|
The
trip includes:
-
6 nights in Arcidosso, near Siena, in a picturesque
medieval home next to a 12th century castle. The house is
beautifully furnished with antique furniture.
-
All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
-
Small groups: 4 to 6 people.
-
6 hands-on cooking courses in “La Cucina Povera Toscana”
– Tuscan country cooking.
-
5 guided excursions to the enchanting towns of Mount Amiata;
Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano (the Etruscans); Montalcino (famous for its
grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine), Pienza;
Siena; and Castiglione della Pescaia (a fishing village on the
seacoast). * Sometimes excursions are customized or replaced with
different activities to best suit the interests of the group.
-
All transportation (to and from Rome or Florence).
WHERE YOU WILL STAY: Arcidosso (Province of Grosseto) –
Small Medieval village on the slopes of Monte Amiata, the highest
mountain in Southern Tuscany that once was worshipped by the Etruscans.
Located one hour away from the coast, 45 minutes from Siena, two hours
from Florence, and two and a half hours north of Rome.
WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP: “Casa Innocenti”, a medieval house,
the highest of the village, next to the village Castle (12th century
AD). The house features 4 floors, 20 rooms, a wine cellar, and a garden.
COOKING COURSES: The cooking classes are taught by Carlo
Innocenti, the owner of the house. Carlo is quite a celebrity in
Arcidosso and the surrounding area for his entrepreneurial endeavors and
creativity. He is an experienced cook. In the past, he managed and was
the head chef of the 1st class cafe restaurant, Harry’s Bar in Punta
Ala, an upscale beach resort in the South of Tuscany. He also owned a
restaurant in his own house in Arcidosso, and has conducted cooking
courses in Basilea, Switzerland. The guests can learn genuine Southern
Tuscan dishes. All classes are hands-on and include local wine. The
courses are taught in a large rustic kitchen and dinner is served in the
newly renovated dining room.
EXCURSIONS: 5 excursions to the nearby villages of Mount
Amiata and Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano; Montalcino, Pienza; Siena; and
the lovely seaside village of Castiglione della Pescaia accompanied by
Carlo (the cook, your host and native of this beautiful area). All trips
include lunch in local restaurants that feature specialties of the
region.
*
We
would like to emphasize that we are quite flexible with regard to the
itinerary and the excursions. Carlo sometimes switches the days for
different excursions and sometimes, based on local events and
activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added or even
replace the normal schedule. The most important thing is to communicate
your specific interests which will be given priority if possible and in
the best interest of the group.
Back to Top
Sample Itinerary 1 Week
-
Day 1 - Depart from U.S. to Rome or Florence and arrival to
Arcidosso
Fly to Italy. Upon arrival at the airport of Rome or Florence, you
will be accompanied by car or bus to the village of Arcidosso and
then welcomed to your vacation home next to the castle. After
settling in, your host and chef, Carlo will show you his beautiful
home, yours too for a whole week! Then you can either relax in the
garden or take a walk through the enchanting streets of Arcidosso.
For dinner you will enjoy a Tuscan meal prepared by Carlo (with
optional cooking course).
-
Day 2 - The little towns of Monte Amiata
In the morning, after having had breakfast at home or at a local
cafe for a cappuccino, you’ll take off for Santa Fiora, a village
just 7 km away from Arcidosso. There you’ll visit the historic
center and an ancient Parish Church which contains fine terracotta
bas-reliefs by Andrea della Robbia (15th century), and La Peschiera,
the private gardens and swimming pool of the Sforza family (16th
century). You will then go Radicofani, a striking hill town and have
lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, on the way home, you will
stop in Abbadia San Salvatore where you will visit its famous abbey
and the crypt built by the Longobards. Cooking course followed by
dinner.
-
Day 3 - The Etruscan villages: Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovana
You’ll start off the day by going to Pitigliano. This medieval town
built on tufa stones features a fascinating ghetto with its own
Synagogue and Jewish cemetery. Then, we’ll continue to Sorano, where you
can visit the massive fortress (built by the Orsini family), the rest of
village and have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, we will go to
Sovana, Pope Gregory VII’s birthplace, visit its country church and the
old town square which is surrounded by cafes and little souvenir shops.
Once home, you can prepare a healthy Tuscan dinner with Carlo (cooking
lesson).
-
Day 4 - Siena
In the morning, after your breakfast, you’ll set off for Siena. You
will visit the famous Piazza del Campo, the main square where the
people from Siena (“i senesi”) organize, twice a year, a medieval
horse race known as Il Palio. Facing the square there is the
beautiful tour Torre del Mangia, where if you wish, you can climb up
to the top to admire a marvelous view of the city. You can also
visit the Duomo which is a baroque style cathedral. At the end of
morning, will have a lunch in a quaint restaurant in Piazza del
Campo. Once home, and after having rested, you can prepare with
Carlo a healthy Tuscany dinner (cooking lesson).
-
Day 5 - Montalcino (wine country); Pienza
In the morning, you’ll set off for Montalcino, a town famous for its
Sangiovese grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine.
