About the location: San Martino di Venezze is situated about an hour south of
Venice in the in the heart of the Polesano landscape, not far from Valpolicella,
where the famed Amarone wine is produced. Your culinary vacation will take
place at an original 15th century villa owned by
Contessa Maria Giustiniani. The Contessa has ardently transformed the villa
into one of the Veneto’s finest hotels, all the while retaining the historical
authenticity and elegance of the property.
Standing at the end of an avenue
of ancient lime trees, the villa is made up of thirteen rooms; each one
equipped with air conditioning, TV, and private ensuite bathroom. The villa
itself is surrounded by lush gardens and offers an oasis of calm with a beautiful
outdoor pool and covered terrace.
About the cooking lessons: Recipes vary according to season, using only the
freshest ingredients. Maria and her team will guide you through techniques
and recipes handed down through generations of local women. Each class will run from around 10:30 a.m.
to 2:00 p.m. and will
consist of four to five dishes, each part of the revered local cuisine of the Veneto.
Cook in a Veneto Villa
San Martino di Venezze, Veneto
Cooking Vacation Itinerary
Day One - Monday
- Arrival on own at your accommodations in time for your first cooking class, which starts at 10:00 am. (If you would like to arrive a
day early, please inquire for rates.)
This morning learn pasta-making using techniques and recipes handed
down through many generations of local women.
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Lunch at the villa to follow, based on your efforts.
-
In the afternoon
meet a local cheese expert for a culinary excursion to Borgoforte.
The guided tour will show you the art of cheese making:
step by step, you will follow the entire process of cheese production,
from fermentation to the maturing techniques and finishing with local
herbs and spices. The tour can be combined with a guided cheese tasting.
- Return to the villa for dinner and overnight.
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Day Two - Tuesday
- Breakfast.
-
In the morning your second hands-on cooking class, using meat,
fish and herbs, or vegetables and starters.
- Lunch to follow based on your
efforts.
-
After lunch, a wine tasting at Il Dominio di Bagnoli, where you can taste the famous
Friularo (red dry wine).
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Dinner at the villa.
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Day Three - Wednesday
-
Breakfast.
-
Your third hands-on cooking lesson.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
-
In the afternoon a tour of the Montagnana
which is famous for prosciutto ham. The tour will include
a sampling of the finest prosciutto and other amazing local
products, and you will learn the secrets to how these favorites
are made. You will also have the chance to meet the owners and learn what to look for
in truly great food.
-
Dinner at the villa.
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Day Four - Thursday
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US$1200 per person based on double occupancy
US$150 single supplement
US$500 non-cooking companion
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2009 Tour Dates
Available Monday to Thursday for a minimum of two, maximum of ten people.
May 11-14
May 18-21
May 25-28
June 1-4
June 8-11
June 15-18
June 22-25
June 29-July 2
August 31-September 3
September 7-10
September 14-17
September 21-24
September 28-October 1
October 5-8
October 19-22
October 26-29
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Included in the cooking vacation:
- Three nights accommodation in comfort or superior room with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast
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Three cooking lessons and all meals, including wine
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Wine tasting
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Two gastronomic excursions as per itinerary
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Taxes and services
Please note that arrival and departure transfers are not included. We can arrange transfers
at an additional cost (or you may take a train to Rovigo and from there it is a short taxi ride
to the property); however, we highly recommend that you rent a car, and would be happy to assist you
with a low-cost rental.
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Cooking Vacations 
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