About the location: Palaia is a beautiful walled medieval town close to Pisa, Florence,
Volterra, San Gimignano Lucca, Siena and the region of Chianti. The landscape is gorgeous, nature
is pure and the small medieval villages are still full of fascination and authenticity,
with their cafés, local bakers and butchers, small groceries, few restaurants, and open
markets. Before you lies the the beautiful Tuscan panorama; rolling hills, with their
profiles marked by the dark shade of the cypresses.
Welcome to a bit of heaven! Your hosts, Paolo (a former fashion photographer) and Patrizia
(who has a degree in philosophy) greet you at their charming restored farmhouse nestled on top
of a hill, surrounded by cypress and olive trees. Traveling around the world, Paolo and Patrizia
came to understand what it is that transforms a typical holiday into a special experience you will
remember for a lifetime; real people in an authentic environment. Tastes of Tuscany offers exactly
that, an opportunity to experience genuine Tuscan lifestyle at a century-old farmhouse.
The farmhouse has been their home for the last fifteen years, and staying at the farm
you'll take part in their life, sharing with them their experiences, family and friends.
The house has four bedrooms and one suite, all with ensuite bathrooms, each with it's
own character and handcrafted furniture handed down from generation to generation.
There is lovely outdoor space, complete with a pool in a large garden full of wisteria and
olive trees. This is an inviting place where everything combines to create a cozy atmosphere
to make you feel completely at home The goal is to make you feel like a welcome guest for
the week, which is exactly what they do!
About the classes: Patrizia will take you through the four hands on cooking classes,
teaching you about the traditional family food of Tuscany, introducing you to the
treasured family recipes that have been handed down through the generations.
From picking the vegetables and fresh herbs in the organic garden, collecting
freshly laid eggs from the chicken coop, shopping at the colorful local markets,
to visits with local wine and food producers, this will be a feast for all your
senses and the experience of a lifetime.
Tastes of Tuscany
Palaia, Tuscany
Itinerary
Day One - Sunday
- Transfer from the the Pontedera train station or Pisa/Florence airport to Podere il Pogggione.
- Settle into your accommodations before lunch.
- Early evening at leisure.
- Tonight's welcome dinner is around 8:00 p.m.
- Overnight.
|
Day Two - Monday
- Breakfast.
- Around 9:30 a.m. depart for a half-day excursion to San Gimignano. Enjoy a visit to the winery of San Donato followed
by lunch.
- Return to Podere il Poggione for your first hands-on cooking class with Chef Patrizia.
- Dinner will follow based on your culinary efforts.
- Overnight.
|
Day Three - Tuesday
- After breakfast, depart for a visit Certaldo.
- Return to the property for a light lunch.
- Around 4:30 p.m., your second cooking class.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
|
Day Four - Wednesday
- After breakfast, depart for a visit to the Baroque monastery in Calici.
- Return to the property for a light lunch.
- Around 4:30 p.m., your third cooking class with Chef Patrizia.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
|
Day Five - Thursday
- Breakfast followed by a guided art excursion to Florence with Grazia Bandino.
- Today's lunch will be in Florence.
- Return to the property with time to relax.
- Dinner and overnight.
|
Day Six - Friday
- Breakfast.
- Today you will visit the open market in Pontedera.
- Lunch at the property followed by time at leisure.
- Your final cooking class with Patrizia followed by dinner.
- Overnight.
|
Day Seven - Saturday
- Breakfast followed by departure.
|
US$2500 per person based on double occupancy
US$2400 per person for four or more
US$300 single supplement
US$2995 per person based on double occupancy for groups of 2-3 people
Single supplement, please inquire
|
|
|
2008 Tour Dates
Fall
August 3-9 (SOLD OUT)
August 10-16 (SOLD OUT)
August 17-23
August 24-30* (4 spots left)
August 31-September 6* (6 spots left)
September 7-13* (4 spots left)
September 14-20*
September 21-27* (3 spots left)
September 28-October 4* (3 spots left)
October 5-11* (4 spots left)
October 12-18
October 19-25
October 26-November 1* (2 spots left)
November 2-8
November 9-15
2009 Tour Dates
Spring
April 26-May 2* (2 spots left)
*Guaranteed weeks, spots going fast!
|
Included in the program:
- Six nights accommodations with en suite bathrooms.
- All meals, including wine
- Four hands-on cooking classes
- Four half day excursions including transportation and restaurant meals (art towns, medieval villages, traditional art workshops, wineries, open markets)
- One full day guided excursion to Florence
- Transfers to/from Pontedera train station or Pisa/Florence airport
|
|
Cooking Vacations 
Printer Friendly Page