Charming Cottage Near Cortona, Garden, Olive Grove, a/C, Wi-Fi - La Colonica
- Minimum stay:7 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
La Colonica is a completely private house in the grounds of an old and very beautiful ex-farmhouse in the Cortona area. It is the perfect base to visit Florence, Siena, Chianti, and the hill and wine towns of Tuscany and nearby Umbria like Assisi and Perugia; itineraries provided. A/C in all rooms. It is comfortable and welcoming. Ideal for groups of up to 4 adults or a family of 5. Lovely Garden setting in really beautiful gardens. 2 large very comfortable bedrooms (one with four-poster bed). One bedroom is a double. The other bedroom can either be a double or a twin. Both bedrooms have en-suite private bathrooms. Large living room; open wood-burning fireplace; Dining room; Kitchen. Panoramic dining patio. The house is totally self-contained and private; not overlooked. Beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, and marble bathrooms. Very well furnished; fully equipped. TV; DVD; CD. Parking in grounds. Swimming pools and thermal spas nearby. Maid service possible. Excellent good value local restaurants. Short walk to nearby pretty village. • FREE GPS, laptop, and Italian cellphone. • Rental rates are all-inclusive: all utilities, A/C, Wi-Fi, linen, baby crib/cot, final cleaning, taxes. NO hidden charges.
Located in the heart of the Val di Chiana countryside near Cortona. The house is surrounded by large (2.5 acres) gardens and olive grove with views of the surrounding hills. Because of its strategic location, it is the perfect base to explore Southern Tuscany and Umbria or for a relaxing holiday in comfortable and elegant surroundings. See Cortona, Florence, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, the Chianti region and Rome. Explore the unique towns of Pienza and San Gimignano, or Lake Trasimeno. Visit Montepulciano, Montalcino (Brunello wine) and the Chianti region and enjoy their famous wines. Visit the monasteries of Monte Oliveto Maggiore and Sant'Antimo (where the English Patient was filmed). Or simply relax and enjoy your private garden!
There are two friendly and well-behaved dogs on the property (see the reviews!).
Discounts for stays of 2 weeks or more or for occupancy by 2 persons depending on the season.
• FREE baby crib/cot and high chair: no charge. Experienced baby-sitter available.
• Swimming Pools - Thermal Spas: There are numerous very nice reasonably priced swimming pools in the area, all within a short drive. All towns have one. The nicest are Camucia (near Cortona), Trequanda (magnificent setting), and Castiglion Fiorentino. Foiano is rarely crowded. Badicorte is very popular with children as it has numerous slides etc. Three famous thermal spas are nearby: Rapolano Terme has two spas, and there is a wonderful outdoor thermal pool with stunning view at Bagno Vignoni (40 minutes drive through some of the most beautiful countryside in Tuscany).
• Local events and open-air markets: Local Open-Air Markets (mornings): Monday: Foiano; Tuesday: Sinalunga; Wednesday: Monte San Savino, Castiglione del Lago; Thursday: Camucia, near Cortona (the largest and the best!), Lucignano; Friday: Castiglion Fiorentino; Saturday: Cortona, Arezzo.
• The famous horse-race in Siena, the Palio, is held on 2 July and 16 August. Each village and town has local feasts: please ask us for details. The biggest are in Cortona end July/early August. Lucignano has a May festival in the last two weeks of May. Each town/village often has open-air concerts and other musical events. Cortona has open-air operas and concerts, and there is a music festival in Monte San Savino. Cortona has several historic processions. Jousting competitions on horseback in Arezzo, Castiglion Fiorentino and Montalcino!
• The huge open-air antiques fair in Arezzo takes place on the first Sunday of the month. Cortona, Arezzo and Monte San Savino have numerous antique shops.
Places to see: All are within one hour's drive. We can provide detailed itineraries and advice where to eat etc.
• FLORENCE. Leave your car at the small local train station and take the train to Florence, leaving and returning every hour; 1 hour’s journey. Avoid the traffic problems in Florence!
• SIENA is about 40 minutes away by car, driving through magical country side. Easy parking. Siena has the famous horse-race, Il Palio, and is perfectly preserved. From Siena visit SAN GIMIGNANO and the CHIANTI region.
