Monday, May 7, 2012

A Dream Come True: Cortona - Part 1

Visiting Cortona was the reason I was *brave* enough to take a trip alone with The Bella. Under The Tuscan Sun is one of my all-time favorite movies, and it's set in Cortona. Sighhhhhh. I just had to experience it for myself!! HAD TO!!! So you can imagine my dismay when we were told we'd only have one hour to walk around. One.Stinkin'.Hour. I was in shock!!!!! I told Bella how important this was to me, and how I expected her to behave, be quiet, and not ask for anything. She agreed. (The little liar!!!) So we were like loons, running around, trying to see everything, photograph everything, shop for goodies. And The Bella whined. And The Bella groaned. And The Bella cried. Oh well. Nothing and no one was stopping me from experiencing this city, not even my own daughter, lol! I was on a mission...

Cortona is a walled city set upon a mountain, 500 feet above sea level.

The views alone demand to be admired!! For hours!!
(Only we didn't have hours. Rats.)
All the roads are very steep, either going up or down!
Oh look! Bella is smiling!
Palazzo Comunale
Main city square


A very posh ceramics shop.
(With crazy tourist prices!!)

We didn't have time to visit any of the churches or museums.
But they're wonderful in the guide book!!!
I let Bella climb to the top alone for a photo.

The Duomo
Views from here

The second half of Cortona is coming up next!

11 comments:

Sueann said...

Oh my gosh! It is gorgeous! Love the stone paved alley ways. Amazing!
And only one hour...you outdid yourself!! The photos are fabulous!
Hugs
SueAnn

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

So beautiful. I can't believe how delicious the buildings are!
So beautiful.
It makes me want to hop on a plane right now.
I'm pretty sure you could show me some yummy Italian food.

April said...

You sure have had some amazing adventures! How lucky you are! Wonderful pictures! Now, Bella sure doesn't look like anything other than a happy camper! You sure she whined and cried? ;)

Liz Mays said...

You must have had to snap and run, snap and run to see it all in within an hour's time. BEAUTIFUL!

Deanna said...

Oh sweetie, I would have been so disappointed to learn I had only an hour! You packed a lot into that hour. Loved all of the paved walkways and old world charm. I want to go there and spend days! Lovely photos.

ChicagoLady said...

I too love love LOVE "Under the Tuscan Sun"! Such a shame that you only had one hour, not nearly enough time to see everything.

AiringMyLaundry said...

So so pretty!

AliceKay said...

Very beautiful area. Sorry to hear you had only an hour to take it all in. Loved the photos and videos you posted.

Allyson said...

Whoa. You took a lot of pictures in an hour. Y'know I would read you anyway, but my FAVORITE posts are the ones with travel pictures. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. I, too, LOVE "Under the Tuscan Sun" and had no idea where it was filmed. But it took every ounce of my being to not hop a jet and spend the summer there after watching it. I have to say, the town reminds me a lot of Siena. Especially the side streets and the steep hills and the ceramic everywhere. Total Heaven.

Mary said...

More beautiful pictures of Italy! LOVE IT!

Heatherlyn said...

How come you only got an hour? Is it because of the tour? I don't like tours. I like to do everything at my own pace.

I love all the pictures. I can only imagine how stressful it would be to want to look at everything slowly, but have to rush AND take pictures at the same time AND make sure that the kiddo was at least not left behind. ;)

The buildings must all be ancient. How fun!