Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Villa Awaits in Cortona!

Belvilla by OYO Leccio Cortona Italy

Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Villa Awaits in Cortona!

Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Villa Awaits in Cortona! - A Review, Stuffed with Everything…and My Overthinking

Okay, deep breaths. I just got back from a trip to Escape to Tuscany, and they wanted a review, so here it goes. This ain't gonna be some dry, bullet-pointed travelogue, I can tell you that. Buckle up, because I'm still processing it all. And frankly, I’m still finding the exact words to describe that pasta…

(SEO & Metadata - let’s get this out of the way at the start, before I get lost in the sauce):

• Title: Escape to Tuscany Cortona Review: Dream Villa or Overhyped Paradise? (Unfiltered!)
• Keywords: Tuscany, Cortona, Villa, Review, Luxury, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Italy, Travel, Accommodation, Hotels, Spa, Wellness, Food, Dining, Family-Friendly, Couples, Honeymoon, Internet, Wi-Fi, Facilities, Services, COVID-19 Safety, Cleanliness, Amenities
• Meta Description: My honest, messy, and utterly real review of "Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Villa Awaits in Cortona!" From the breathtaking views and the amazing pasta to the slightly wonky internet and the sheer number of steps, find out if this Tuscan escape truly lives up to the hype. Plus, details on accessibility, safety, and all the little (and big) things that made my trip memorable.

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Alright, now that’s done, let’s jump in. Because, man, this place…

Getting There & Accessibility:

Okay, first off, getting to Cortona is half the battle. Winding roads, glorious scenery, and, if you're like me, a near-constant state of "are we there yet?" I wasn't driving, thankfully (that Italian road etiquette is another level!), so the Airport Transfer from somewhere like Florence was a lifesaver. They had a lovely driver. Very patient. I may or may not have gotten car sick while staring at those rolling hills. 😬

Now, Accessibility. This is where things get… nuanced. They claim to be Facilities for disabled guests, but you absolutely need to confirm specifics. Wheelchair accessible is a tricky one. The main areas, like the Restaurants and some of the Swimming Pool area, seemed okay-ish but with some limitations, but definitely check before booking. Some of the buildings are…old, charmingly old, meaning cobblestones and steps are basically part of the decor. I'd call it "potentially accessible, but do your homework and ask lots of questions." I'm being honest. I would hate to hype it up for the wrong reasons.

Rooms & Amenities - The Good, The Slightly Less Good, and That Freaking View!

We booked a villa and, well… It was breathtaking. Seriously. Air Conditioning in Public Area and Air conditioning in all the rooms? Crucial. Absolute life savers. The descriptions and pictures felt a little generic, however, the reality was different. Non-smoking rooms are key (I’m a lightweight), and the soundproof rooms were a godsend because, despite its popularity, the villa was not always quiet. There aren't a lot of options for couples and couples, but it was a really romantic place.

The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was, shall we say, patchy. Internet access - wireless worked fine sometimes. The Internet [LAN] option was a mystery I didn't attempt to unravel. I mainly lived off my phone, and, bless it, it did the best it could. Which is to say. I had some internet, and some days I didn't.

Then there’s the stuff like the Coffee/tea maker – essential. The Refrigerator – great for keeping the prosecco cold. That extra-long bed in the room was also a plus. The Bathtub was nice. The Private bathroom was a given (thank God). I could go on and on, because the options available in the rooms, were great for winding down.

Important note: The Safety/security feature was a Smoke detector. I appreciated this a lot. One of my favourite feature, was the Window that opens.

Cleanliness & Safety - COVID-19 Era Vibes:

Okay, this is important. They really seemed to take COVID seriously. Staff trained in safety protocol? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. They even had Individually-wrapped food options, which, while not exactly adding to the romance, made me feel a little bit safer. I also saw a lot of Anti-viral cleaning products, so, that was good. The only thing that I found was annoying the use of Cashless payment service. I'm not sure if it was a cultural thing, but the staff was always there to help.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Pasta Paradise & Beyond!