• CORTONA AND LAKE TRASIMENO. Cortona is a jewel!
• LUCIGNANO: Best kept secret in Tuscany! Spectacular medieval village.
• MONTE SAN SAVINO: small market town with Loggiato in the main street and marvellous garden and amphitheatre. Nearby is the Castle of Gargonza.
• MONTEPULCIANO AND PIENZA. ABBEY OF MONTE OLIVETO. MONTALCINO: home of Brunello wine. AREZZO, PERUGIA, ASSISI. And much much more!
• Wonderful walks (we provide maps etc).
• If you are tired of sight-seeing, or simply want to relax ... your garden awaits!
Property Type
- 1 story
- Villa
- 120 m²
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Onsite Services
- Housekeeper Optional
- Daily Maid Service
- Housekeeper
- Staff
Suitability
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
- Wheelchair Inaccessible
- Suitable For Elderly Or Infirm
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5, Beds for 4-5
- Bedroom 1
- 1 king
- Four poster Double bed: 65 in/165 cm wide
- Bedroom 2
- 1 king, 2 twin/ single
- 1 Double or 2 Twin Beds
- Sofa Bed in Living Room
- 1 sleep sofa /futon
- Comfortable double sofa bed in living room
- Baby Crib
- 1 baby crib
- Portable Baby Crib/Cot
Bathrooms
- 2.0 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- toilet, shower, bidet
- En-suite bathroom for Bedroom 1
- Bathroom 2
- toilet, shower, bidet
- En suite bathroom for Bedroom 2
- Half Bathroom
- toilet
- Handbasin and toilet - off living room
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- CD Player
- Books
- VCR
- Audio Tape Player
- DVD Player
- Radio
Theme
- Family
- Historic
- Away From It All
- Romantic
- Tourist Attractions
Attractions
- Autumn Foliage
- Ruins
- Museums
- Winery Tours
- Churches
- Restaurants
- Library
- Botanical Garden
- Playground
- Live Theater
- Forests
- Cinemas
Car
- Necessary
Leisure Activities
- Sight Seeing
- Antiquing
- Scenic Drives
- Walking
- Bird Watching
- Outlet Shopping
- Horseback Riding
local services and businesses
- Babysitter
- Hospital
- ATM/Bank
- Medical Services
- Fitness Center
- Groceries
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
Location Type
- Village
- Rural
sports and adventure activities
- Equestrian Events
- Cycling
- Tennis
- Golf
- Mountain Biking
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Sailing
- Water Skiing
- Mountaineering
- Wind-Surfing
- Mountain Climbing
- Swimming
- Fishing
Arrival Day
- Saturday
catering options
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Communication / Internet
- Fax
Dining
- Dining Area
- Dining
- Child's Highchair
forms of payment
- Accept Credit Card
General
- Alarm Clock
- Laundry Soap
- Basic Soaps
- Washing Machine
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Local Activities Guide
- Mobile Phone
- Broadband Access
- Air Conditioning
- Living Room
- Clothes Dryer
- Telephone
- Heating
- Linens Provided
- Fireplace
- Parking
- Internet
- Towels Provided
- Wireless Internet
- Computer Available
- Parking Off Street
- Firewood
- Safe
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Printer
- Hair Dryer
- Activities Guide
- PC
- Backpack
- Iron & Board
- Local Maps
- Sofa Bed
- Scanner
house cleaning
- Housekeeper Optional
Kitchen
- Stove
- Ice Maker
- 4 Ring Stove
- Oven
- Cooking Utensils
- Pantry Items
- Dishes & Utensils
- Kitchen
- Coffee Maker
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Microwave
- Blender
- Stove
- Toaster
- Dishwasher
Outside
- Large Cooler
- Yard
- Barbecue
- Patio
- Beach Towels
- Outdoor Grill
- Lawn / Garden
- Deck / Patio
- Bicycles
- Tennis
- Golf
- Outdoor Furniture
- Terrace
- Small Cooler
Reviews
Write a review-
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!
