In the premier issue of The Tuscan Times, an exciting new supplement to The Florentine, our contributors shared their insider knowledge of their home bases with us. Translator, writer and winery consultant Oonagh Stransky is our Cortona correspondent, and we picked her brain on the best of everything in her area. Here are her insider tips and recommendations for Cortona.
1/ Best bar in your area for an aperitivo?
Il Cacio Brillo, Cortona
2/ Favorite restaurant for Tuscan food with a twist
Ambrosia, Cortona
3/ Best weekend getaway near your base
Lago Trasimeno
4/ Best traditional dish in your area
Pici with a tomatoless Chianina beef sauce
5/ Best place to people-watch
Sitting on the steps of Cortona’s Comune in the main square
6/ One shop every English speaker should know about
Lunghini market in Pergo, near Cortona. Friendly people, great local meat, prepared foods and specialty foods
7/ The best Tuscan-ism you’ve got up your sleeve
Ho ciombato una ciucca. Translated figuratively it means “I got so wasted” or “I got plastered” in Chianina
8/ The event everyone’s talking about
Cortona On the Move
9/ Quirkiest summer sagra in your area
Snail festival, Fossa del Lupo, near Camucia
10/ Essential experience in your area
A visit to Le Celle monastery. A horseback ride in the hills above Cortona. A walk from Fortezza di Girifalco to the center of town, followed by lunch at Arnaldo Pane e Vino. A wine tasting at a winery in the vicinity. Snoopy ice cream/aperitivo in town. Dinner at AD Braceria
11/ Best place to watch a Tuscan summer sunset
La Dogana winebar on the Via Lauretana, just outside Cortona. Great view of Montepulciano, Cortona and vineyards. Delicious apericena and excellent wines
12/ One mistake visitors should avoid
High heels
Want to visit this town but don’t have a car? Try an Assisi and Cortona day trip with CiaoFlorence!
