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  (Options: Day Cooking Classes, Hiking, Biking, Golf, Italian Lessons and more)
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy - 3 or 5 nights
Available March to September
Learn to cook in Friuli-Venezia Giulia! Hands-on cooking classes take place in a cozy country retreat surrounded by vineyards, woods and meadows in the Friuli hills, at the base of the Julian Alps, only about one-hour drive from Venice, Austria and Slovenia. The atmosphere is lovely and peaceful, just the perfect location to enjoy a leisurely vacation mixed with an unforgettable cooking experience.
 The area, known as Colli Orientali del Friuli, is famous for the production of great classic wines, as well as for its scenic countryside dotted with castles, idyllic villages, beautiful hills and breathtaking valleys.
The charming farmhouse is immersed in the wine land and follows organic and bio-friendly practices for the production of different varieties of organic wine (Chardonnay, Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, Refosco and the rare and precious Picolit) and farm produce, which are used to prepare genuine dishes at the cooking school. Cooking lessons take place in the farmhouse well-equipped kitchen, which occupies the ground floor of a typical Friulian rustic home. Idanna, Susanna and Luca are the delightful owners of the estate as well as the cooking school teachers. Following the true Italian way of eating, all meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and products from the estate: veal, beef and lamb (reared free at pasture), chicken, duck and turkey (reared outdoors), eggs, garden-grown seasonal vegetables and fruit, field mushrooms, water meadow and other herbs. A neighboring farm supplies salami and different types of vegetables, while hand-made cheese is purchased from the local dairy.  Lessons last approximately 3 hours and are followed by lunch or dinner. Meals feature foods prepared during class and consist of three courses accompanied by local wines and served at a formally set table situated in the main dining room or, if it is nice and warm, under the shade of the vine-covered pergola.
All classes, limited to 8 participants, are completely hands-on and recipes are simple so that people can easily learn how to prepare Italian food and, once back home, they'll be able to prepare what they have learned in class inviting family and friends to taste the best of the Italian and Friulian cuisine. Non-cooking partners are very welcome too! During classes, non-cooking companions can choose to explore the delightful surroundings strolling through the vineyards and visiting the farmhouse cellars where wine is made and stored, go jogging and ride mountain-bikes in the hilly countryside, take a safe swim in the river located just in front of the house or just relax under the shade of the beautiful vine-covered pergola reading a book and tasting a glass of good vintage. Guests stay in the farmhouse charming rooms with private bathroom, all decorated with Friulian country antiques and offering incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Families or group of friends can stay in the comfortable apartments created in the old granary on the first floor of the house, each in original Friulian style. FIVE NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY/ESCORTED TOUR Day one - tuesday
Arrival at Udine train station in the afternoon about 3pm. Transfer to the farmhouse by private vehicle. Check-in and free time to explore the surroundings before your first cooking lesson followed by dinner of your creations. Overnight Day Two - Wednesday Breakfast followed by a morning guided excursion to Cividale, a little gem in the eastern foothills of Friuli! Founded by Julius Caesar around 50 B.C.. This charming little town is known for its delicious Gubana, top class wines and lively atmosphere that you can breathe strolling around the narrow cobble stone streets in search of the many traces of its glorious past! Lunch in a typical agriturismo of the area followed by a visit of a local winery. In the afternoon, return to the farmhouse in time for your second cooking class followed by dinner of your creations. Overnight Day three - thursday
Breakfast  Morning: Full-day independent excursion to Venice to visit St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, the Doge's palace, the Rialto bridge with its characteristic food market and enchanting views over the Grand Canal.
Afternoon: In the afternoon, time to explore Venice on your own, maybe taking the vaporetto to Murano or a romantic gondola ride, visiting souvenir shops or just sitting at one of the famous cafés in St. Mark's Square listening to the violins serenading in a magical atmosphere. Return to the farmhouse for dinner. Overnight Day four - friday
Breakfast Morning: Visit to a local dairy to see how cheese is made followed by cheese tasting. Mid-morning break in a “Cantina” to sample some good wine, visit the vineyards and cellars. Return to the farmhouse for lunch, served “al fresco” or in the main dining room. Afternoon: Cooking class # 3 followed by dinner. Overnight. Day five - saturday
Breakfast
Morning: Guided excursion to Trieste, the capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, set between the blue waters of its gulf, the green hills and the white rocks of the Carso plateau. Visit of the Miramare Castle and the city’s historical center. Lunch in a typical buffet. Afternoon: Return to your farmhouse for cooking class # 4 followed by dinner. Overnight Day six - sunday
 Breakfast
Morning: Check-out and transfer to Udine for a visit of this enchanting city in the heart of Friuli. Its beautiful castle located on a hilltop offers wonderful views over the town and the unique countryside with the gorgeous Alps on the background. At the end of the tour, transfer to the train station. Arrivederci! Click here to return to top of page.
