La Piccola Bomboniera

The terrace was a highlight of our stay, especially at night, with its magnificent view across the Valdechiana. The house was spotless, tastefully decorated, and had a very comfortable bed. We also liked the antique(?) armoire, Paolo’s mother’s homemade blood orange marmalade and apricot jam, and having a washing machine. Ours sometimes stopped during the spin/rinse cycle, but a tiny nudge of the dial got it going again without trouble. The on-demand hot water system took us Americans a little getting used to in the shower, but it was fine. The location made getting around easy. Paolo’s beautiful home is right by Cortona’s main street, just 30 paces up a steep walkway from the front door. Nearly every street in Cortona is hilly, except one. It’s also handy for the parking lot outside town near the Piazza del Mercato Gate, so day trips in our rental car were straightforward. Getting our luggage up the steps was a bit tricky, but the accommodations and view were worth it. We had a wonderful time and would love to return.