Cooking classes take place in a cozy country retreat surrounded by vineyards, woods and meadows in the Friuli hills, at the base of the Julian Alps, only about one-hour drive from Venice, Austria and Slovenia. The area, known as Colli Oriental del Friuli, is famous for the production of great classic wines, as well as for its scenic countryside dotted with castles, idyllic villages, beautiful hills and breathtaking valleys. The atmosphere is lovely and peaceful, just the perfect location to enjoy a leisurely vacation mixed with an unforgettable cooking experience.
The charming farmhouse is immersed in the wine land and follows organic and bio-friendly practices for the production of different varieties of organic wine (Chardonnay, Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, Refosco and the rare and precious Picolit) and farm produce, which are used to prepare genuine dishes at the cooking school.
Cooking lessons take place in the farmhouse well-equipped kitchen, which occupies the ground floor of a typical Friulian rustic home. Idanna, Susanna and Luca are the delightful owners of the estate as well as the cooking school teachers. Following the true Italian way of eating, all meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and products from the estate: veal, beef and lamb (reared free at pasture), chicken, duck and turkey (reared outdoors), eggs, garden-grown seasonal vegetables and fruit, field mushrooms, water meadow and other herbs. A neighboring farm supplies salami and different types of vegetables, while hand-made cheese is purchased from the local dairy.
Lessons last approximately 3 hours and are followed by lunch or dinner. Meals feature foods prepared during class and consist of three courses accompanied by local wines and served at a formally set table situated in the main dining room or, if it is nice and warm, under the shade of the vine-covered pergola. All classes, limited to 8 participants, are completely hands-on and recipes are simple so that people can easily learn how to prepare Italian food and, once back home, they’ll be able to prepare what they have learned in class inviting family and friends to taste the best of the Italian and Friulian cuisine.
Non-cooking partners are very welcome too! During classes, non-cooking companions can choose to explore the delightful surroundings strolling through the vineyards and visiting the farmhouse cellars where wine is made and stored, go jogging and ride mountain-bikes in the hilly countryside, take a safe swim in the river located just in front of the house or just relax under the shade of the beautiful vine-covered pergola reading a book and tasting a glass of good vintage.
Guests stay in the farmhouse's charming rooms with private bathroom, all decorated with Friulian country antiques and offering incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Families or group of friends can stay in the comfortable apartments created in the old granary on the first floor of the house, each in original Friulian style.
Course Description
Tuesday - Arrive at Udine train station in the afternoon. Transfer to the farmhouse by private vehicle. Check-in and free time to explore the surroundings before your first cooking lesson, followed by dinner of your creations.
Wednesday - Breakfast. Guided excursion to Cividale, a little gem in the eastern foothills of Friuli. Founded by Julius Caeser around 50 B.C., this charming little town is known for its delicious Gubana, top class wines and lively atmosphere that you can breathe strolling around the narrow cobblestone streets in search of the many traces of its glorious past. Lunch in a typical agriturismo of the area followed by a visit to a local winery. In the afternoon, return to your farmhouse in time for your second cooking class followed by dinner of your creations.
Thursday – Breakfast. Full-day independent excursion to Venice to visit St. Mark's Square, the Basilica, the Doge's palace, the Rialto bridge with its characteristic food market and enchanting views over the Grand Canal. In the afternoon, time to explore your own Venice, maybe taking the vaporetto t Murano or a romantic gondola ride, visiting souvenir shops or just sitting at one of the famous cafés in St. Mark's square listening to the violins serenading in a magical atmosphere. Return to the farmhouse for dinner.
Friday - After breakfast, enjoy a visit to a local dairy to see how cheese is made followed by a visit to a ram which produces delicious salami, local sausages and grape pickled vegetables. Mid-morning break in a "Frasca" for wine sampling followed by a stop at the local mill to select polenta flour. Return to the farmhouse for lunch, served "al fresco" or in the main dining room. The afternoon will be your third cooking class followed by dinner.
Saturday - After breakfast, experience a local open-air market with a guided excursion to purchase fresh products for class. Return to the farmhouse for your fourth cooking class followed by lunch. The afternoon will include a guided excursion to Trieste, the capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, set between the blue waters of its gulf, the green hills and the white rocks of the Carso plateau. We will visit the Miramare Castle and the city's historical center. Return to the farmhouse for dinner.
Sunday - After breakfast, check-out and transfer to Udine for a visit of this enchanting city in the heart of Friuli. Its beautiful castle, located on a hilltop, offers wonderful views over the town and the unique countryside with the gorgeous Alps on the background. At the end of the tour, transfer to the train station. Arrivederci!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Four Day Tour - from € 655 per person;
Four Day Self-Drive Tour - from € 515 per person.
Price (2005) includes:
- accommodation with private bathroom;
- Daily breakfast, lunches and dinners, including drinks;
- hands-on cooking classes;
- Daily guided excursions;
- Transfers to and from Udine train station on arrival and departure;
- Taxes and service.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Local Culture
Food & Wine
Cooking School
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