THREE NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY/ESCORTED TOUR
Day one - thursday
Arrival.
Morning: Arrival at Udine train station in the afternoon. Transfer to the farmhouse by private vehicle. Check-in and free time to explore the surroundings before enjoying an informal, family-style dinner in the main dining room. Overnight.
Day two - friday
Breakfast.
Morning: Visit to a local dairy to see how cheese is made followed by a visit to a farm which produces delicious salami, local sausages and grape pickled vegetables. Mid-morning break in a "Frasca" for wine sampling followed by a stop at the local mill to select polenta flour. Return to the farmhouse for a light lunch, served "al fresco" or in the main dining room. Afternoon: Cooking class #1 followed by dinner. Overnight. Day three - saturday
Breakfast.
Guided excursion to the local open-air market to purchase fresh products for class. Return to the farmhouse for your second cooking class followed by lunch. Afternoon: Guided excursion to Trieste, the capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, set between the blue waters of its gulf, the green hills and the white rocks of the Carso plateau. Visit the Miramare Castle and the city's historical center. Return to the farmhouse in time for dinner. Overnight Day Four - Sunday Breakfast. Check-out and transfer to Udine for a visit of this enchanting city in the heart of Friuli. Its beautiful castle located on a hilltop offers wonderful views over the town and the unique countryside with the gorgeous Alps on the background. At the end of the tour, transfer to the train station. Arrivederci! Click here to return to top of page.
THREE NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY/SELF DRIVE (* For this tour, participants must have their own vehicle. Please contact us for assistance with low cost rentals.)
Day One Arrival Arrival at the farmhouse on your own. Check-in and free time to explore the surroundings before enjoying an informal, family-style dinner in the main dining room. Overnight day two
Breakfast
Free time to visit prestigious wineries, cheese makers, prosciutto factories and explore the many historical and delightful sites in this scenic corner of north-eastern Italy. We shall be glad to offer assistance in itinerary planning, restaurant and winery reservations and provide you with detailed maps and gourmet suggestions. Afternoon: Cooking class # 1 followed by dinner. Overnight
Day Three Breakfast Morning: Free time to explore the region according to your interests. Afternoon: Cooking class # 2 followed by dinner. Overnight Day four Breakfast Check-out and arrivederci! GROUP SIZE A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 8 participants. HOW TO ARRIVE Closest Airport: Venice Airport
Closest Train Station: Udine Train Station *These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour. BOOKING INFORMATION
FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM Double Room/US$2295 (2-3 participants)
Double Room/US$2100 (4 or more participants)
Single Supplement/US$160 Optional F/D escorted tours to Slovenia and Austria: US$375 (2-3 people)
US$195 (4 people) to Austria*- escorted
US$375 p.p. (2-3 people)
US$195 p.p. (4 people) to Slovenia** - escorted F/D escorted tours include: *Transportation by private vehicle to Austria* or Slovenia**
*English speaking tour guide
*Light lunch * Trip to Austria features visit to the town of Villach, scenic drive along Worthersee with stop at Maria Worth, visit to the city of Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia.
* Trip to Slovenia features visit to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and visit to the Postojna caves or Predjama Castle or Lipica Stud farm. THREE NIGHT ESCORTED TOUR PROGRAM Double Room/US$1425 (2-3 participants)
Double Room/US$1295 (4 or more participants) THREE NIGHT SELF DRIVE* PROGRAM Double Room/US$850 *Pricing may vary depending on market fluctuation After availability is confirmed, a deposit of 25% per person and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 60 days before your arrival date. By request March 2 through September 15 FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM *Five (5) nights accommodation with private bathroom
*Daily breakfast
*Four (4) hands-on cooking classes
*Three (3) lunches and one (1) dinner, including drinks
*Daily guided excursions
*One (1) independent excursion to Venice (r/t transfer from farmhouse to Udine train station, r/t train ticket from Udine to Venice, train schedule and tour suggestions in Venice included)
*Transfer to and from Udine train station on arrival and departure
*Taxes and service THREE NIGHT ESCORTED TOUR *Three (3) nights accommodation with en-suite bathroom
*Daily breakfast
*Two (2) hands-on cooking classes with dinners
*Two (2) lunches
*Daily guided excursions
*Roundtrip transfer to and from Udine train station
*Taxes and service
THREE NIGHT SELF DRIVE *Three (3) nights' accommodation with en-suite bathroom
*Daily breakfast
*Two (2) hands-on cooking classes followed by meal of your creations
*One (1) dinner
*Taxes and service Airfare and personal expenses are not included.
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
Click here to return to top of page. CANCELLATION POLICY Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Furnished upon request. 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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