Okay, prepare yourselves. The food. Let's start with the Italian culinary arts. It. Was. Amazing. Period. The Breakfast [buffet] was a solid way to start the day, with the usual suspects. And I appreciated the Vegetarian restaurant. But I had to ask if there were any vegan options. I tried the Asian breakfast (it's Italy, it's a thing!), but it wasn't my cup of tea (no pun intended).

I am an absolute sucker for Italian food, and the pasta, oh God, the pasta! The A la carte in restaurant had some truly memorable pasta. I'm talking life-altering stuff. I still dream of the mushroom ravioli. The wine list was, of course, extensive. And the Poolside bar? Perfect for an afternoon Negroni. The Desserts in restaurant were also great, and the Salad in restaurant was surprisingly filling. The Snack bar was convenient, but again, the pasta was the hero.

This is where I want to emphasize the Breakfast service and the restaurant. You're there to just relax, and they take care of all the details.

Things to Do (Besides Eating. And Sleeping. Which I did a Lot Of.):

Okay, let's be honest. This place is meant for chilling out. Ways to relax? Plenty. And, honestly, even the "forced relaxation" was great.

• Spa/sauna: I did not take advantage of the spa or sauna.
• Swimming pool: A lovely pool with a view.
• Gym/fitness: I did not take advantage of this at all.

The Little Things - Services, Conveniences, and Quirks:

• Front desk [24-hour]: Helpful crew.
• Concierge: Always great to have.
• Daily housekeeping: Very discreet.
• Room service [24-hour]: Useful, especially late at night.
• Bicycle parking: Okay if you're into that kind of thing. I am not.
• Car park [free of charge]: Score! Saves you a bundle.
• Facilities for disabled guests: Not exactly their strong point. (See accessibility above).

For the Kids:

I didn't travel with kids. But they seemed pretty Family/child friendly. There were some Kids facilities, and options for Babysitting service.

Final Verdict (with a side of overthinking):

Okay, so. Escape to Tuscany? Mostly a dream. The views? Unforgettable. The food? Divine. Cleanliness? Top-notch. But it's not perfect. The accessibility needs serious review. The Wi-Fi was a little rough around the edges. And yes, it can be pricey (but, hey, you're in Tuscany!).

The bottom line: If you're looking for a proper escape, a romantic getaway, or just a place to devour pasta and soak up the Italian sun (with a healthy dose of reality), this is a great choice. Just do your homework, ask questions, and brace yourself for the fact that you might never want to leave.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat. I'm already mentally planning my next pasta pilgrimage.

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Belvilla by OYO Leccio Cortona Italy

Alright, buckle up buttercups! This is NOT your sanitized, highlight-reel travel plan. This is the REAL DEAL, baby. My Belvilla by OYO Tuscan Adventure: Leccio Cortona. Prepare for chaos, wine-fueled epiphanies, and likely, a lost phone. God help me.

Day 1: Arrival…and Mild Panic.

• 10:00 AM (ish): Florence Airport. Finally. After what felt like a transatlantic flight squeezed into a sardine can. The sheer joy of breathing non-recycled air. Okay, I'm already feeling good about this. Until…
• 11:00 AM: Car rental. The moment I'd been dreading. My nonexistent Italian skills vs. the car rental guy's lightning-fast, heavily-accented English. It did not go well. Ended up with a Fiat 500. "Cute!" they said. "Slightly terrifying on Tuscan roads!" I'll say.
• 1:00 PM (maybe?): The drive to Leccio Cortona. Picturesque? Absolutely. Me navigating? Less so. Got gloriously lost. Twice. Briefly considered renaming myself "GPS-Challenged." Found a tiny trattoria. Ordered something. No idea what it was. Delicious, though. Definitely worth the panic sweat.
• 4:00 PM: Arrive at Belvilla. Leccio Cortona. Oh. Em. Gee. The view. Actually, the view is enough to make a grown person weep with joy. Rustic charm? Nailed it. The pictures on the website…well, they didn't lie for once.
• 5:00 PM: Unpacking. Find a bottle of local wine a neighbor left at the door. Crack it immediately. "Research" begins. This could be a long vacation.
• 6:00 PM: Attempt to light the fireplace. Fail spectacularly. Ash everywhere. Call for help.
• 7:00 PM: Pizza delivery. My first culinary triumph? Nope. Turns out the village pizzeria doesn't deliver. Eat dry pasta and the rest of the wine. Cry a bit. Laugh harder.

