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Italian Feast For All The Senses
Figline Valdarno, Suvereto, and Rome
Savoring art, architecture and cuisine with Lenore Weiss, A.I.A., LEED-AP
About the location: Tuscany… a landscape of wooded hills, olive groves, vineyards, hill towns, stunning architecture and art, and vistas that have barely changed since Renaissance artists first beheld them. On this culinary and architectural tour of Tuscany, see and experience this rich region, learn about its masterpieces, and partake in authentic Tuscan cooking lessons.
Part of your week in Tuscany takes place in the medieval town of Figline Valdarno, set in the triangle formed by the great cities of Florence, Arezzo and Siena. You will stay at the elegant Villa Casagrande, which dates back to the 14th century and now accommodates 60 bright and spacious rooms that were recently restored and furnished and equipped with every comfort.
The second part of the trip takes you to the Tuscan coastline, where you’ll visit perfectly preserved architectural sites and wine estates. Your base while on the coast is the Agriturismo Gualdo del Re, a lovely wine estate near the Tyrennian coast that offers beautifully furnished apartments among the vineyards.
About the cooking classes: The classes are led by the passionate Chef Claudio Piantini, who has been formally trained and runs his own restaurant, Torre Guelfa. Whether you are an advanced cook, or an eager beginner, Claudio is able to manage every level, much like a conductor with each section of the orchestra. You will come away with a vast number of recipes from the hands of a true Tuscan chef, imparting his knowledge with infinite kindness, patience and generosity. We truly love Chef Claudio!
About Lenore: Lenore Weiss is a licensed architect and founding partner of Full Circle Architects, LLC, where she led the design team since its inception in 1989. As a graduate of Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois, Lenore’s educational experience was enhanced by participating in a yearlong study abroad program at the Ecole d’Architecture de Versailles, France. In the spring of 2011, Lenore had the privilege of returning to the same program as a visiting instructor, leading a sketch trip for 17 architecture students throughout Italy. Her extensive travel experience has allowed her to critically evaluate historical references and transform them into meaningful solutions for today’s lifestyle, especially with an eye toward sustainability. Lenore looks forward to sharing her unique perspective of the relationship between a culture and its architecture as the group absorbs the rich sights, sounds, smells, tastes and
sensations of Italy.
- Arrival transfer from the Rome airport
- Check in to your lovely accommodations at Villa Casagrande and get settled.
- Welcome dinner with Chef Claudio at his private inn restaurant.
- Overnight.
- After breakfast, your first cooking class with Chef Claudio, where you will learn about Tuscan cuisine.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, an excursion to Florence. You will meet an English-speaking guide for a tour focusing on the city’s most famous Renaissance masterpiece: Flippo Brunelleschi’s Dome. The construction of the dome was nothing short of a miracle, as it used construction techniques and truly innovative engineering concepts.
- Dinner at the nearby pizzeria, “le Carceri,” which once hosted the city jail and was later transformed into the cozy restaurant it is today.
- Return to Figline and overnight.
- After breakfast, Chef Claudio will take you on a brief trip to the local market in Figline’s main square.
- Afterwards you will participate in your second cooking class with Chef Claudio using the fresh ingredients purchased at the market.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, visit San Gimignano, which during the Middle Ages and Renaissance was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims as they travelled to the Vatican.
- Dinner in a trattoria in San Gimignano and return to Figline.
- Overnight.
- Breakfast.
- Depart for a full day tour of Chianti, home of the famous wine.
- In the morning, see Castello di Ama, which features an amazing open-air contemporary art collection among the vineyards. Then head to Querceto di Castellina, a wine estate producing a precious Merlot Blend and Chianti Classico. During this visit, discover the cellars with the enologist and owner Jacopo as your guide.
- Light lunch to follow.
- Return to Figline in the late afternoon for dinner with Chef Claudio.
- Overnight.
- Breakfast.
- Check out of Villa Casagrande and depart for a full-day excursion to the Tuscan coastline.
- The first stop will be Petra winery designed by architect Mario Botta; Vittorio Moretti and his daughter Francesca discovered this beautiful seaside estate while on vacation and they founded a small boutique winery, where the hills of Val di Cornia rise toward the Colline Metallifere.
- Following a visit to the wine cellars, a light lunch.
- In the afternoon, it is on to Suvereto and Campiglia Marittima, two medieval villages nestled on the coast and overlooking the Tyrennian Sea.
- Check in to Agriturismo Gualdo del Re, a lovely wine estate with beautifully furnished apartments among the vineyards, and enjoy a welcome dinner.
- Overnight.
- After breakfast, meet your guide and leave for Populonia and Baratti to see a perfectly preserved Etruscan archeological site. You will learn more about this fascinating civilization that invited the arch.
- Stop for lunch based on seasonal seafood in a cozy restaurant overlooking the sea.
- In the afternoon, visit a modern winery, Rocca di Frassinello; Renzo Piano’s brilliant red structure can be seen for miles and overlooks the medieval hamlet of Giuncarico. Piano, who grew up on a family vineyard in the Ovada Hills, was tempted to accept the project after revisiting the area by helicopter. His conception, a modern interpretation of a traditional Tuscan wine-making operation, opened in 2007 and is largely underground with a cavernous amphitheater that holds 2,500 oak barrels.
- Return to Gualdo del Re for dinner.
- Breakfast and check-out.
- In the morning meet your guide for a visit to Capalbio, where you’ll see a Niki de Saint Phalle’s esoteric sculpture garden and have lunch.
- Transfer to Rome and check into your hotel. The afternoon and evening are on your own.
- Overnight.
- Breakfast and depart Rome.
Rome 2-night extension available and includes visits to MAXXI Museum, MACRO Museum, & Renzo Piano auditorium with Lenore as your guide.
