Cooking courses in tuscany, italy

Half Week Cooking Course Vacation

Dad Cooking, Italian Cooking holidays
Village of Castiglione Della Pescaia

The trip includes:

3 nights at Villa Poggiarello, near Siena, in a picturesque 18th Century Villa. The villa is beautifully furnished with traditional Tuscan furniture.
All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
Small groups: 4 to 6 people.
5 hands-on cooking courses in "La Cucina Povera Toscana" - Tuscan country cooking.
Visit to winery with wine tasting in Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza.
5 guided excursions to local food festivals (depending on season), Siena, the enchanting towns of Vetulonia (Etruscan); Montalcino (famous for its grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine), Pienza; Montepulciano (famous for its Red wine "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano"), Roccatederighi (stunning hill-town), Montepescali, Porto Santo Stefano (upscale sea port), Talamone (gorgeous seaside village with lookout tower) , Porto Ercole, and Castiglione della Pescaia (a fishing village on the seacoast).
All transportation (to and from Rome or Florence).

WHERE YOU WILL STAY: Roccastrada (Province of Grosseto) - Amidst a 150 hectar olive grove estate at the Villa Poggiarello farm estate. This area is the Southern Tuscan Maremma region once inhabited by the Etruscans (prior to the Romans). Located 25 minutes from the coast, 25 minutes from Grosseto, about 40 minutes from Siena, approximately 2 hours from Florence, and two and a half hours north of Rome.

WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP: "Villa Poggiarello", an 18th century renovated villa, which rests surrounded by 120 hectares of olive groves and vineyards. The villa features 10 furnished apartments, a wine cellar, garden, swimming pool, gazebo, and mini-park for children.

COOKING COURSES: Romeo Innocenti, son of Carlo Innocenti who operates the Casa Innocenti program, teaches the cooking classes. Romeo is well-known in the area for his cuisine - especially certain Maremma sea-food dishes. He is an experienced cook and very entertaining. The guests can learn genuine Southern Tuscan dishes. All classes are hands-on and include local wine. The courses are taught in a large rustic kitchen and dinner is served in the classic Tuscan-styled dining room.

EXCURSIONS: 5 excursions to the nearby villages of: Siena, Vetulonia; Montalcino, Pienza; Montepulciano, Roccatederighi, Montepescali, Porto Santo Stefano, Talamone, Porto Ercole, and Castiglione della Pescaia. There are also additional choices available which include the possibility of horseback riding, boating and mountain biking.

* We would like to emphasize that we are quite flexible with regard to the itinerary and the excursions. Federica & Romeo sometimes switch the days for different excursions and sometimes, based on local events and activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added or even replace the normal schedule. The most important thing is to communicate your specific interests, which will be given priority if possible and in the best interest of the group.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday) - Transfer from Rome and arrival at Villa Poggiarello.
Fly to Italy. Upon arrival at the airport of Rome, you will be accompanied by car or van to Roccastrada and then welcomed at your vacation residence - Villa Poggiarello. After settling in, your tour hosts Federica & Romeo will show you around the estate! Then you can either relax in the garden or take a walk around the enchanting outdoor ambiance amidst warm vineyards and olive groves. For dinner you will enjoy a Tuscan meal prepared by Romeo.
Day 2 (Sunday) - Siena and local food festivals
In the morning, after your breakfast, you'll set off for Siena. You will visit the famous Piazza del Campo, the main square where the people from Siena ('i Senesi') organize, twice a year, a medieval horse race known as Il Palio. Facing the square there is the beautiful tour Torre del Mangia, where if you wish, you can climb up to the top to admire a marvelous view of the city. You can also visit the Duomo which is a gothic style cathedral. At the end of the morning, you will have lunch in a quaint restaurant in Piazza del Campo. Once home, and after having rested, you can prepare with Carlo a healthy Tuscan dinner (cooking lesson). During different times of the year, there are many celebrated local food festivals which take place to honor different types of harvest (Porcini mushroom, Olive oil, wine etc). These will be experienced whenever they are taking place! Once home, you can prepare a healthy Tuscan dinner with Romeo (cooking lesson).
Day 3 (Monday) - Vetulonia (Etruscan) & Castiglione della Pescaia
You"ll start off the day by going to Vetulonia. This fascinating Etruscan hill-top town is isolated, mysterious and beautiful. There is a medieval castle and views out over the Mediterranean sea.
The Etruscan city of "Vetluna" (Roman Vetulonia) is located on the Maremma hills, above a lagoon and with access to the sea. The nearest modern city is Grosseto, approximately 30km to the South East. Vetulonia is the Etruscan city where the Lictors rods and Fasces originated. In 1898, a necropolis was discovered with a bundle of Iron rods with a double axe in the centre. Later that year, the burial stele of Avele Feluske was discovered. This became a symbol of power by the Roman Magistrates in later years. The Lictor was the name given to the Magistrates assistant. You will also enjoy a trip to the seacoast to the pretty seaside village of Castiglione della Pescaia. This old fishing village stands up high on a hill with its castle looking over the turquoise bay. You will enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. Once home, you can prepare a healthy Tuscan dinner with Romeo (cooking lesson).
Day 4 - Departure
Farewell Villa Poggiarello & friends before heading back to Rome or Florence.

* During the spring and fall, you may participate to local "Sagre" - food festivals which take place in medieval villages and towns of southern Tuscany.
* Note: the half-week itinerary is for the first half of the week including 2 hands-on cooking courses and 2 guided excursions.

Casa Innocenti - Piazza Cavallotti, 12 - 58031 Arcidosso, (Grosseto) - ITALY

Fax: 800-767-9699 or 305-598-8369
Email: inquire@tuscanway.com

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