- Guest GailAnne
- Date of stay 09/01/07
- Review Submitted 10/18/07
This is a truly wonderful place to stay but its biggest selling point is its location. We went to Florence by train in one hour, and to Siena, Assisi, Perugia, and every single wine-producing hilltown you can think of by car - all less than one hour away. The cottage is brilliantly decorated, really spacious and has proper air-conditioning in every room. Two really good sized bedrooms and immaculately clean bathrooms. Beautiful living areas (really well-designed and decorated) but we more or less lived on the patio from breakfast on. Everything is well-cared for and you can see it. There is huge attention to detail. Very nice unobtrusive owners and staff including the cleaner who is a darling. We wanted self-catering but we ended up eating out a lot and found some great ristoranti - the owners provide a guide and do the bookings if you want. Best thing of all - once you get inside the gates of the property, its like you're in another world. We have been to Italy seven times now and this is definitely our favorite. Last but not least - the cost is very reasonable as everything is included. We are going back!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 62/63
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LaColonica Exceeded Our Expectations
LaColonica Exceeded Our Expectations
- Guest Mimi and Bob
- Date of stay 03/30/13
- Review Submitted 05/17/13
The owners were very helpful, recommending points of interest and restaurants. They even provided us with a GPS so we wouldn't get lost. The property is lovely with flower gardens and an olive grove. The house suited the four of us perfectly with two bed rooms and two in-suite baths. We even had a fire in the fireplace on cool evenings. We would highly recommend LaColonica to anyone wanting to enjoy beautiful Tuscany.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, pet owners, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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What a week!
What a week!
- Guest Deb & Pat
- Date of stay 04/13/13
- Review Submitted 04/28/13
It is certainly without hesitation that we recommend this location. We were wonderfully centrally located which made each day trip easily accomplished. Our hosts were gracious in providing suggestions, tips and the extras such as GPS, maps and even a telephone. The grounds are beautifully maintained; the house was charming with all our needs anticipated. The kitchen met our needs nicely as well. Our hosts took care of any request we had from how to travel by train, booking tickets for museums, arranging for a wine tour and making a dinner reservation for a grand final dinner. Our return trip cannot come too soon!Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.
Owner response: Thank you for the great review. It was a real pleasure to welcome all four of you to La Colonica - we hope to see you back soon!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Wonderful Tuscan experience.
Wonderful Tuscan experience.
- Guest Chris F.
- Date of stay 08/11/12
- Review Submitted 04/28/13
We stayed at La Colonica for a week. The hospitality and welcome shown by the owners was phenomenal. As a family of four (two children aged 5 and 2) they had taken immense care to ensure the villa was child friendly. The owners live next door and are always available for advice and help, or just a friendly chat, without intruding on our privacy at all. The villa is perfectly positioned for exploring Tuscany, with the towns of Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza and Siena within easy reach and Florence just an easy train ride away. The accomodation was clean and very well furnished and maintained, and the extensive grounds were beautiful, and safe for our children to play in. We liked it so much we are returning for another week next year!Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
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Excellent place to relax and explore Tuscany
Excellent place to relax and explore Tuscany
- Guest Nikolai S.
- Date of stay 01/05/13
- Review Submitted 01/30/13
My wife, 3 year old son and I has spend two weeks in these cottage in January 2013. The house is very plenty of space and perfect layout. Photos actually make it looks smaller compared to the actual size. Fireplace (with unlimited supply of free wood) was an excellent addition. On arrival the cottage was perfectly clean and neat. All facilities mentioned in the description were in place and were functioning properly. The villa ideally located for the sight-seeing even with small children. Within one-hour drive your can reach plenty of towns and villages. The owners were extremely helpful in providing us with advices on local sights, shops, food, etc. We plan to visit La Colonica again and again. Thank you, Cesare and David, for creating such a wonderful place!Owner response: Thank you for the wonderful review. We are delighted that you enjoyed La Colonica and are looking forward to seeing you and your family back again this summer.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6
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The most perfect place for me
The most perfect place for me
- Guest L & C
- Date of stay 06/02/12
- Review Submitted 01/13/13
