who settled there
long before the City of Arezzo was built by the Romans. Once we reach Arezzo you will have time to visit many wonderful places like museums, palaces,
The Medici Fortress, Roman, Amphitheater and San Francesco Basilica.
You will also find many works of art by famous Italian artist for instance Giorgio Vasari,
Francesco Redi, Guido Monaco and many more. Arezzo is also known for its goldsmith traditions dating back 900 BC the time of the Etruscans.
You will find may blacksmith shops along the streets in Arezzo where they still master the craft
using old tools and techniques. You may choose to have your lunch here or along the way to
Cortona we can stop at one of the small villages. The surrounding area is enriched by many typical little villages. One of the villages is Anghiari fampous for teh Anghiari battel on 1440 and for its olive oil , Lucignano’s city hall there is a museum, in the museum there stands a tree made of gold and gem stones that is a site for your eyes to see. It is a masterpiece that was built in the XV Sec by the goldsmiths of Arezzo for the noble people of Lucignano. In May the village of Lucignano also host a flower fair covering chariots with flowers and parade around the city. The fair is called “Maggiolata Luciagnese”. Poppi is another little village along the way to Cortona. The story of the town of Poppi relates to the Conti Guidi Family. The family ruled the town until 1440 up until the battle of Anghiari. It then became part of the Republica Di Firenze. In the 1200’s the fortification of the castle was converted into Nobel residence with its surrounding wall and 4 gates to enter. Dante Alighieri once lived in the Castle of Poppi from 1307 to 1311. He wrote part of his Inferno the XXXIII Canto. We will pass many other little towns along the way to Cortana with the same charming feeling in each of the towns along with lessons in Italian history. The next stop will be Cortona. Once we get to Cortona your driver will drop you at the entrance of the town. A good start as there is a terrace there where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the valley an Lake Trasimeno. Cortona is 600 Meters above sea level so the views will be fantastic. Cortona is a small town and the highlight of the town the Museo Diocesiano located inside the Palazzo Comunale in the Republica Square. Your driver will then take you to Santuario di Santa Marherita and Girfalco Fortress the highest point of the town. Cortona is also famous for being the location of the movie set of “Under The Tuscan Sun”. You driver can take you as far as the driveway to the famous villa of Frances Myers. Due to being a private villa you will to be allowed to enter the gardens or visit the villa. Next you will be taken to the Eremo Francescano La Celle it is a must see and located just a few km outside the walls of Cortana. It is a convent built by San Francesco in 1211 a very unique place to visit. Cortona and all the little villages surrounding are places where you will find great exhibitions of art, delicious food, great knowledge of history and of course the warm and friendly people. Now that you had a full and exciting day your driver will take you back to your residence of your stay. You can sit back, have a glass of a nice Italian wine and reminisce about what you learned and saw today.
