VILLA LAURA Cortona, Italy
THE ESTATE Villa Laura is a beautifully restored 17th century estate just outside the walls of Cortona, Tuscany. The property dates back to 600 AD and has been built on over the centuries. There are three buildings, the Villa, Farmhouse and Limonaia all lovingly restored in 2006 after it was used as the set for the famous film Under the Tuscan Sun in 2003. Stretch out on a lounger by a pool in the gardens, on a hammock suspended between two fruit trees, or on a plush sofa underneath the Limonaia s original, domed 17th century fresco ceiling. A hot tub bubbles in full view of sun-dappled mountains, and a game room provides billiards and board games. In-between games, nibble on some pizza fired in the authentic stone pizza oven.
SPREAD OUT There are three main buildings on the estate The Villa, The Farmhouse and the Limonaia. Originally the Farmhouse was used as housing for the animals and farm workers, the Limonaia was built to keep the citrus plants over winter and the Villa was for the family. Today, all three buildings have been restored into luxury accommodation. Infused with the subtle luxury of antique furniture and handwoven fabrics, each of the 10 guest bedrooms features its own en-suite bathroom, sweeping views across the Cortona valley and its verdant olive groves, and plush amenities like pillowtop beds wrapped in the highest thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy bathrobes and towels. All bathrooms boast gorgeous travertine floors and a selection of artisan, all-natural Italian grooming products.
VILLA LAURA
EATING One of the most important parts of visiting Tuscany is the food. It s the heart and soul of Italian life and plays a huge part of your holiday at Villa Laura. Cortona provides a wealth of lovely restaurants, from Michelin stars to traditional Tuscan family run trattorias either in the town or hidden in the surrounding countryside. However, if after a long day exploring you just want to relax at the Villa for the evening we have private chefs are on hand to create culinary magic in the opulent, farmhouse-style kitchen with a grand center island. The cupboards are stocked with local, homemade products like marmalade, pasta, sauces, and oils. A year-round organic garden provides staple vegetables for our guests. When it s time to feast, have a seat at the sprawling outdoor garden table underneath lush vines. Or, in the cooler months, tuck into the dining room table next to a flickering fire. In both dinnertime settings, wine from the stocked wine cellar is a must-have accompaniment.
VILLA LAURA
OUTDOOR LIVING Dappled by lush greenery, the outdoor living areas include the estate gardens, fresh-air terraces, a farmhouse-style outdoor dining table, a Jacuzzi, and a sparkling pool. Each of these areas provides top-of-the-hill views of the Cortona valley and its mountain ridges.
LOCALE Located on the border between Tuscany and Umbria, on a hill at approximately 600 meters above sea level, Cortona is easy to reach both by train and by car. Perugia airport is a 40 minute drive, Florence airport just over an hour and Rome 2 hours away. Because of its geographical location, Cortona is a very important tourist destination. Surrounding towns include Arezzo, Montepulciano, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, Florence, Gubbio, Orvieto, Pienza and Lake Trasimeno. Dating back to the Etruscan times, Cortona holds a wealth of historical beauty. There are many churches to visit, Etruscan tombs open to the public, Le Celle which was home to St Francis of Assisi, the Cortona museum, the theatre, and the old streets alone provide long days of exploring.
CUVÉE-STYLE EXPERIENCES Francesco and his team will curate your Tuscan experience with unsurpassed attention to detail and six star service. From arranging a cooking class and wine tasting held in the Villa Laura kitchen to having a Ferrari delivered to your front door, our team has the local expertise and the right connections to make anything possible. We don t just get you to the front of the line, we get you exclusive access to sites and events not typically available to visitors. From standard requests to the road less traveled, the Cuvée team will bend over backwards to accommodate your needs. We look forward to meeting you!