Day 2: Cortona, Culture, and Coffee-Induced Mania.

• 9:00 AM (I think?): Breakfast. Painfully discover I failed to buy coffee. Curse myself repeatedly.
• 10:00 AM: Drive into Cortona, the ancient hill town. Let's just say the Fiat 500 and cobblestone streets are not friends. Seriously, I thought I was going to roll over a few times, and then I would have to make sure I get a new car. But the view?! Unbelievable. It's like staring into a Renaissance painting.
• 11:00 AM: Visit the Etruscan Academy Museum. Admire artifacts. Suddenly develop an overwhelming desire to learn Etruscan. Probably not going to happen.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch in Cortona. Find a trattoria with a tiny terrace. Order the pasta with wild boar ragu. Life-altering. Seriously. I'm going to dream about this.
• 2:00 PM: Coffee. The GOOD stuff. Espresso. Double shot. Suddenly feel capable of anything. Even driving.
• 3:00 PM: Explore more of Cortona. Get lost in the narrow streets. Discover a tiny artisan shop. Buy a ridiculously expensive scarf. (Worth it.)
• 4:00 PM: Find a cafe. More coffee. Seriously, I'm almost vibrating. Need to calm down.
• 5:00 PM: Back to Leccio for a swim. Realise the pool is freezing. Jump in anyway. Shiver uncontrollably. Wish I hadn't drunk so much coffee.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant a local recommended. Struggle through ordering. Receive deliciousness. Feeling smug.
• 8:00 PM: Stargazing. The Tuscan sky is a MILLION times better than anywhere else.

Day 3: Wine, Wineries, and…Did I Lock the Car?

• 9:00 AM: Caffeine fix. This time, prepared. Actually made coffee! Victory!
• 10:00 AM: Wine tasting tour. This is why I came. And I’m not going to apologize.
• 10:30 AM: First winery! Learned more about Sangiovese than my brain can handle. Drank more than my liver can handle. Feel AMAZING.
• 12:00 PM: Second winery. Wine, salami, cheese. Repeat process. Maybe I'm starting to understand Italian. Mumbling "per favore" and "grazie" with surprising fluency.
• 2:00 PM: Lunch. Somewhere between tipsy and happily buzzed. Eat far too much pasta.
• 3:00 PM: Drive… to the next winery. Feeling emboldened. This is the life!
• 4:00 PM: The LAST winery. Sample the dessert wine. Suddenly have plans to move to Tuscany and open a winery.
• 5:00 PM: The drive back. Realize I have no idea where the Fiat is. Panic ensues. I’m pretty sure I left it running and the keys in it….
• 6:00 PM: Found the car. Still running. Car is fine. I am not.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner. Attempt to cook. Fail but enjoy trying.
• 9:00 PM: Pass out in front of the fireplace, bottle of wine clutched in my hand. This. This is the life.

Day 4: Cooking Class and a Mid-Week Meltdown (Metaphorical, Mostly).

• 10:00 AM: Cooking Class! Oh, this sounds fun! I want to be a home cook, and I’m so going to be a chef after this!
• 10:30 AM: The class is in Italian. I feel stupid. I try to follow along, but I end up just standing there with my hands in the air like, "What do I do now?" "Prego," says the instructor. "I'll start all over again."
• 11:00 AM: I'm now making pasta. The instructor smiles at me. "Mamma Mia," she says. Pasta is now stuck to my hands. I was just trying. Is this all too hard.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch: what we cooked. It's delicious! I feel a little proud, like I might have done something right!
• 2:00 PM: I'm tired. I take a nap.
• 3:00 PM: Shopping in a local market. Find some amazing truffles.
• 5:00 PM: Back at the villa: a long bath. I love this place!
• 7:00 PM: Dinner: truffles on pasta.

