Featured on "CBS Sunday Morning News with Charles Osgood," November 2004. DVD of program available on request.
Special Week: "Journey to Tuscany with Jeanette", October 19-25, 2008.
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!
During your 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
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 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 either Torre Guelfa Restaurant, situated in the ancient and beautiful
square of Figline, or 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 you will visit a family-owned winery and farm, I Selvatici.
Enjoy a guided wine tasting with enologist Giuseppe, also enjoying locally produced gastronomic
specialities.
- In the late afternoon return back to Figline for a special cheese tasting and light dinner organized at
Ristorante Torre Guelfa and overnight.
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Day Three - Tuesday
- After breakfast, meet with Chef Claudio or assistant Chef Giovanni 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, depart with your English speaking
guide for a half-day excursion to the famous Chianti Classico region.
- Your first
stop is Greve in Chianti, where you will have some time to explore this charming village
with its covered archways, visit the famous butcher shop Falorni, and have a tasting in a
local, “high-tech” wine cooperative.
- Afterwards it is on to the nearby castle village of
Montefioralle, with a spectacular view of the valley, a great “photo op.”
- Before lunch at a
delightful farmhouse restaurant Fattoria di Montagliari, you will have
the chance to walk through the cellars; the farm produces their own Chianti Classico, a
sweet Tuscan dessert wine (vin santo), and a small production of balsamic vinegar (mosto
di chianti).
- Return to Figline Valdarno for
your third cooking class with Chef Claudio. Weather permitting, this class will be a special pizza class in
which you will use Chef Claudio's outdoor wood-burning oven to prepare pizza and foccaccia. (In case of
inclement weather you will have a regular course indoors.)
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
- 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 Torre
Guelfa.
- Overnight.
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Day Seven - Saturday
-
Breakfast and return transfer to Florence airport or railway station.
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Journey to Tuscany with Jeanette: A Classic Tuscan Table with Chef Claudio
Jeanette Benedetti Boylan, our resident Special Projects Coordinator and an
Italian-born American, has been hosting trips to Europe for over a decade. For
the first time in October 2008, she will be leading a group to our most popular
program in Tuscany, the region of her birth.
A trip to Tuscany is always a magical experience; traveling with Jeanette makes it uniquely special as well.
There is limited availability for this one time only trip and signups will be first come, first serve.
October 19-25, 2008 only:
$2995 per person based on double occupancy ($450 single supplement),
$2795 non-cooking companion
This week requires a $1000 deposit per person.
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For those interested in a purely culinary experience,
please see the Intensive Tuscan Cooking "Stage" with Chef Claudio!
2008 Price Per Person
High Season:
ACCOMMODATIONS AT HOTEL VILLA CASAGRANDE
$3295 – 6-night program (single supplement $425)
$2475 – 4-night program (single supplement $325)
ACCOMMODATIONS AT CLAUDIO'S B&B COTTAGES
$2795 – 6-night program (single supplement $275)
$2175 – 4-night program (single supplement $200)
Low Season:
HOTEL VILLA CASAGRANDE
$2995 –6-night program (single supplement $395)
$2275 – 4-night program (single supplement $325)
CLAUDIO'S B&B COTTAGES
$2595 – 6-night program (single supplement $275)
$1975 – 4-night program (single supplement $200)
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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2008 Tour Dates
Spring
April 27-May 3
Summer
May 4-10
May 11-17 (SOLD OUT)
May 18-24 (SOLD OUT)
May 25-31
June 1-7
June 8-14
June 15-21
June 22-28
June 29-July 5
July 6-12
July 13-19
July 20-26
July 27-August 2
August 3-9
August 10-16
August 17-23
August 24-30
Fall
August 31-September 6
September 7-13
September 14-20
September 21-27 (2 spots left, B&B only)
September 28-October 4
October 5-11
October 12-18
October 19-25 "Cooking with Jeanette"
October 26-November 1*
*Low Season
Or any other week on request for a minimum of 2 people.
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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
-
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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