About the location: The Orcia valley is a land far from the noise and hustle bustle of modern life.
This area has been safeguarded from industrial development by the inhabitants of
the region, who have been successful in keeping it true to its ancient visions and
still a haven for painters, artists and for those travelers looking for an authentic
experience. Radicofani was for many centuries one of the most important fortress
strongholds in Italy and is the charming town where La Palazzina is located.
Once a hunting lodge, it is set on a hill surrounded by oaks and cypress trees.
Today, it is a refined residence, furnished with pieces from the 1800s and 1900s,
a beautiful swimming pool and gorgeous views everywhere!
About the cooking lessons: Cooking classes are approximately three hours long
(10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. with lunch to follow) and focus on the preparation of fresh pastas such
as tortelli (a single, large parcel of pasta filled with potatoes — typical of the Mugello area),
tagliolini, Tuscan soups such as farinata (a well known winter soup prepared with black cabbage),
pasta sauces (prepared using fresh vegetables from La Palazzina's garden) and stuffed meats
and game. Also, lessons can be based on the preparation of Renaissance dishes which are now very
popular in Italian restaurants.
Chef Eliana was born and grew up in Mugello, the area of the famous Medici family.
She started cooking at a very early age, helping her mother prepare meals for their large family.
Later, she studied in Florence with the noted chef of a Relais and Chateau hotel who
introduced her to new cooking techniques and sophisticated equipment. But today
Eliana's cooking is still very close to the traditional Tuscan cuisine.
She prefers to use her hands rather than modern kitchen tools, believing that "a mano" better
preserves the true flavors and taste of the fresh local ingredients she uses.
Culinary Delights in Southern Tuscany
Siena, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day One
- Transfer from the Chiusi train station to La Palazzina.
- Enjoy a relaxing welcome drink with the owners, followed by a rich welcome dinner.
- Overnight.
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Day Two
- After breakfast around 10:00 a.m., meet Chef Eliana
in the kitchen for your first hands-on cooking lesson.
- Lunch to follow based on your culinary efforts.
- The afternoon is dedicated to a tour of Montalcino,
a quaint medieval town that is known worldwide for its red Brunello wine.
The fortress, small churches, steep lanes and slender tower of the town will take you back in time.
- A guided wine tasting of the fabulous Brunello is waiting for you in one of the local wineries.
- Return to the villa in the late afternoon.
- Dinner at the residence and overnight.
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Day Three
- Breakfast, followed by your next class with Chef Eliana, with lunch to follow.
- This afternoon will be a very special excursion to introduce you
to the perfumes and taste of the Tuscan "green gold," the wonderful extra virgin olive oil.
You will tour a local farmhouse that produces oil, with a guided tasting.
- In the afternoon, return to the residence.
- Dinner and overnight.
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Day Four
- After breakfast, meet with Chef Eliana for your final cooking lesson,
which will be dedicated to saffron!
- Lunch follows, and then it is off to visit a nearby cheese factory for
a visit of their museum and aging cellars, followed by a tasting of the famed Pecorino di Pienza.
- Return to La Palazzina for your farewell dinner.
- Overnight.
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Day Five
- Breakfast and checkout with transfer to the Chiusi train station.
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US$1600 per person based on double occupancy
US$200 single supplement
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2008 Tour Dates
Available September through January and March through June for a minimum for four.
Join dates others have booked: September 13-17.
Sold out: March 22-24; May 16-20.
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Included in the program:
- Four nights accommodation in a standard double room
- Daily breakfast
- Round trip transfers to/from Chiusi train station
- Four dinners at La Palazzina with wine
- Three hands-on cooking classes with lunch to follow with wine
- Excursions as listed in the itinerary
- All transportation throughout the program
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Cooking Vacations 
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