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Cortona
A 17th-century frescoed villa at the foot of Cortona, with a private chapel, antique billiards, and a great Italianate garden.
Villa Ivana sits at the foot of Cortona, the Etruscan hill town that Frances Mayes made famous in Under the Tuscan Sun. The villa was built in 1600 and restored to keep what mattered — the frescoed ceilings, the inlaid marble bathrooms, the original chandeliers, the painted-tile floors — while adding the modern comforts of a luxury property. Over 1,000 square metres of villa, nine bedrooms across the upper floors, twelve bathrooms, with an antique billiards table in the ground-floor great room.
Outside, a fenced 7,000 m² Italianate park: tree-lined drive, lemon trees in pots, oleander bushes, a stone-columned gazebo with marble tables, a large private swimming pool, and the family's own restored chapel on the grounds. Cortona's medieval centre is minutes up the hill; Arezzo is half an hour, Siena and Florence are day-trip distance. The villa works for an extended-family week, a milestone celebration, or a destination wedding (it has hosted both, including state-level guests in its previous life).
Bedroom 1: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 2: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 3: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 4: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 5: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 6: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 7: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 8: Double bedroom with four-poster bed, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
Bedroom 9: Twin bedroom, frescoed walls, en-suite bathroom in inlaid marble
12 bathrooms in total: several with Jacuzzi tubs, others with private Turkish baths; all in inlaid marble with hair dryers, towels and toiletries
Property
Built in 1600, Villa Ivana is a 17th-century frescoed estate at the foot of Cortona, on a flat 7,000 m² fenced park planted with centuries-old trees, oleander hedges and lemon trees. A tree-lined drive leads from a large parking area to the villa's main entrance. The grounds include the restored private chapel and a stone-columned gazebo set with marble tables for al fresco dining.
Heritage
The villa was the subject of a two-year restoration overseen by architects and interior designers, working with frescoed ceilings, original chandeliers, antique furnishings and inlaid marble. In its previous life, the villa hosted gala dinners for state guests — including Sandro Pertini, the seventh president of the Italian Republic. The Vanni family owns it now and lives nearby; the chapel on site is theirs.
Ground Floor
An imposing living room with decorated vaulted ceilings and frescoed walls, anchored by an antique billiards table. A formal dining room. A working kitchen. The arched ceilings and exposed beams are original.
Upper Floors
Nine bedrooms across the upper floors: eight doubles and one twin. Many feature four-poster beds. The bedrooms are served by twelve bathrooms, several with Jacuzzi tubs and others with private Turkish baths, all finished in inlaid marble.
First Floor — Frescoed reception
The first floor's frescoed reception rooms are used for intimate ceremonies, buffets and seated dinners; this is where the villa's most striking original artwork is.
Outdoors
Large private swimming pool with surrounding paved area for aperitivi, buffets and open-bar dinners. Stone-columned gazebo with marble tables and chairs. Centuries-old shade trees, oleander hedges, lemon-tree pots. The private chapel sits in the formal garden.
Services + events
The Vanni family handles event logistics directly. Their network of trusted Tuscan suppliers covers florists, photographers, videographers, cake-makers, calligraphers, catering, transport, and music. The chapel is available for ceremonies.
All utilities included
Welcome and on-call concierge from the Vanni family throughout your stay
Wi-Fi indoor and outdoor
Garden and pool maintenance
On request: private cook (trusted Tuscan caterers), wine tastings, transfers, wedding planning, in-villa events with the family's preferred florists, photographers and musicians
Children welcome
No pets
No smoking inside
Check-in 4pm · check-out 10am
Your concierge can help arrange unforgettable experiences tailored to your stay.
Cortona
The piazza fills slowly between six and seven. A glass of wine from the café, a half-hour of people-watching, and the warmest light of the day on the bell tower above.
Cortona
A morning at a small producer below the town — most of them still under-the-radar despite making excellent Cortona DOC Syrah. Cellar tour, four wines, lunch.
Cortona
Hand-rolled pici, fresh ricotta gnudi, a Chianina ragù, and the tiramisu that everyone fights over. Half a day, ending with the meal.
Cortona
The Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca holds the Tabula Cortonensis — one of the longest Etruscan inscriptions ever found. Smaller than the great museums and far more personal.
Cortona
Twenty minutes by car. A private boat across to Isola Maggiore for a long lunch of fresh perch and a swim in clear water.
Cortona
Down on the plain, just below Cortona. Cheeses, salumi, vegetables, and the cookware everyone in Tuscany seems to own. The shopping morning of the trip.
Pricing is per week, Saturday to Saturday. Diagonal cells mark changeover Saturdays — morning departure / afternoon arrival.
Available Booked Changeover (Saturday)
Villa Ivana sits at the foot of Cortona, the Etruscan hill town between Florence and Rome — 35 minutes from Arezzo, an hour from Siena, and 90 minutes from Florence.
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