The drive to Cortona is what you would expect from any Tuscan town: beanstalk-like cypress trees, serpentine roads and farm crops that change with the seasons; but what sets this historical hamlet apart from the others is the expanse of sunflower fields that line its foothills (the best time to see them in full bloom is from July to September).

A place of outstanding beauty whose soaring position offers 360 degree views across the Valdichiana Aretina, catching a glimpse of Lake Trasimeno on the horizon; it comes as no surprise that Audrey Wells selected this prime location for Under the Tuscan Sun. In Cortona there are many cultural sites that allow you to delve into its Etruscan heritage as well as art-filled spaces, activities in nature and enogastronomic experiences to appreciate the charm of this picturesque hilltop borgo.