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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
- Tuscany
- Cortona
Cortona
Cortona is a richly historic city that enjoys a scenic position
above Lake Trasimeno and the plain of Valdichiana, dotted with
olive groves and vineyards. It is one of Tuscany's oldest cities,
and home to some of its best-preserved Etruscan buildings. Cortona
also has a strong artistic pedigree, reflected in its status as a
'City of Art', and was home to Luca Signorelli and Pietra da
Cortona.
A good place to begin a tour of the city is at its oldest part,
the base of Porta Colonia, where the original walls from the 4th
century BC are still visible. Other highlights of the city include
a ramble along the cobbled streets and clambering up cut-stone
staircases to gaze over a city-scape little changed since the
Renaissance and in many cases, the Middle Ages. Via Janelli, in
particular, has some of the oldest houses in Italy, many with their
original timber supporting the overhanging upper stories.
Other key sights in Cortona include the church of San Francesco
(notable as the first Franciscan church outside Assisi), Palazzo
Comunale, and Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca (which houses a number
of major Etruscan artefacts).
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.