We stayed in the larger apartment on one of the main squares in Cortona. The apartment was spacious and the kitchen well stocked with pans, dishes, etc. The 2 bedrooms on the 2nd level were small but adequate and the main bedroom on the top floor was great. There are lots of steps so take that into consideration. We stayed for a week and did not want to leave! Cortona is beautiful and there are several restaurants with reasonable prices. We had fun shopping in the market across the street for staples or around the corner for fresh fuits and veggies so we could cook for ourselves as well. Andrea was helpful. We will certainly return soon. There is no parking inside the city but you can bring your things in and then park the car.

We chose this B&B based on its location (close to town centre), affordable price and gorgeous décor.

The B&B: is located within the walls of a traditional Tuscan building. There is no WiFi, but you can use their PC and internet if needed. There are a handful of wine bars that offer free WiFi (ask at reception for a recommendation).

The room: we stayed in room 1 and paid €90 / night. The room was big enough for two people to move around comfortably and was decorated with traditional yet modern tastes. We had a heater, AC, TV, dresser and chairs. The linen/queen size bed/pillows were sensational! The bathroom was near-new with expensive tapware and porcelain – I don’t normally care about that sort of stuff but when it’s nice, I like to mention it.

The service: the owner’s sister (Isabelle) spoke fluent English and was very friendly. Breakfast is served off-site in a café. Breakfast includes really good fruit juice, cappuccino/tea and a pastry item.

The location: Cortona is really quite small, so it’s hard to find a bad location. This B&B is a mere 60 second stroll from the main piazza and restaurant area. There is ample free and paid street parking outside the walls of Cortona, with a handful of spots inside the walls. Paid parking is €0.52 / hour.

The conclusion: Cortona was the first stop of our Tuscan experience and it left us with jaws wide open. A stay in Cortona and Gelosie B&B is a must!

Le Gelosie is a small B & B located in a narrow building which was once someone's home. It has been totally refurbished. Le Gelosie is perched on the edge of the Piazza Signorelli which is one of the hubs of life in Cortona, so we stayed right in the middle of it all and I'm glad we did. In the B & B, you have to climb stairs to get to your room; this was not a problem for us. Indeed, all of Cortona is steep and hilly and some of the streets are all stairs, so bring sturdy shoes. The views of the surrounding countryside are breath-taking.

Our room was spacious and spare. No strange hotel art to look at on the walls--they were bare and simply stuccoed in a warm yellow color. We had a nice window with shutters which opened onto the square. The bed was especially comfortable--one of the newer foam-topped styles, I think. I like the shiny wood floor--no mouldering old carpets like you find in so many hotels. The bathroom was large and the shower stall, especially so. I loved the huge heated towel rack and really want one to have at home. Our room was warm, too, which was a plus since the weather had been quite chilly.

Here are a couple of suggestions though, to make the place better: though there is the wardrobe, please put a few coathooks around the room and in the bathroom, as it would be helpful to have more places for two people to put their clothing. Also, a little fridge and hot water pot would make great additions.

If you choose, breakfast is included (a slightly higher price). There is no breakfast room in the B & B, though, so you have to go to a nearby bar, so you get to really be part of the local breakfast scene.

Getting to Cortona was a lesson in using public transportation. We took the train from Florence. The station is in Camucia, which is about 4 miles from Cortona, so you either have to take a taxi or a public bus. The buses are more scarce on the weekend, so pay attention to the schedules.

This B & B is different from some I have stayed in because the owner does not live on the premises. So, while you are met when you arrive, you are pretty much on your own for the stay. We had no problem with this as we like being independent. Unless you are with a traveling companion, though, it could feel a little lonely. I am sure the proprietor is available by phone if you have a question.

By far, the two best meals of our whole Tuscan trip were both in Cortona. Nissun Dorma has really interesting and delicious food; my porcini risotto was so good and the best I've ever had. Trattoria Toscana is just a door or two up the hill from Le Gelosie, and our meals there were just great--I had a square-spaghetti-like pasta with flavorful fresh artichoke sauce and my husband enjoyed a spicy fusilli dish with crumbled sausage. The best cornetti (croissant, Italian style) came from the little bakery across the street--pay attention to when it is open, because it is worth a visit.

I decided to stay in an apartment on this trip, in order to be able to experience Cortona at first hand - shopping, cooking and relaxing at my own speed. It was perfect. I Terrazzini is under the same management as Le Gelosie B&B, also run by Andrea, who met me at the station and brought me to my apartment. Just off Piazza Repubblica in a tiny alleyway, the location could not have been better. It was immaculate, with two tiny terraces. I had every facility I needed: a modern kitchen with all cooking facilities; air conditioning when we had a few extremely hot days; a lovely sitting room, bedroom and modern shower-room. Andrea was very helpful - full of information about everything I needed to know about self-catering in Cortona. I can't wait to return and will do so as soon as possible.