Overview

This week-long vacation will consist of a very small and intimate group of about 12 people. It is an 8 day, 7 night all-inclusive experience that embraces Italian cooking, culinary and artistic tradition while exploring some of the most incredible off-the-beaten-path treasures that are unique to Tuscany, Umbria and Alto Lazio. It is a week of discovery as you integrate into Italian village life, living among the villagers, shopping with them, and getting to know them. Most of all, it is a week of fun, family and laughter as we share what makes Italy so special in a very personal way.

The Cooking Classes
We'll have four half-day completely hands-on cooking classes this week, Our cooking classes are not demonstrations. They are 100% hands-on. We structure them so that you can be as involved as you wish in every stage of every course we prepare. So, if you are up for it, we will get wrist-deep as we make Gnocchi from scratch, Vermicelli, Tuscan Roasted Chicken, homemade Limoncello, Biscotti Gelato, and country wood-fired pizza. You will learn to make exciting desserts such as the best Tiramisu you will ever taste , new appetizers like Panzanella, sausage and cheese bruschetta, and much more.

For those would rather eat than cook, our classes take place at our beautiful 18th century country villa. Take control of our 90-bottle wine rack, relax, take a stroll, or just enjoy the wonderful Italian countryside. Whether you are cooking or not, the time we spend at the villa is always a highlight.

The Excursions
When we are not cooking, we are heading out on some truly incredible excursions. We'll visit some amazing wineries, including small family-run places where we will meet the owners and dine with them, and the most beautiful wine cellar in the world. We'll visit a small home-based olive mill that still uses the antique methods to produce some of the most incredible extra virgin olive oil. We'll visit an actual prince as he gives us a private tour of his castle, and we'll of course see many popular sights, such as Montepulciano, Orvieto, Pienza and more.

When the week is over, you will have experienced the real Italy that few tourists have ever experienced. You will have made new friends, and you will have learned why Italian culture is so amazing... because you will have lived it.

Cities we'll visit...

Tuscany:
Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Castelnuovo d'Abate

Umbria:
Orvieto, Terni, Ferentillo, Labro

Alto Lazio:
Civita di Bagnoregio, Bomarzo, Bagnaia, Castiglione in Teverina

What we'll be cooking...

1. Class 1: Gnocchi made from scratch (with Sorrentina & Sautéed Porcini sauces); Sausage-Stracchino Bruschetta; Sautéed Bell Peppers (Pepperoni all Pina); Chicken Cacciatore; Amaretto-Plum Crostata.
2. Class 2: Panzanella; Vermicelli pasta made from scratch (with Arrabiata & Carbonara sauces); Tuscan Roasted Potatoes; Tuscan Roasted Chicken; Tiramisu
3. Class 3: Limoncello, Limoncello Cream, Cantucci (Tuscan Biscotti), Gelato (Vanilla with fresh fruit & balsamic vinegar reduction), Gelato (Chocolate-Pepperoncino), Spaghetti all'Amatriciana.
4. Class 4: Focaccia with Melon, Prosciutto & Mortadella (Figs when in season), Margherita Pizza, Sausage & Porcini Mushroom Pizza, Caramelized Onion Pizza, Caramelized Sugar Pizza, Ricotta & Nutella Pizza
   

Factories, Wineries & Mills we will visit...

1. Madonna delle Macchie Winery & Olive Mill in Castiglione (Orvieto Wine & Umbrian Olive Oil)
2. Croce di Mezzo Winery in Montalcino (Brunello Wine)
3. Casanova di Neri Winery in Montalcino (Brunello Wine - Time Permitting)
4. Cantina del Redi Winery in Montepulciano (Vino Nobile Wine)