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A
Taste Of Northern Tuscany At Villa Castelletti |
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"At Villa
Castelletti, you will live in top-notch Tuscan styled
apartments which are fully equipped with creature comforts -
newly designed and renovated, bordering a prestigious wine
area with distinct fertile “micro-climat” known as the
“Carmignano” to the West and all the glory of Florence just
a few miles to the East…. in Northern Tuscany."!
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Florence:
The geographical
location of Villa Castelletti and its Borgo is particularly
happy, as very close to Florence, where million tourists
arrive from all over the world, actacted by its artistic
jewels; at the same time it is surrounded by the wonderful
Tuscan countryside, famous for wine and olive-oil. |
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WHERE YOU WILL STAY:
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The Estate of Villa Castelletti
is located outside the hills West of Florence, just North of
the Arno river, along the Lucchese plain – literally between
Florence and Lucca (The historic heart of Florence is about 9
miles away). The estate grounds are set within an ancient park
that is surrounded by forest. The main villa is spectacular,
large and beautiful.
It is sometimes used for
congresses, conventions, special events and receptions and the
entire space within the villa can hold up to 1500 people for special
events.The origins of the villa date
to the beginning of the 4th
century AD. The oldest nobile landlord was the Strozzi family. |
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Through the centuries the villa passed hands from the Strozzi to the
Lapi, then to the Uguccioni, then the Cavalcanti (of whom the poet
Guido belonged; he was a companion of Dante), then the
Cattani-cavalcanti family. It was the Cavalcanti family who,
in the 18th century, radically expanded the villa’s
structure adding 2 outside walls, enlarging the central area, adding
a second level and the characteristic top. In the following century,
under the guidance of the Count Leopoldo Cattani Cavalcanti, the
property became a model agricultural producing estate founding the
Istituto Agrario Filantropico (Agricultural Philanthropic
Institute).
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At the end of the 18th century, the
Montagliari Counts (of German origin with the name “Mayer”) came to
acquire the villa. Today the villa is managed by a historical
society that promotes cultural initiatives and special
events.
* The mini-apartments are made up of a
lounge/dining room, split-level bedroom, bathroom, corner kitchen,
and occupies from 2 to 6 persons, depending on the size. All the flats are
fitted with centralized heating and air-conditioning, satellite TV and
Pay-TV, all of which funtion on the "chip-card" system
Both overnight and weekly reservations
are possible. |
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2006-2007 Schedule
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Month
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VILLA
CASTELLETTI |
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March
(Inquire) |
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April
(Discount) |
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**Easter Week |
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May |
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April 29-May 6
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May 13-19
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May 21-27 -
May 28-June 3 |
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June |
-
Jun 3-9 -
Jun 9-15 -
Jun 17-23 -
Jun 20-25 -
Jun 24-30
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July |
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August
(Inquire) |
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September |
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September 2-8
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September 16-22
*Yoga*
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September 23-29 |
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October |
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October 3-9
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October 22-28 |
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November
(Discount) |
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December
(Inquire) |
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January
(Inquire) |
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February
(Inquire) |
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* Note: Our half-week vacations run
from Saturday to Tuesday or Sunday to Wednesday.
Please
Note: There is some flexibility with regards to dates. Please
inquiry with us.
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2006-2007 Prices
* Important
Note: Different options make it possible for you to choose a package which
fits your interests, schedule and budget! Our unique tours are
ALL-INCLUSIVE once you arrive in Italy. Many guests pleasantly find out
just how much really is included. We would like to emphasize that all wine
(table wine), meals, guided excursions, museum tickets, wine/oil tastings,
accommodations, transfers and cooking courses are included. Many of our
competitors, regardless of price, simply do not have the uniqueness,
quality, variety, personality and style we provide our guests (like all
meals and wine included).
We aim to make it possible for anybody
to experience the enchanting magic of these experiences!
*Note: $400 Single Supplement for full week and $200
for ½ week for all programs
We occasionally offer cooking classes
to guests staying elsewhere in the region. Availability is
limited.
| VILLA CASTELLETTI (per person double
occupancy) |
| 1 Week: |
$3595 |
| 5 Night: |
$2995 |
| 4 Night: |
$2490 |
| ½ Week: |
$2190 |
| Other options |
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| 1 cooking class with meal: |
$300 |
| Rent room: |
$250 per night/room |
| Custom groups/itineraries: |
*Please Inquire |
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Sample Itinerary 1 Week
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DAY 1- Pick-up in Florence and arrival to Villa
Castelletti
Fly to Italy. We will pick you up in Florence and
then you will be accompanied by car or van to Villa Castelletti and then
welcomed at the Borgo (Hamlet) - your vacation home next to the main
Villa. After settling in, Linda will show you around the entire estate
which will be your home for one week! You will have time to relax in
your lovely apartment before enjoying a welcome drink with the staff at
the Borgo. We will dine at the restaurant on the Villa Castelletti
estate where Roberto, your cooking teacher for the week, will
prepare your first Tuscan meal at the restaurant (located on the estate)
where you will be taking your hands on cooking classes throughout the
week.
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DAY 2- A perfect morning in Lucca
In the morning, after
Breakfast either in your apartments or out in the breakfast room, you
will take off to beautiful Lucca, a town west of Villa
Castelletti. We will take a pleasant tour around the heart of Lucca,
which is considered to be one of the most picturesque of all the
fortified (medieval wall) towns in Tuscany. After our informative tour,
you will have free time to shop, take a walk around it’s 16th century
intact walls, visit museums and churches or simply sit in one of the
many cafe’s that line this Roman city. You will enjoy a light lunch in
one of the many Trattoria’s in Lucca. Cooking course followed by dinner.
