Would like to know your thoughts on staying over night in Cortona and Volterra. I quess that some what implies as opposed to other Hill town towns. Looking for Inviting place to have a dinner, walk and enjoy ambiance of a Hill Town. do these two towns meet that kind of criteria?
Thanks
Doug
Don't know about Cortona, but we found Volterra charming. Not so touristy as other hill towns. It would be a great place to eat dinner and take an evening walk, enjoying the view over the city walls of the Roman theater below town. We will be visiting this city again when we return to Italy this fall.
I spent a few nights in Cortona but not Volterra. Cortona was beautiful, artigianal ceramics studios and shops are everywhere. Good food, too.
Each hill town has its own character. Right now I can't wait to go back to Todi (Umbria).
Doug,
Cortona doesn't have much in terms of museums and similar attractions, but it is a great place to walk around in the evenings. Via Nazionale has lots of small shops and restaurants and it's a vibrant place to be in the evenings, as well as Piazza della Repubblica (where the Andre Rieu concert was held).
Another town you might consider is Orvieto, as that's also a great place to wander about in the evenings.
Cortona was the setting of the book and movie "Under The Tuscan Sun."
Been to both, over-nighted in both. Volterra offers a museum and interesting Roman ruins. Cortona has a museum/fort at the top of the hill (although when we hiked up to see it, and the sign said it opened at 10, and we waited until 11 and no one came to open the door, we didn't see it!)
Either/or...they both have their charms
If you are traveling by train, note that the hill top town of Cortona is not where the train station leaves you - like Assisi, you will have to take a bus to the actual town, and that leaves you at the gate - parking lot area.
I vote for Volterra, it seems a bit bigger, and it's nice to walk just outside the city walls, plus the Roman ruins are wonderful to see, as is the Etruscan museum is worth a visit. The view from the wall is beautiful and I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding a nice family owned restaurant in which to have dinner.
Thanks for your insights. Look forward to Volterra and probably check out some other towns before making final selection.
Much Appreciated.
Doug
