Cortona VillaHosts™

Irene

Click here for a conversation with Irene.

My name is Irene and I love wine and olive oil! When you come to Tuscany with A Season Away, whether in Florence, Chianti or Cortona - I will give you the chance to become as passionate about them as I am.

I grew up in Florence, surrounded by the Renaissance, but I am a country girl at heart. After university, I began working in my family’s wine and olive oil estate in Chianti. I have soaked up knowledge about winemaking and olive oil production like a sponge. I now know most of the key winemakers in the Chianti region.

(Even though a country girl at heart, I DID grow up in Florence and so know the best places to shop; I am friends with many artisans still producing hand-made pottery and crafts and even know ateliers producing fantastic jewelry.)

This may sound funny, but as a VillaHost I want to be your “guardian angel” during your stay with us, on the one hand showing off the people, land and culture of this amazing region and on the other hand being nearby in case you run into a problem at your villa, have a medical issue or need advice about what to do tomorrow or the name of a great restaurant.

I think a key element of truly getting to know a place is taking the time needed to fit into its lifestyle and schedule. Understand that the unhurried Italian life respects the “pausa” or mid-day break. I love the idea that A Season Away allows you the luxury of time to fall in love with Tuscany.

At the end of your stay, I’d love you to go home and say to your friends, “I knew Tuscany was a beautiful place but I got to know some of the people of Tuscany and their warmth was what made the difference in my A Season Away experience.”

Cecilia

I was born in Italy, but moved around a great deal while younger, giving me an appreciation for different countries and lifestyles. I lived in Brazil, the United States and Switzerland, but returned to Italy to study in Florence for my university education. I always knew I'd return to Italy and am happy to call Tuscany my home!

Before becoming a VillaHost with A Season Away, I was a hotel concierge at a Chianti property whose owner was the head of YPO (Young Presidents Organization) for all of Italy. Because of this, I had my hand in planning many of the events for these young executives. As such, I am equally at ease with a company president or a stay-at-home mother. I have a one year-old daughter myself!

My role as a VillaHost in Cortona is to interpret your dreams so that at the end of your holiday you feel you have found your own private Italy. My family has a weekend home overlooking Lake Trasimeno, not far from Cortona, so I know the region like the back of my hand!

What I enjoy most about being a VillaHost is sharing the best Italy has to offer. That said, sometimes it may be a simple, unplanned event that is most memorable: stopping by a bread shop to try warm focaccia... going to the St. Mark Cloister in Florence to admire one of the most beautiful frescoes ever made... grocery shopping in Sant'Ambrogio market followed by breakfast at Cibreino...

I think the greatest advantage of having the guidance of a VillaHost is that your own passions and interests may lead to getting to know and enjoy Italy in a deeper way. By getting to know you over the course of weeks, not days, we will be able to guide you most appropriately.