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Cortona
Villa Laura
The real Bramasole from Under the Tuscan Sun, restored as a three-building Cortona estate sleeping twenty across ten en-suite bedrooms.
About This Villa
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 (5 bedrooms), the Farmhouse (4 bedrooms), 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.
Photos
Villa Tour
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 (two twin beds) 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 (5 bedrooms), the Farmhouse (4 bedrooms), 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 — 5 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 — 4 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 — 1 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
Quick answers about Villa Laura
- How many people does Villa Laura sleep?
- Villa Laura sleeps 20 guests in 10 bedrooms, with 10.5 bathrooms.
- Where is Villa Laura?
- 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 Under the Tuscan Sun, comprises three buildings: the Villa, the Farmhouse, and the Limonaia.
- How much does it cost to rent Villa Laura?
- Villa Laura rents from €19,000 per week. Rates vary by season, and your Doorways travel advisor confirms the exact rate for your dates.
- What is included at Villa Laura?
- 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.
- How do I book Villa Laura?
- Book Villa Laura through Doorways Villa Vacations, a US-based, IATA-accredited agency arranging Italian villa stays since 1994. Send an inquiry with your dates, and a dedicated travel advisor replies with availability and the rate.
Inspiration to get you dreaming
Your concierge can help arrange unforgettable experiences tailored to your stay.
Culinary
Chef Francesco's Seasonal Menus
Chef Francesco Sabbadini's rotating seasonal menu runs through a multi-course Tuscan dinner, starting with the aperitivo service.
Culinary
Aperitivo Hour
Snacks and finger food with one of Francesco's signature cocktails or a glass of local wine on the terrace before dinner.
Cultural
Weddings & Formal Events
The estate hosts upscale celebrations — planning, décor, fine dining and live entertainment — across the gardens and the main reception rooms.
Cultural
Casual Gatherings & Brunches
Family occasions and weekend brunches set in the gardens, with outdoor seating across the landscape.
Cultural
Cortona — the Etruscan Town
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
Montepulciano & Vino Nobile
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
Siena Day Trip
Forty-five minutes by car — churches, museums, public gardens, the Wednesday morning market, and the Palio festival each July and August.
What Guests Say About Villa Laura
Rated 5 out of 5 by 4 guests who stayed at Villa Laura in Cortona, booked through Doorways Villa Vacations.
I cannot speak highly enough of Doorways Villa Vacations! We worked with Susan Russo to plan our stay and our wedding at Villa Laura in Cortona. It was beyond our wildest dreams. Our family and friends who came with us still talk about how seamless of experience our stay was, from planning our stay with Susan, to the amazing on-site care from Sophie the house manager throughout the entire week. Thank you so much for the best week of all our lives. We will absolutely be back to Villa Laura and will use Doorways Villa Vacations for our future vacations!
My longtime dream of renting a villa with friends in Tuscany became a reality in September of 2022, thanks to a property available through Susan Russo of Doorways Villa Vacations. Villa Laura, located in Cortona, Italy was the perfect property and the rental process was a wonderful experience. In addition to Villa Laura, Doorways offers lots of other dream villas in many areas of Italy that will accommodate various group sizes. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend contacting Susan to help you plan your dream, too. She is trustworthy, professional and passionate about her stunning properties!
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.
Cortona
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.
Map location is approximate. Contact us with any questions.
