I returned to La Contessina from my Venetian odyssey at 9:45 and at 11:15 we were on another train for our day in the hilltop town of Cortona. Of course, we Americans know it from the book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun but for Italians it is one of their oldest Etruscan towns dating from 400 b.c. After the hour and a half train ride we caught the bus from Camucia up to Cortona winding around and around until we reached Piazza Garibaldi. The views of the valley below and Lake Trasimeno (think Hannibal -250 b.c.) were fantastic. A leisurely lunch and amble through the streets and shops afterwards made for a very pleasant afternoon in this delightful place. A visit to the Etruscan museum was enjoyed by some of us. Everyone always enjoys visiting Cortona and we can certainly see why Frances Mayes choose this place and Bramasole as her Italian home. More later . . .Ciao!