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  (Option: Day Cooking Classes)
Tuscany, Italy - 3 nights
Available May, September and October (3 night program) - Thursday to Saturday
Experience the lifestyle born from the spectacular hospitality at Badia a Coltibuono. Developed over the 20 years during which famous author and cookbook writer Lorenza de Medici ran her Villa Table programs, these residential courses are held in English in the summer and autumn.
Three Night Traditional Tuscany Program  Enjoy an intensive 2 day / 3 night residential course where students are introduced to some of the most authentic traditional Tuscan dishes. The course develops over 2 days of morning and afternoon cooking classes.
In each class, students, through a hand’s on teaching method, are taught how to prepare a full menu including breads, appetizers, first and second courses, side dishes and desserts. The classes are held in Coltibuono’s family kitchen where enticing aromas and flavours, which characterize traditional Tuscan cooking, are enjoyed. Special attention is also given to wine appreciation and to how best combine wine and food. Thursday  From 2pm to 6 pm: Guests can arrive at Coltibuono on their own or be picked up by us at the Florence train station at 4 pm. (pick up is an extra charge) Upon arrival guests are shown to their rooms and made comfortable.
At 7.30 pm an aperitif is served in the frescoed refectory so that the group can meet the chef and other members of the class before the dinner, served in the private halls of the abbey. Friday  Breakfast is served from 8 am. At 10 am the first cooking lesson will start in Coltibuono’s Family kitchen. Participants will prepare a whole menu including bread and dessert which will be enjoyed accompanied by a selection of wines that best pair with the dishes.
In the afternoon some free time can be enjoyed by swimming in our large outdoor pool, strolling through the monumental renaissance gardens or by taking a leisurely walk in our pristine forests which are criss-crossed by walking paths. In the evening the second cooking lesson will start at 5pm and will be followed by dinner. Saturday  Following breakfast students go shopping to the local organic food market with our chef to choose ingredients for the last dinner in Coltibuono. Lunch will find us at Coltibuono’s estate restaurant for an al-fresco lunch.
At 5 pm the third cooking lesson will begin in the family kitchen followed by a farewell dinner. Sunday Departure after breakfast by 10:30 am. Buon viaggio and arriverderci!
Day Cooking Classes
 One of the first cooking schools of its kind, founded by famous author and cookbook writer Lorenza de Medici over 20 years ago, the Badia a Coltibuono cooking school provides an idyllic setting where guests can learn the secrets of authentic regional Italian cuisine. The cooking courses are held from March to November, and offer a splendid chance to immerse oneself in the unique lifestyle and hospitality of a 1000 year old abbey while savouring the fantastic tastes and sights that this beautiful region offers.
This is a unique chance to learn classical regional Italian cuisine through a hands-on approach in the family kitchen. Students will learn to prepare a full menu and enjoy it with a sampling of our wines and extra-virgin olive oils during lunch. Lessons start at 10 am, and in 3 hours, students will all work together to prepare a whole menu, including bread, a “primo” (first course of either pasta, rice, soup or gnocchi) a “secondo” ( a meat or fish dish with accompanying seasonal vegetables), and a dessert. Following the cooking lesson, an aperitif is served in the 16th century frescoed refectory which is followed by lunch were the participants will delve into their preparations while also sampling a selection the world class wines Produced at Badia a Coltibuono. After the sumptuous lunch, coffee and grappa is served in the living room prior to a guided visit of the historical ageing cellars and herb garden The lessons are taught by the Florentine Chef Andrea Gagnesi: with a perfect command of English, a natural easy going style and a hand’s on approach, Andrea ensures that guests are guaranteed to bring back great authentic Italian recipes and menus to be used year round for all occasions. Courses are usually held in English and/or Italian; upon request and for a minimum group of 6 persons, classes in French, Spanish, German, and Japanese translation can be arranged. Hands-on cooking classes are held for individuals and groups on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00am to 4:00 pm by appointment only, or on other days of the week for pre-formed groups of at least 6 participants and a maximum of 14. Program for the day 10.00am: Arrival and welcoming at Badia a Coltibuono. Tour of the Abbey and the ancient aging wine cellars
10.30am: Beginning of the cooking course
1.30pm: Lunch in our private dining room, Relax in the garden or in the fireplace room with coffee and grappa.
3.30/4.00: End of the activities
GROUP SIZE A minimum of 6 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 15 participants. HOW TO ARRIVE Closest Airports/Train Stations: Florence Airport - 75km - 1 and 1/2 hour drive
Montevarchi Train Station - 25km - 20 minute drive Distances from major Italian cities: From Milan – 365 Km
From Rome – 262 Km
From Florence – 68 Km
From Arezzo – 55 Km
From Siena – 36 Km Badia a Coltibuono has 8 double guest bedrooms all with ensuite bathroom. Each room has it's own unique charm, in décor and style reflecting the elegance of the surroundings. As Badia a Coltibuono is still a private residence and does not have a night porter, arrivals after 7:30 pm are not accepted. *These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included with this tour. BOOKING INFORMATION
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM Double Occupancy/US$1300
Single Occupancy/US$1600
Non cooking partner/US$850 NON RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS
US$250 *Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation
**There are 8 spacious and charming double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms (5 twin rooms/3 double rooms) as well as 2 single bedrooms which share a bathroom. Up to 18 people can be accommodated at any one time.
After availability is confirmed, a deposit of US$750 for the residential course and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full no less than 75 days prior to program start date. April 26-29
May 24-27
September 6-9
September 20-23
October 11-14
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM *Three (3) nights' luxury accommodations in one of the eight double guest bedrooms
*All cooking instruction and recipes
*All meals and wine
*Gastronomical program, tastings, external dinners and cultural visits NON-RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS *Guided tour of the abbey
*Three hour cooking lesson
*Lunch with water, wines, coffee and grappa
*Recipes Airfare, transfers from/to Florence train station/airport, personal expenses, laundry services, phone calls, fax, extra tours not included in the program.
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
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CANCELLATION POLICY Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
CLIENT REMARKS "Dear Jo-Ann – I am so very glad we crossed paths. We had a wonderful time on our one day cooking experience. We could not have asked for better hosts. I have already recommended Active Gourmet Holidays to others." "Dear Jo-Ann - The cooking class was extraordinary. Guido was very personable, a great chef, just a lot of fun. We prepared a wonderful lunch and were served wonderful wines from Coltibouno. I enjoy your newsletter and forward it to my sister. Thanks for your expertise." "When it's time to completely switch off - from the beeping handphone, Blackberry, the Google alerts, and tune into solitude, take the turn off that says Badia a Coltibuono. Tucked away off the main road somewhere between Florence and Sienna and amidst some of the most God blessed places on earth, this retreat promises time to unwind, eat, drink and simply feast on the loveliness of the Tuscan countryside. If you are prepared to "slow food" your lunch at half past 2 in the afternoon you will enjoy the cooking program they offer.Here, resident chef, Andrea, makes you roll up your sleeves, slice, dice and make your own pasta, in a fun and entertaining but 'you will learn something' way. Not for the clock watchers, those uptight with keeping to the schedule and in a hurry!" Click here to return to top of page. MAP* This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE. 
*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location. Click here to return to top of page. |
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