VILLA CASTELLETTI COOKING COURSE VACATION – HALF WEEK

THE HALF WEEK TRIP INCLUDES:

• 3 nights at Villa Castelletti, near Florence, a noble estate. The accommodations are in upscale private apartments in part of the estate’s hamlet.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary. All lunches and dinners in authentic trattorias.
• Small groups.
• 1 hands-on cooking courses in “La Cucina Povera Toscana” – Tuscan country cooking.
• 2 guided excursions to the enchanting towns of Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, the Chianti and Carmignano wine regions.
• 2 Wine Tastings (Carmignano & Chianti Classico). 1 wine estate in Chianti Classico and 1 vertical tasting with professional wine expert in Carmignano.
• All transportation (to and from Florence).
• Free time to shop in each town.

WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP: “Il Borgo di Villa Castelletti”, is made up of a series of farmhouses, the Borgo was built in XVII century; the first building, "La Burraja", was originally the factory used for producing bricks to construct the main Villa and then was later used to produce butter. The original style of an "old Tuscan country house" has been preserved intact, ever adding to the fascinating atmosphere of ancient walls within which past generations lived in close contact with the land.

COOKING COURSES: The main chef and cooking course instructor at Villa Castelletti is Roberto Bondioli and Elivio Raugei is Roberto’s Sous-chef. Roberto Bondioli was born in Lucca and today he lives in the picturesque town of Poggio alla Malva in the Carmignano region. Roberto began his studies at the Chefs Institute of Montecatini. There, he completed his five year study program and was rewarded the diploma of first and second level chef. He decided to continue his studies for an extra five years, specializing in Medieval Italian Cooking. Roberto has two very important passions, which are closely linked: his creativity as a chef and that as a well-known contemporary artist. Roberto considers the work of a chef to be very closely connected to that of an artist - constant experimentation with both old and the new, and continuous study and practice to enrich these two passions. He now works with his own sous-chef Elvio in the “Tre Corone” restaurant at Villa Castelletti and he participates in the Italian cuisine magazines ‘Buon Appetito’ section. He has created some unique dishes on the menu, like his famous ‘Ravioli di Barbarossa in Salsa di burro e Semi di Papavero’.

Cooking courses are taught in the spacious kitchen area of the estate’s quaint Tre Corone restaurant. On day 5 (only for One week course) of the itinerary, we will take you to have a special cooking course in the heart of Florence. When available, it is with Sharon Oddson and Mims at the famous Trattoria GARGA restaurant, which was written up in Bon Appetite’s 2000 Special Millennium Edition on Tuscany.


EXCURSIONS: 2 guided excursions to extraordinary cities and regions including: Florence, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, the Chianti & Carmignano wine regions, wine tasting at a famous Carmignano wine estate, wine tasting opportunities in the Chianti region and a visit to the charming hometown of the great Leonardo Da Vinci.
 

* We would like to emphasize that for larger custom groups we are quite flexible with regard to the itinerary and the excursions. Sometimes we can switch around different excursions based on local events and activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added if they’re of interest to you. The most important thing is to communicate your specific interests, which will be given priority if possible and if they are in the best interest of the overall group.

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

• ARRIVAL: DAY 1 (SAT) - Pick-up in Florence and arrival at Villa Castelletti
  We will pick you up in Florence and take you to Villa Castelletti where you will be welcomed at the Borgo (Hamlet) - your vacation home next to the main Villa. After settling in, Linda will show you around the entire estate, which will be your home for the week! You will have time to relax in your lovely apartment before enjoying a welcome drink with the staff at the Borgo. We will dine at the restaurant on the Villa Castelletti estate where your chef & cooking teacher will prepare your first Tuscan meal at the “Tre Corone” restaurant - where you will be taking your hands on cooking classes throughout the week.  
  

• A visit to Lucca and Pisa – Wine Appreciation in Carmignano
  In the morning, after Breakfast either in your apartments or out in the breakfast room, you will be off to beautiful Lucca, a town West of Villa Castelletti. You will enjoy a walking tour around the heart of Lucca, which is considered to be one of the most picturesque of all the fortified (medieval wall) towns in Tuscany. After our informative tour, you will have free time to shop, take a walk around the 16th century intact walls, visit museums and churches or simply sit in one of the many cafe’s that line this Roman city. You will enjoy a light lunch in one of the many Trattoria’s in Lucca. On our return to the Borgo we will go to Pisa and visit the Cathedral, Leaning Tower and Baptistery (exterior only) followed by a stroll in to the city center. Arrive at the Roman Forum where you will view the lavish 15th century Palazzi built by The Medici family. Dine in the heart of the Carmignano region where you will meet Francesco, Sommelier and owner of ‘Super i canto’ a wine bar in the town center. You will be introduced to the wines of Carmignano accompanied by a tasting-specific menu.

• A ‘Nobile’ Winery and Medieval Towers in the heart of Chianti
  After breakfast, you will take a walk up to the restaurant where you will enjoy a cooking course followed by lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit a famous winery owned by a Florentine Nobile (noble) family, wine makers for twenty six generations! The Wine cellars are situated below an Abbey consecrated in eight hundred A.D. Massimo, the estate’s wine-maker, will take you on an informative tour followed by a tasting. After your tour, you will continue on with a drive through the Chianti region situated between Florence and Siena. Here there is an ancient Roman road which will take us to the medieval town known as San Gimignano. You will discover why San Gimignano is the only remaining medieval town which has been called the “Manhattan of Tuscany” and witness firsthand its ten (originally there were seventy two) towers! You will have a chance to shop while strolling along the magical windy streets, which are packed with local artisans’ stores that specialize in ceramics, leather goods and wooden crafts. Enjoy dinner at a local wine bar where you will try the white wine of San Gimignano called Vernaccia.
   

• DEPARTURE: DAY 4 (TUE) - Farewell Villa Castelletti and friends
  After Breakfast and good-byes, you will be taken to the airport or the train station in Florence.