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Italian Cooking at Torre del Tartufo and Casa Ombuto
Arezzo, Tuscany
About the location: Your culinary vacation will take place in one of two amazing properties, Torre del Tartufo or Casa Ombuto. Both properties are private villas in the countryside near Arezzo, and both feature en suite bedrooms, common living areas, gardens, swimming pool, hot tub and sauna/fitness.
Click here to see a complete description and images of Torre del Tartufo.
Click here to see a complete description and images of Casa Ombuto.
About the lessons: During this cookery holiday, you will learn to make complete 4 course Italian dinners covering all the basic Italian cooking techniques. You will make a wide range of antipasti including crostini, bruschette and torte verdura to mention but a few. You will make your own gnocchi and roll out your own pasta – the authentic way with typical Tuscan fillings and delicious sauces. On top of that you will learn to make pizza which is baked in our own wood burning pizza oven. The Italian cookery courase is given by our Italian chefs, Franco Palandra at Torre del Tartufo and Paola Baccetti at Casa Ombuto.
Price Per Person
This program requires a US$1500 per person deposit.
Please note that the price is the same at both Torre del Tartufo and Casa Ombuto.
2012 Pricing
US$3100 per person, based on double occupancy
US$2350 non-participating guest, based on double occupancy
US$300 single supplement
Also available: a 7-night Mediterreanan Cooking itinerary at Casa Ombuto and a 3-night Italian Cooking option at Torre del Tartufo during select weeks. Please inquire for details.
Transfers can also be arrange for an additional cost:
From/To Florence airport or train station: €150 each way
Tour Dates
†Join a week others have confirmed OR ANY OTHER WEEK ON REQUEST.
At Torre del Tartufo:
Spring 2012
April 29-May 6 (3 rooms available)
May 6-13
May 14-17* (SOLD OUT)
May 20-27 (SOLD OUT)
Summer 2012
June 4-7* (3 rooms available)
June 10-17 (2 rooms available)
June 17-24
June 25-28*
July 1-8 (2 rooms available)
July 8-15
July 16-19*
July 22-29 (3 rooms available)
July 29-August 5
August 5-12
August 12-19
August 20-23*
August 26-September 2
Fall 2012
September 2-9 (3 rooms available)
September 10-13*†
September 16-23 (SOLD OUT)
September 23-30
September 30-October 7
October 7-14
October 22-25*
October 28-November 4
*Weeks also offering a 3-night option.
At Casa Ombuto:
Spring 2012
April 14-21
May 5-12 (3 rooms available)
May 19-26 (3 rooms available)
May 26-June 2
Summer 2012
June 16-23 (2 rooms available)
June 30-July 7 (3 rooms available)
July 28-August 4 (3 rooms available)
August 11-18 (2 rooms available)
August 18-25
Fall 2012
September 8-15 (3 rooms available)
September 15-22
September 22-29
September 29-October 6
October 13-20
October 20-27
November 3-10
Mediterranean Cooking Itinerary at Casa Ombuto:
Spring 2012
April 21-28
May 12-19 (3 rooms available)
Summer 2012
June 2-9 (2 rooms available)
June 23-30
July 21-28 (3 rooms available)
Fall 2012
September 1-8
October 6-13
October 27-November 3
What's Included
- Seven nights accommodation and use of all facilities at Torre del Tartufo or Casa Ombuto
- Four cooking lessons of approximately four hours each
- Six Dinners
- Five Light lunches
- Seven buffet breakfasts
- Cookbook, Apron and certificate
- Superb Tuscan wines during dinner, liquors for after dinner
- House wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee are freely available
- Excursions on day four as per the itinerary
- Free internet access
For details on the 3-night cookery holiday, please inquire.
This cookery holiday requires you rent your own transportation. We would be happy to assist you with a low-cost rental.
- Arrival on your own at your accommodations. (We can arrange transfers to and from Florence airport on request.)
- Check-in after 4:00 pm.
- Welcome dinner and introduction given by the chef and a chance to get to know each other.
- Breakfast is served, followed by a free morning.
- A light lunch at around 1:00 pm for those who are not off sightseeing.
- Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you will prepare a four-course meal.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by a delicious Tuscan wine to compliment the dishes.
- A buffet Breakfast is served and you have time to relax or do some sight seeing or enjoy the pool or take a walk.
- A light lunch is served around 1:00 pm.
- Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you prepare a four-course meal.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations.
- After breakfast, a full-day excursion, destination depending on which week you choose.
- Weeks at Torre del Tartufo feature: Head to the ancient medieval village of Anghiari to pay a visit to a textile factory. You will get the opportunity to explore the village through some sightseeing and a walk through the open air market. You will also see an olive oil mill, complete with olive oil tasting and lunch, after which you will make your way to a sheep and goat farm that makes fragrant pecorino cheese. The day will culminate with a wine tasting and light informal dinner at Torre del Tartufo.
- Weeks at Casa Ombuto feature: visit to a salami factory, pecorino and goat cheese farm, olive oil mill and oil tasting, wine tasting and a light lunch at the wine estate. Afterwards, sightseeing and shopping in Arezzo with a visit to a wood restorer’s workshop, and then a visit to Tuscan textile manufacture in Anghiari.
- You finish the day off with a dinner back at the property.
- Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure.
- After lunch, your hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm. You will again prepare a four-course dinner.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
- After breakfast you have the day for yourselves, to do some sightseeing or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- An ideal day to make a trip to Florence for shopping and sight seeing as it’s only a 50 km drive away. Or visit La Verna—an ancient monastery where San Francisco de Assisi lived most of his life.
- Alternately, you can of course stay at the villas and relax at the pool or take a dip in the Hot Tub.
- Dinner reservations can be made at a restaurant of your choice.
- Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure and for those interested we have a light lunch ready at 1:00 pm.
- Hands-on cookery course starts at 3:00 pm and you prepare an elaborate buffet dinner covering all the cooking techniques you have learned in the week and many more. Presentation of food will also be demonstrated.
- At the grand finale dinner you will be presented with a certificate of attendance.
- Breakfast and departure on your own.
