Life in Cortona

Stores open and close in sync with the daily routine of the town. Most stores do not stagger their lunch breaks but completely close for lunch, which can be for 2 - 4 hours. Here is a basic schedule for Cortona.

8:00AM - 1:00PM = Grocery/Food Stores Open

9:00AM - 1:00PM = Stores and Attractions Open 

11:30AM - 2:30PM = Lunch (Most Stores Close until 4:00)

4:00 - 8:00PM = Stores and Attractions Reopen

5:00 - 7:00PM = Passeggiata & Aperitivo

7:30 - 11:00PM = Dinner

Yes, but first check to see if your appliance is compatible with Italy's electrical current. The electrical current in Italy is 200-220 volts, 50 cycles. This can burn out North American appliances that are not compatible with 200-220 volts. Check the tag on your appliance to see if it is compatible or not. Computers, smart phones, and tablets often are. Hair dryers and electric shavers typically are not.

Note that an adapter is not the same thing as a transformer (see the FAQ: "Do I need to bring a transformer?). 

An adapter is the plug that allows your appliance to be connected to a wall outlet of a different shape. The sockets in Italy generally have two or three thin round prongs rather than the flat rectangular-type found in North America. 

What kind of adapters should I bring?

Italy hasn't successfully standardized their electrical outlets, so it's fairly common to have 3 outlet styles in one apartment: C, L, and F. 

C-type (which comes in 2 or 3 pin) and L-type (3 pin) are most common for regular outlets. We'd estimate that 70% of the residential outlets we've seen in Cortona are L-type. F-type is usually found in the kitchen and is used for appliances.

We would recommend bringing several type L adapters and a couple 2-prong type C adapters.

You can find electrical adapters online at places like Amazon.com. They are also available at luggage shops and department stores. For example, here is a 4-pack of type L adapters:

https://www.amazon.com/OREI-Italy-Adapter-Plug-Type/dp/B008JCVGT0/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Italy+Adapter+Plug+Type&qid=1555003178&s=gateway&sr=8-8

Here is a link to the 2-prong C-type adapters:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I100KEC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&fbclid=IwAR1kRruYChcM6OtNHNSiniDg_NxDyNWzNvX9VTJK9rK2mu4ow7NODIhkdlA

A transformer is used to reduce voltage from 220 volts to 110 volts. Theoretically, this would allow you to use a 110 volt North American appliance in Italy. However, we've never had good luck with them, and have heard stories of 110 volt appliances being ruined or even starting fires due to faulty transformers. Our advice? Skip the transformer and leave your 110 volt appliancs at home.

Yes, it is required by law. Like many popular tourist destinations in Europe, Cortona has instituted a visitor tax. Usually the tax is 3 euro per person per day for the first 4 days. In other words, expect to pay around 12 euro per person.

Please note that this tax is NOT included in your room rates and fees. Your rental manager will ask you for this at the time you check-out of your accommodation, and it needs to be paid in cash. This often comes as an unpleasant surprise to many tourists so we wanted to inform you about it in advance.

A laundromat has opened in Cortona. It's located near the north gate on Via Dardano. It is called Lavanderia Cortonese. Your hotel may also offer laundry services.

Yes. One of the reasons Cortona became such an important city in ancient times was due to the presence of so many natural springs on the mountainside, which still exist today and is what spills from the taps of the faucets and fountains across the city.

As in most European countries, in Italy the tap water is drinkable unless you are warned otherwise.

https://italiannotes.com/drinking-the-water-in-italy/

Our family uses T-Mobile specifically because it has better coverage in Europe and other places we travel. It also provides free international texting and low-speed data. Check with your carrier to see what options are available.

You can also get a prepaid phone or sim card just for your time in Europe, or use internet calling and messaging. 

Rick Steves has some good articles that cover these options: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech

Cell phone signals can be a bit spotty when you are indoors in Cortona. The reason for this is simply because the walls of the buildings are 3+ feet of solid stone.

This is a walk in the evening a couple hours before dinner and often accompanied with gelato. Cortona has a lovely park that many locals use for their daily passeggiata, which you can find if you follow Via Nazionale east past Piazza Garibaldi.

Aperitivo means to open the appetite. It consists of a cocktail or white wine starting around 5pm and going until 7pm. During Aperitivo, your drink will be accompanied by a light snack, usually at no additional charge. Be sure that the staff knows of any dietary restrictions or allergies when you order your beverages as they will often bring you snacks whether you order them or not.

The short answer is yes. But, you may not want to use them. Some are very well kept and have no issues, but this may not always be the case. There is also a 1 - 2 Euro charge to use most public bathrooms. What we have found to work better is to visit a caffe (these are called "bars" in Italy, which is where we get the term "barista") and order an espresso or pastry that you enjoy right at the counter. Espressos and pastries also cost 1 - 2 Euros, and after buying something, it is acceptable to use the establishment's restroom. 

The "city center" generally refers to everything inside the walls of the city, but sometimes people use it to refer to houses that are just outside the walls as well. Old town, historic center, and city center are basically interchangeable.

There will not be Wi-Fi available for use in the main hall. Also, the thick stone walls of the theater will block most people's cell phone data as well.

Wifi is available in most restaurants in Cortona now. When you are eating out you can ask the owner or server what the Wi-Fi password is, but it is most often posted for their guests.