My husband and I recently spent three weeks in Italy, and I insisted we visit Cortona. I had read both Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany as well as her third book the nameof which I cannot recall off the top of my head. It was full of beautiful pictures and terrific recipes. Didn't see the move - I couldn't imagine how Diane Lane could possibly be believable in her part as Frances. It may have been a lovely little movie, but as I understand, it basically resembled the book in title only.

I was disappointed in Cortona - I think I'd seen too manyof the lovely filtered, air-brushed and who knows what else pictures in the last book. Cortona was nothng like I expected. We did have fun on our search for Bramisole, however. I ended up having to stop at a small grocery store/cafe out in the middle of know where in order to use the bathroom and the people I met were just terrific even though they spoke no English and I speak very limited Italian. I didn't have the patience to stick with the search for Bramisole - where did you find it? If I had been smart, I would have tried to find it on foot rather than in the car. If you have any pics, I would love to see them. You can e-mail me at [email protected]. My heart really does belong to Ireland, not Italy!

norapaige, two days ago I read a thread where poster said he (or she?) went to Bramisole after reading book/seeing movie. I was in a rush and could not post a repy to ask where exactly it is as I would like to go there in August. I cannot even recall title name to search. When I put in, "Bramisole" only your post comes up as it is in title.

Has anyone gone to Bramisole? Can you tell me how to get there? I know it is in Cortona or just outside it. Having directions (as general as they may be) will help as that day is planned and I want to squeeze Bramisole in just for a look, enroute to Tuscany from Assisi.

Thank you.

When I visited Cortona Bramosole was marked on the local tourism map.We loved Cortona, it is less crowded and we prefered it to Siena.

Prefer Cortona to Siena?

Even allowing for the wide divergence of personal tastes, how is this possible?

Can't say you're wrong, just have to ask Why?

Siena is an architectural and cultural jewel of global significance.

Cortona -- attractive and historic -- is a minor country town, set atop a squalid suburban excrescence.

I had no problem finding Bramisole. It looks just like the descriptions in the books, not surprisingly. There's a nice restaurant a few hundred meters past it on the same hill.

Cortona, the very tippy top of it in the old quarter, has a certain minor-league charm in the off-off-season. In high season it's just horrid, IMO.

Siena is in another league altogether. I don't see any basis for comparison.

I'm going to have to say that Siena was once at the top of my list as my favorite places in Italy, however the visit last year left my husband and me both really sad and disappointed. We were there in late April and it was absolutely crawling with tourists - hordes of them to the point that it was not enjoyable. The spectacular Duomo was completely encased in scaffolding with a line to get in that went on and on. If that had been our first visit to Siena - we would have not been impressed at all...thank goodness we were able to make two trips earlier and that's when we fell in love with Siena.

The name is BramAsole.

There is a description of how to get there here:
http://www.tuscantreasures.net/cortona/corthigh.html

Thank you for web site with directions and pictures of Bramasole and the new rennovated Fonte delle Foglie. Since I did not read her second book I did not know about this additional property the Mayes bought and fixed up.

In first book, Frances rennovated Bramasole with a man, think his name was ED, a new lover after her divorce. I heard the movie showed a lady with Frances instead of Ed. The web site uses the name, "Mayes'" so I am wondering who is the other half of Frances in that name? Just curious.

Actually I was told by two different people to skip Cortona and Siena, for spending more time in the lovely Tuscan Val d'Orcia, our destination that day. Depending on time this mid August day will give us, we may see Bramasole but certainly do not want to visit Cortono or Siena if crowds are there.

In Bella Tuscany, Frances and Ed marry.

Byrd

Thanks, Byrd!

Prego, ciaodeb!