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About the location: Just a stone's
throw away from the bustle of Florence is Villa La Massa, a beautiful Renaissance villa on the banks of the Arno River.
This has been home to several aristocratic families over the centuries. Today it has been magically transformed by the
owners of Villa D'Este into an elegant residence hotel.
The Villa La Massa has 38 rooms and suites, all decorated in classic Tuscan style with spectacular panoramic
views. Every modern amenity is available, from hair dryers, to satellite television, to direct dial telephones.
The villa's swimming pool and gardens sit among age old cypress trees overlooking the Arno River. Its restaurant,
Il Verrocchio, was named one of the top fifty restaurants in the world in the May 1999 issue of Conde Nast Magazine.
The International Kitchen invites you to join us for a glorious culinary week in early autumn at
Villa La Massa. For four nights you will be treated to the warm
atmosphere of the Tuscan countryside, learning how to cook regional specialties such as crostini,
ribollita, and fagioli. Wine and olive oil tastings are included, along with a full day trip.
In your free time you can relax by the pool, or take the short shuttle ride to Florence for shopping or sightseeing.
 About the cooking
lessons: Your instructor is Andrea Quagliarella, who was chef at Villa D'Este for 19 years before being appointed
executive chef of Villa La Massa. Chef Quagliarella was born in Bisceglie, a small village on the Adriatic coast of
Puglia, on February 19, 1956. Thanks to his father's experience as an exporter of fruit and vegetables, Andrea acquired a noted sensitivity to taste in his early childhood. His sense for taste grew and developed and his exclusive and natural first hand knowledge would be placed at the disposal of his assistants and clients throughout the course of his career. For he last 5 years Andrea has been the Executive Chef of Villa la Massa. With his Team he has increased the quality of the Restaurant "Il Verrocchio". During the winter months he visits Hotels and Restaurants around the World.
Villa La Massa
Florence, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day
One - Saturday
Please note the order of events may change week to week.
- Arrival on your own in the afternoon and check into your deluxe room.
- Get together for a welcome cocktail,
followed by dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
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Day
Two - Sunday
- Following breakfast, your first cooking class.
- Lunch at the hotel restaurant with set menu and selected wines.
- The afternoon and evening is free for individual activities.
The outlets of Gucci and Prada are 45 minutes away and if you don't have your
own car, you can rent the hotel's "Smart Car" or we can arrange a private car and driver.
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Day
Three - Monday
- Breakfast followed by a half-day guided winery tour to the Chianti region with visit of a
winery, wine tasting and lunch.
- Afternoon and evening at leisure.
- Overnight.
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Day
Four - Tuesday
- Breakfast.
- Following breakfast, your second cooking class with lunch to follow.
- Afternoon at leisure.
- Farewell dinner tonight at the Verrocchio Restaurant and overnight.
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Day
Five - Wednesday
- Following breakfast is your final cooking class.
- Lunch is based on your culinary efforts.
- Departure.
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Included in the Program:
- Four nights' stay in a deluxe accommodation.
- Full buffet breakfast served at the Restaurant.
- Welcome cocktail
- Three morning cooking classes followed by lunch at the "Verrocchio" Restaurant (beverage included)
- Half-day guided tour to the Chianti Region with visit of a winery, wine tasting and lunch (beverage included)
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Farewell dinner at the "Verrocchio" Restaurant (beverage included)
- Villa La Massa recipe booklet and special gift
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Free use of fitness center
- Taxes and Service
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Cooking Vacations 
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