I can’t believe we haven’t covered this movie yet! Though some might find Under the Tuscan Sun to be a bore (especially men) the scenery is undoubtedly travel inspiring! The movie was filmed primarily in Italy including the house where Diane Lane’s character lives which is specifically located in Cortona. The Tuscany Travel Blog has more information about the region but be aware, Tuscany (actually anywhere in Europe) isn’t that affordable if traveling from the U.S. right now. Though it may be a bit pricey, Cortona does make a wonderful fantasy getaway, About.com’s Travel Guide provides everything you will need to visit this medieval hillside town. Also keep in mind there is an Under the Tuscan Sun Festival in August!
-Christine
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Hi Christine,
I am from south africa but am going to visit my sister in London.I am turning 40 and my whole family contributed to the ticket.I want to telive the movie and go where she went.Could you please give me a suggested layout/internary from london?where we could stay that is not so expensive.I will bring my nutella spread and pray for ladybirds.Thank you Augusta
Hi Augusta! It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned. Here are some links I have found that may help you on your trip and hopefully help you do so affordably. Have a great birthday!!
This site has some great suggestions about where to stay and the town where the movie was filmed (Cortona):
http://goitaly.about.com/od/cortonatuscany/p/cortona.htm
The town where Marcello lives in the movie is Positano (affordable hotels
: http://www.cheaphotelspositano.eu/?aid=309805&label=ch-brttop-positano-Positano%20hotels).
I believe this hotel is featured in the film:
http://www.bucadibacco.it/
Your best bet (probably most affordable) to get there from London might be to take a train into Rome and then another train to the region in Tuscany. Here is info about train tickets from London:
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm?F0=London&T0=Rome&WT.mc_id=google.pp_London_to_Rome.cpc&WT.srch=1&gclid=CKvBlZ6W6JMCFQKaFQod_1P2Vw
Below is another rail map in Italy:
http://goitaly.about.com/library/bl_tuscany_rail_maps.htm
Below is a link to an agency that does day tours in the Tuscany region. I bet if you contacted them they have some of the things you are looking for on their tours.
http://www.verbenabluviaggi.com/day_trips_12.htm
Affordable Tuscany: http://theothertuscany.com/about.html1.html
Here is a list of all locations used in the movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328589/locations
So to sum up, I think the best itinerary would be to take a train to the Tuscany region and then specifically visit Cortona (the town where her house was located and where much of the movie takes place) and then Positano (where Marcello lived in the movie). These links should help you plan, good luck and let us know how it goes!!