Culinary & Wine Tours> Italy> Classic Tuscan Cookery Lessons
Italy: Classic Tuscan Cookery Lessons
Tuscany, Italy - 7 nights
 Spend a fabulous week at a remote villa in the gorgeous countryside of Tuscany where rolling hills, ancient vineyards and Etruscan history will fill your senses. Learn to cook in a magnificent kitchen with a native born Tuscan who will teach you this wonderful peasant cuisine using the freshest ingredients available. Take a day trip to taste extra virgin olive oils, pecorino
Romano cheese and magnificent Tuscan wines. Groups are kept small and vary between 8 and 14 participants.
This recently restored large villa offers luxurious accommodation in the typical Tuscan style - wooden beams and terracotta floors, well equipped kitchens with all modern comforts, bedrooms all with marbled bathrooms, large living areas, large heated swimming pool with
Jacuzzi, massage features and a hot tub.
 We also run a Mediterranean Cookery Course which is given by a very experienced French born chef who has owned restaurants in both Ireland and Ibiza. This course covers not only the Italian kitchen, but also the kitchens of four Mediterranean countries. All the dishes have been selected from the Italian, French, Moroccan and Spanish kitchen to create menus which are innovative, healthy and delicious. This week also includes 2 additional morning cooking lessons of approximately 2 1/2 hours each.
Day
One - Saturday
Arrival Florence airport - we can arrange transfer to and from Florence airport on request. Check-in your home for the week at 4:00pm. Welcoming dinner and introduction given by your hostess at the villa and a chance to get to know each other.
 Day Two - Sunday
Breakfast is served in the villa and a light lunch at around 1:00pm for those who are not sightseeing. Hands-on cooking lesson starts around 3:00pm.
You will prepare a four course dinner. For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
Day Three - Monday
Breakfast in the villa. Time to relax or do some sight seeing or enjoy the pool or take a walk. A light lunch is served around 1:00pm. Hands-on cooking lesson starts around 3:00pm. You will prepare a four course dinner. For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
 Day
Four - Tuesday
After breakfast in the villa, there is an excursion to a pecorino cheese producer in Casentino. Then we will drive through the Tuscan hills into the Chianti area where we will enjoy olive oil and wine tasting. At the vineyard we will have a typical Tuscan light lunch. After lunch we will drive through the hills to Arezzo where you will have time for sightseeing and shopping. Then we will all dine in a breathtaking location.
Day
Five - Wednesday
Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure. After lunch a hands-on cooking lesson starts around 3:00pm. You will prepare a four course dinner. For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
 Day
Six - Thursday
After breakfast you have the day to yourselves to do some sightseeing or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. An ideal day to make a trip to Florence for shopping and sightseeing as it's only a 50km (about 35 miles) drive away. Or visit La Verna an ancient monastery where San Francisco de Assisi lived most of his life. You can of course stay at the villa and relax at the pool or take a dip in the Hot Tub. Dinner reservations can be made at a restaurant of your choice.
Day Seven - Friday
Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure and for those interested we have a light lunch ready at 1:00pm. The final hands on cooking lesson starts at 3:00pm and you prepare an elaborate buffet dinner covering all the cooking techniques you have learned in the week. Presentation of food will also be demonstrated. At the grand finale dinner you will be presented with a certificate of attendance.
Day Eight - Saturday
Breakfast and departure.
| BOOKING INFORMATION |
2008/2009 FEES PER PERSON
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DEPOSIT |
2008 FEES
Double Room/US$2950
Single Room/US$3250
Non-participating guest/US$2250 (double occupancy for accommodation)
2009 FEES
Double Room/US$3350
Single Room/US$3550
Non-participating guest/US$2500 (double occupancy for accommodation)
Non participating guests are welcome on the excursion and can use all the facilities at the villa and join in all the meals.
**All bedrooms have private bathrooms |
After availability is confirmed, a 30% deposit and the completed and
submitted registration form will secure your reservation. The balance must be received in full
60 days before the course commences. |
| 2008 DATES/2009 DATES |
2008 Mediterranean Course
DATES |
|
REMAINING 2008 DATES
June 28-July 5
July 5-12
August 16-23
August 30-September 6
September 6-13
September 20-27
September 27-October 4
October 11-18
October 18-25
2009 DATES
April 11-18
April 25-May 2
May 2-9
May 16-23
May 23-30
June 6-13
June 13-20
June 27-July 4
July 4-11
August 22-29
August 29-September 5
September 12-19
September 19-26
October 3-10
October 10-17
October 24-31
October 31-November 7
|
REMAINING 2008 DATES
July 12-19
August 23-30
September 13-20
October 4-11
October 25-November 1
2009 DATES
April 18-25
May 9-16
May 30-June 6
June 20-27
July 11-18
August 15-22
September 5-12
September 26-October 3
October 17-24
November 7-14
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| INCLUDED |
EXCLUDED |
*Six (6) dinners
*Five (5) light lunches
*Seven (7) buffet breakfasts
*Seven (7) nights' accommodations and use of all facilities at villa (i.e. pool, hot tub, etc.)
*Four (4) cooking lessons of approximately 4 hours each
*A one day excursion to vineyards, olive oil, pecorino producers including a light lunch and dinner in a restaurant.
*Cookbook, apron and certificate
*Tea, coffee, house wine during cooking lessons
*Email, Internet and Telephone facilities available. |
*Transfers to/from the airport (can be arranged)
*Airfare
*Tips
*Wine other than the very good house wine at the villa
*One (1) lunch and one (1) dinner on your free day.
**We can arrange transfer to and from airport on request; however we recommend car hire, because if you do not want to relax around the pool, you do have time to explore the area. We can help you with suggestions as there are many places with great historical value and beauty in the area. The villa is an 8 minute drive from the closest village so quite remote.
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For further inquiries or to register, click here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If client cancels 60 days prior to arrival date we will send back deposit less an administration charge of $50 (less the $50 per person non-refundable booking fee). If client cancels between 60 and 30 days client will forfeit deposit. Cancellation less than 30 days prior to arrival date results in 100% of the amount being forfeited.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
CLIENT REMARKS
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