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, and taking authentic Tuscan cooking school like lessons.
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 charming relais property of Chef Claudio
or Villa Casagrande, a palazzo built in the 13th century by a very
influential Florentine.
Chef Claudio’s 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.
Claudio's rstaurant is now also located at the property, and
a beautiful pool completes the setting. A notch above
your customary B&B!
(Please click here
to see images of the accommodations.)
Regardless of which accommodation you choose, we will transfer you to and from all Tuscan cooking classes and activities.
About the unique cooking courses in Tuscany: 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!
During your Italian cooking school style lessons, you will learn classic dishes of Tuscan cuisine, known for its refined simplicity.
You will prepare classic dishes such as ribollita and crostini, along with more unusual dishes such as
castagnaccio. 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 Classic Tuscan Table with Chef Claudio
Figline Valdarno, Tuscany
Cooking Vacation 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 Chef Claudio's Cottages and the Hotel Villa Casagrande.
- 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 8:00 pm.
- Overnight.
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Day Two - Monday
- Breakfast.
- After breakfast, participate in your first cooking class with Chef Claudio Piantini.
The lesson will be held at Claudio‘s teaching kitchen at his B&B. During the class, which will last
about 3 hours, you will learn to prepare many traditional and seasonal Tuscan dishes.
- Lunch to follow
based on your efforts.
- This afternoon, enjoy a guided wine tasting at Claudio's private cellar.
You will learn to judge the color, flavor, and smoothness of the wines, and to distinguish between an ages
Chianti Classico and a Supertuscan blend. Afterwards, learn how to combine the wines with Italian cheeses in the Chef's Kitchen.
- Light dinner to follow.
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Day Three - Tuesday
- After breakfast, meet with Chef Claudio or assistant for a brief
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 English-speaking driver-guide for a half-day
excursion to the delightful town of Arezzo. The Renaissance architect and artist Vasari
hails from this town, and the famous frescoes of Piero della Francesca can be found in the church
of San Francesco. Enjoy a two-hour guided tour through the historical center and picturesque alleys where the
Oscar-winning film “Life Is Beautiful” was filmed. Your visit of this beautiful but lesser-known Tuscany jewel
will be led by a licensed guide who also took part in the restoration of the Piero della Francesca frescoes.
- Return to Figline for dinner at the Antica Taverna Casagrande and overnight.
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Day Four - Wednesday
- After breakfast, enjoy a special pizza class with Claudio, with
lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the early afternoon departure
with your English speaking driving guide for a half day excursion into the
famous Chianti Classico region.
- Visit the charming village of Greve in
Chianti with its covered archways and browse the quaint shops, visiting
the famous Falorni butcher shop.
- Afterwards it is on to the nearby castle village of
Montefioralle, with a spectacular view of the valley, a great “photo op.”
- Dinner today is at the delightful
farmhouse restaurant Fattoria di Montagliari, owned by Davide Migliorini,
local wine included.
- Before dinner you will have the chance to walk
through the cellars — the farm produces their own Chianti Classico, the
sweet Tuscan dessert wine (vin santo), and a small production of balsamic
vinegar (mosto di chianti).
- Return to Figline and overnight.
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Day Five - Thursday
- Breakfast. (For those of you on the four-night program, return transfer to Florence airport
or train station.)
- After breakfast, you will have your final cooking class with Chef Claudio,
followed by lunch.
- Afternoon free for leisure activities.
If you would like, we
can arrange a trip to the Prada and other outlets (you can make arrangements with our
Florence office once you are in Italy).
- Another option is to
schedule a tour of the Villa Casagrande: the visit includes a guided tour
of the noble part of the Villa and the historical wine cellars and finishes with a wine tasting.
(The tour starts around 6:30 pm and must be reserved by 10 am Wednesday morning. It costs 8 Euro per person, which can
be paid directly to the Hotel Villa Casagrande.)
- Those clients staying at the Hotel Villa Casagrande may also
choose to arrange spa services directly with the hotel.
- Dinner tonight is at Antica Taverna
Casagrande.
- Overnight.
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Day Six - Friday
- Breakfast.
- Afterwards, meet your driver-guide for a full-day excursion to Siena and San
Gimignano discovering the beauties of these perfectly preserved medieval towns. You will be on your own
in Siena and San Gimignano,
although your driver-guide can make recommendations of places to see and where to eat.
- After lunch
on your own, return to Figline in the late afternoon.
- Farewell dinner tonight at Relais Torre
Guelfa.
- Overnight.
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Day Seven - Saturday
-
Breakfast and return transfer to Florence airport or railway station.
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For those interested in a purely culinary experience,
please see the Intensive Tuscan Cooking "Stage" with Chef Claudio!
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2009 Price Per Person
High Season:
ACCOMMODATIONS AT CLAUDIO'S B&B COTTAGES
$2895 – 6-night program (single supplement $275)
$2225 – 4-night program (single supplement $200)
ACCOMMODATIONS AT HOTEL VILLA CASAGRANDE
$3295 – 6-night program (single supplement $425)
$2475 – 4-night program (single supplement $325)
Low Season:
CLAUDIO'S B&B COTTAGES
$2625 – 6-night program (single supplement $275)
$2125 – 4-night program (single supplement $200)
HOTEL VILLA CASAGRANDE
$2995 – 6-night program (single supplement $425)
$2275 – 4-night program (single supplement $325)
Non-cooking companion* (high or low season):
6-night program, $250 less
4-night program, $150 less
*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.
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2009 Tour Dates
Summer
June 28-July 4† (4-night confirmed, 6-night available)
July 5-11 (B&B only)
July 12-18† (B&B only)
July 19-25 (B&B only)
July 26-August 1†
August 2-8† (4-night confirmed, 6-night available)
August 9-15 (B&B only)
August 16-22 (B&B only)
August 23-29 ("Second Helping departure," B&B only)
August 30-September 5
Fall
Septemer 6-12 (B&B only)
September 13-19†
September 20-26†
September 27-October 3† (4-night confirmed, 6-night available)
October 4-10† (B&B only)
October 11-17 (B&B only)
October 18-24 (B&B only)
October 25-31* ("Second Helping" departure, B&B only)
November 1-7* (B&B only)
November 8-14* (B&B only)
November 15-21* (B&B only)
November 22-28* (B&B only)
*Low Season
†Join a week others have confirmed.
Or any other week on request for a minimum of two people.
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Included in the 6-night Cooking Vacation:
- Six nights in a double room at either* Claudio's B&B Cottages or the Hotel Villa Casagrande
(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
-
All dinners, including wine, water and coffee
- Four hands-on cooking classes followed by meal with wine, water and coffee
- Market visit in Figline Valdarno
- Half day excursion to Arezzo, including 2-hour guided tour with licensed guide
- Half-day excursion to Chianti with wine and local product tasting
- Transportation to Siena and San Gimignano on Day Six
- All transportation throughout the program with English speaking driver-guide
- All taxes and service (gratuities not included)
- Arrival transfer from Florence airport (12:00 noon)** or train station (3:30 PM). (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.
* 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.
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Cooking Vacations 
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