Living within the walls of a medieval Tuscan city is akin to taking part in a movie. Shopkeepers, artisans, bakers and neighbors become colorful cast members set around your starring role.

When not on stage about the lanes and piazze of this historic city, you get to recharge in a comfortably modern setting complete with air conditioning, screened windows, heated towel racks, a washer and dryer, a PC with high speed Internet access and a generous kitchen to boot.

Completely restored, Aretino is on two levels in a section of townhouses just inside Arezzo's medieval walls and within 100 yards from the Porta San Clemente gates. Parking is free in a lot 50 yards away and luggage may be dropped at the entrance. Aretino sits along a secondary road used mostly by residents coming to play tennis at the well lit pay-per-hour courts next door or to park in the neighboring lot.

Within 100 yards is the first of many cafés you'll encounter. The Museum of Medieval and Modern Art is 400 yards away, and a half mile walk leads to Corso Italia with an array of fabulous shops and dining alternatives.

Italy's best antique market is held on the first weekend of every month, and on the last Saturday in June and first Sunday of September, the city comes to life with the pageantry of la Giostra del Saracino.

Those without a car should wear comfy shoes. A city shuttle that circles town stops 200 yards away.

Trains with service to Florence or Rome and the main bus depot are a mile and a half away. By car, the A1 is in 15 minutes: Castiglion Fiorentino: 20; Cortona: 35; Castiglione del Lago: 40; Montepulciano: 50; Florence or Perugia: 60; Siena: 75; Assisi: 75; San Gimignano: 80; Rome: two and a half hours.

Technical Description
Ground floor: Living/dining room with TV and CD player. Kitchen area with stove top, oven, microwave, fridge and dishwasher. One bathroom with shower and washer/dryer.

First floor: One bedroom with two single, joinable beds. One bedroom with a queen size bed and PC. One bathroom with shower.