Day 5: Lake Trasimeno and a Big Surprise!

• 9:00 AM: Caffeine. My only goal.
• 10:00 AM: Drive to Lake Trasimeno. A gorgeous lake. I rent a bike. I ride. I fall in love.
• 12:00 PM: Lunch in a lakeside restaurant. Fresh fish. Wine. Bliss.
• 2:00 PM: Back to Leccio to wash clothes. I'm so good at this…
• 6:00 PM: The surprise! A local festival in a tiny village!
• 7:00 PM: Feast! Music! Dancing! The BEST part of the trip!
• 9:00 PM: More wine. Amazing!

Day 6: Final Day of Rest:

• 9:00 AM: Wake naturally, without an alarm! So relaxed.
• 10 AM: Have breakfast and take a walk in the area of the villa.
• 12:00 PM: Read.
• 1:00 PM: Take a nap.
• 3:00 PM: Pack.
• 5:00 PM: Have dinner and just relax.
• Nighttime: Write in my journal, hoping I remember to pack it.

Day 7: Departure…and the Melancholy of Leaving

• 8:00 AM: Last coffee. Say goodbye to the view. Sob a little.
• 9:00 AM: Drive to Florence airport. Try to be a better driver. Fail.
• 11:00 AM: Return the Fiato. Breathe a sigh of relief.
• 1:00 PM: Board the plane. Already planning my return.

This itinerary is a suggestion. Feel free to get lost, fall in love with a trattoria, and forget your troubles. After all, that’s the best kind of travel, right? Salute!

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Belvilla by OYO Leccio Cortona Italy```html

Escape to Tuscany: Cortona - Your Questions Answered (and a Few Rants!)

So, is this "Escape to Tuscany" thing *really* as dreamy as it sounds? Like, will I find myself frolicking through sunflower fields holding a baguette?

Okay, let's be real. Forget the baguette, unless you're willing to get up at the crack of dawn and brave the local baker. And the sunflower fields? Gorgeous, sure, but probably not *right outside your villa door*. The dream factor is real, though. Picture this: waking up to the Tuscan sun painting the hills gold, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the kitchen, then… *the biggest decision of the day*… which terrace to enjoy it on. That, my friend, is the dream. **Anecdote time:** I remember arriving in Cortona for the first time... jet-lagged, luggage-woes, and instantly feeling this *overwhelming* sense of peace. Like, a deep, cellular sigh of contentment. Until I realised I'd left my passport in the car and had to navigate the winding, *uphill* cobblestone streets to retrieve it. So, yeah, imperfections exist. But even *that*, on reflection, became part of the charm. The grumpy Italian shopkeeper who grumbled in sympathetic Italian while I panting, the gelato afterward, the whole experience... it's all part of it. It makes the "frolicking" feel more earned, you know?

What's the villa *really* like? Is it actually a crumbling ruin with a leaky roof? (I've seen the movies...)

Alright, let’s talk villas because this is *crucial*. Generally, you're in for something pretty special. Think: stone walls, terracotta tiles, maybe a charming fireplace (if it’s a season). But... and it’s a big BUT… **manage your expectations.** There's *character*, and then there's *"needs a serious renovation"*. I’ve stayed in places where the charm was a bit *too* rustic – the occasional rogue spider, a leaky shower (classic!), and a WiFi signal that vanished faster than my patience after the third failed attempt at uploading an Instagram story. **Quirky Observation:** Let's be honest, the beauty of Tuscan villas also comes with its own little quirks. Like the fact the hot water might decide to take a holiday when you're trying to get a shower. And the fact the charming antique furniture, might, in fact, be a little bit *too* fragile. I once sat on a chair at a villa, a stunning ancient piece, and it almost collapsed. Talk about a moment of terror! I swear I aged ten years. So, I always suggest checking reviews *thoroughly* about the specific villa before you book. And packing an eye mask (those morning sunrises are *intense*) and, most importantly, accepting that a little bit of "imperfect" is part of the magic. It's part of the authentic experience!

