Featured on "CBS Sunday Morning News with Charles Osgood," November 2004. DVD of program available on request.
About the location: Tuscany...a landscape of wooded hills, olive groves,
vineyards, and hill towns. Vistas that have barely changed since Renaissance
artists first beheld them. On this culinary tour of Tuscany you will see and experience
the treasures of this rich region, learning its cuisine and culture at a historic palazzo.
Your week in Tuscany takes place in the medieval town of Figline Valdarno, set
in the triangle formed by the great cities of Florence, Arezzo and Siena. Your
home will be the Villa Casagrande, a palazzo built in the 13th century by a very
influential Florentine. Over the years the villa has been a gathering place for
artists and philosophers. It has offered hospitality to great leaders such as
Pope Leo X, King Charles VII of Bourbon, King Charles V of Spain, and more recently
Prince Umberto of Savoy and his wife, Princess Maria Jose.
Today the Villa Casagrande remains a precious jewel...full of art treasures, paintings,
frescoes and sculptures. It has been carefully restored by the Luccioli family, blending
history and modern day comforts. Many of the rooms contain original antiques and look out
on to the Renaissance garden. All are equipped with telephone, color TV, air conditioning,
and private bath/shower. In addition, there is a covered pool, sauna, and fitness room for your
enjoyment during this culinary adventure in Tuscany.
(Please click
here to see images of the Hotel Villa Casagrande.)
If you
prefer the charm of a farmhouse property, you may chose to stay at Chef Claudio’s picturesque
cottages. This charming relais is located just 5 minutes outside of town, amidst the Chef’s
vineyards and olive groves. Each of the five air-conditioned bedroom cottages is delightfully decorated and equipped
with modern conveniences such as hairdryers and telephones. A beautiful pool completes the setting. A notch above
your customary B&B!
(Please click here
to see images of Claudio's Cottages.)
Regardless of which accommodation you choose, we will transfer you to and from all classes and activities.
About the cooking lessons: The lessons are led by Chef Claudio Piantini. Claudio grew up in a typical Italian home,
where the quality of food and cooking was very important. At the tender age of 14, Claudio worked secretly as
a waiter in a fine restaurant and this was the beginning of an illustrious career. He recognized how the pleasures
of good food could unite people from all different backgrounds. Following his formal chef training, he became
a professional sommelier and managed a restaurant in Florence. His dream, of course, was to have his own
restaurant, and he returned to his home town to open Torre Guelfa Restaurant, which immediately put his rising
star on the culinary horizon. In 1995 The International Kitchen was fortunate to begin a collaboration
with this wonderful, passionate and charming chef, whose delight in his art is totally contagious!
Whether you are an advanced cook, or an eager beginner, Claudio is able to manage every
level, much like a conductor with each section of the orchestra. You will come away with a vast number
of recipes from the hands of a true Tuscan chef, imparting his knowledge with infinite kindness,
patience and generosity. We truly love Chef Claudio!
A "Second Helping" with Chef Claudio
Figline Valdarno, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day One - Sunday
- Arrival transfer from the Florence airport or railway station to
Figline Valdarno.
- Check in to your accommodation and get settled.
- (Please
click here to see images of the Hotel Villa Casagrande and Chef Claudio's Cottages.
- Regardless of which accommodation you choose,
we will provide transportation for you for all classes and activities.)
- For those clients staying at the Hotel Villa Casagrande, the hotel will open their new spa (usually closed on Sundays),
for you to enjoy one complimentary hour of service in the whirlpool, sauna, turkish bath or relaxation area.
- Dinner tonight will be around 7:30 pm.
- Overnight.
|
Day Two - Monday
- Breakfast at 9:30 a.m.
- After breakfast, participate in your first cooking class with Chef Claudio Piantini.
The lesson will be held at either Torre Guelfa Restaurant, situated in the ancient and beautiful
square of Figline, or at Claudio‘s teaching kitchen at his B&B.
The cooking classes of this special week will be dedicated to the secrets
of the Renaissance cuisine and the culinary art of Catherine de’ Medici.
- Lunch to follow
based on your culinary efforts.
- Afternoon at disposal to relax by the pool and for leisure activities.
- Tonight there will be a special cheese tasting organized
for you at Claudio’s restaurant, Torre Guelfa, which is located in the main square of Figline.
Get ready for a savory “trip” through a rich number of cheeses accommodated with tonight's dinner.
- Overnight.
|
Day Three - Tuesday
- Breakfast.
- Meet with Chef Claudio or his assistant for a
visit of the very authentic outdoor food market in Figline.