This is the perfect place from which to explore the beautiful countryside of Tuscany. So many wonderful places to visit Arezzo, Florence, Montepulciano, Chianti, Siena to name but a few. The Cypress tress will be forever in your memory of Tuscany. La Colonica offers superb accommodation, comfort, elegance and above all tranquillity. All kept so beautifully. Breakfast on the terrace, what could be better. The gardens are lovely, with hidden places to escape to with book and wine. The roses superb. The many varied itineraries suggested by our hosts, are a joy to experience. Having also stayed in the Winter, the log fires, simply the best. If your wishes are for lovely surroundings, perfect hosts, relaxation and lots of magic, this is the place. Don't tell everybody, keep it our secret. We just keep returning.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9
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Spacious and stylish retreat in Tuscany
Spacious and stylish retreat in Tuscany
- Guest Mrs S
- Date of stay 12/28/12
- Review Submitted 01/06/13
Surrounded by beautiful countryside, this house offers understated elegance in a Tuscan style, providing a spacious and stylish retreat for a peaceful holiday. Meticulous attention to detail, ranging from a warm welcome, to the beautiful gardens, the spacious but cosy well equipped cottage with a design that is easy to relax in makes it an ideal holiday retreat. The open plan living area comprises of a well equipped kitchen and an air conditioned lounge diner opening onto a patio area and garden offering an opportunity to dine outside. The two air conditioned double bedrooms with views to the gardens are elegantly furnished and both offer ensuite facilities. Having returned to the house on many occasions and at different times of the year, the warm and friendly welcome of the hosts, and their unselfish generosity to share their beautiful home set in the stunning Tuscan countryside persuades us to return again and again.Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7
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The trip of a lifetime
The trip of a lifetime
- Guest 4 Girlfriends
- Date of stay 10/20/12
- Review Submitted 11/05/12
The Villa at La Colonica looks like the photos, but is even nicer in person. What a nice surprise. It is a very relaxing and beautiful property. The cottage was very clean and well-maintained. We liked that every room was tiled; no carpeting. There were picturesque views from every vantage point. The cottage was fully stocked with everything you could possibly need (except food of course) you could not ask for a better place to spend a vacation. Everyone was extremely helpful and the hosts thought of everything you’d need to make your stay extraordinary. Lists of day tours, maps, books on the area’s attractions and recommendations of restaurant from prior guests as well as their own are just some of the amenities provided. They even recommended a cooking class for us, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. They are always available for assistance if you have questions. I would highly recommend this property for those you want a truly relaxing and enjoyable vacation away from all the chaos but yet close to all of the beautiful Tuscan cities and villages. Cortona, Sienna, Lucignano, Montelpuciano, Camuchia, Chianti just to name a few. The location of La Colonica is fantastic! It is located within an hour’s drive of many old walled cities within Tuscany; each of the drives is more beautiful than the next. We would definitely stay at La Colonica again. We've already started saving so we will be able to come back again. Thank you everyone at La Colonica for helping to make our dream trip come true. 4 Girlfriends from the StatesRecommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/10
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Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience
- Guest Visiting Italy
- Date of stay 10/13/12
- Review Submitted 10/24/12
What can I say about our time at La Colonica except "WOW" and "THANK YOU". Anyone who finds your gem of a place in Tuscany is a very lucky person indeed. Our first visit to this beautiful place… and you wowed us the moment we arrived. It is made extra special by your attention to details .........the welcome roses, fruit, dessert and friendly dogs....a real home away from home. The whole atmosphere is amazing. Your knowledge of the area and recommendations for dining and touring were perfect. I could have spent our whole holiday in your beautiful part of Italy. A week of fun and excitement. The cottage is very tastefully decorated in Tuscan style, comfortable and has every amenity one could desire ......a home in which I could easily spend the rest of my life. Cortona … 500 Bar a great place for lunch and the shopping was a real treat. The whole atmosphere is simply wonderful. What fun we had there. Assisi, Deruta, Lucignano (Il Goccino restaurant!! The best!! The atmosphere, the service, the food – what a wonderfcul evening we spent there. Very highly recommended.) Thank you for making our trip to Italy extra special and very memorable, a true highlight for all of us. I will be telling all of our friends about the wonderful experience we had in Tuscany at La Colonica. Thank you for the wonderful place. It was the experience of a lifetime.Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8
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La Colonica
La Colonica
- Guest E
- Date of stay 10/06/12
- Review Submitted 10/22/12
We enjoyed our week-long stay very much. The cottage is well planned with a bedroom and accompanying bath on opposite sides of the living/dining room so that there is excellent privacy. There is also a half bath accessible from the living room with additional amenities like a backpack, cooler, iron and ironing board, etc. available for our use. The cottage was clean and well-maintained. We made a fire in the fireplace one rainy day and the next day the wood was replenished. The host made calls to local restaurants to make dinner restaurants for us which we appreciated given our limited Italian. The rural location created a restful environment and it was a relatively short drive to many hill country towns.Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/11
