Overall: The overall experience was very good, however it is not for people who are not physically fit. You are either going up a steep hill or down a steep hill. It was very challenging for our friend who had recently had both hips replaced. Enjoyed Most: The rooms were nicely done. The bedrooms were lovely and the beds comfortable. There was a washing machine and dishwasher. The kitchen was well supplied and the owner was lovely. He gave us a bottle of wine on arrival and visited during the week with a bottle of home made wine. The main street with shopping and restaurants was a 10 minute walk from the house. Enjoyed Least: There was no place to park the car near the house. We had to park on a ledge with no guard rail and a steep climb up from the property. It is not an easy place to drive around for most Americans who are used to wider roads. Surrounding Area: We enjoyed visiting other Tuscan hill towns. In Cortona itself, we enjoyed the restaurants, museums and churches. Nearby Events or Locales: The nearest small town was Camucia, a commercial area with a couple of supermarkets. There is nothing within walking distance of Cortona from where the house is located. Tips or Restaurants: Get in shape before you get there. Consider hiring a driver or taking taxis or public transportation. Be sure to bring washcloths as most European rentals don't provide them. Ask your cell phone provider for details and rates to use your phone in Europe. It is surprisingly reasonable. All the restaurants where we ate were wonderful. Our favorite was Trattoria Toscana. Directions: The directions were perfect. We met your representative, who spoke fairly good English, at her office and she led us to meet the owner who then led us to the house. I suggest that future renters arrive while it is still light. We arrived after dark and it was tough negotiating the road into Cortona. We used our phone GPS all through Italy. Check In Out: It was easy and smooth.