Cortona
/Firenze is tough to leave. It has been my favorite place so far. I love the food, atmosphere, and the feel of the place. On the last day I took a trip to Cortona by train. Cortona is a hilltop town of 23,000. It is quaint and old school. Little did I know that the train does not stop at the top, but at the bottom, in a different town. When I stepped out of the station I saw Cortona, my goal, on the top of the hill. I wasn’t sure if there was a bus or where it would pick up, and there was no one around to ask (from 2-5 in the afternoon everything closes, the place is deserted, making my arrival somewhat depressing). Being from mountainous Tennessee, I started walking up the hill. The hike was a little arduous, but the rewards (both the longterm of the view from the top and the short-term views from the side) kept me going. Along the way I met an elderly gentleman who spoke some English. He pointed me toward a small footpath that was 10 minutes to the top (not including time to take photos). Taking the road meant winding back and forth. I was walking near a couple about my age (we kept leapfrogging each other as we stopped to take photos), I beat the to the top by about 20 minutes. The results are amazing! Other towns, vineyards, paths, old churches, all spread out before Cortona. I grabbed a gelato and just gazed out (even though I could see my breath, and people were looking at me funny, I was wearing green, orange shorts and eating gelato, in the cold). The place is very laid back & I dont know if I could live here, but it seems like the perfect retirement town. Pretty sights, few tourists, chill attitude, and good restaurants. (pics).
