Host: Claudia Toppani

Guestrooms: 11

Address: Il Sodo 5/6 - 52044 Cortona (AR) Italy

Click here for location.

Telephone: +39 0575 612692

Activities/Attractions: Built on the spur of the Monte Sant'Egidio, Cortona is surrounded by powerful walls, smoothed down by centuries and winds, along which the ancient gates open to the roads coming up from the valley. Visitors looking around from the top walls can admire one of the widest and most harmonious views in Italy:

• the rich and immense Val di Chiana
  
• the Amiata and the Cetona
  
• the wide expanse of the Trasimeno lake
  

Cortona's Etruscan power is witnessed by the still standing imposing segments of the city walls and several Etruscan tombs have been found in the valley. Very rich archaeological findings are exhibited in the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca in Palazzo Casali, foremost the renowned Etruscan lamp of the 5th century BC.

The top of the hill is dominated by the Medici Fortress. Immediately below the fortress is the reconstructed Sanctuary of Santa Margherita from which descend the city's steep streets, paved with large stone slabs. Of special note is the architecture of the Medieval and Renaissance buildings.

There are many splendid churches, from the Romanesque-Gothic of Sant'Agostino and San Francesco, to the Renaissance jewels of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio and Santa Maria Nuova, to the quiet church of San Niccolò.

"We found an absolutely charming bed and breakfast at the bottom of the hill, 3 minute drive to the top of the town, with parking in her olive grove next to it! Claudia has done a magnificent job with this bed and breakfast and it was the best find of our trip! It's sunny yellow color is the first warm invitation, followed by a lovely terrace full of flowers, which was used for breakfast. The next welcome is Claudia and her staff who were friendly and helpful at every turn. Our room was so Tuscan and so inviting with great bed, super clean, and hand painted tiles in the bathroom that were amazing. Open the window and you got a beautiful view of the Tuscan countryside. Breakfast was a generous buffet, complete with fresh cakes and pastries each morning. What a treat to experience Cortona with such local flavor and warmth!"

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General Information: Il Sole del Sodo is a small and comfortable Bed and Breakfast where you can rest, read and relax in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Located under the walls of the old town of Cortona, only 2 km from the center, "Il Sole del Sodo" takes its name from the area in which it is located and from the warm sun that brightens everyday from sunrise to the sunset.

Surrounded by olive trees and dominated by a peaceful atmosphere that marks the valley around, "Il Sole del Sodo" comprises an old 19th century main house with five double rooms and 6 cozy apartments made cleverly from the old stable. The five rooms, finely decorated with a style that combines classic country with the modern, lets the guest feel part of local atmosphere.

• "THE VEILS ROOM" offers warm colours with light veils that come down from the "baldacchino" bed
  
• "THE ROOM OF DOVES" has a romantic loft bed and a wonderful fireplace
  
• "THE ROOM OF THE PAST" will remind you of the "60s" and "70s"
  
• "THE ZEN ROOM" is small but bright and enriched with precious details
  
• "THE TREE ROOM" is so named for the fresco with an olive tree found here and also provides a terrace
  

The 6 little apartments of "Il Sole del Sodo" have been restored carefully and became comfortable little accommodations. This way you can enjoy the Villini for a longer period of time with a great deal of privacy.

• THE GREEN VILLINO (1 double bed + double sofa bed) has its own terrace with lots of lights and is ideal for those who enjoy barbequing and fresh air
  
• THE YELLOW VILLINO (1 double bed + double sofa bed)
  
• THE RED VILLINO (2 single bed) the smallest is has a beautiful handmade fireplace
  
• THE BLUE VILLINO (1 double bed + double sofa bed) is the biggest with kitchen and fireplace
  
• THE ORANGE VILLINO (1 double bed + double sofa bed)
  
• THE WHITE VILLINO (1 double loft bed+ French bed)
  

"IL SOLE DEL SODO" also has a swimming pool, satellite TV and internet access.

Payment Accepted: Visa, MasterCard.

Rates: (Prices quoted in Euros).

€60-95/night

All prices include breakfast.

"I was in Cortona and it's a great area where you can see much of Tuscany, just one hour from beautiful Firenze, Siena, Montepulciano and Perugia. I stayed in this lovely and homey place, simple but very well decorated. "Il Sole del Sodo" is a very unique bed and breakfast with a great location and great people."