What happened to Cortona in RS 2016 Italy

Margaret,

There could be a lot of reasons why Cortona is no longer in the book. You'd have to ask the RS guidebook crew about that.

While Cortona has its charms and is famous because of Under The Tuscan Sun and also the Andre Rieu concert, there's not a lot to see there in terms of sightseeing or activities. You could probably do the main sights in a few hours.

Cortona is interesting for the art produced there (especially ceramics), and has a nice atmosphere. I spent a couple of nights there and was very happy, it's also a nice daytrip destination. You might consider Todi, near Orvieto.

Do you have to go only to the places mentioned in his book?
Cortona is still one of the top destinations among the Tuscan hill towns. Actually San Gimignano, Cortona, Volterra, Pienza probably receive many more tourists than Montepulciano, which RS seems to love more than the others. So I guess it's a matter of personal preference. To me Cortona should come before Montepulciano on any given day.

Thank you.
Cortona is on my list of places to see as I have so many good things about the town its people and its food. I will also visit Arezzo if I have time.
Pat

I too was wondering what happened to Cortona as we are staying there in May. Discovered they moved it to their 2016 Florence and Tuscany book.

Pat,

If you're interested, one restaurant I enjoyed in Cortona was La Grotta. It's in a small alley just off Piazza della Reppublica.

Again if you're interested and enjoy the music, have a look at Part 1 of the Andre Rieu Tuscany concert that was filmed in Cortona a few years ago. I'm amazed that they were able to fit everyone into Piazza della Reppublica, as it's not that big. Once you get there, you'll be able to spot the layout.

If you are staying in or nea Cortona see if you find time for nearby Anghiari, Lucignano, Castiglion Del Lago.

Castiglion del Lago is beautiful, I was there on a market day. Hope you have a car, there is no transportation from the train station to the town, although the bar across the street will call a taxi for you. It's a bit of a walk to the town center.

Thank you everyone. If you have visited a town not so much on the tourist map around the Siena area .Please do share your experiences.
Thank you again
Pat

I presume you have a car if you stay in Sovicille.
Not sure how long you have but you should definitely stop in Monteriggioni (very close to Sovicille) on your way back from San Gimignano.
Volterra could be another day trip to take. Colle Val D'Elsa is another stop along the way.
If you plan to head to Montepulciano (all RS people are addicted to it), make sure you visit Pienza and Buonconvento along the way.
Cortona and Lucignano are also a pair of towns that can be visited in one day trip.