Authentic Southern Tuscany

I cannot find any faults with this wonderful trip. The hotel was well located, the staff extremely helpful and friendly and very knowledgeable. The cooking classes were fun and instructive. The tours to other Tuscan centers were interesting and great for photographers. The wonderful trip to visit a vineyard of friends of the owner of Palazzo Bandino were very special and an experience! Will always treasure Palazzo Bandino, it was a perfect holiday. Betty Ann G., Ontario, Canada

The accommodations at the Palazzo Bandino were excellent. The entire staff from Mr. G. Valeriani, the owner, his daughter Marta the manager, and all members of the staff were were cheerful, helpful and courteous at all times. The food was superb, even that food prepared by the students, with of course the capable teaching of Chef Luciano. The excursions to the hillside villages of Tuscany were equally enjoyable. We found the Chicago staff very efficient and were very helpful in providing us with our train transportation within Italy. Arlene D., FL

I enjoyed the staff at Palazzo Bandino; everyone was friendly and helpful but also enthusiastic. Marta Valeriani went beyond the call of duty to care for my friend who was ill, as did Tamara. Our group mixed well and we had lots of laughs together. We had a good mix of fun and learning at school and on our excursions. The timing was good with breaks during the day. My only discomforts occurred with the amount of salt and oil used. Heather W., Ontario, Canada

The staff of Palazzo Bandino (Marta, Gabriele, Tamara, Fillippo, Emmanuel & Chef Luciano) were absolutely fantastic. Their friendly & courteous customer service exceeded my expectation. The villa set the atmosphere of a true Tuscan experience and the individual rooms were clean & appropriately outfitted. The day trips were snapshots of Tuscany. Most remarkably, every meal was outstanding. The meals that we prepared were diverse cooking experiences. The others had savory, fresh tastes and simply reflected Tuscan presentation. Memories to remember forever. Kimberly H., Ontario, Canada

The Palazzo Bandino family and the staff are exception. They are friendly and accommodating from the moment you arrive. The cooking classes while packed full of recipes are fun and informative. For future guests of this program, you really need to want to cook (or learn to cook) for 2-5 hrs. straight. This was perfect for me. I can't wait to try the recipes at home for my family and friends. My favorite outing was the day trip in Siena; simply beautiful. Pam P., Ontario, Canada

The staff was so friendly and accommodating. No request was too much. During the cooking class, we really participated in making the dishes and all of them were delicious and unique. The excursions varied in length and gave a lot of opportunity for us to experience Tuscany. The chef and interpreter were fun, our wine maker and tour guide knew much to share and the 'boss,' Marta and her helpers Tamara and Phillip created a homey, welcoming vacation spot. Ann P., Ontario, Canada

The Valeriani family's hospitality was fantasitc. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, welcome and at ease. The food was delicious-Chef Luciano was so enjoyable and made each lesson memorable. They day trips were just right in length and location. Never could one have arranged the experience on their own-I would highly recommend the experience to all-the best way to see Tuscany! Karen S., Ontario, Canada

Our experience was great! Mainly because we were treated so well by all of the staff members here. Everyone was professional and accommodating and helped to make every day interesting and exciting (as well as relaxing)! We thought the cooking classes with Luciano were interesting and informative. We will certainly go home with a new respect for Tuscan food, wine and cooking. We will be sure to talk about how vibrant and personable our instructor, Luciano, was during our classes. Mark & Shawn P., MD

I enjoyed every minute of my stay. The Palazzo is beautiful, the classes, so much fun and informative, great side trips and wonderful hosts/owners-Gabriele, Marta. The week far exceeded my expectations. A special thanks to lively Chef Luciano and the very patient and lovely Emanuela-Filipo too! First class operation with great attention to detail, amazing food and wine. I would love to return! Diane S., WA

From start to finish it was outstanding. We were met at the train station and the excellent hospitality began. From lunch the first day until being dropped off at the station the following Saturday, it could not have been better. The chef, the staff, and all the hosts were very accomodating and helpful as we learned about the Tuscan cooking method and visited the local communities. We knew it would be fun and educational but it exceeded our expectations. [The International Kitchen staff] could not have done more to enhance our vacation. We will probably try another cooking vacation sometime in the future. Perhaps Spain or Germany. Please keep in touch. Frank V., TX

The accomadations were very good in Florence and Chuci. The entire trip was splendid, along with the wonderful food. There was more walking then I expected,but taking very comfortable shoes, there was no problem. Gabrielle and Marta were wonderful hosts and made their hotel seem more like a home to us. A big thank you to Anne Marie,of your staff, for the helpful hints to make the trip the sucess that it was. Ann, RI

The whole experience at Palazzo Bandino was a dream come true! The accomodations were like a picture postcard--and the view from the bedroom window was breathtaking! The food was delicious and so very Tuscan. The hospitality was the best! EVERYONE bent over backwards to see that your every need was met. Aside from the cooking experience, the wine and olive oil education was very informative. The daily side trips were sooo much fun. Having your own personal driver to translate and take you to the best spots was such a personal touch. And, a trip to the spa at Chianciano Terme was so relaxing! Everything was absolutely perfect! My thanks to Gabriele, Marta, Manuela, Sonia, Marco, and, of course, chef Luciano! Karen P., OR

