About the location:
This week represents the best of Tuscany! Your week will begin in the heart of Tuscany,
at the Villa Bianca Hotel, which provides an alluring blend of tradition and charm.
It is located in the historical town of Gambassi, a small spa town midway between Florence
and Siena. This luxurious villa dates back to the 19th century, when it was the home of the
illustrious philologist Zingarelli. Meticulous restoration work has returned the villa to its
original splendour. This hotel is a small gem; only 10 rooms, all of which are tastefully
furnished with antiques and beautiful fabrics, yet complete with all modern amenities.
Each room has an original signature wall decoration created by the noted local artist,
Giulio Greco. The lovely swimming pool, surrounded by a large Italian style garden,
is part of the extraordinary landscaping that creates a green oasis around this elegant hotel.
The hotel restaurant Gambasinus provides a wonderful setting with stunning indoor and outdoor
dining areas. You will spend fours glorious nights at the Villa Bianca exploring the best of
Tuscan regional cuisine before heading for Florence, where you will spend two nights in a
lovely, centrally located hotel.
About the cooking lessons: Chef Luca Tinti is a young chef, knowledgable and full of enthusiasm. And, you will find him a very charming teacher!
During you hands-on cooking lessons, in which you will use the freshest of ingredients, you will learns dishes from the best of Tuscan traditions: chicken liver pate
with bruschetta all'olio, beef carpaccio, homemade egg papardelle noodles with wild duck sauce, pappa al pomodoro, creamy risotto with saffron from San
Gimignano, wild boar with balck olives, tagliata di manzo (beef fillet) with parmesan cheese and red chicory, zuppa inglese dessert.
This wonderful gourmet experience also features some of our most unique food excursions: a visit to a truffle factory with a truffle hunt,
Medieval and Renaissance dinners, cheese tastings, two market visits, and the chance to dine with a real Florentine family.
Bella Tuscany at Villa Bianca
Gambassi & Florence, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day One - Sunday: Firenze-Gambassi Terme
- Transfer from the Florence airport/railway station to Villa Bianca in Gambassi Terme.
- The Villa, built in the early 19th century, has been recently remodelled and lies amidst a peaceful green park.
- Enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner around 8:00 PM at the hotel’s restaurant Gambasinus, local wine included.
- Overnight at Villa Bianca.
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Day Two - Monday: Castello di Oliveto
- Breakfast.
- In the morning, meet Chef Luca Tinti in the hotel’s restaurant for your first hands-on cooking
class followed by lunch based on your culinary efforts.
- In the late afternoon, visit the nearby Tuscan farm Castello di Oliveto.
A special guided tasting has been arranged with a selection of wines pared with cheeses and local Tuscan salami in the farm’s garden.
- Return back to the Villa Bianca for dinner with local wine included.
- Overnight at Villa Bianca.
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Day Three - Tuesday: San Gimignano, San Miniato and its truffle
- Breakfast followed by a morning free for leisure activities.
You may want to swim in the delightful pool located on the premises or have a spa treatment at the
Thermal & Wellness center of Gambassi Terme (sauna, massages, hay baths,
aromatherapy and aesthetic treatments in general can be arranged if confirmed in advance).
- Around 11.00 AM transfer to San Gimignano to discover this medieval town and
its world-famous towers.
- Lunch on your own in San Gimignano.
- Enjoy an afternoon exploration of the countryside nearby San Minato where a special guided
visit has been arranged at a family run company, Tartufi Nacci, which has specialized
in the production of truffle products for three generations.
Enjoy a walk in the woods accompanied by dogs to search for the prized white truffle.
- Afterwards learn more about harvest time and the creation of different truffle products
with a tasting.
- The last stop of your culinary adventure will be in the little town of Montopoli
at the famous restaurant
Enoteca i Quattro gigli for a Renassaince dinner.
The original menu offers a large selection of ancient Tuscan recipes such as
chocolate noodles with hare sauce, fillet of chianina with chestnut sauce,
bread maccheroncini with cinta senese pig sauce – specialites that you cannot
taste anywhere else!
