Cortonese - L'Arancio  

Description from the manager

This Tuscany apartment rental near Cortona, which is where the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" starring Diane Lane takes place as well as the book it's based off of by Frances Mayes, offers the best of everything in the region. For some, especially those with small children, renting a private villa can seem a little daunting and almost too independent; however, this Tuscany villa with a pool within a restored hamlet is the perfect compromise. You'll have the privacy of your own residence, with a garden and seating area, along with the convenience of a restaurant and helpful staff directly on the property. This Tuscany holiday apartment will give... you easy access to various small towns—and Florence is also within day-trip distance!

[35,000 m2] This beautiful 19th century hamlet has been carefully and lovingly restored by the owner, a member of a noble Cortonese family. It is situated at the base of a hill, looking up towards the town of Cortona, which sits on top of the hill. The estate consists of eight apartments within three buildings, all similarly decorated with some antique pieces. There is also a nice restaurant, a bar, a wine bar serving traditional foods, a lovely chapel, and a beautiful new swimming pool with showers and changing rooms. The dimensions of the pool are 10m x 20m, 0.9-2.2m deep. There is also a small hall for meetings, as well as an intimate hotel with twelve rooms. There is a shared washing machine available.

[250 m2] The largest apartment in the complex, this spacious apartment has a lovely private garden with a table and chairs. It is located on two floors, and has a private entrance.

Ground Floor: There is a living room with a double sofa bed and arm chairs. The dining area is a separate room, and there is a fully equipped kitchen with a table for eating and a dishwasher. There is a guest bathroom.

First floor: There is another nice sitting area in the loft. To the left there is a twin bedded room with a bathroom with tub handheld showerhead. To the right there are two bedrooms, a queen bedroom and a twin bedded room. These two bedrooms share a bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower.

Situated on a large estate at the foot of Cortona, you will be happy to know that many comforts, amenities, and activities are right outside your door. The property features two restaurants, tour guides anxiously waiting to take you around on daily excursions, and summer concerts featuring live music every Monday evening from June to September. Guests can take cooking classes, go horseback riding, fly with a glider, or even rent a vintage car! This hamlet is two kilometers from Cortona and is perfectly located for day trips throughout eastern and southern Tuscany, as well as northern Umbria. Just off the road leading to Cortona, this location is easily accessible, especially because of the bus stop just outside the estate which goes to Cortona and Arezzo. You can also go as far as Florence, via a train from Camucia, just three km away.

Siena: 75 km

Perugia: 50 km

Arezzo: 30 km

Camucia: 3 km

Cortona: 2 km

Available Amenities: All apartments have independent heating systems, telephones, safes, Satellite TVs, and internet access. A change of linen is provided once per week and there is a laundry room located on the grounds.

Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.

* Babysitter: 10 euros per hour

* Daily maid service: upon request

* Telephone and internet access: according to consumption

Nearby Attractions: Restaurants, summer concerts, tours of area, horseback riding, fly with a glider, bike rentals, vintage car rentals, cooking classes, wine tasting, Cortona, Arezzo, Perugia, Siena

Minimum Stay: 7

Check-In: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Check-In: 5:00pm - 6:00pmRead more

Additional Location Information

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Melinda
  

  Melinda's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 10/06/2012 for a stay in September 2012
  
  

  It was a great overall experience. The location was central. I would go back and stay there again.
  The property manager was very accommodating.
  
  It was just plain beautiful. I loved the look and size and the fact there was a restaurant on the property.
  
  The beauty, history, villages, wineries, and shopping.

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• Vern
  

  Vern's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 06/30/2007 for a stay in June 2007
  
  

  Great location near Cortona and the surrounding hill towns. Great pool for the children and families to play in. Very nice place; roomy. Nice restaurant. Pleasant service.
  
  Italian service just isn't up to the standard of American service. The people are very friendly, but were slow to respond to the fans and dishwashter not working. Also, the welcome book has no info about the surrounding area such as, where's the closest good bakery, etc.
  
  Close to Cortona and great little hill towns.

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• Colleen
  

  Colleen's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 04/30/2007 for a stay in April 2007
  
  

  The house was very spacious and attractively appointed. There were several places to gather and sit but plenty of privacy for a multi- enerational group.
  
  I liked its convenient location, the friendliness of the staff, the beautiful surroundings and the overall ambiance.
  
