Cortona is a perfectly preserved medieval jewel placed on the top of a hill: ample recompense for the climb is paid in panoramic views over the Tuscan plain known as the Valdichiana. Legend has it that Cortona is older than even Troy!

Business Hours
Stores are usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Many are closed on Sundays and Monday mornings.
During the Summer afternoon hours are sometimes pushed back to 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and certain shops are open on Mondays as well. Most shops accept major credit cards.


Food Shopping
Cortona and Camucia are provided with genral stores, butchers, greengrocers, discount stores and supermarkets.
In Cortona there are two small supermarkets where you can find almost everything.
These are usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 4 to 8 p.m.
In Camucia there are two big supermarkets: the COOP (from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m) is the main one and lies along the state road which passes through Camucia, drection Arezzo. The PENNY MARKET is a discount located along the same state road direction Perugia.
Bring a coin with you (1 or 2 euros) to release the shopping trolley and don't forget to take the ticket at the cheese and salami counter: if the queue is long you can do your shopping while keeping an eye on the digital display showing the number it's being served.


Shopping for gifts
Many towns and villages in Tuscany and Umbria are associated with a special form of craftmanship, practised by local artisans for centuries. Below are some suggestions for handmade gifts and their places of origin, to help you in your shopping tour.
Terracotta crafts: Cortona
Goldsmith's art and antiques: Arezzo (every first weekend of the month the antique's fair, Fiera dell'Antiquariato, takes place in Piazza Grande: it's one of the oldest and largest in Italy)
Leather goods: Florence


Open-air markets
Cortona: every Saturday morning in Piazza Signorelli
Camucia: every Thursday morning in via Lauretana and Piazza Sergardi.
Terontola: every Tuesday morning
Castiglion Fiorentino : every Friday morning in Piazzale Garibaldi
Arezzo: the food market is held every morning in Piazza S. Agostino; the general market takes place every Saturday morning in via Giotto.

Transportation
Cars are the only convenient way to tour the region. Therefore, if you haven't already rented a car at the airport, we suggest you to do it. Distance is measured in kilometers (0.625 miles) and gas is measured in liters. It will cost about € 60,00 to fill a medium sized car. Most gas stations close on weekends and have a lunch break. In any case most of them have a self-service.

Sport, anyone?

Nightlife
Cinema & Theatre
Teatro Signorelli Piazza Signorelli
Open-air cinemas and theatres
Anfiteatro del Parterre (at the end of via Nazionale)


Dining out in Cortona
Italian menus are divided into 4 courses: an antipasto can be anything from crostini (small toasted bread slices with special spreads) or vegetables to cold cuts. Primi piatti are usually pastas and soups. Secondi piatti are meat and fish dishes and contorni are salads and side dishes of vegetables including patate fritte (French fries). Finally dolci are desserts.
Remember that you can order whatever you want. You don't need to eat a four course meal, unless you want to. For some diners an antipasto and a primo piatto may be enough. No one will hurry you: most restaurants just have one seating for the evening.
One course is usually served at a time. So, if you want to have soup while your partner has an antipasto, tell the waiter that you want the two dishes served at the same time.


The best Restaurants in Cortona
In Cortona you may find restaurants, trattorias and pizzeria. Here you have a list of the restaurants we recommend you. Most of them accept credit cards.
They usually open at 12 or 12:30 until 14,30 for lunch and 7:30 to 11:00 for dinner.The best restaurants fill up with local people, especially on Saturday nights, but Italians tend to dine later than most foreigners (8 to 9 p.m.), so you may have luck if you go early.


Thermal baths & SPA
Opening: Terme Antica Querciolaia: from May to November
Terme di S. Giovanni: from May to October
Kind of waters :Sulphureous water at 39 degrees
Sickness: Affections of respiratory system; Heavy metal intoxications; Gynaecological disorders; Rheumatic arthropathies; Some skin diseases.


We suggest you a day trip to....

Tourist Information
APT via Nazionale, 42 Tel. 0575 630352
Here you can also get bus and train schedules and buy train tickets.

Terretrusche
Vicolo Alfieri n.3