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Casa Helena is a private half of a large 400-year-old stone farmhouse that overlooks the Val di Chiana in eastern Tuscany. It is surrounded by 11 terraces of olive trees, grape vines and assorted fruit and nut trees. Lovingly restored, Casa Helena has three bedrooms and three modern bathrooms. It has been tastefully yet simply furnished to accommodate six to eight people.
The view from the kitchen looks up past the famous Church of Santa Maria della Gracia al Calcinaio across the southwest side of Cortona, all the way to the crowning Church of Santa Margherita. From every window of the south-facing house there is a view looking over the garden into the valley. The kitchen is well stocked with spices, cooking utensils, olive oil and wine for you to enjoy. There is a wood-burning pizza oven and a kitchen fireplace for cooking if you wish. The long family-style kitchen table is a focal point of the house.
Explore Tuscany and Umbria at your own pace
The unique combination of being in the middle of a producing olive grove/vineyard and in a peaceful position with a dramatic panoramic view, yet so close to the fascinating hill town of Cortona, makes Casa Helena an excellent base for a week or two of exploring Tuscany and Umbria. A car is recommended, but the local bus is just a five-minute walk down from the house. The train stations in Camucia (at the base of the hill) and nearby Terontola are on the main line between Rome and Florence. Trains to both pass through every two hours.
The town of Cortona is filled with wonderful shops, restaurants, galleries and historical treasures dating back to the Etruscans. There are weekly markets, seasonal festivals, concerts, dramatic productions, and wine and food events. Cortona is an exceptionally rich community of art, history and culture. The citizens of Cortona welcome visitors and take pride in sharing their Tuscan heritage, not to mention their newfound fame as the site of the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
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