Cooking & Wine Lovers' Adventure Tour in Tuscany's Brunello & Vino Nobile Wine Country
Cooking Tour Itinerary
25th wedding anniversary celebration in
a Tuscan restaurant on the cooking tour
Sunday
Private transfer from Chiusi railway station (about half way between Florence and Rome) to your hotel in Montalcino or near Pienza, Italy. Welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.
Monday
Guided walk through medieval Pienza. Stroll along scenic ramparts of city walls, into the Italian Renaissance piazza and along quaint side streets. Lots of pecorino cheese for sale.
Optional walk on incredibly scenic country roads outside Pienza up to walled hilltown of Monticchiello. (about 2 hours) Light lunch on your own in trattoria there (not included).
Drive to the countryside nearby to a family farm where they make pecorino cheese the artisan way. Cooking lesson there with Sandra and Ulisses who export their pasta and are excellent cooks.
Drive to pristine, medieval Montefollonico, Italy to a winery for a visit and tasting of very good Vino Nobile wine on the panoramic terrace with views to Montepulciano.
Dinner of your creations back at Sandra and Ulisses farm.
Tuesday
10:00 a.m. Cooking lesson with exuberant Alberto on his organic farm with lots of gardens, fruit, vegetables, olive trees and exotic plants in beautiful countryside south of Montalcino.
He also makes olive oil artisan style, using a traditional granite wheel. Lunch of your creations in his olive oil production room. Discussion on everything you want to know how to make olive oil and olives.
Visit a Brunello winery near Alberto's owned by a very hospitable family for tour and tasting.
Visit lovely, 1000 year old Romanesque Sant'Antimo church in an absolutely idyllic Tuscan valley with cypresses zigzagging up hills, olive trees, vineyards and fields.
Guided walk in Montalcino. Introduction tasting and discussion on Brunello wines at the wine shop in medieval fortress in Montalcino.
Dinner on your own (not included). You won't want much after your cooking lesson lunch.
Wednesday
Drive to Siena, Italy. Stroll the historic centre with a local guide to see frescoes, sculpture, architecture and Italian gastronomy shops. Light lunch on your own in Siena. (not included)
Afternoon free to shop or just wander and hang out drinking cappuccino in a piazza.
Return to hotel for siesta. Dinner in a good restaurant close to your hotel.
Thursday
Morning cooking lesson up in a mountain hamlet with charming, very hospitable Chef Roberto in his restaurant famous for mushroom dishes. People drive for miles to eat there. Olive oil tasting with Roberto. Lunch of your creations.
Guided walk in Montepulciano. Visit beautiful Renaissance church of San Biagio. Admire splendid views over vast countryside from piazza. Browse in shops--best shopping in the area for prices and variety of table cloths, ceramics and more.
Wine tasting at Crociani family's wine cellar. With a member of the gregarious family, you descend into the 13th century grotto, where wines sit aging in big wood barrels and that lovely Italian wine perfume permeates everywhere. Upstairs in their shop, enjoy a great tasting of their Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile, Vin Santo and more.
Free time for an optional country walk in the vast, magnificent valley of olive trees, fields and vineyards, or just hang out.
Dinner on your own (not included). You won't want much after your cooking lesson lunch.
Friday
Hike or optional walk part way from Montepulciano to pristine, little hill town of Montefollonico across the valley from Montepulciano.
Lunch on your own (not included). You won't want to eat much because you'll have a large dinner.
Afternoon free to explore and relax as you wish.
4:00 p.m. Cooking lesson at a fantastic restaurant which adds creative touches and wonderful combinations of flavours to Tuscan dishes in the heart of medieval Montepulciano.
8:00 p.m. Gala farewell dinner of your creations there.
Saturday
Breakfast and departure for Chiusi railway station.
Note: Itinerary is subject to minor changes. We will do our best to keep changes to a minimum.
2008 Cooking Tour Dates:
Any time on request for two people or more--ask us for dates you like or join a group already booked.
Sept 28-Oct 4, 2008
2008 Cooking Tour Prices:
Prices are in Euros and are subject to currency exchange fluctuation.
For group of 2 to 7 people:
2685 Euros per person (approx $3945 US; $3975 CAD), double occupancy, land only. Single supplement 315 Euros.
Includes:
- 6 nights hotel with buffet breakfast
- 4 cooking lessons
- 2 lunches
- 4 dinners
- excursions in itinerary
- private transport in minivan
- guides throughout
- pick up and drop off at Chiusi train station
Not included:
- wine with meals
- 2 dinners,
- 3 lunches
Tour at a Glance: Brief Tour Description, Dates, Prices
Cooking
Tour Members' Comments
Sample
Tour Recipe
Why
Travel in Italy With Us
To Reserve: Contact Margaret Cowan at margaret@italycookingschools.com or call 1-800-557-0370 or 604-681-4074 or fax 604-681-4909 (Pacific time).
