Cooking & Spa Lovers' Adventure at a Villa
in Tuscany's Brunello & Vino Nobile Wine Country
Cooking Tour Itinerary
Wine tasting at the medieval fortress in Montalcino
Special Olive Harvest Tour Oct 24-30 after Tour Itinerary
Four and Six Night Cooking Tour Itinerary, improved with more experiences with local people!
Day 1 Sunday
Via private transfer from Chiusi railway station, (about halfway between Florence and Rome ) you'll arrive at your elegant four-star villa near Montepulciano. Once you're settled, take a walk through the pristine countryside of rolling vineyards, cypress orchards and olive groves. That evening, after a hearty dose of Tuscan fresh air, sit down to a jovial dinner with your group in a renowned local restaurant.
Day 2 Monday
Soothe your body along with your mind by pampering yourself at the nearby Terme di Montepulciano spa. From massages to mud baths and eastern treatments such as ayurvedic healing, you'll leave the spa at lunchtime feeling cleansed, centered and utterly refreshed. (Spa visit is optional. You may wish to relax at the villa)
For lunch, drive to a farm between Pienza and Montepulciano and join a friendly Italian grandmother, a thirty something dad, mother and little son for the midday repast. The family will delightfully show you around their vegetable gardens, barns and sheds where they make Vin Santo.
Leaving the farm, you'll reach the medieval walled town of nearby Pienza. Take a walk along the beautiful and winding country roads from Pienza to end up at the walled hill town of Monticchiello , a leisurely two hour stroll away. If you don't take the walk, we'll drive you there to meet the rest of the group.
Light dinner tonight is in a wine bar.
Day 3 Tuesday
Take a guided walk through the walled hill town of Montepulciano, passing the beautiful Renaissance church of San Biagio and admiring the splendid views over the vast countryside from one of the town's piazzas.
Stop and shop! Montepulciano has an amazing array of unique stores selling homewares such as tablecloths and ceramics, leather goods and art. Lots of wine shops offer you free wine tastings of the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a top red wine.
Lunch today is on your own in Montepulciano.
In the afternoon, visit a winery housed in a 14th century Montefollonico palazzo. The hospitable winery owner will take you on a personal tour of the cellars and lead you through a wine tasting. Enjoy tasting his Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile and Vin Santo and chatting about life on his garden terrace with fabulous views across the valley to Montepulciano, glass in hand.
That afternoon just outside Pienza, an outgoing couple will welcome you to their family-run farm located amid a backdrop of golden, sun-drenched vineyards covering rolling hillsides, grass patches and forests. Together you'll cook in their big farmhouse kitchen and then enjoy a country style four-course dinner in their warm and welcoming dining room. Make chestnut pasta with creamy sheep ricotta made on the farm and Tuscan arista—a pork roll stuffed with herbs.
Before dinner, they'll show you their pecorino cheese making rooms, herb gardens and animals, so you'll get a taste of Tuscan farm life. All the day's pleasures will lull you into a sweet night's sleep.
Day 4 Wednesday
Today we visit the medieval hill town of Montalcino and stroll through its narrow streets to browse in its many clothing, leather and ceramic shops, stop at a wine bar to sample Brunello or at a bakery to sample the Sienese panforte.
Outside Montalcino you'll visit a winery to discover and drink the famous Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino right where it's made.
Note: Arrival for the four day tour is about noon, so our driver can pick you up at Chiusi train station and drive you to the cooking lesson today.
For your light lunch on your own in Montalcino, you may want to enjoy some local pecorino cheeses and salami with Tuscan bread and a glass of Brunello at wine bar and watch local life go by.
On the way to our cooking lesson in the country, a highlight is visiting the 1000 year old Romanesque Sant'Antimo church. Set in an absolutely idyllic valley, you'll stand in awe, admiring a quintessential Tuscan view of cypresses zigzagging up hills, olive trees, vineyards and fields.
