Il Pozzo Galleria | Blogging In Italy

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It’s a Wrap!

After our wonderful and relaxing trip to Liguria, we returned to Cortona for the hustle and bustle of our last few weeks.

Whether pool side or terrace sunsets, pizza parties, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, olive picking, day trips, wine tastings – there’s never a shortage of things to do or willing friends with whom to have fun. (Apologies to those for whom I don’t have photos.)

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Similar to the completion of filming a scene, I can’t help but think of the phrase: “It’s a wrap, folks!”

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Since it’s also the week of our anniversary, there were some fun surprises.

A whimsical print Len bought me from Ivan at Il Pozzo Galleria…

as well as a surprise and delightful anniversary celebration. (Intentional misspelling of Len’s name. Long story.)

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Our final night, as is customary, we headed to Tuscher Caffe knowing we would bump into friends, and so we did.

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Four other couples were also leaving the next morning so it was a bit of a challenge getting any group photos.

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After a bit, those of us remaining were hungry, so we called Alessandro at Il Cacciatore and he welcomed us with open arms as usual.

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And then it was time for some final goodbye hugs, after just a few more laughs.

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Saturday morning, we had one last cappuccino before departing. This coffee mug planter was on our table.

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With Cortona in the background, we headed to the town of Fiumicino, where we walked the pier by day and enjoyed the always incredible sun setting the night before flying home.

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So many ask me, “Which do you prefer more, Chicago or Cortona?” For me, the ending of each journey is the beginning of the next. I love them both.

And so, it is a wrap, our 13 trip to our second home. Till we meet again…Abbracci and Arrivederci!

Ciao,
Judy

Tags: Caffe Tuscher, Il Pozzo Galleria, Ristorante Il Cacciatore

Comments 15 Comments
Categories Cortona, Italy, My Blog about Italy, Tuscany

Il Pozzo “Tabacchi” Cortona

29 Sep

When you spend time in Italy, you quickly learn the value of a Tabacchi. It is a place to buy bus and train tickets, stamps, postcards, gum, candy, lozenges, etc.

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You can recharge a phone card, buy a lottery ticket, often send a fax, and at most tabacchis, sort through various dollar store types of souvenirs. And yes, the word Tabacchi means tobacco, so, that too.

But when is a tabacchi much more than a tabacchi? When you find this large “T” sign and awning on Via Nazionale in Cortona. Then it’s a destination.

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No matter how often I visit, there is always something new and creative to see. And the best news? Most items are actually Made in Italy, many from local and nearby artisans. Here are some examples.

These purses, ornaments and wallets are made from old sheet music, newsprint and/or comic pages, formed into shapes, laminated, and then woven together.

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There are numerous prints of familiar Tuscan scenes, towns, buildings and monuments, available in many shapes and sizes,

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as well as whimsical pieces of art.

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Sara Lovari©Blogginginitaly.com

As for me, I can never have enough kitchen towels, especially when they depict places I’ve visited or recipes I want to remember.

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Planning to attend Carnevale in Venice or a Mardi Gras party? They’ve got you covered.

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There is beautiful pastel stationery, as well as bound journals, all hand-made with 100% cotton paper, and each journal is individually embossed.

Traditional Florentine notecards and ornamental angels come in a rainbow of colors.

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Need a birthday or anniversary card? There’s an abundance to choose from.

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Italians love beautifully fragranced soaps, especially Campostrini soaps that have been produced in Firenze since 1894.

Like so many businesses in Cortona, Il Pozzo Artisan’s Gallery and Tabacchi is family owned and operated, and generally open daily. If you’ve been to Cortona, you probably recognize these faces.

(L-R) Marta, Ivan, Loriana, Thomas©Blogginginitaly.com

Ivan speaks English well and is an incredible resource for most questions, whether about an artist, a painting, the Etruscans, or local antiquities. It’s no wonder many of us consider him Cortona’s ambassador.

If you are heading to Cortona, be sure to add this wonderful place to your list. You’ll be so happy you did!

And one last note: At the back of the tabacchi, take the winding staircase down one flight to visit the beautiful Il Pozzo Galleria. In addition to seeing many more interesting and beautiful works of art, you will also see an ancient well, or pozzo, hence the name Il Pozzo. Ivan actually uncovered the well during excavation, but I’ll leave that story to him.

For more info and photos on Il Pozzo Galleria, please click below:

https://blogginginitaly.com/2013/09/14/il-pozzo/

Ciao,
Judy

Tags: Artigianato Italiano Cortona, Cortona, Il Pozzo Galleria, Il Pozzo Tabacchi, Via Nazionale Cortona

Comments 15 Comments
Categories Cortona, Italian Art, Italian Hospitality, Italy, My Blog about Italy, Tuscany

Sara Lovari at Il Pozzo

10 Sep

A few days ago, we attended the Sara Lovari exhibit hosted by the owners of Il Pozzo Galleria.

Sarah, Loriana and Ivan ©Blogginginitaly.com

Sara is a local artist who exhibits her most interesting work in Italy and abroad. She uses acrylic paint and multi-material applications on various backgrounds. Using a selection of objects from everyday life, she creates three-dimensional art with recycled materials such as vintage magazines and newspapers, discarded boxes, string, etc.

You can find more at Sara Lovari.

Ciao,
Judy

Tags: Il Pozzo Galleria, Sara Lovari

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Cortona, Italian Art, Italian Hospitality, Italy, My Blog about Italy

Cortona in Winter

12 Feb

I always wondered what Cortona would be like in winter, and now I know. The same wonderful people, the same beautiful town, albeit a little quieter, and the same feeling like I’m home…ok, also colder and sometimes rainy, but certainly warm compared to Chicago.

Benita and I took the train from Roma last Saturday and spent two wonderful days and nights in Cortona. It’s an incredible feeling to walk through the market or down a street and recognize so many faces. We shopped, walked, ate, drank, talked and laughed with our wonderful Cortonese friends.

I think the pictures and smiles tell the story!