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The Tuscany and Umbria border area has some of the finest Italian hill towns, walled "cities" that have a long history, some before Roman times. The architecture of the towns was mainly created between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries.
They are everything a modern city is not: small and compact and on a human scale; wide piazza and narrow streets with a choice of fine restaurants, cafes and trattorie, small and large churches, magnificent town halls and public buildings, each with its own traditions and festivals. We have places in Cortona in Tuscany and Spello in Umbria.
Cortona is a famous Tuscan city that has had a major rôle in the complex history of the region. Its magnificent town hall is the choice for many weddings from couples all over the world and its galleries have important art collections including the famous "Annunciation" by Fra Angelico. We love to walk along the busy (but now pedestrian only) streets stopping off for a capuccino in one of the many pavement cafes. There are beautiful gardens and wonderful views across to Montepulciano and other hill towns.
Spello is smaller and a perfect gem still surrounded by its medieval walls. Being on the same mountainside as Assisi, Spello gets less attention but it is a fine, well preserved town famous for its "infiorata" in June when pictures made from flower petals cover its narrow streets. Full of cafes, restaurants, specialist shops (wine, oil, truffles and other local produce). |
