Heart of Chianti at Villa Bordoni

We stayed at the beautiful Villa Bordoni, and had a fantastic time with the cooking classes. We had 3 lessons during the week, and enjoyed our hands on experience. The kitchen at Villa Bordoni was arranged perfectly for classes with such an open floor plan. We had 3 different chefs, all of which were entertaining and informative. Our meals were deliciously filling and rewarding. Our rustic farmhouse cooking class reminded us that Italian cooking is defined by the local flavors and ingredients based on the seasons. Yum, we can still taste the freshness. We can't speak highly enough of the staff at Villa Bordoni and International Kitchen guides. They were courteous and accommodating, and made our experience a truly personal one. David and Katherine Gardner impressed us with their beautiful villa, attention to detail, and kindness. David impressed us with his 1000 year old dungeon turned wine cellar. We appreciated Katherine's ability make us feel at home in their Villa. We feel that we made friends during the week. The International Kitchen staff was great. Each of our guides were friendly and courteous, and punctual. They shared their personal stories that made the picturesque scenery even more meaningful. We plan to use International Kitchen for our next European vacation. Andrew M., FL

Perfect. Villa Bordoni and The International Kitchen program offered up a feast for the senses. David and Catherine Gardiner are the consummate hosts; the atmosphere at the hotel is a wonderfully orchestrated combination of elegance and comfort. We especially loved having the family dogs sprawled out at our feet on the terrace during breakfast! We felt totally pampered; each day was meticulously planned to include just the right amount of enough cooking, touring, down time and socializing with the other hotel guests. I was particularly appreciative of the excellent work out facilities to counteract the delicious Tuscan cuisine. Villa Bordoni's state-of-the art teaching kitchen was the perfect setting for our daily classes. Nancy's pasta menu was a fitting intro to the week of Tuscan cooking. Francesco taught us so much over the three days - we will be utilizing his culinary secrets and recalling his delightful manner in our own kitchen for many years to come. The class with Loretta and Alberto in their farmhouse was an once-in-a-lifetime experience which rounded out our week. The variety of activities outside of the kitchen was well balanced - from the casual hike to the village of Montefioralle to the first-class tours of Siena and San Gimignano. We enjoyed the tour of the Castello Verrazano winery and its stunning gardens and appreciated the intimate wine tasting with David in his own cellar at the Villa. We are already planning our next cooking vacation and have sent links to your site to many of our friends. Your staff were excellent. We sincerely appreciated their efforts to find the "right fit" for us. The choice could not have been better. The help putting together our extra night in Florence and early airport transfers was very helpful. Thank you creating the perfect vacation. Katy H., Victoria, BC, Canada

Villa Bordoni was unbelievable. The rooms were impecable and the hospitality of David and Catherine was unparralled. The food was delicious. The four lessons I had were alot of fun. Three of the classes were conducted by someone that did not speak english but someone was there to translate. It truly worked out well but might have been easier if they spoke english. All meals were fabulous. I think for the first time in my life I was full and couldn't eat any more. I would highly recommend to others. The only thing I would change is not put the trips to Sienna and San Gimignango together. It made for a very full day. I think speading them out on opposite days would have worked better. The walking tour was alot of fun. I really liked Elena. she was full of insightly information about the area and the building. She really made you feel like she enjoyed her job. I think she never stopped smiling. All aspects of the planning was great. The staff was very informative. I always felt like everyone wanted to help make any changes or fill any requests. Great experience. Thank you. This has been a tremendous vacation. Christine D., CA

The classes were not the highlight of this trip...it was the Villa and the wonderful hospitalty that we received. Day 1 of cooking was fun with Nancy. Day 2 with Franchesco was not as much fun. Katherine translated for us with him, but the dishes were not as interesting to do. The International Kitchen staff was incredible. I only wished that I had realized that Karen could help us with the rest of our trip before I spent so much wasted time. Joyce K., CA

