Culinary Tour - Program Details
Tour Dates in May / June / Sept / Oct or on request
Overview |Program Details| Prices & Availability| Reservations | Terms & Conditions
Day 1:
Arrive to your exclusive villa hotel accommodations. Time will be given to check in and acquaint yourself to this historic property, to freshen up and then to relax on the portico patio before a welcome dinner of the local flavors - A good way to begin your culinary week. (D)
Day 2:
Morning breakfast, then your culinary week begins with a morning visit to a local olive oil production farm - to see and taste the "other" agricultural product of the region, extra virgin olive oil. This is just to get your appetite going, for afterwards you will begin the first of your cooking classes followed by a lunch featuring your efforts. Buon Appetito! The balance of the late afternoon and evening are offered at your leisure. (B, L, O)
Day 3:
Breakfast and time is given to relax in the villa this morning. In the afternoon prepare for a departure and excursion to the Chianti village towns of Radda and Castellina. Each of the villages are filled with wine enoteca, ceramic shops and their own history. With this excursion you can enjoy the primary flavor of the region - Chianti Classico. Later a stop at one of the famous wineries for a tasting and cellar tour. Then a special experience to enjoy a cooking class in the winery's own osteria kitchen! (B, D, W)
Day 4:
Morning breakfast and then prepare to depart the villa as we plan a tour of the famed val d'Orcia region of Tuscany. Maybe not by name, but the area is familiar to most people, given it is where the beautiful photography captures the rolling Tuscan hills and narrow roads lined with cypress trees leading to beautiful villas. You will visit the hilltop village of Montalcino. Not only an historic city, but today Montalcino is the center for the popular Brunello wine. After your sit down lunch you can have time to stroll the streets and take in the views afforded this hilltop village and explore its medieval fortress, today containing its own wine enoteca. Afterwards we arrive to the hotel in Siena and you can enjoy the evening at your leisure in this beautiful city in the heart of Tuscany. (B, L)
Day 5:
Morning breakfast then a short guided tour of this medieval jewel, which features the shell shaped city center - Piazza del Campo - the site of the famous horse race, il Palio. After the tour, the third cooking class will be held in a cooking school in the historic center of Siena. The class secession is followed by the sit down meal on an outdoor terrace featuring your collective efforts. Of course after the class you can further explore the city and its medieval charm. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 6:
Unfortunately this is your last day of the tour, so prepare for a morning departure. You can, however, choose to continue your stay in the region with 2 more nights in Florence. As a part of your package, we can take you on the short drive to Florence or if your wish help you arrange to take in the splendor of the eternal city, Rome. Transportation options are available to these or other Italian cities and we can help select from several hotel options to complete your remaining stay in Italy. (B)
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, W=Wine Tasting, O=Olive Oil Tasting
Please note the above daily descriptions are given as a basis for your itinerary; the sequence and location of cooking classes can change according to your dates. Base price includes accommodations for 5 nights, transfer from/to Florence (transfer from/to other cities can also be accommodated with additional cost), daily transportation needed for itinerary activities, plus meals as indicated.
