Tastes of Tuscany
Palaia, Tuscany

About the location: Palaia is a beautiful walled medieval town close to Pisa, Florence, Volterra, San Gimignano Lucca, Siena and the region of Chianti. The landscape is gorgeous, nature is pure and the small medieval villages are still full of fascination and authenticity, with their cafés, local bakers and butchers, small groceries, few restaurants, and open markets. Before you lies the the beautiful Tuscan panorama; rolling hills, with their profiles marked by the dark shade of the cypresses.

Welcome to a bit of heaven! Your hosts, Paolo (a former fashion photographer) and Patrizia (who has a degree in philosophy) greet you at their charming restored farmhouse nestled on top of a hill, surrounded by cypress and olive trees. Traveling around the world, Paolo and Patrizia came to understand what it is that transforms a typical holiday into a special experience you will remember for a lifetime; real people in an authentic environment. Tastes of Tuscany offers exactly that, an opportunity to experience genuine Tuscan lifestyle at a century-old farmhouse. The farmhouse has been their home for the last fifteen years, and staying at the farm you’ll take part in their life, sharing with them their experiences, family and friends.

The house has four bedrooms and one suite, all with ensuite bathrooms, each with it’s own character and handcrafted furniture handed down from generation to generation. There is lovely outdoor space, complete with a pool in a large garden full of wisteria and olive trees. This is an inviting place where everything combines to create a cozy atmosphere to make you feel completely at home The goal is to make you feel like a welcome guest for the week, which is exactly what they do!

About the classes: Patrizia will take you through the four hands on cooking classes, teaching you about the traditional family food of Tuscany, introducing you to the treasured family recipes that have been handed down through the generations. From picking the vegetables and fresh herbs in the organic garden, collecting freshly laid eggs from the chicken coop, shopping at the colorful local markets, to visits with local wine and food producers, this will be a feast for all your senses and the experience of a lifetime.