Villa Marsili ★★★★

Having toured through much of the country over the years, Tuscany will always hold a special place in my heart, thanks to its lovely landscapes, wine production and status as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Although I personally prefer to hire a car to enjoy the region fully, it is far from essential as Cortona is also serviced by direct trains from Florence and Rome, and Villa Marsili provides transfers to make life easier for you. Cortona, one of the most popular tourist spots in the region, as it is ideally located on the crossroads between Tuscany and Umbria, and is a beautiful area rich in gastronomic specialities, history, art, and museums. The elevated position of the iconic steep narrow streets of the medieval hilltop town embraces a view of the whole of the Val di Chiana. The beautifully restored Villa Marsili is just a few minutes from the historic centre. The hotel, which has a long history, was built on the site of an old church destroyed in 1786, and offers amazing views of the mountains, hills and Lake Trasimeno. Inside we discovered frescoed walls, antique furnishings, fabrics and curtains, which had clearly been lovingly selected to create a home away from home. Our Superior Room continued the theme and was comfortable and traditional, with views out over the valley. The warm feeling created by the décor was mirrored in the warm welcome from the attentive staff.

After settling in, we spent the afternoon wandering around Cortona, and found plenty to keep us occupied, with a choice of museums, archaeological areas, monuments and the breath-taking countryside. The next day, after a breakfast so immense it could be considered an activity in itself (fresh pastries, seasonal fruits and that famous Italian coffee), we set off to explore; the towns of Arezzo, Luciagnano, Montepulciano and Pienza are all less than an hour’s drive away, and there are many more towns and cities within easy reach. Less than 20 miles away you will find Chianti, a historical geographical region, famous for its vines and olive trees. Just make sure you are back in time to enjoy aperitivo, an Italian tradition of a cocktail and nibbles before dinner. Take advantage of the hotel’s panoramic position as you sip your aperol spritz from the terrace and watch the spectacular sunset. Yes indeed...la vita è bella!