About
the location: In the hills that look down upon Florence, just southwest of the city center, the
elegant and pastoral Marignolle Relais & Charme offers a two-night and four-night cooking course and getaway.
Relax away from the crowds and noise of Florence, in the peace of the Chianti hills that start
where the traffic ends, perhaps by lounging around the pool. Prepare yourself to be spoiled as
a guest of the Bulleri family, with your host Lorenzo. To say that this 6-room Relais has been
lovingly restored is almost an understatement. It is beautiful, sophisticated, and well thought
out. Each huge marble bathroom has a separate WC and glass shower, two sinks, and amenities such
as local artisan-made organic soaps. Air-conditioning, CNN, and computer compatibility complete
the modern electronics. A lovely terrace complements each bedroom, where breakfast can be served.
 About
the cooking lessons: Learn authentic Florentine and Tuscan cuisine from the owner's mother,
Paola Bulleri, accompanied by her daughter Silvia. An artist and designer, Paola combines
her artistic talent with a long family tradition of skillful Italian cooking to present
beautiful and delicious plates. The cooking lessons are held in the lovely well-equipped kitchen
of their family home, adjacent to the Relais, rolling out pasta on the green marble counters.
In a three-hour hands-on Florentine cooking course, culminating in a sumptuous meal, you'll learn
about three different recipes. Some dishes that you may learn in her kitchen include antipasti
like crisotini di fegatini or panzanella, pastas like penne ai carciofi or pappa al pomodoro,
and dolci such as tiramisu or torta della nonna.
Florentine Retreat
Florence, Tuscany
2-night Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival on your own (the property
is a short cab ride from the Florence train
station or airport). Since you are only about 20 minutes outside of Florence, your hosts
can suggest some wonderful restaurant where you can eat dinner.
- Overnight.
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Day Two
- Breakfast followed by afternoon at leisure.
- Return to Marignolle
for your cooking lesson, beginning at 5 p.m.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
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Day Three
- Check out and departure after breakfast.
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4-night Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival on your own (the property
is a short cab ride from the Florence train
station or airport).
- Time to settle in before your first cooking class,
followed by dinner based on your culinary efforts.
- Overnight.
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Day Two
- After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion, starting with a visit of
the charming towns of Greve and Panzano.
- Tour the wine cellars
of a prestigious local producer of the famed Chianti Classico, with of course, a tasting!
-
Continue on to Castellina with time for lunch on your own.
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Finish your day with an afternoon visit to Siena, famed for its palio.
- In the evening, return to the hotel with dinner on your own (your hosts can make some suggestions).
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Day Three
- Following breakfast, a trip to the bustling market of
Florence (closed on Sunday), to see the incredible array of fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, etc.
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The rest of the day is on your own.
- Return to the hotel and overnight.
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Day Four
- Breakfast and the rest of the day at leisure.
- This evening your final
cooking class, followed by your Farewell Dinner.
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Day Five
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2008 Price Per Person
2-night program:
US$595 per person, based on double occupancy
4-night program:
US$1545 per person, based on double occupancy
Additional nights: US$360 per double room per night
Additional cooking class: US$200 per person
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2008 Tour Dates
Available on request for a minimum of two, maximum of four people.
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Included in the 2-night Program:
- Two nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- One cooking lesson
- Dinner following the lesson
Included in the 4-night Program:
- Four nights accommodation
-
Daily breakfast
-
Two hands-on cooking classes with dinner to follow
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Full day excursion to Chianti and Siena
-
Market visit
(Order of days may be changed according to availability of events.)
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Cooking Vacations 
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