A Tuscan oasis, Relais La Corte Dei Papi awaits couples or even solo travelers looking to visit one of the most popular regions in Italy. The rustic-style luxurious estate is in the hillside town of Cortona about 2 hours north of Rome and less than 90 minutes south of Florence by train. Once your feet touch the ancient grounds of the well-manicured boutique property, you’re immediately connected to the peace, opulence, and warm Italian hospitality.
As the saying goes, “Love is in the air” and it’s also radiating throughout Relais La Corte Dei Papi, especially inside the 16 on-site guestrooms, particularly Suite 11. Walk through the double antique doors to view a deluxe 538-square-foot renaissance-themed room with gold trim antique furnishings. The “aha” moment when I realized the resort truly epitomized luxury was seeing the private in-suite spa area where one can fully relax and rejuvenate, uninterrupted, in the comfort of their own room.
An array of lights and mood selection of sounds flow from the multi-sensory shower with the touch of a few buttons for a therapeutic cleansing experience. And that’s not all—the same space turns into a steam room for even more detoxification. I can’t forget the elegant Turkish-style jacuzzi tub big enough to accommodate two people and the perfect place to unwind and soak after a long day. Suite 11 was my happy place for the duration of my stay.
As a serene 17th century family-owned estate, Relais La Corte Dei Papi also provides guests with a fine-dining culinary excellence with traditional Tuscan-inspired dishes. My favorites were the scallops garnished with a caper flower and licorice foam, and the Tagliolini pasta with white truffle. Both dishes were paired with one of La Corte Dei Papi’s signature wines produced from the vineyards located on the property. I just couldn’t get enough of the smooth and delightful taste of the Vino Rosso (which means The Court of Popes) red wine. Hats off to head chef Giuseppe Masciopinto and his team for the incredible savory four-course meals, and even the private cooking lesson they hosted allowing us to make and eat our own Italian pasta.
Now it’s easy to continue to indulge in the resort’s pampering by going for a swim or enjoying a massage, I mean, it is a romantic retreat. However, since you’re visiting Cortona, the heart of Tuscany, you’ll likely want to explore and take pictures in the countryside town where the 2003 romantic comedy “Under the Tuscan Sun” was filmed. For history lovers, the Maec Museum is a gem filled with unique details about the ancient village and Egyptian history. Cortona captured my heart mainly because of the food, particularly the fondue at Ristorante La Loggetta; it’s the best I’ve ever had. I can still smell and taste the fresh, hot melted cheese with truffle.
To learn more about this resort and to book your reservation, go to LacorteDePapi.com.
For a romantic, secluded, and elegant European experience, Relais La Corte Dei Papi is the ideal love-filled Italian retreat to consider all year long.