Arezzo -

Heading south-east we reach the town of one of the greatest renaissance painters: XV century Piero della Francesca.

This town is called Arezzo, one of the first Etruscan towns.  It is a world renowned place for its gold and mens’ clothing factories,  as well as its antique market that takes place in its main streets every first weekend of the month.

There is no better setting for a movie like Roberto Benigni’s "Life is beautiful" which was filmed in this town.

This tour starts at the 1200's Gothic cathedral where we can admire the masterpiece painting by Piero della Francesca - "Mary Magdalen". Situated at the top of Arezzo, this church is an ideal place to start strolling through its elegant streets.  We will walk by the house of Giorgio Vasari, the XVI century architect that built the Uffizi palace in Florence.  Then not too far is the church of Saint Frances where the great cycle of frescos by Piero Della Francesca called "The Legend of the Holy Cross" can be admired.

Reaching the bottom of the main street of Corso Italia, we will be head towards the charming town of Cortona. Before we climb the hill to reach this town, we will stop for lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Lake Trasimeno where you can taste the local lake’s fish platters and enjoy a world premiere ice cream bowl.

This lake is also known as "Hannibal’s Lake". It was the site of a very fierce battle between the Roman Army and the African king heading his troops, which included the famous elephants never seen in this part of the world before. (200 b.c approx). The there is time to climb the hill towards the town of Cortona, where the 1990’s hit-movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" was filmed. From here enjoy the overlook and pay tribute to the "Bramasole" house depicted in the movie. 

There is also time to wander through the streets of Cortona before returning to Florence.

Cortona

Perched 500 metres above sea level, Cortona dominates the entire Valdichiana, with a view that stretches as far as Monte Amiata. The town is entirely surrounded by fortifications,  constituting interesting archaeology as well as beauty. Most of the buildings and streets within the city date from Medieval times. The Basilica of Santa Margherita and the Celle Franciscan sanctuary placed at the highest point in the city, make it natural place for any tourist to start their visit ‘downwards’ into Cortona.

The only horizontally-running street in Cortona is Ruga Piana, now called Via Nazionale. It leads directly to Piazza della Repubblica dominated by the Medieval Palazzo Comunale, formerly Palazzo Casali, once the home of this aristocratic family. It now houses the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca. The museum contains an interesting collection of Etruscan and Roman artifacts.

On the other side of town, opposite the Romanesque cathedral, stands the Museo Diocesano, which contains important works by Luca Signorelli and one of the finest Annunciations painted by Beato Angelico.

Beneath Cortona, further down the hill on which the city stands, are the Etruscan Meloni I and II del Sodo tombs as well as a hypogeum which dates from the 6th century BC.

Towards Foiano della Chiana stands the abbey of Santa Maria a Farneta, one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture. One of the more interesting  annual events held in Cortona, is the Corton Antiquaria antiques fair. The fair takes place in the 18th century halls of Palazzo Vagnotti and Palazzo Casali on the last Saturday in August to the second Sunday in September.