My Chicago Italian teacher, Giovanna, a Tuscan native, and her dear friends Clarissa and Sergio, who live about two hours away in Tuscany, have been with us for two beautiful days. We have walked, talked, climbed, dined, and been welcomed by our wonderful local friends who call this incredible town home.
Among other things, we visited two of our favorite eateries, Caffe Tuscher for appertivo and Prosecco –
Tuscher Caffe©Blogginginitaly.com
and AD Braceria for dinner…
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
as well as our favorite gallery, Il Pozzo.
Il Pozzo ©Blogginginitaly.com
At each, not only were our visitors surprised by the creativity and quality of the food and art, they were also charmed by our friends, the proprietors, who willingly share their knowledge of the history of the ancient buildings that house their establishments.
One of the things I often tell people is that Cortona has a never-ending supply of surprises, and today did not disappoint. After emerging from the Cortonantiquaria, an important antique show that has been coming here for 55 years, we followed a drum beat to the central piazzas. Piazza Signorelli was filled with luxury autos…
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
and in Piazza Repubblica, the flag bearers were performing to the beat of the drums.
©Blogginginitaly.com
In addition, the weather was perfect – bright blue skies filled with sunshine and gentle breezes. Our friends proclaimed, “If we had ordered a perfect day, it would have been today!”
We ended the day at Le Celle, where St. Francis of Assisi spent part of his monastic life.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
At Le Celle, we noticed these caper bushes growing on the stone walls. Amazing nature.
©Blogginginitaly.com
While we are having many visitors this fall, and look forward to sharing Cortona with them, it was particularly gratifying to see native Tuscans fall in love with Cortona. It is truly a special place – its ancient beauty, its warm people, and its fascinating history and culture. It is not a town that shuts down at sunset, nor a town that has an overabundance of tour groups. It is, as my friend Paula said, a town that works. Bravo Cortona.
Finally, I am proud to report that Giovanna and her friends were impressed with my Italian. When here, I am in language training 24/7, but I would never have progressed without Giovanna as my cara professoressa.
Grazie Giovanna, for coming to Cortona and for introducing us to your dear friends and now ours as well. Auguri!
AD Bracceria©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
For more on Le Celle, including photos and a short video I made a few years ago, please click here: https://blogginginitaly.com/2013/06/12/franciscan-hermitage-of-le-celle-cortona/
Blogging In Italy 
I’m taking notes, Judy. Thank you!
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So much to see and do, and EAT!
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If you have another friend named Paula please don’t let us know which one of us you have mentioned because I am totally basking in the warm feelings your blog post has evoked. 😘
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No way, of course it is YOU! xoxo
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Judy, we so look forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing – we almost feel that we’re there!
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Thanks, Jim, glad you are reading along!
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In the Sorrento area, people plant the caper bushes in gaps in those old stone walls – they fill a sock with dirt add a start of a caper plant – then stuff it into the hole.
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Such simplicity AND creativity!
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We are new to your blog and are really enjoying it. We will be returning to Cortona in October ourselves (4th time for my husband and I). I get to have my birthday within the walls and seeing the photos of your dinings gives me a great visual and yearning for the passeggiata. We are familiar with some of what you experience and it is exciting to think about exploring the other discoveries you have photographed and described. Anyway, we like to think of Cortona as our fantasy second home too. Fun to see Ivan is just where we left him last October. Thanks for renewing our emotional connection. ReVae (and Donn)
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It’s the passeggiata that let’s us do all the great dining! Happy early birthday…what a great place to celebrate. Judy
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