Cortona

Gary sandwiched between two Action Ski Club Past Presidents

Our good friend Tom Walters joined us towards the end of Kae and Terry Rutan's visit.  We were so glad Tom made it because it was touch-and-go whether he could move his tests and doctor's appointments around enough to allow him to go on a Rick Steves tour with a visit to us afterward.  The five of us had a nice evening in Florence, and then the next day we set out for Cortona, yet another medieval hill town.  Our little Fiat Panda was packed tight with five of us, but everyone did fine.

Cortona has an open-door policy

Besides the usual attractions (grand churches, good food, and fine wine), Cortona was hosting a photography exhibit by local photographers.  Going to the exhibit organized our visit nicely:  we walked through the town uphill to the main church, Santa Margherita, and then on to the old Fortezza di Girifalco situated on the high ground, where the exhibit was held.  As always, there were delightful sights along the way.

Santa Margherita is a very beautiful cathedral.

Low-light interiors can be challenging--sorry about the blur

Everywhere in Europe, some of the best decoration is on the ceiling.  Sore necks are common.






Arriving at the fortezza, we explored its ramparts as well as taking in the photography exhibit.

Walking back to the main piazza, we found a wonderful restaurant, Nessun Dorma, with an amazing menu at incredibly reasonable prices.  Nessun Dorma translates as "nobody sleeps," but I don't think that means they are open 24 hours a day;-)

Tom's dessert: dolci meets art meets whimsy

In the evening, the old folks love to sit around the piazza and talk.

It is always wonderful to visit these small towns, where beauty can be as subtle as lace curtains in a window you walk past.