We arrive at an organic farm, abundant with exotic trees and plants where the smiling and proud owner, Alberto still makes olive oil like others before him using the granite wheel. You'll be enraptured as he tells how they made olive oil in the old days and why he sustains those practices today.
He's a fabulous cook too! In your cooking lesson in his cozy farmhouse kitchen, he'll share how he has resurrected the art of cooking traditional Tuscan dishes—with the farm's olive oil—that were vanishing from the local cuisine. You'll dine on your delicious creations around a wood table in his cozy olive oil production room.
Day 5 Thursday
This morning experience the weekly market in Montepulciano, where local people shop for everything from cheese, to tablecloths, to underwear. Lots of time to browse and pick up pretty tablecloths or bed linens.
For your light lunch on your own, why not be like a Tuscan and at a market stall get a freshly made sandwich bulging with the local porchetta, pork with savory rosemary and other herbs.
Can you get anymore relaxed? We think so with another morning of pampering at the Terme di Montepulciano spa where you can choose from their array of treatments. Or you may wish to go for walk, relax at home or go shopping.
Back at the villa, stretch out for a bit and then relax at the villa's fine restaurant for a sumptuous dinner of dishes like a sformato (heavy flan) with carrots with a tasty pecorino cheese sauce, hand-made ravioli with tomatoes and fresh basil, country style chicken with herbs, vegetables, red wine and a semifreddo with contucci, the local almond biscuits.
Day 6 Friday
Today we take a scenic drive for about an hour up into the hills of Monte Amiata to a tiny hamlet with lots of chestnut trees to a restaurant well known for its outstanding cuisine, especially its mushroom dishes, praised in many guidebooks.
You'll cook beside chef and owner Roberto, our most popular chef. He is the epitome of warm hospitality, an excellent cooking teacher and a charming man passionate about food and wine. Dine on your creations with wines specially chosen by Roberto.
Drive back to your villa to relax in the garden with a book or enjoy a leisurely walk.
Your “arrivederci Tuscany ” dinner will be at home at the villa. After your multi course lunch, you'll want to eat light!
Day 7 Saturday
Checkout after breakfast and return to the Chiusi train station, marking the end of this unforgettable food, wine and cultural immersion, sparkling with tales of good times you shared with wonderful local people. After a week in this special region, you'll take with you a host of new cooking skills, an appreciation for garden-grown fresh produce, herbs and some of Italy 's top red wines and the joy of life under the Tuscan sun.
Note: Itinerary is subject to minor changes. We will do our best to keep them to a minimum.
Special Olive Harvest Tour October 24-30
Fridday, Oct 24
Via private transfer from Chiusi railway station, (about halfway between Florence and Rome ) you'll arrive at your elegant four-star villa near Montepulciano. Once you're settled, take a walk through the pristine countryside of rolling vineyards, cypress orchards and olive groves. That evening, after a hearty dose of Tuscan fresh air, sit down to a jovial dinner with your group in a renowned local restaurant.
Saturday, Oct 25
At the villa walk in its olive groves and watch how the local workers take special care in picking the olives so they arrive in top shape at the mill. Or if you wish, become part of a fall Tuscan tradition and pick a few olives yourself alongside the workers for a few minutes or more.Depending on the weather, we may join the olive pickers outside for a picnic lunch or enjoy a light lunch at the villa.
Take a guided walk through the historic walled hill town of Montepulciano, passing the beautiful Renaissance churches and palaces and admiring the splendid views over the vast countryside from one of the town's piazzas.
Stop and shop! Montepulciano has an amazing array of unique stores selling homewares such as tablecloths and ceramics, leather goods and art. We'll also stop at a family's wine shop to taste the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a top red wine, as well as Rosso di Montepulciano and Vin Santo.
The afternoon is free to curl up with a good book at home or continue your shopping. You many also enjoy some fresh Tuscan country air on a walk along a gravel road with magnificent views up to Montepulciano and across the valley to Montefollonico.
