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In a Tuscan Country Kitchen offered by supplier M18955 (read about supplier) Key Information: Tour Duration: 8 day(s) Group Size: 2 - 8 people Destination(s): Italy   Specialty Categories: Cooking vacation   Food & Wine   Season: May - September Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: Yes Minimum Per Person Price: 2095 Euro (EUR) Maximum Per Person Price: 2095 Euro (EUR)

"In a Tuscan Country Kitchen" takes place at Molino di Bordone, an elegant 17th Century Tuscan Farmhouse situated among the Tuscan and Umbrian hills, only minutes from the beautiful Etruscan walled town of Cortona. This is an ideal setting for an unforgettable week of culinary adventure, gourmet food and fine wines. All the activity takes place in the independent Casa Fontanella, part of the farmhouse which has been newly restored to a very high specification.

It has elegance, style and space, with a dream country kitchen, professionally fitted for our culinary events. We also a lecture room next door which has multimedia facilities and is perfect for talks about Tuscan Food and Wine. We offer a week long cooking experience covering many aspects of family and refined cuisine. Seasonality and quality of ingredients are paramount and we use the freshest ingredients available from local producers, weekly markets and our own organic garden and this is reflected in the menus we choose.

Our skilled chefs will provide you with the knowledge to recreate with confidence when you return home. To compliment each program we also include a delightful selection of excursions to medieval hill towns, ancient abbeys and Etruscan sites, Renaissance frescoes, classical concerts, vineyards, olive oils, pecorino cheese and wine tastings.

Culinary week Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival day
Meet at Terontola station, Cortona (14.00-16.00), easily reached from Rome or Florence. Relax and settle into your accommodation in Cortona which will become your home for the week. Join us for a welcome cocktail party while a cook prepares a Tuscan Feast you will be introduced to the week’s activities.

Day 2
Exploring Cortona
Visit Cortona's 12th century Franciscan hermitage, a spiritual and tranquil place just outside the Etruscan city walls; then enter Cortona through one of the ancient city gates to explore its medieval streets, monuments and bustling piazzas. A guided tour of the Etruscan museum and some free time to indulge in a gelato follows, but don’t spoil your appetite before a tasty picnic lunch in the shady tree lined park. Cooking Lesson 1

Day 3
Vino Nobile wine country
Visit the wine country of Montepulciano and taste Vino Nobile at a winery before entering the historic town's 16th century gates to stoll along the main street lined with magnificent buildings and ancient wine cellars. Visit a small, family run cheese-making farm and taste different varieties served with pears honey, marmellata. we continue to Pienza a renaissance jewel and world heritage site known for its pecorino cheese.

Day 4
Brunello wine country
We travel to the walled hill-town of Montalcino, famous for Brunello, one of Italy’s finest wines. From the battlements of the Rocca castle look down upon magnificent views of the Val D’Orcia and Monte Amiata. Cheese and wine tasting in the Enoteca of the castle which offers a wide selection of Brunello’s. Visit the cellars of a well-known winery the picturesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo, built by Charlemagne where the monks still celebrate mass in Gregorian chant. Our return journey is a spectacular drive through the countryside of the Val d'Orcia. Cooking Lesson 2

Day 5
Siena & Chianti wine country
Travel through the idyllic countryside of Chianti Classico and taste wine at Castello di Brolio whose family created the blend for this world famous wine. In the afternoon we are accompanied by a Sienese art historian on a walking tour of the heart of Siena. We visit one of the most richly decorated cathedrals in the world with masterpieces by Duccio, Pisano, Lorenzetti, Donatello, Pinturicchio and Michelangelo. In the campo square we learn about the world famous Palio horse race and the traditions of its people.

Day 6
Farmer's market & Thermal Springs
Trip to the local fresh produce farmer's market for yummy provisions for the cookery lesson. Cooking Lesson 3. After lunch there is time for a well deserved rest or a decadent trip to relax in the thermal springs of a local Spa.

Day 7
Free day
Today you are free and have the opportunity to relax, return to Cortona, buy last minute souvenirs and have lunch independently in Cortona. We rendezvous late afternoon to prepare our farewell banquet. Cookery Lesson 4

Day 8
Departure day
Drop off (9.00-10.00) at Terontola station for onward travel.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Dates for 2013 :- 7-14 September
Dates for 2014 :- 2-9 May

What is included?
- 2 experienced guides with you 24/7
- Transportation from meeting to departure point
- Accommodation in double or twin rooms
- All meals including local wine and after dinner coffee
- Tuition with highly qualified staff
- Recipes to take home
- Entrance fees to museums, events and parks as listed on itinerary
- Local specialist guiding fees
- Gratuities for hotels, meals and baggage
- Not included: Air transport, Lunch on your free days

Notes:
- Lunches are our beloved picnic feasts or packed lunches
- Evening meals are seasonal menus carefully chosen with local chefs
- We choose accommodations with character, charm and a friendly atmosphere and which best reflect the area: luxury or family run hotels, medieval palazzi, manor houses and rustic inns
- Private groups welcome
- N.B. If you are a non-participant guest, you are welcome on the excursions and can join all the meals.

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