Cortona itself - is it just a tourist trap, or is there something special about it?

Oh, Cortona. Where do I even BEGIN? Okay, yes, it's popular. Yes, you'll see other tourists. But! It’s *beautiful*. And it's got a heart. It’s NOT a Venice or a Florence. It's more laid-back. The medieval architecture is genuinely stunning. The views are *breathtaking*. The main square, Piazza della Repubblica, is the perfect place to sip an Aperol Spritz and watch the world go by. The people are warm, the food is sensational... I could go on and on. **Emotional Reaction (Good):** I adore Cortona. It's a place that genuinely gets under your skin. I was there on a rainy day once, and even the grey skies couldn't dampen my spirits. Walking around the town, getting a bit lost in the winding laneways, finding a small, unpretentious restaurant and eating the best pasta dish of your life… it’s magical. It's a place where you can actually *relax*. **Rambling (but relevant):** Honestly, I prefer it to some of the more "famous" Tuscan towns. You get a real sense of community here. It's not all about the selfie sticks and the tour groups, there’s some space here, and it feels as if you're *living* in Cortona, not just visiting it.

How do I get to Cortona, and is it a logistical nightmare?

Getting *to* Cortona can seem daunting, but it isn't as bad as it seems... *usually*. Depends on where you're coming from, of course. Most people fly into Florence (FLR) or Rome (FCO) and then… train (fast and easy, but sometimes involves changes) or rent a car (gives you ultimate flexibility, but those Tuscan roads are a challenge). **Messy Structure Alert:** I went through a phase where I was going to rent a car, but when it comes to driving in Italy, I get a little panicky, so I'd recommend the train. The Italian train system is actually fairly good and then you can hire a small car if you *absolutely* need one while in Tuscany. **Anecdote about Rentals**: The car rental experience... well, let's just say it's a story for another day. Let's just say I felt the need to get the maximum insurance cover (which, in hindsight, has been useful) I think I actually had a panic attack in the office. I didn't go through with it. Best decision! **Summary:** The train is a good option. Or a taxi. Or, even better, get a local to drive you. It's worth it just to have someone else navigate those hairpin bends.

What about food? Will I starve? (I eat everything.)

Starve? NEVER. In Tuscany? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Oh god, the food… **Strong Emotional Reaction (GOOD):** The food in Tuscany is one of life's greatest pleasures. The pasta, the olive oil, the *wine*... Oh, the wine! You'll eat things you've never dreamed of. Forget your sensible diet; you're in Tuscany. Embrace the carbs. Embrace the richness. Your taste buds (and your waistline, maybe) will thank you. **Focus, back on Topic:** Seriously, Cortona and the surrounding area has fantastic restaurants. Simple trattorias that serve the best pasta you've ever tasted. Michelin-starred places. All sorts of things! **Suggestion:** Learn a few basic Italian phrases. "Grazie" (thank you), "per favore" (please), "un altro bicchiere di vino" (another glass of wine). You'll need it all.

What's the best time of year to visit?

Okay, this is a tricky one. It's all personal preference. **Summer:** Hot, crowded, but the weather is great. Perfect for lounging by the pool (if your villa has one -- double checking is key, as always). Bring all the sun cream, be prepared for some queues, and embrace the chaos. **Spring/Autumn:** My personal sweet spots!!! Shoulder season is dreamy. The weather is gorgeous, the crowds are smaller (relatively), and you get all the beauty of Tuscany without the scorching heat of Summer. Plus, youHotel Haven Now

Belvilla by OYO Leccio Cortona Italy

Belvilla by OYO Leccio Cortona Italy

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