- Afterwards you
will participate in your second cooking class with Chef Claudio, with lunch to follow
based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon meet with your driver-guide for pleasant afternoon in
Panzano.
- Panzano in Chianti is an attractive town located on a high ridge on the scenic
Via Chiantigiana exactly halfway between Florence to Sienna.
- Time at leisure to discover the local art and craft shops of this enchanting village
before reaching the famous wine estate, Cennatoio, a few minutes from the village center.
- Cennatoio commands a stupendous view of the Chianti countryside with its hills blanketed
by vineyards and olive orchards and dotted by churches, castles and scattered stands of oaks,
mighty trees that soar toward the sky high above.
- Return to Figline in the late afternoon.
- Dinner tonight is at 8:30 p.m., at Antica Taverna Casagrande, local wine included.
- Overnight.
|
Day Four - Wednesday
- After breakfast, depart with your
driver-guide to Cortona.
- Cortona, is a well-known Tuscan hill town even before Frances Mayes wrote about renovating her house,
"Casa Bramasole," near here. It is now, more than ever and quite
rightly, a not-to-be-missed stop on the Tuscan hill town circuit.
Cortona is an attractive place to spend half a day with great art,
great atmosphere, stupendous views to Lake Trasimeno and beyond.
- Return to Figline in the early afternoon.
- At 5:00 p.m., meet Chef Claudio at the Relais for a special hands-on cooking lesson.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts during the pizza class and overnight.
|
Day Five - Thursday
- Breakfast.
- At 9:30 a.m., meet Claudio at the Relais for your hands-on cooking lesson.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, time at leisure for shopping in San Giovanni Valdarno to discover its ancient delightful corners.
- Dinner at Torre Guelfa Restaurant.
- Overnight.
|
Day Six - Friday
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Figline train station and take a quick ride to Florence (only 20 minutes!).
- Day at disposal to discover the town and optional walking tour with a local professional guide.
- Transfer back to Figline by train in late afternoon.
- Dinner reservations have been made for you at Restaurant Torre Guelfa for a wonderful farewell
dinner at Claudio’s.
- Overnight.
|
Day Seven - Saturday
-
Breakfast and return transfer to Florence airport or railway station.
|
2008 Price Per Person
US$2700 – accommodations at Hotel Villa Casagrande
US$2300 – accommodations at Claudio's B&B Cottages
Single supplement and non-cooking rate, please inquire
*Non-cooking rate is available only with accommodations at the Hotel Villa Casagrande.
Please inquire about our Intensive 6-night
Cooking "Stage"
Inquire about Florence hotels and tours for pre or post travel.
|
|
|
2008 Tour Dates
August 24-30
September 7-13
|
Included in the 6-night Program:
- Six nights in a double room at either* the Hotel Villa Casagrande or Claudio's B&B Cottages
(please
click here to see images.) Regardless of which accommodation you choose,
we will provide transportation for you for all classes and activities.
- Daily buffet breakfast
-
Five dinners, including wine, water and coffee
- Four hands-on cooking classes followed by meal with wine, water and coffee
- Market visit in Figline Valdarno
- Round trip transfers to Panzano on day three (Tuesday) and wine tasting at Cennatoio winery
- Round trip transfers to Cortona on day four (Wednesday)
Round trip train tickets to Florence on day six (Friday afternoon)
- All transportation throughout the program with a driver-guide
- All taxes and service (gratuities not included)
- Arrival transfer from Florence airport (12:00 noon)** or train station (3:30 p.m.).
(If you arrange a hotel stay in Florence through The International Kitchen for before or after
your culinary week, we will do our best to pick you up from/drop you off at your hotel.
We can only provide this service if your hotel is booked through The International Kitchen.)
If you cannot make one of these transfers, we can arrange a private transfer for you for
€120.
-
Return transfer to Florence airport or
train station at 11:00 AM on day of departure. If you need an earlier transfer, we can arrange a private transfer for you for €120.
- Optional: Two-hour guided walking tour in Florence on day six (Friday afternoon)
* both accommodations with ensuite private bathrooms and air-conditioning
**If you take the morning arrival transfer please be advised that check-in is not until the afternoon and
lunch the day of arrival is not included. If you are arriving on an early flight, we recommend you meet the later transfer: you can take a taxi or bus to the Florence train station, check your bags, explore Florence for a few hours, have lunch and meet the train station transfer at 3:30 pm. You must advise us of which transfer you will meet at least two weeks prior to your departure.
|
|
Cooking Vacations 
Printer Friendly Page