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 11 - Jul 5, 2013 7 night min stay |
€800 | |||||
Jul 6 - Aug 23, 2013 7 night min stay |
€900 | |||||
Aug 24 - Sep 27, 2013 7 night min stay |
€800 | |||||
Sep 28 - Oct 25, 2013 7 night min stay |
€730 | |||||
Oct 26 - Dec 20, 2013 7 night min stay |
€670 | |||||
Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2014 7 night min stay |
€730 | |||||
Jan 4 - Apr 11, 2014 7 night min stay |
€670 | |||||
Apr 12 - May 9, 2014 7 night min stay |
€730 | |||||
May 10 - Jul 4, 2014 7 night min stay |
€800 | |||||
Jul 5 - Aug 22, 2014 7 night min stay |
€900 | |||||
Aug 23 - Sep 26, 2014 7 night min stay |
€800 | |||||
Sep 27 - Oct 31, 2014 7 night min stay |
€730 | |||||
Nov 1 - Dec 19, 2014 7 night min stay |
€670 | |||||
Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency (€) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.
Additional information about rental rates:
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 1999
About the owner: I decided to restructure this cottage and the beautiful old farmhouse which shares the grounds. The whole enterprise was a major restructuring job. In addition, fields had to be converted into gardens so so we now have 2-3 acres of olive grove and gardens. I enjoy meeting my guests from all over the world and making sure that they are well-looked after. I am very lucky in having good helpers, particularly the housekeepers and the gardener. Each year I plan a new project for the garden. Of these, the nicest so far are a secret garden, a formal Italian garden and a rose garden. The most recent project is a surprise xeric garden (local low-maintenance plants ideal for this climate) in the olive grove, and is centered on a sculpture I designed which was executed by a local craftsman. Just that small project took 9 months! I love to get guests' suggestions for new projects.
Why the Owner Chose Cortona:
This area, the Val di Chiana is strategically located to see some of the finest parts of Tuscany. There are stunningly beautiful towns like Cortona, and the wine-producing hill-towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino. The countryside is magnificent in every season. Florence is only 1 hour away, and Rome a little more than 2 hours. This area is still unspoilt. There are excellent reasonably priced local restaurants and lots to do. We provide details and touring itineraries.
The Unique Benefits at this Villa:
Most guests say that the gardens and olive grove are the best features of La Colonica. Others like the dining patio and its views. All like the comfort of the house which is air-conditioned and cool in summer and cozy with an open wood fire in winter. There is much to see and do in the area: we provide itineraries. Or else, just stay at home, enjoy the sun, explore the property and its various gardens. Eat out on the patio, using our home-grown organic olive oil. Have a barbecue! Enjoy the local food and wine: buy home-made fresh pasta, or try out the local pastry-shops. Discover your favorite gelato (ice-cream). Visit the designer discount outlet malls nearby. Go to one of the many local festivals and meet the local people!
Contact us
- Primary: +39 3348568892
Links to more information:
Photos
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La Colonica Front Entrance
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La Colonica Bedroom: Four Poster bed
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La Colonica Double or Twin bedroom
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La Colonica Kitchen
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La Colonica - View from the Livingroom - Room with a view .. Thanks to Meredith
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La Colonica View from Dining Patio
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Garden
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La Colonica Garden and Olives
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La Colonica Garden and Olive Grove
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La Colonica Olives before the harvest
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the ex-farmouse in the grounds
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Wine and Roses ... Thanks to Gill
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La Colonica Living Room
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La Colonica Double or Twin Bedroom
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La Colonica Dining
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La Colonica Shower Room
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La Colonica Dining Patio
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La Colonica Garden ... thanks to Meredith
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La Colonica Secret Garden
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La Colonica Sculpture Garden
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La Colonica Morning in the olive grove ... Thanks to Jackie
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La Colonica Landscape
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La Colonica On the way to Cortona ...
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La Colonica gates - thanks to Dona and Gene