About the location:
This recently renovated spectacular villa is set in the hillsides close to Arezzo and is majestic.
It got its name from the truffle estate surrounding the villa, making it famous in the
area and wonderful for seeing how truffles are found and of course how to prepare these
in many wonderful dishes. The original villa dates back to before 1700 and we suspect it
was a chapel and over the centuries
pieces have been added on as the community grew.
Recently the owners have bought it up to the twenty first century with top class
finishing, beautiful floors with marble inlay, marble bathrooms and all the modern
comforts without damaging the beautiful original Tuscan charm. The villa, which has 12 bedrooms
all with en-suite bathrooms, is very
secluded with a view that seems to go on forever but yet is close to Arezzo (15 minutes)
and Cortona (30 minutes). Florence and Siena are about an hour away. The villa lies
on an estate of about 120 hectares and is surrounded by truffle land which
grows under Hazelnut and Oak trees. Apple orchards and a deer farm are also part of
the estate and make walks around the area truly beautiful. The villa has a swimming pool,
hot tub, and sauna/fitness
area, and behind the villa is a lake
with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.
 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 course is given by our Italian chef Franco Palandra in Torre del Tartufo.
Casa Ombuto: Italian Cooking at Torre del Tartufo
Arezzo, Tuscany
Cookery Holiday Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival on your own at the Torre del Tartufo property
(we can arrange transfer to and from Florence airport on request).
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Check-in at the villa after 4:00 pm.
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Welcome dinner and introduction given by the chef and a chance to get to know each other.
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Day Two
- Breakfast is served, followed by a free morning.
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A light lunch at around
1:00 pm for those who are not off sightseeing.
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Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you will prepare a four-course meal.
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- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by a
delicious Tuscan wine to compliment the dishes.
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Day Three
- A buffet Breakfast is served and you have time to relax or do some sight
seeing or enjoy the pool or take a walk.
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A light lunch is served around 1:00 pm.
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Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you prepare a four-course meal.
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For dinner you will dine on your creations.
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Day Four
After breakfast, a full-day excursion to the Casentino
valley with a visit to a local cheese farm where the traditional methods to
make Pecorino cheese are demonstrated.
After a very interested tour in a Castle close to Poppi, lunch is held in the dining room of this beautiful castle.
A visit to a Ceramic Factory is after lunch.
Wine and olive oil tasting complete the day's excursions.
You finish the day off with a wonderful dinner in the famous fish restaurant in Giovi.
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Day Five
- 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.
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For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
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Day Six
- After breakfast you have the day for yourselves,
to do some sightseeing or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
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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.
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Dinner reservations can be made at a restaurant of your choice.
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Day Seven
- Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure and for those interested we have a light
lunch ready at 1:00 pm.
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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.
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Day Eight
- Breakfast and departure on your own.
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US$2950 per person, based on double occupancy
US$2250 non-participating guest, based on double occupancy
US$300 single supplement
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2008 Tour Dates
April 20-27
April 27-May 4
May 4-11
May 11-18
June 1-8
June 8-15
June 15-22
June 22-29
August 17-24
August 24-31
August 31–September 7
September 7-14
September 14-21
September 21-28
September 28-October 5
October 12-19
October 19-26
October 26-November 2
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Included in this cookery holiday:
- 7 nights accommodation and use of all facilities at Torre
del Tartufo
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4 Cooking lessons of
approximately four hours each
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6 Dinners
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5 Light lunches
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7 Buffet breakfasts
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Cookbook, Apron and certificate
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Superb Tuscan wines during dinner, liquors for after dinner
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House wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee are freely available
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Excursions on day four as per the itinerary
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Free
internet access at Torre del Tartufo
This cookery holiday requires you rent your own transportation. We would be happy to assist you
with a low-cost rental.
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Cooking Vacations 
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