  The ceilings are very very thin, we heard everything that went on upstairs.
  
  The town of Cortona was fabulous, the local restaurants were convenient and the location was a good central point from to which to discover Tuscany. The train station was convenient and there were all essential services available nearby.

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• Pamela
  

  Pamela's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 09/30/2005 for a stay in September 2005
  
  

  On every level this was an ideal property for us. I am very grateful for the sage advice encouraging us to stay at a property that had a small hotel connected with it. I had originally envisioned us in a villa, but with three children, having the services of the hotel and other children for them to play with was so much better! Because of the way the property is laid out, we still felt very private in our garden. It was the best of both worlds.
  
  The previous number ranking doesn't do justice to the property, for it is the complete package that makes this place so incredible. The apartment is very simple, but spacious. It is gracious by European standards. The surrounding ancient outbuildings and the mature landscaping make this a dream-like Tuscan experience. There are olive and fruit trees, hidden gardens, old wells - it is something out of a picture book. My children ADORED it. THe pool was beautifully maintained and perfect on those hot afternoons. The restaurant offered delicious meals on a picturesque terrace that overlooked the hills up to Cortona. The staff was very helpful. Roberta, the chef, was not only an incredible cook, but also so kind and so willing to prepare special dinners at your request. We could not have been more pleased with our property.
  
  The apartment above ours had very thin floors, so it was noisy. I might ask for a top floor next time, but it wasn't a deal breaker. If there had been a loud noisy family upstairs it could have been a problem. If we come again I would request and pay for more frequent cleaning and towel laundering. Once a week isn't enough, especially with children. I would also have appreciated a heads up about having to buy my own toilet paper after the initial provided supply ran out. Again, these are minor issues.
  
  Everything! Cortona is a jewel. I even preferred it to Pienza and Montelpulciano, which are supposedly more lovely. No way! Cortona is just big enough that you have a wonderful choice of places to eat and stores to visit. The gelato store is the best in all of Italy! There are breathtaking views and a wonderful park with a fountain that is filled with families and couples strolling in the evening. As we traveled around to different small cities and towns, I realized that we were so fortunate to have chosen Cortona as our home base. It is centrally located - we did day trips all over Tuscany as far north as Florence. It is very hilly, so if you have a medical problem I would take that into consideration. For most people it would not be an issue.

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• Kathie
  

  Kathie's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 05/31/2005 for a stay in May 2005
  
  

  the property was beautiful and being close to the hotel made the stay easy. Easy to drive most places, close to Cortona and could walk to town if feeling ambitious.
  
  Furnishings were somewhat sparse given the size of the house. It had Satellite TV, but no English channels other than CNN. Other than that it was wonderful
  
  Close to all the small towns in the Tuscany region. Easy to do day trips. Must have a car.

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• Nancy
  

  Nancy's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 04/30/2005 for a stay in April 2005
  
  

  Because Cortona is centrally located between Tuscany and Umbria, it is a great place to stay if you are interested in touring the area. We went in early April and the weather was not too good -- it was really too early in the season to enjoy the garden and pool.
  
  The property is very new and clean. It was great to have someone at the hotel to check in with. The staff was very helpful, and the option of breakfast at the hotel was nice. The apartment has very spacious rooms and is well equipped. This apartment has a nice back patio and separate entrance. The bedrooms are on the ground floor which was wonderful.
  
  One bedroom was noisy when the people upstairs moved around - the brick floors are loud.
  
  The location near Cortona makes sightseeing very easy to reach places in both Umbria and Tuscany. The access for the property is very close to the main road, which makes getting around very easy.

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• Christine
  

  Christine's review of Cortonese - L'Arancio

  Left on 07/31/2004 for a stay in July 2004
  
  

  It's the most idyllic place I've ever stayed in.
  
  The property is spectacular...pictures do not do it justice. Enjoying the beauty of the gardens and buildings was an experience that will never be forgotten and will hopefully be repeated. The pool is the fabulous! The best part of staying at the property, however, was the friendly staff. They were so helpful at every turn and we can't thank them enough.
  
  The apartment above us was a little bit noisy.
  
  We love Cortona! We had incredible meals at Cory's, Il Falconarie, Fufluns, and La Tufa in Ossaia. We really enjoyed having gelato in the Piazza Signorelli and watching the flag throwing ceremonies. So many great day trips are close by - Arezzo, Pienza, and Florence were some of our favorites.

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