Cortona Resort ★★★★

Keen to discover the land I had heard so much about for all these years, its culture, its cuisine, its countryside and history, the Cortona Resort & Spa **** seems like the perfect place to start. Nestled in the Italian countryside, five minutes outside of the town of Cortona, the hotel sits within a grand XVIII Century villa, cutting an alluring figure among the charming medieval houses of Cortona. Beneath its classical white facade, an imperial staircase in rustic stone seems to welcome me with open arms. I don't hesitate a moment longer, allowing the villa to swallow me up. The receptionist shows me straight to my room, with a smile that reminds me exactly of Alessandra’s.

Just across a small section of the verdant estate, where pines and eucalyptus diffuse their fresh Mediterranean perfume, we arrive at my Deluxe room, which sits in a charming little pavilion next to the main villa. Set away from the reception area and restaurant, the room is a bubble within a bubble, a cocoon of absolute calm. The exposed beams striping the ceiling could not be more traditionally Italian and lend the room a warmth that many modern hotel rooms can't seem to capture. Aside from the ceilings, the décor is contemporary and elegant, lit with natural light from the large window. With a view of the hotel gardens, I don't have to look far to see why Alessandra left her heart behind in Tuscany. The sun is already dropping over the fragrant parkland and I soon drift off into an easy sleep...

The next morning I awake early, although I had set no alarm, impatient to discover more of beautiful Tuscany. I indulge in an utterly decadent breakfast of cakes, cheese, cold cuts, croissants and many more outrageous treats, before hopping on a bike I'd hired from the hotel. Zipping along the Chiana Canal, an XVIIIth Century watercourse, is the ideal way to explore the landscapes I've heard so much about. As for the culture, it comes to find me in the form of the numerous archaeological sites I encounter scattered almost carelessly about the Tuscan countryside. The Cortona Resort & Spa also sits near to a natural park harbouring Roman ruins, which I can already see myself admiring between excursions on the lake.

But for now, after today's exertions, I make for the hotel's spa. Four hundred square metres devoted entirely to relaxation! I could, perhaps, be anywhere in the world when I'm lounging in the steamy hammam or toasting in the sauna or splashing about in the heated pool, but it's all the more special when I remember what lies just outside the walls. It's a thought I mull over slowly as a pair of masterful hands knead my tense flesh on the masseurs table, pressing the reset button on my body and mind.

Now totally relaxed, I treat myself to a gourmet interpretation of a classic Italian meal. The setting is perfection, with wooden furnishings that marry perfectly with the exposed stone walls and the view out over the garden. The menu, meanwhile, is a journey through traditional regional specialities that place fresh, local produce at the heart of the dishes. I may not have tried Nonna's cooking, but I can't imagine it could be much better than this!

My stay in Tuscany is barely underway, but I already have hours and hours of stories to tell about this charming location and the fabulous Cortona Resort & Spa ****. At least I know where to find a willing audience...