You will visit the magnificent 14th century Rocca (a fortress), have
lunch in a local restaurant and then enjoy yourself wandering around the
village and exploring picturesque little shops. You will then continue
to Pienza, visit its main square, Piazza Pio II, which is a model of
Renaissance planning. This main piazza is so attractive that it was
recently used to shoot scenes for the film The English Patient. Evening
dinner with cooking course at home.
Day 6 - Castiglione della Pescaia and farewell dinner
For the last day in Southern Tuscany, you will enjoy a trip to the
seacoast to the pretty seaside village of Castiglione della Pescaia.
This old fishing village stands up high on a hill with its castle
looking over the turquoise bay. You will enjoy a tasty lunch at a local
restaurant. In the evening, you will have your last cooking class for
the farewell dinner.
-
Day 7 - Departure
You can choose to have a final breakfast at the house or at your
favorite cafe in Arcidosso before heading back to the airport.
* On Tuesday or Wednesday you may visit the local market of Arcidosso
or that of the nearby village of Castel del Piano.
* During the spring and fall, you may participate to local “Sagre” –
food festivals which take place in medieval villages and towns of
southern Tuscany.
Back to Top
Half Week Cooking Course Vacation
The trip includes:
-
3 nights in “Casa Innocenti” in Arcidosso, near Siena, a
picturesque medieval home next to a 12th century castle. The house
is beautifully furnished with antique furniture.
-
All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
-
Small groups: 4 to 6 people.
-
3 hands-on cooking courses taught in the rustic Tuscan
kitchen.
-
2 guided excursions to the enchanting towns of Mount
Amiata; Montalcino (the land of Brunello wine) and Pienza. *
Sometimes excursions are customized or replaced with different
activities to best suit the interests of the group.
WHERE YOU WILL STAY: Arcidosso (Province of Grosseto) –
Small Medieval village on the slopes of Monte Amiata, the highest
mountain in Southern Tuscany, once worshipped by the Etruscans. Just one
hour away from the coast, 45 minutes from Siena, two hours from
Florence, and two and a half hours north of Rome.
WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP: A medieval house, the highest of the
village, next to the village Castle (12th century AD). The house
features 4 floors, 20 rooms, a wine cellar, and a garden.
COOKING COURSES: 3 cooking classes taught by Carlo
Innocenti, the owner of the house. Carlo is quite a celebrity in
Arcidosso and the surrounding area for his entrepreneurial endeavors and
creativity. He is an experienced cook. In the past, he managed and was
the head chef of the 1st class cafe restaurant, Harry’s Bar in Punta
Ala, an upscale beach resort in the South of Tuscany. He also owned a
restaurant in his own house in Arcidosso, and has conducted cooking
courses in Basilea, Switzerland. The guests can learn genuine Southern
Tuscan dishes. All classes are hands-on and include local wine. The
courses are taught in a large rustic kitchen and dinner is served in the
newly renovated dining room.
EXCURSIONS: 2 excursions to the nearby villages of Mount Amiata;
Montalcino and Pienza. The excursions to Montalcino and Pienza include
lunch in a local restaurant that features specialties of the region.
* We would like to emphasize that we are quite flexible with regard to
the itinerary and the excursions. Carlo sometimes switches the days for
different excursions and sometimes, based on local events and
activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added or even
replace the normal schedule. The most important thing is to communicate
your specific interests which will be given priority if possible and in
the best interest of the group.
Back to Top
Sample Itinerary 1/2 Week
-
Day 1 – Arrival in Arcidosso.
After settling in, your host and chef, Carlo will give you a tour of
his beautiful home. Then, you can either relax in the garden or take
a walk through the enchanting streets of Arcidosso. For dinner, you
will help Carlo cooking a delicious Tuscan meal (cooking class).
-
Day 2 – The little towns of Mount Amiata.
In the morning after having had breakfast at home or at a local cafe
for a cappuccino, you may want to wander around the ancient streets
of Arcidosso. At around 11:00 am you will have a cooking class.
After the delicious lunch, you’ll take off for your tour of the
little villages of Mount Amiata. Santa Fiora is a village just 7 km
away from Arcidosso. There you’ll visit the historic center and an
ancient Parish Church which contains fine terracotta bas-reliefs by
Andrea della Robbia (15th century), and La Peschiera, the private
gardens and swimming pool of the Sforza family (16th century). You
will then go Radicofani, a striking hill town and have lunch in a
local restaurant. After lunch, on the way home, you will stop in
Abbadia San Salvatore where you will visit its famous abbey and the
crypt built by the Longobards. Cooking course followed by dinner.
-
Day 3 – Montalcino (wine country); Pienza.
In the morning, you’ll set off for Montalcino, a town famous for its
grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine. You will
visit the magnificent 14th century Rocca (a fortress), have lunch in
a local restaurant and then enjoy yourself wandering around the
village and exploring picturesque little shops. You will then
continue to Pienza, visit its main square, Piazza Pio II, a model of
Renaissance planning. This main piazza is so attractive that it was
recently used to shoot scenes for the film The English Patient. In
the evening you will have your last cooking course and dinner at
home.
-
Day 4 – Departure.
After breakfast, you can depart Arcidosso at your own leisure.
On Tuesday or Wednesday you can visit the local market of Arcidosso
or that of the nearby village of Castel del Piano.
Back to Top |
