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"Bellissima Cortona" a Cortona Travel Page by FieryRedhead

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"Bellissima Cortona" a Cortona Travel Page by FieryRedhead

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FieryRedhead    
Live like you mean it


Real Name: Erika
Lives In: Los Angeles, US
Member Since: Jan 21, 2005
VT Rank: 8889

 

Page Views: 585            Last Visit to Cortona: February, 2005      

Bellissima Cortona

by FieryRedhead - last update: Feb 25, 2005

I couldn't dream a place more beautiful

I came to Cortona because I am one of those American women who saw Under the Tuscan Sun one too many times and something about it just called to me. Although the movie is very different from the book, the central theme of Cortona and its charm are what drew me there. It is now my mission in life to return and live there. Absolutely magical and charming. No description I could ever give would do it justice.

Local architecture

I live in Los Angeles, where anything that is old is considered "bad" and replaced with new slapshod stucco structures that all look the same, which are considered "good". I love the crumbling villas, cobblestone streets and sense of an ancient time that exists in Cortona. Aside from the modern cars and amenities, people still exist there as they have for generations. I felt almost as if I was an intrusion in their simple way of life, yet so transfixed by it that I wanted to completely abandon the life I have in Los Angeles. We live to work in Los Angeles, and in all of Italy it seems that they work to live, and it's all the rest that matters: good food, family, friendships, conversation, beauty, art... la dolce vita.

Santa Marguerita Church

Several locals served in both WWI and WWII, but the city of Cortona remained safe in both wars. They attribute this to Santa Marguerita and hold a large festival to her in February. We had to leave the day before and unfortunately didn't get any pictures of it, but the locals all dress in medieval clothing and have a hold a festival for their saint.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Gorgeous, serene"
Cons:"Definitely know at least basic Italian... very few locals speak or choose to speak English"
In A Nutshell:"I wish I never had to leave"
FieryRedhead's Cortona Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 1
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

FieryRedhead's Cortona Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
People of CortonaFebruary, 2005 7
Building of CortonaFebruary, 2005 8
Views from CortonaFebruary, 2005 6
Public ParkFebruary, 2005 6

Comments for FieryRedhead about Cortona
olyrunner Tue Mar 21, 2006 16:26 UTC
 Great photos and captions - can't wait to experience it for myself!
iandsmith Sat Mar 19, 2005 01:08 UTC
 What's not to love about Italian hilltop towns? (Try Orvieto next time). Nice travelogues.

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