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Under The Tuscan Sun
Cortona, Italy
7 Nights ... Sept 20-27, 2025
Brooklyn Babes
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Happy Birthday Carol
Under The Tuscan Sun...
Under The Tuscan Sun is an exceptional book that was turned into a beloved film. The story represents freedom, change, a new chapter in life, foreign exploration, and a leap of faith. Our magical Italian getaway takes place in the spectacular village where the movie was filmed.
Villages You Will Explore...
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Cortona
Montalcino
Bagno Vignoni
Montepulciano
Anghiari
Arezzo
Pienza
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Things To Note...
Cortona is a hill town with steep walking paths, stone stairs, and beautiful cobblestones ... all surrounded by gorgeous medieval walls. Temperatures will most likely be 70-80 during the day and 55-65 at night. The salt water pool will be open for swimming. The village square with all of it's shops, restaurants, and bars is just a 10-minute walk from the villa.
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Itinerary...
Day 1, Saturday - Sept 20 - Check In
Driving Time: Florence Airport 1.5 hours / Rome Airport 2.5 hours
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Under The Tuscan Sun...
Arrive to Santa Croce villa, check in to your beautiful room, go for a swim in the pool, enjoy a massage, and our welcome dinner is served in the garden, under the stars. We have private use of the entire property.
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Day 2, Sunday - Sept 21 - Cortona
Driving Time: 0:00 hours
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Guided Tour, Hats, Jewelry...
Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Today we visit our village of Cortona, a medieval hilltop town whose soaring position offers 360° views of the incredible Val di Chiana. Spend the day surrounded by beanstalk-like cyprus trees, sunflower fields, and the most intriguing history and architecture. An ancient tour with Valeria teaches us about the Etruscan civilization that founded this walled town. Discover the stories, art-filled spaces, palaces, churches, and monuments. There is also a hike to see the original Bramasole villa that inspired the popular "Under The Tuscan Sun" book by Frances Mayes ... she still lives here. Just before dinner, we embark on a fashion reconnaissance. It begins with choosing a special hat for our final night's "Hat Party" ... this is our gift to you. All of the hats are made by women, and fun fact ... Lady Gaga has one! Next is a private tour of the most stunning jewelry showroom, in one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings of Cortona. In this ancient space, glasses of Cava are laced with flakes of silver and the owners tell their story. Dinner is served at the famous La Loggetta Restaurant.
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Day 4, Monday - Sept 22 - Pienza / Bagno Vignoni
Driving Time: 2:20 hours​
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Romantic City, Unforgettable Spa Day...
Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Today's journey begins with a guided tour of the romantic city of Pienza, with street names such as Via dell'Amore and Via Del Bacio. Then prepare to be blown away by the wonders of Bagno Vignoni, a tiny hamlet with a population of just 17 year-round residents. The entire village revolves around an enormous, natural hot spring that takes up the entire town square. Check in for your spa services (massage, facial), then head to the geothermal pools, waterfalls, Roman sauna, steam room, and light therapy room, for a soothing renewal of energy. You may even choose to disappear into nature where Mother Nature has natural hot pools waiting to be experienced. Enjoy the silence. A light lunch will be served. In the late afternoon, enjoy a walk around the square to discover the book store, mother and daughter owned clothing shop, local home goods store, woman owned herbal shop. This place is truly miraculous. Dinner is in the village.​
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Day 5, Tuesday - Sept 23 - Montepulciano
Driving Time: 1:20 hours​
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Guided Tour, Wine Tasting, Underground Wineries...
Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Today we visit another hilltop town, full of history and works of art, surrounded by olive trees, vineyards, and chestnut forests ... Montepulciano. We begin with what is perhaps the best sandwich you will ever have. After, Valeria takes us on a guided tour of everything that makes this place special. Then, an escort leads us through secret passages along the monumental path of the fifteenth century "Underground City". Through spectacular brick vaults and tunnels dug into the tuff, we find gigantic oak barrels in which the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano reside. Enjoy a tasting of these most exceptional wines with an explanation of their characteristics. There will be time for wandering and popping in and out of local shops before we head back for an exquisite dinner in our village.
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Day 7, Wednesday - Sept 24 - Cortona on the Move
Driving Time: 30 minutes
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Farm Visit, Cheese Making Course...
Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. A short drive down the hill takes us to the most beautiful farm with an abundance of animals ... ponies, sheep, chickens, hens, geese, ducks, turtledoves and more. Here we learn the "Art of Pecorino" via a cheese making class with Ilaria. We will produce three types of cheese - raveggiolo, pecorino, and ricotta. The ricotta from this farm is actually mentioned in the Under The Tuscan Sun Cookbook by Frances Mayes. The experience ends with a wonderful tasting of Tuscan bruschetta, pecorino cheese, pasta, and ricotta with jam ... all accompanied by good wine. We then head back to Bramasole for some relaxation, before a picturesque walk takes us to dinner at one of the best restaurants in our village.
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Day 8, Thursday - Sept 25 - Anghiari / Arezzo
Driving Time: 2:00 hours / Or we can walk to the train, the ride is only 20 minutes
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Two Ancient Villages...
Morning stretch, coffee and breakfast. Our first stop today is in Anghiari, rated "one of the most beautiful villages in Italy". Here we visit the incredible Busatti Linen Factory, which has been in operation since 1842. The first store was actually opened in 1795, but it wasn't until 1797 when Napolean's army was stationed at the Busatti house in Anghiari, that they began making blankets, uniforms and clothing for the soldiers. The official weaving mill is recorded to have begun in 1842. Their high quality, organic linens can be found in the bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms of our Santa Croce Villa. Anghiari itself is stunning. After a guided tour with Valeria, we then head to the city of Arezzo for lunch. In Arezzo, Valeria we see the Piazza Grande, The Cathedral, the green park of Il Prato, Il Corso with it's many stores, the Parish Church from the 13th Century, and the well preserved medieval walls. A long and wonderful day ends back at our villa for a relaxing dinner.
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Day 9, Friday - Sept 26 - Cortona
Driving Time: 0:00 hours​
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Watercolor Art Class, Hat Party...
Sleep in, coffee and breakfast. Today our time is spent enjoying Bramasole with a watercolor paint class in the garden, a dip in the pool or hot tub, a game of Bocce Ball. In the late afternoon, take a beautiful walk in nature to commit this precious place to memory. Lunch is in the village. Then in the evening, our "Hat Party" begins!! Wear your festive best along with the new hat you chose in Cortona. We kick off the festivities with an authentic Italian Negroni cocktail making class, a bit of music and dancing, lots of fun photos, and all the while ... Chef Francesco prepares our final, celebratory dinner at Villa Bramasole. A big thank you to Frances Mayes for writing such a beautiful book full of dreams and possibilities. It's never too late to move, change, or simply add the most wonderful experiences to your life. We find it's best to always follow your heart.
Day 12, Saturday - Sept 27 - Home Sweet Home
Driving Time: Florence Airport 1.5 hours / Rome Airport 2.5 hours
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Thank you Brooklyn Babes!! And happiest birthday Carol. Until next time...​​​​​
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