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| Italy | | The Villa San Michele School of Cookery | Prices and
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About
the location: Immersed in the greenery of the hills of Fiesole overlooking Florence, sits the five-star
Villa San Michele is a 15th century monastery that has been transformed into one of Europe's most
charming and elegant hotels. Part of the prestigious Orient-Express Hotel family, it is a villa of
unsurpassed beauty in an oasis of peace, only a short distance from the center of Florence.
The magnificent façade was designed by Michelangelo and still bears the cost of arms
of the historic Davanzati family. The villa is steeped in fascinating history, amid acres of
lush woodlands full of fragrant flowers and lemon trees. The beautiful pool amid the Italian
landscaping completes the pastoral outdoor setting. The villa has a total of 45 rooms, each
with is own unique style and furnishings. The hotel also provides a complimentary shuttle
service to and from the center of Florence. This is truly a paradise in the heart of Tuscany,
the home of art, wines, gastronomy and culture.
About the cooking lessons: The Villa San Michele School of Cookery is located in the hotel.
It has won renown in the world of gourmets, and has attracted the attention and the participation
of some of the world's most famous chefs. All the courses are held in English and are available only to
guests of the hotel and involve direct participation; you will work directly in the kitchens in
hands-on sessions alongside the chef.
The Villa San Michele School of Cookery
Fiesole, Tuscany
Scheduled weeks
The Ultimate 'Florentine Experience' in collaboration with The International Kitchen
“This year The International Kitchen, creators of the ‘cooking school vacation,’ has included in its wide-ranging list of proposals a real top-flight experience in Florence,
in line with a philosophy that unites quality, authenticity, cordiality and a personalized approach.”
Course dates: Please inquire.
Price per person
US$4200 based on double occupancy
US$1000 single supplement
US$3900 non-cooking participant
Itinerary
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Day One - Sunday
- Arrive to the spectacular Villa San Michele and get settled into your accommodations.
- Welcome cocktail with your hosts followed by your welcome dinner in the beautiful dining room.
- Overnight.
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Day Two - Monday
- Breakfast (room service available).
- Following, your first hands-on cooking lesson with Chef Attilo.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, with included.
- Time at leisure.
- Transfer to Florence to meet with your personal shopper.
Dinner on your own with recommendations.
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Day Three - Tuesday
- After breakfast, transfer to Gaiole-in-Chianti to visit
Villa San Michele’s own private winery, Capannelle.
This is a very modern and high tech winery hidden inside the ancient farmhouse.
You will have the opportunity to taste some of the superb reds, refined whites and a
very high quality olive oil produced on the property.
- Lunch in the beautiful dining room of Capanelle.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
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Day Four - Wednesday
- Breakfast, followed by your next cooking class with lunch to follow.
- In the afternoon you will be treated to a special “carving” class,
learning the art of decoration.
- Dinner tonight will be arranged at the very well-known and popular IL Latini in town.
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Day Five - Thursday
- Breakfast.
- Depart for your all day excursion to the towns of
San Gimignano, Monterigioni and Siena where you will stop
for a lovely lunch with local wine and some time to visit this historic city.
- Return to the hotel your farewell dinner.
- Overnight.
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Day Six - Friday
- Breakfast followed by departure.
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Included in the program:
- Five nights accommodation in a superior room
- Two dinners with wine at Villa San Michele
- One dinner in Florence at I Latini
- Two hands-on cooking classes
- Three lunches with wine
- Excursions as listed in the itinerary with transportation
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John Greeley at Villa San Michele
As a young man, his interest in the culinary arts developed when he began to work the summer season in restaurants on Nantucket Island, and then in New England.
He carried on cooking: first in the famous “45 South” restaurant and then, he returned to New York City where he wound up in a larger-than-life place: the renowned “21”, which looks like a private club but is glad to open its doors to everyone.
Course dates: June 15-18, 2008
Price per person
US$3050 per person
US$400 single supplement
US$2275 non-cooking participant
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A Symphony of Pasta for three authors
Discover the secrets of pasta, an art in itself that Italy has made its own, and how to accompany it with a wide variety of condiments and the tastiest ingredients.
2008 course dates: April 17-20, May 22-25, September 4-7, October 2-5
Price per person
US$2700 based on double occupancy
US$500 single supplement
US$2275 non-cooking participant
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Single is beautiful and tasty too!
Living “alone” demands unique and special everyday standards. This is a different cuisine, in which you have to know how to prepare tasty dishes for yourself, often quickly and in single portions; but it also shows you how create a dinner or brunch for friends, or how to improvise an attractive dish for an unexpected guest, or how to amaze a new partner …
2008 course dates: April 27-29, July 20-22
Price per person
US$1550 based on double occupancy
US$400 single supplement
US$1425 non-cooking participant
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Cooking with Flowers
Attilio Di Fabrizio, the chef of the Villa San Michele and sous chef Luca Orini, will teach you
how flowers can become tasty and healthy dishes. During the week you will
discover the scents of Florence, the fascinating world of perfumes and aromatic herbs and how to make
them apart of your kitchen!
2008 course dates: June 25-28, September 10-13
Price per person
US$2450 based on double occupancy
US$600 single supplement
US$2300 non-cooking participant
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Included in the Program:
- Accommodations in a superior room
- Regional wines with meals
- Hands-on cooking lessons with meal enjoyed with the chef
- All materials and necessary ingredients
10% Vat To Be Added To The Above Prices
Please contact us for additional course details.
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Cooking Vacations 
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