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DAY 3- Carmignano Wines to Pisan Cuisine
This morning you
will have breakfast at your own leisure, have time to take a stroll
around the estate or simply relax in your comfortable apartments before
your cooking class followed by lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a
picturesque drive through the Carmignano wine region to the winery known
as Tenuta di Capezzana. Here you will enjoy a wine tour of the estate
and later try selected wines from Capezzana including the well known
Tuscan desert wine called ‘Vino Santo.” Later in the afternoon, we will
visit the most famous “leaning tower” town (Pisa) in Italy and there we
will try a little Pisan cuisine…. .
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DAY 4- Medieval Towers in the heart of Chianti
In the
morning, you will take a drive through the Chianti region situated
between Florence and Siena where an ancient Roman road will take us to
the medieval town known as San Gimignano; you will discover why
San Gimignano is the only remaining medieval town which has been called
the “Manhattan of Tuscany” because of its ten (originally there were
sixty five) towers! You will have a chance to shop while strolling along
the magical windy streets packed with local artisans stores specializing
in things such as ceramics , leather goods and wooden crafts. We will
stop at a local winery in San Gimignano we will taste the only white
wine in the Chianti region known as Vernaccia, taste local delicacies
and if the weekly market is open you will be in for a gastronomic
suprise! Cooking course followed by dinner at Villa Castelletti.
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DAY 5 – A Florentine Treat with our friends Sharon and
Mim’s
On this special day, we will meet up with Sharon, who is a
restaurant owner and Chef of the famous Trattoria Garga, and her
delightful partner Mims at the main central market in Florence. Sharon
and Mims will take us on a gastronomic tour teaching us about the main
raw ingredients of Tuscan Cuisine in preparation for the evening cooking
course. After this eye-opening outdoor market tour, you will have
free time to shop and discover the historical treasures of Florence. For
example, you could go visit the Uffizi and the main cathedral (Il
Duomo). Later in the aftenoon, we will meet back with Mims and Sharon at
the 16th century palazzo (located in the heart of Florence not far from
the Ponte Vecchio) opposite Trattoria Garga where you will enjoy a hands
on cooking extravaganza (cooking course followed by meal)!
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DAY 6- Leonardo Da Vinci in the morning, Gala dinner in the
evening !!!
This morning we will head out (West of Villa
Castelletti) to discover the quaint town of Vinci - home of the great
genius Leornardo Da Vinci.! We will make our way through the area of
Montalbano where we will stop at an olive oil farm and have a very
informative olive oil tasting. The rest of the day will be spent on
“our” noble estate at Villa Castelletti, where we will all be very busy
preparing for our fabulous farewell gala dinner! When available, we will
be having this gala dinner in the Main Villa.
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DAY 7- Farewell Villa Castelletti and
friends
After Breakfast and good-byes, you will be taken to the
airport or the train station in Florence in time for your departure
or Florentine hotel check-in, if you will be spending additional
time in Florence.
Back to Top
Sample Itinerary 1/2 Week
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DAY 1- Pick-up in Florence and arrival to Villa
Castelletti
Fly to Italy. We will pick you up in Florence and
then you will be accompanied by car or van to Villa Castelletti and then
welcomed at the Borgo (Hamlet) - your vacation home next to the main
Villa. After settling in, Linda will show you around the entire estate
which will be your home for one week! You will have time to relax in
your lovely apartment before enjoying a welcome drink with the staff at
the Borgo. We will dine at the restaurant on the Villa Castelletti
estate where Roberto, your cooking teacher for the week, will
prepare your first Tuscan meal at the restaurant (located on the estate)
where you will be taking your hands on cooking classes throughout the
week.
-
DAY 2- A perfect morning in Lucca
In the morning, after
Breakfast either in your apartments or out in the breakfast room, you
will take off to beautiful Lucca, a town west of Villa
Castelletti. We will take a pleasant tour around the heart of Lucca,
which is considered to be one of the most picturesque of all the
fortified (medieval wall) towns in Tuscany. After our informative tour,
you will have free time to shop, take a walk around it’s 16th century
intact walls, visit museums and churches or simply sit in one of the
many cafe’s that line this Roman city. You will enjoy a light lunch in
one of the many Trattoria’s in Lucca. Cooking course followed by dinner.
-
DAY 3- Carmignano Wines to Pisan Cuisine
This morning you
will have breakfast at your own leisure, have time to take a stroll
around the estate or simply relax in your comfortable apartments before
your cooking class followed by lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a
picturesque drive through the Carmignano wine region to the winery known
as Tenuta di Capezzana. Here you will enjoy a wine tour of the estate
and later try selected wines from Capezzana including the well known
Tuscan desert wine called ‘Vino Santo.” Later in the afternoon, we will
visit the most famous “leaning tower” town (Pisa) in Italy and there we
will try a little Pisan cuisine…. .
-
DAY 4- Medieval Towers in the heart of Chianti
In the
morning, you will take a drive through the Chianti region situated
between Florence and Siena where an ancient Roman road will take us to
the medieval town known as San Gimignano; you will discover why
San Gimignano is the only remaining medieval town which has been called
the “Manhattan of Tuscany” because of its ten (originally there were
sixty five) towers! You will have a chance to shop while strolling along
the magical windy streets packed with local artisans stores specializing
in things such as ceramics , leather goods and wooden crafts. We will
stop at a local winery in San Gimignano we will taste the only white
wine in the Chianti region known as Vernaccia, taste local delicacies
and if the weekly market is open you will be in for a gastronomic
suprise! Cooking course followed by dinner at Villa Castelletti.
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