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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Europe
- Italy
- Cortona
Cortona
The holiday destination of Cortona perches above the lofty hills
of olive groves and vineyards overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the
plain of Valdichiana. It is one of the oldest cities in Tuscany and
its Etruscan roots have been indelibly imprinted onto its
foundations. Cortona also stakes a claim as a 'City of Art', having
spawned the great artists, Luca Signorelli and Pietra da
Cortona.
Most of the Etruscan city is hidden in basements but part of the
original 4th century BC walls can be seen at the base of Porta
Colonia's outer side. Climbing the city's cut-stone staircases and
meandering along its cobbled streets guides one back through the
past from the Renaissance to the Middle Ages and beyond. The
medieval houses along Via Janelli are the oldest in Italy; massive
timber beams support their overhanging upper stories.
Other places of special interest for people on holiday in
Cortona include the Palazzo Comunale, Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca
(containing a number of major Etruscan artefacts) and the church of
San Francesco, the first Franciscan church outside Assisi.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is
understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of
the country.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into
100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain
Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are
widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the
large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are
accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities.
Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than
casas de cambios.