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Cortona
The real Bramasole from Under the Tuscan Sun, restored as a three-building Cortona estate sleeping twenty across ten en-suite bedrooms.
Villa Laura is the actual Bramasole — the Cortona estate that the film Under the Tuscan Sun brought to the world. The property was bought in 2006 by the Sonoma family behind Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Wineries; they spent two years on a restoration that kept the terracotta floors (lifted, cleaned, re-laid), the original stone walls and the village character, while the kitchens and bathrooms were rebuilt by local craftsmen in marble and travertine. Furnishings are a mix of antique and contemporary; many of the textiles come from Busatti, the family weaver in nearby Anghiari that still uses the looms Napoleon's troops were uniformed on.
There are three separate buildings on the estate: the main Villa (8 bedrooms), the Farmhouse (1 bedroom), and the Limonaia (1 bedroom) — together sleeping twenty across ten en-suite bedrooms. The grounds include the swimming pool, the gardens that grew up around the film shoot, and a working olive grove. Cortona is seven minutes by car; Lake Trasimeno is twenty; Rome is two hours.
Main Villa, ground floor: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom (custom marble + travertine)
Main Villa, first floor: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Main Villa, first floor: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Main Villa, first floor: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Main Villa, first floor: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Farmhouse: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Farmhouse: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Farmhouse: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Farmhouse: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Limonaia: Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
Property
Villa Laura is the estate the world knows as Bramasole from Under the Tuscan Sun, owned today by the Sonoma family behind Cline Cellars and the Jacuzzi wineries. Three buildings sit within the grounds: the main Villa (8 bedrooms), the Farmhouse (1 bedroom), and the Limonaia (1 bedroom). Together they sleep twenty across ten en-suite bedrooms.
Restoration
The property was purchased in 2006 and underwent a two-year restoration. The original terracotta floors were lifted, cleaned, and re-laid; original stone walls were preserved; kitchens and bathrooms in both the Villa and Farmhouse were custom-built by local Cortona craftsmen in marble and travertine. The Limonaia — originally built to overwinter the citrus plants — was converted into a one-bedroom guest suite. Furnishings combine antique and contemporary pieces sourced across Italy and Europe, with natural fabrics from nearby Busatti, woven on the original looms once used to make uniforms for Napoleon's troops.
The Villa — 10 bedrooms
The main house, originally the family residence. Five en-suite bedrooms spread across the ground and first floors. Living and dining rooms, a custom kitchen, fireplace, and the most cinematic of the views.
The Farmhouse — 10 bedrooms
Originally housing for the farmworkers and animals, restored as a four-bedroom guesthouse with its own kitchen and living spaces. Sleeps eight.
The Limonaia — 10 bedroom
The smallest and most private of the buildings, originally built to overwinter the estate's citrus plants. Now a one-bedroom suite for two.
Outdoors
Swimming pool. Gardens that have grown up around (and from) the film shoot. A working olive grove on the estate. Pergola dining areas across the property.
Throughout
Air conditioning. Wi-Fi indoors and outdoors. Custom marble + travertine bathrooms. Restored terracotta floors throughout the public rooms. Heating included up to a generous threshold for the season.
All utilities included (heating included up to a generous seasonal threshold)
Concierge support from inquiry to departure
Wi-Fi indoor and outdoor
Garden and pool maintenance
On request (paid locally): private chef and table-side service, cooking classes (Villa Laura has its own cooking-class programme), wine tastings, extra cleaning, laundry, transfers
Children welcome
No pets
No smoking inside
Check-in 4pm · check-out 10am
Your concierge can help arrange unforgettable experiences tailored to your stay.
Culinary
Chef Francesco Sabbadini's rotating seasonal menu runs through a multi-course Tuscan dinner, starting with the aperitivo service.
Culinary
Snacks and finger food with one of Francesco's signature cocktails or a glass of local wine on the terrace before dinner.
Cultural
The estate hosts upscale celebrations — planning, décor, fine dining and live entertainment — across the gardens and the main reception rooms.
Cultural
Family occasions and weekend brunches set in the gardens, with outdoor seating across the landscape.
Cultural
Cortona is a 15-minute walk down the lane — restaurants, shops, a tennis court, the weekly market, and the medieval centre Frances Mayes made famous.
Wine
Twenty minutes away — the medieval hilltop village renowned for Vino Nobile, with cantine in town and out in the Val di Chiana surrounding it.
Cultural
Forty-five minutes by car — churches, museums, public gardens, the Wednesday morning market, and the Palio festival each July and August.
"My longtime dream of renting a villa with friends in Tuscany became a reality thanks to Susan and Doorways. Villa Laura was the perfect property — and Susan is trustworthy, professional, and passionate about her stunning properties."
"I cannot speak highly enough of Doorways! Susan planned our stay and our wedding at Villa Laura in Cortona, and it was beyond our wildest dreams. Sophie the house manager gave us the best week of all our lives."
Villa Laura sits in the Cortona countryside, 7 minutes from the hilltop town, 21 minutes from Lake Trasimeno, and 2 hours from Rome airport. The estate — the actual Bramasole from <em>Under the Tuscan Sun</em> — comprises three buildings: the Villa, the Farmhouse, and the Limonaia.
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