Dinner tonight is on your own. Nearby Montepulciano offers you a wonderful choice of eating experiences from down home trattorias with paper tablecloths to elegant restaurants.
Sunday, Oct 26
We'll drive through the hills to a pristine medieval hill town, Montefollonico to sroll through this lovely, pristine little hill town and visit a winery housed in a 14th century palazzo. The winery owner will take you on a personal tour of the cellars and lead you through a wine tasting. Enjoy tasting his Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile and Vin Santo and chatting about life on his garden terrace with fabulous views across the valley to Montepulciano, glass in hand.
For your Sunday lunch, drive to a farm between Pienza and Montepulciano and join a friendly Italian grandmother, a thirty something dad, mother and little son for a bountiful midday repast. The family will delightfully show you around their vegetable gardens, barns and sheds where they make Vin Santo.
Leaving, you'll reach the medieval walled town of nearby Pienza. Take an optional walk along the beautiful and winding country roads from Pienza to end up at the walled hill town of Monticchiello , a leisurely two hour stroll away. If you don't take the walk, we'll drive you there to meet the rest of the group.
Light dinner tonight is on your own in Pienza.
Monday, Oct 27
This morning we'll follow the olives from your villa's olive groves to the mill where they'll be transformed into top quality Tuscan olive oil. We'll drive to Montisi to the olive oil mill to tour the mill, see all the steps the olives go through to become oil and of course, to taste the lovely, fruity "olio nuovo"—new oil. A quintessential Tuscan experience!
With the taste of new oil lingering in our mouths, we'll drive to Montepulciano for a short walk down scenic town streets to beautiful Renaissance San Biagio church set in a gorgeous country landscape. Light lunch in Montepulciano is on your own.
This afternoon you're free to continue exploring Montepulciano's shops, wine bars, piazzas or cafes or perhaps you'd like some exercise on an optional country walk in the vast, magnificent valley of olive trees, fields and vineyards in the valley below the town.
Later that afternoon just outside Pienza, an outgoing couple will welcome you to their family-run farm located amid a backdrop of golden, sun-drenched vineyards covering rolling hillsides, grass patches and forests. Together you'll cook in their big farmhouse kitchen and then enjoy a country style four-course dinner in their warm and welcoming dining room. Make chestnut pasta with creamy sheep ricotta made on the farm and Tuscan arista—a delicious pork roll stuffed with herbs.
Before dinner, they'll show you their pecorino cheese making rooms, herb gardens and animals, so you'll get a taste of Tuscan farm life. All the day's pleasures will lull you into a sweet night's sleep.
Tuesday, Oct 28
Mid-morning visit an organic farm, abundant with exotic trees and plants where the smiling and proud owner still makes olive oil like others before him using the granite wheel. You'll be enraptured as he tells how they made olive oil in the old days and why he sustains those practices today. He's a fabulous cook too! In your cooking lesson in his cozy farmhouse kitchen, he'll share how he has resurrected the art of cooking traditional Tuscan dishes—with the farm's olive oil—that were vanishing from the local cuisine.
After set off for the nearby town of Montalcino. On the way, a highlight is a visit to the 1000 year old Romanesque Sant'Antimo church. Set in an absolutely idyllic valley, you'll stand in awe, admiring a quintessential Tuscan view of cypresses zigzagging up hills, olive trees, vineyards and fields.
In Montalcino stroll through its narrow streets before stopping to sample Brunello wine at a medieval fortress, now converted into an enoteca. Chat with one of the knowledgeable staff members while they give you an introductory tasting and discuss Brunello wines with you around the wooden table inside the ancient walls.
Back at the villa, stretch out for a bit and then head out for dinner on your own in Montepulciano.
Wednesday, Oct 29
Soothe your body along with your mind by pampering yourself at the nearby Terme di Montepulciano spa. From massages to mud baths and eastern treatments such as ayurvedic healing, you'll leave the spa at lunchtime feeling cleansed, centered and utterly refreshed.