To Karen Herbst: Thank you for a most wonderful week at Villa Bordoni in Chianti. I cannot rave enough about the accommodations, the people, the food, the cooking classes, and the tours you set up for us. David Gardiner and his wife, Katherine, are such warm and welcoming people, that we felt right at home in their four star surroundings. Francesco, their chef, was most patient and helpful with our efforts, and his food is superlative. I never thought I would enjoy octopus or stuffed calmari, but enjoy them we did, and I will even do the recipes at home if I can get the seafood to prepare them with. Zahman, their man of all talents, cleaned up our messes, served us breakfast, made coffee, and always had a warm and pleasant smile and word for us at breakfast in the morning and in the kitchen. Riccardo and the office crew as well as the rest of the staff went out of their way to make us comfortable. We made pasta three ways, a divine cheesecake, chocolate mousse, poached pears, Tuscan bread soup, Tuscan beef stew, risotto, ricotta flan, etc. and ate delicacies beyond the imagination, along with plentiful wine. Elizabeth, from the Florence office, was a delightful guide on our afternoon walk to Montefiorelli and Greve, and the drivers who ferried us to and from the villa and on our day trip to Siena and San Gimignano were knowledgeable and most accommodating. Our tour to Castle Verazzano was an excellent surprise. We were delighted with the variety of activities you planned for our week. All in all, the trip was superb beyond expectation. Mary Ellen and I agreed that we would not have changed a thing. For your future guests to Villa Bordoni, I would suggest only that they consider a junior suite if they wish true luxury beyond what is already a high end trip. Thank you again. We look forward to future cooking trips with you , and a return someday to Villa Bordoni whenever we are fortunate enough to visit Tuscany again. Stasia, Park Ridge, IL

The Villa was in a lovely setting and very comfortable; David and Catherine were wonderful hosts and really went out of their way to make it a great trip. Going to their pizzeria to make pizza was great fun and helping their neighbors harvest an olive tree I will always remember. I would have liked more time in actual cooking instruction and one or so fewer excursions. Personally I expected to be cooking everyday and some days we didn't cook at all. When we were cooking the chef, Francesco and assistant Nancy were wonderful and I am very excited about what I learned. One other note - getting the recipe packet to take home was great but the measurements are in the metric system (not suprirsingly) - difficult to translate once back home, particularly for baking. Jennifer B., IL

The experience was wonderful. It was structured in such a way as you could participate as much as you want, or not at all if you felt like it. The classes werent too long, and very fun and informative. I did like that the Villa Bordoni incorporated other off site activities, and that we even had a day without cooking while touring San Gimignano. The activities were interesting and related to the region, and plenty of wine tasting, which we loved. I enjoyed both visits to Antinori and Verrazano vineyards, as they were different. The pizza making class was really fun. The owners and staff at Villa Bordoni were a joy, accommodating and pleasant, and so very helpful. The property is absolutely beautiful and a relaxing setting. I cannot say enough nice things about Villa Bordoni. Ellen D., IL

Villa Bordoni was incredible and the experience was exceptional, mostly because of our hosts, David and Catherine Gardner, and the chefs, Nancy and Francesco. David and Catherine and their staff coordinated excellent cooking classes and meals for us. Francesco and Nancy were a fantastic team and we did just enough cooking - it was very fun and educational and we were able to do as little or as much as we wanted. We took at trip to David and Catherine's restaurant in Florence to learn how to make pizza and it was such a fun day! David also coordinated a visit to an olive oil mill for us and was so accommodating. I think we were exceptionally lucky to have gone to this location and met these people. They made all the difference. Kristine F., IL

We loved the location and amenities at Villa Bordoni. The hotel is exquisite and the staff/service were first rate. The classes were informative and well presented. We also really enjoyed the extra excursions/tours that were planned for us. A change I'd make to the schedule was to skip the tour/tasting at Antinori Winery in favor of the tour/lunch/tasting at Castello di Verrazzano. Both tours covered much of the same information, but the Castello was superior in every sense. I'd also make the lessons in the mornings as opposed to the one lesson we had in the late afternoon prior to dinner. Many of the students were very tired from the day and we didn't get as much out of it as possible. But really, those are minor details that would help make a fabulous vacation a tad bit more enjoyable... This trip definitely exceeded all my expectations and much of it was due to your choice of Villa Bordoni. ...The members of the International Kitchen Staff were all very knowledgeable, courteous, and helpful, especially Elizabeth and her partner who walked with us from Villa Bordoni down to Greve through Montefioralle. The drivers were also prompt and professional. Amy L., CO

We had an outstanding time and appreciate all of the additional help in planning our honeymoon. We have raved about your company and have already sent interested friends and family to your website. We will certainly be contacting you in the future for another great vacation plan! Joe and Miya F., WA