First of all, the property itself was amazing. The home was situated in the most beautiful setting, with the grapes and olive trees close by. The inside of the palazzo was so warm and inviting. Our hosts were sincere, friendly, and helpful. Also, the staff was first class, eager to make our stay enjoyable. Our slightest wish was their command. I cannot say enough about the experience, except that I would return in a minute and repeat the entire experience all over again. Our chef, Luciano, was not only an excellent teacher, he loves the United States and was so friendly to the four of us taking the class. His directions were clear and his sense of humor was fantastic. Our efforts were fruitful--everything we made turned out very very well. I expected that my friend and I would have a motel-type room--boy were we surprised to get a full apartment with kitchen, living room, bedroom and bath. All the comforts of home. They even had a washing machine on the property at our disposal. Besides the wonderful foods we prepared and ate from our class, all other meals were the best ever. The Palazzo's regular chef, Katia, is a wonderful cook. We were so full, from meal to meal, that we almost exploded!!!!! Our day trips, in addition to our cooking class, were all to be remembered. We enjoyed each and every city and town, and especially enjoyed our visits to a local pottery shop, the olive oil making establishment and the special winery tour we took. All in all, our trip and time spent at Palazzo Bandino was the highlight of our trip to Italy. If you need any type of recommendation, please do not hesitate to let me know. I wish I could have shared the experience with my husband, family and friends. As I said before, I would go back there again (if I had the $$$$$ to do so.) Valerie F., CA

A WONDERFUL and fun experience. My daughter thought it was one of the highlights of the trip. I will certainly recommend your class to others when I know they are coming to Italy. Thanks for a great day. Sue W., FL

I had a wonderful experience. The rural character of palazzo Bandino, the excellent food & wine, the side trips to the towns in the area were all excellent. The trip to San Gimignano and Siena was unforgettable. There are no words to describe and thank the hard working staff. Thy are an example to every human being how to interact with strangers and make them welcome. To Enrica, Barbara, Dominick, Angela and everybody else my thanks. I will tell my friends of my experience and will encourage them to come to Palazzo Bandino and enjoy its excellent program. Jose V. & Suzanne D.

The people on the trip were wonderful. The staff at Palazzo Bandino were terrific. They really went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and having the best possible experience. The accommodations were great. Very spacious and comfortable. The food and wine were great. The trips around the area were very informative and really gave a sense of life in Tuscany. The entire experience was fabulous. We had a lunch at a local restaurant that was arranged especially for us that was really great. Also, a trip to a local olive oil mill was wonderful. I felt that we were really given a very Tuscan experience. The cooking classes were also very good. Chris S .

What I did not like was the last day because it was so perfect I wanted to start over on the first day. The chef made learning fun and the staff was very personable and attended to all our needs. Now I want to become a “Tuscan expert” so I can come back soon! There is no trip as well organized and as personal as this trip. It will ruin you for other tours. Darci G.

It was the best. Loved the cooking experience, but the trips to all the small villages were so important to me to see how this beautiful area lives. Thank you, thank you, for a wonderful time with my four daughters. Thank you for Fabio!! Toni M.

The staff were great – very friendly and made me feel at home. Spa treatment was a lot of fun. Meeting new friends from Italy and other parts of the US. Visiting the villages and shopping. I never cook – this was fun! Having dinner at the olive mill was great – food was good, seeing the process was amazing. Great fun and a beautiful, relaxing and friendly place. Darlene F.

Palazzo Bandino & the staff were most excellent, comfortable & accommodating. Loved, loved, loved Chef Luciano & Angela- a memorable pair. Enrica, Barbara, Dominick & Ann- thank you for all your hard work and cappuccinos. Mr. Valeriani is very fortunate to have found all of you. And thank you Gabriele for creating an environment of peace, serenity, fun and excitement a most gracious host & true guide. Grazie mille. Molly D.

Everything was wonderful! From the moment we were picked up at the train station, the people were great, with the attention and care they gave to the people in this group. The classes were fun and did meet or exceed what I expected coming in. This has been a great experience – one I would wish on anyone interested in Tuscan cooking. Thank you for sharing your life with us for this week! James F.

The love of the staff was felt to the heart. The passion of Luciano was evident in cooking, presentation, and honesty. Pure Tuscan cooking at its best! Would love to come back and bring friends (wife too!). Thank you for an exciting week. You are all blessed with a great region of Italy. Wonderful food, and a long history of hospitality. Jack C.

The friendliness of the staff and owners from the time I arrived on November 2, 2003 until my week was ending – I have never experienced anything like this. The classes were wonderful and the accommodations much more than I could have ever anticipated. This is the very best experience I have ever had. Everyone on the staff far exceeded any of my expectations. Karen F.

The staff was extremely helpful and attentive. We felt that the level of teaching was not above the level of any of the participants. Gabriele went out of his way to see that we received the/his heritage of Tuscany, such as to call the Etruscan Museum and successfully ask for the museum to be opened when it should have been closed. Chef Luciano was delightful, full of energy, presenting his lessons most pleasurably. Dick B.

This trip was fantastic. The cooking classes and the tours of ancient cities, winery and olive mill were truly a memory that I will keep in my heart. However, Palazzo Bandino, Gabriele, Enrica, Barbara, Anna and Fabio were the most enjoyable and hospitable guides I have ever experienced. Good luck with all your future programs as people only need to hear about this experience to really enjoy the “Tuscan” life! Thank you from my heart! Alma Joan K.

My experience will always live in my heart forever. The villa and Gabriele were excellent! The staff made this trip very special. They meet your every need, little to big, with a willingness to serve you. Enrica serves with warmth and love. Anna will take care of you and your rooms with utmost care. Fabio fantastico! No other words needed! Luciano made it seem possible that all of us could be chef! His personality magnifico! Sharen C.