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 pensione in Pienza, Italy. Welcome dinner with your guide in a good restaurant in Pienza.
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 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.
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.
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 just 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 in Pienza (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. (not included)
Thursday
Morning cooking lesson on pasta and pasta sauces at an elegant, friendly restaurant in the heart of medieval Montepulciano. The restaurant chef cooks traditional Tuscan ingredients with creative, modern touches.
Full menu lunch with your pasta creations.
Explore Montepulciano with your guide. Marvellous views, variety of good shops and wine shops/bars.
Wine tasting at Crociani family's wine cellars and shop. They produce good Vino Nobile, Rosso di Montepulciano and Vin Santo.
Return to Pienza. Dinner in Pienza on your own. (not included)
Friday
Visit the weekly market in Pienza that travels around the area selling everything from underwear to cheese.
Light lunch on your own. (not included)
Drive to Montalcino and south into the wine country to a hilltop hamlet for a full menu cooking lesson in a great restaurant. Dinner of your creations.
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 2-7 people--ask us for dates you like.
2008 Cooking Tour Prices:
Prices are in Euros and are subject to currency exchange fluctuation.
1935 Euros per person (approx $2844 US & CAD), double occupancy, land only. Single supplement: 150 Euros (approx $220 US & CAD).
Includes:
- 6 nights in a double room with private bath
- 4 cooking lessons with full menu meal
- welcome dinner
- excursions in itinerary
- private transport in minivan
- guides throughout
- pick up and drop off at Chiusi train station.
Not included:
- breakfast
- wines with meals
- 3 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).