The spa treatments are optional, so you may wish to relax and experience "dolce far niente"--sweet doing nothing-- at the villa or catch up on last minute shopping in nearby Montepulciano. Light lunch today is on your own.
Your afternoon is free to catch up on the last of your shopping or simply enjoy relaxing at the villa.
Later in the villa's restaurant with the chef you'll discover how to cook some sumptuous dishes like a sformato (heavy flan) with carrots with a tasty pecorino cheese sauce, hand-made ravioli with tomatoes and fresh basil, country style chicken with herbs, vegetables, red wine and a semifreddo with contucci, the local almond biscuits.
Your “arrivederci Tuscany ” dinner is the perfect way to end a day of good friends, good wine and relaxation.
Thursday, Oct 30
Checkout after breakfast and return to the Chiusi train station, marking the end of this unforgettable food, wine and cultural immersion, sparkling with tales of good times you shared with wonderful local people. After a week in this special region, you'll take with you a host of new cooking skills, an appreciation for garden-grown fresh produce, olive oil, herbs and some of Italy 's top red wines and the joy of life under the Tuscan sun.
2008 Cooking Tour Dates
Any time on request for two people or more--ask us for dates you like. If you'd like others to join you, we'll promote your dates and do all we can to find other people to form a larger group.
Special Olive Harvest Tour: Oct 24-30 at four star villa only
2008 Cooking Tour Prices:
Prices are in Euros and are subject to currency exchange fluctuation.
Four day tour at the four star villa near Montepulciano (Wednesday to Saturday)
For group of 6-8 people:
1205 Euros (approx $1925 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 240 Euros (approx $385 Cdn/US).
For group of 4-5 people:
1365 Euros (approx $2185 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 240 Euros (approx $385 Cdn/US).
For group of 2-3 people:
1605 Euros (approx $2565 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 240 Euros (approx $385 Cdn/US).
Four day tour at a nice, three star, modern hotel in Pienza (Wednesday to Saturday)
For group of 6-8 people:
1060 Euros (approx $1695 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 220 Euros (approx $350 Cdn/US).
For group of 4-5 people:
1220 Euros (approx $1950 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 220 Euros (approx $350 Cdn/US).
For group of 2-3 people:
1460 Euros (approx $2335 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 220 Euros (approx $350 Cdn/US).
Six day tour at the four star villa near Montepulciano
For group of 6-8 people:
2085 Euros (approx $3335 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 325 Euros (approx $520 Cdn/US).
For group of 4-5 people:
2245 Euros (approx $3590 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 325 Euros (approx $520 Cdn/US).
For group of 2-3 people:
2645 Euros (approx $4230 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 325 Euros (approx $520 Cdn/US).
Six day tour at a nice, modern, three star hotel in Pienza
For group of 6-8 people:
1795 Euros (approx $2870 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 295 Euros (approx $470 Cdn/US).
For group of 4-5 people:
1955 Euros (approx $3130 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 295 Euros (approx $470 Cdn/US).
For group of 2-3 people:
2355 Euros (approx $3770 Cdn/ US). Single supplement: 295 Euros (approx $470 Cdn/US).
Includes:
- 3 or 6 nights at the villa or hotel, with private bath and breakfast
- 2 or 3 cooking lessons with full menu meals
- all meals except 2-3 lunches, (olive harvest tour except 2 dinners & 2 lunches)
- farm family lunch (6 night tour)
- excursions in the itinerary
- private transport with a guide
- pick up and drop off at Chiusi train station
Not included:
- spa treatments
- 2 or 3 lunches (2 dinners & 2 lunches in olive harvest tour)
- wine with meals
Note: Itinerary is subject to minor changes. We will do our best to keep changes to a minimum.
Tour at a Glance: Brief Tour Description, Dates, Prices
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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).
