About the location: Along the Tuscan coast lies the lovely town of Pietrasanta, home to
the famed artist Botero. The picturesque streets surrounding the pristine
piazza and the beautiful cathedral are lined with numerous galleries
and shops. Known also as the
“little Athens,” Pietrasanta has been the cultural capital of Versilia since
Renaissance times and is particularly well located for interesting
excursions, such as to Lucca, Siena and the Cinque Terre. Your
accommodations will be at a fittingly charming and elegant palazzo
hotel of only six bedrooms. You will feel like a pampered guest in a
private home while enjoying every amenity. The nineteenth-century
Palazzo, set right in the historical center, was carefully
renovated a few years ago by the present owner, whose love of antiques had led
her to her prior business. Using her experience and impeccable taste
to furnish and restore the palazzo to its orginal splendor, she has created an atmosphere that guaranteees
an unforgettable experience.
About the lessons: Dorino Falcomer, born in South Africa, is of
Italian heritage, and his wife’s family is from Pietrasanta, where they
relocated seven years ago. While Dorino’s training is as an electrical
engineer, he has always been drawn to cooking. He has worked in
various restaurants, his last as the head pastry chef at the finest
restaurant in the area, Il Pineto, where he spent three years refining
his culinary skills. He has continued along this path doing private
catering and frequent dinner parties for friends and family. In his
spare time he surfs, fly fishes, golfs (he is a certified instructor) and
is also a registered artisan! He is an unusually talented man who is
delighted to share his culinary expertise and secrets with you!
Cooking in the Art City of Pietrasanta
Pietrasanta, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day One - Sunday
Pisa- Pietrasanta
- Transfer by car from Pisa airport or railway station to Pietrasanta.
- Check in
at Palazzo Visdomini, a prestigious historical house where the charm of
elegant surroundings blends with the atmosphere of a unique town.
-
Afternoon free for individual explorations of the town.
- Dinner reservations have
been made for you tonight at local restaurant Ancilla, local wine included.
-
Overnight at Palazzo Visdomini.
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Day Two - Monday
Lucca – Cooking class
- After breakfast, transfer to Lucca where you will have a
guided tour of this
medieval city. A real gem among the beautiful Tuscan hills, Lucca has some of the best
examples of Gothic and Romanesque architecture that Tuscany has to offer, the
cathedrals of San Michele and San Martino for example.
- Lunch on own with suggestions from your guide.
- Return back to
Palazzo Visdomini.
- In the late afternoon meet Chef Dorino Falcomer in the
original stone hearth kitchen for your first cooking lesson.
Menu items might include specialties such as:
First course: tomato sauces, Basic salsa, Hand made pasta
Dough preparation for focaccia, panzanelle (fried), rustic bread -
Main course: Rolled & stuffed white roast - stuffing using seasonal options
-
Oven roasted seasonal vegetables
-
Dessert: Chocolate & almond cake, Italian pastry cream (custard)
Dinner to follow
based on what you have prepared, local wine included. Overnight at Palazzo
Visdomini.
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Day Three - Tuesday
Cinque Terre
- Breakfast.
- After breakfast depart for full day driving tour to the Cinque Terre,
five tiny fishing villages in Liguria, nestled on stone cliffs and small inlets with
spectacular views of the Mediterranean sea on one side and steep terraced
cultivated lands on the other.
- Lunch on your own with suggestions by our guide.
-
Return to Palazzo Visdomini in the late afternoon.
- Dinner on your own in
Pietrasanta and overnight.
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Day Four - Wednesday
Forte dei Marmi market - Cooking class
- Breakfast.
- After breakfast depart with the chef for a visit of the
Forte dei Marmi market, where you will buy fresh ingredients foar the afternoon cooking lesson.
- Free time for shopping and lunch on your own.
- Return back to Palazzo Visdomini.
-
In the late afternoon meet Chef Dorino for your second cooking lesson. Menu items today might include:
-
First course: Hand made noodles (trofiette) à la mariniere
-
Main course: Baked Fish of the day – Potatoes & tomatoes with Lardo di Colonnata
-
Dessert: Wild soft berry flan
-
Dinner to follow based on what you
have prepared, local wine included.
- Overnight at Palazzo Visdomini.
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Day Five - Thursday
Marble quarries – Cooking class
- After breakfast, departures with your driving guide for a half day
excursion to the local marble quarries where the famous artist Michelangelo
selected marble for use in masterpieces such as the Moses and the unfinished
Slaves.
- Lunch on own in nearby town or in Pietrasanta.
- In the afternoon you will have some free time before your next cooking class to visit
a local marble studio (hotel can give you suggestions).
- Meet in the kitchen with chef Dorino for your last cooking class. Menu items might include:
-
First course: Classic Tuscan antipasti
-
Main course: Hand made stuffed pasta (tortelli) with Ragu versigliese style
-
Dessert: Mille foglie with Crème Chantilly and fresh strawberries
- Farewell dinner to
follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Six - Friday
Pietrasanta - Pisa
- After breakfast, optional two-hour guided art tour available (pay at hotel).
- Transfer by private car to Pisa airport or railway station.
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2008 Price Per Person
Prices based on a minimum of 4 people
Low season — March 1 (except Easter Week March 23-29) - April 19; October 1 - November 30
US$2600 per person based on double occupancy in a suite
US$300 single supplement
US$400 per person supplement for 2 or 3 people
High season — April 20 - June 30, September 1 - 30
US$2800 per person based on double occupancy in a suite
US$325 single supplement
US$400 per person supplement for 2 or 3 people
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2008 Tour Dates
*Join a week where others have booked!
September 7-12
September 14-19*
September 21-26
September 28-October 3
October 12-17
October 19-24
Unavailalbe:
July 12-August 1
August 5-8
August 16-29
October 5-10
October 26-31
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Included in the program
- Five nights in a two room Suite at Palazzo Visdomini on B&B basis.
- One welcome dinner in local restaurant in Pietrasanta with local wine included
- Three hands-on cooking lessons of approximately three hours each with chef Dorino Falcomer
followed by Three dinners at Palazzo Visdomini local wine included
- Half-day excursion to Forte dei Marmi with the chef accompanying the group
- Full-day excursion to Cinque Terre
- Half-day excursion to Lucca with private licensed tour guide
- Half-day excursion to the marble quarries in Carrara
- Round trip transfer Pisa – Palazzo Visdomini at pre-arranged time
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Cooking Vacations 
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