- After dinner, return back to Villa Bianca and overnight.
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Day Four - Wednesday: Market of Certaldo - Villa Pillo
- Breakfast.
- Meet Chef Luca for a special excursion to the weekly outdoor market in the nearby
town of Certaldo where locals come to buy fruits, vegetables
(including the locally famous Certaldo onion) and every household necessity imaginable.
- Return to Villa Bianca for your second cooking class with lunch to follow, wine included.
- In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Fattoria di Pillo — a modern, high tech winery—
for a visit and tasting.
- Return to Villa Bianca.
- Dinner tonight will feature a special medieval menu.
Time to savour the panoramic views!
- Overnight at Villa Bianca.
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Day Five - Thursday: Florence
- After breakfast, check out and transfer to Florence.
- On the way to Florence, stop at a local cheese-maker for a guided tasting.
- An authentic sensory experience, breathing the scents of the different pecorino
cheeses and distinguishing the various aromas from the colors of the cheese skin,
you will find out more about cheese processing and aging.
- Check in to your Florence hotel and afternoon at leisure for individual explorations.
- Tonight dinner is at the Enoteca Boccanegra, in the heart of Santa Croce district,
local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Six - Friday: Sant'ambrogio Market - Florence
- Breakfast.
- This morning, meet your English speaking escort for a walk through town
to reach the morning market of Sant’Ambrogio, where locals go to buy fresh vegetables and fruit.
- Time to explore art and craft shops in the lesser known alleys and have a glimpse into the frescoed vaulted ceilings that a few
historical botteghe still preserve.
- Lunch at leisure: you may want to enjoy a light lunch at Cibreo,
the rich buffet at Teatro del sale (we strongly recommend reservations, which we can make for you),
or a very informal meal among the Florentines inside the market.
- Afternoon free for leisure activities.
- Tonight you will have the chance to dine in a private house together with a
Florentine family. Get to know their habits and lifestyle:
it will be a truly authentic experience!
- Overnight.
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Day Seven - Saturday
- Breakfast and check out. Private transfer to Florence airport or train station.
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2008 Price Per Person
Price based on double occupancy
High Season
US$3100 per person based on a minimum of 4 people
US$3400 per person based on 2 or 3 people
Single supplement: please inquire
Low Season
US$3000 per person on a minimum of 4 people
US$3300 per person based on 2 or 3 people
4 Night Program also available, please inquire for details
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2008 Tour Dates
July 27-August 2
August 10-16
August 31-September 6
September 14-20
September 28-October 4*
*Join a week others have booked
Other dates available on request for a minimum of two.
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Included in the six-night program: 
- Four nights at Villa Bianca in double room
- Daily breakfast
- Two hands-on cooking classes with chef Luca, followed by lunch with local wine included
- Full day tour to San Gimignano and visit of truffle factory in San Miniato
- Two dinners at Ristorante Gambasinus, local wine included
- One medieval dinner at the Villa Bianca, local wine included
- One dinner at the Enoteca i Quattrogigli for a Renaissance menu, wine included
- Half day excursion at Castello di Oliveto (or similar) for a cheese and salami tasting pared with wines
- Excursion to local market in Certaldo
- Half-day excursion to Villa Pillo (or similar)
- One cheese tasting
- Transfer from Villa Bianca to Florence by private car
- Two nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Florence
- One dinner at Enoteca Boccanegra (or similar), local wine included
- Two-hour guided excursion of Sant’Ambrogio market in Florence
- One farewell dinner in a private house, transfers and local wine included
- Arrival transfer from Florence airport (11:30 AM) or train station (2:30 PM) to Villa Bianca,
and return transfer from Florence hotel to airport or train station at 11:00 AM on day of departure
NOT Included in the price:
- Meals not specified in the program
- Gratuities
- Museum entry fees
- Wellness programme on request on day three
Please note: The itinerary, restaurants, and wineries may be altered slightly due to opening and closing times of establishments and circumstances beyond our control.
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Cooking Vacations 
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