About the location: On the top of a hill in northern Umbria, a few kilometers from central Italy’s biggest lake, Lake Trasimeno, lies the medieval village of Piegaro. Situated close to the beautiful art cities of Orvieto, Perugia and Assisi in Umbria, as well as the border of southern Tuscany, its location is both ideal and far from the bustling cities. The ancient villa of a noble family is today a small hideaway and relais hotel, with magnificent frescoes in every room. Because of its architecture and important works of art, the Relais Ca’ de’ Principi has been declared an Historical Residence by the Region of Umbria. The Tuscan owners, the Crociani family, have carefully and faithfully restored the building, maintaining the tradition and classical taste and furnishing of the ancient building with antique pieces from their private collection.
The restaurant offers traditional Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine. The hands-on cooking lessons take place in the lovely taverna of the Relais with its open fireplace. Combining easy walks of the softly rolling hills and cultural excursions, you will visit Tuscany’s most famous landscape, the artistic, natural and cultural Park of the Orcia Valley (a World Human Heritage since July 2004), as well as beautiful art cities. It is the perfect location for your authentic taste of Italian life.
About the cooking lessons: Adria, who is not only a professional cook, but also someone with a passion
and a love of teaching, will conduct your lessons. As with any great chef, her recipes are based
on fresh and high-quality ingredients, uncomplicated recipes, and the experience of generations. Each cooking lesson will have a special theme.
And, of course, the meals are paired with the right wine! During each lesson you will prepare a complete menu, which you will easily be able
to cook on your own back home. Your cooking course is completed by tastings of wine, oil, cheese and the famous Cinta Senese pork.
About the walks: Each walk is moderate and ranges from 2-31/2 hours. No special shoes are required, just comfortable sport shoes.
Cooking and Walking in Umbria and Tuscany
Piegaro, Umbria
Itinerary
 Day
One
- Pickup at 2:00 pm from Chiusi rail station and transfer to the Relais Ca’ de’ Principi.
- Weather permitting, a barbecue at the pool with an introductory tasting of typical culinary products of Umbria; otherwise, dinner is inside the charming taverna with open fireplace.
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 Day
Two
- Breakfast.
- Excursion to the Orcia Valley in southern Tuscany for a short, approximately two hour, walking tour along the famous cypress path of cypresses.
- Light lunch in a lovely historic wine cellar in Chianciano Terme, with a tasting of olive oil, and the
products of “cinta senese,” the famous black and white pig.
- Back to the Relais for your first cooking class, concentrating on primi piatti such a pasta, risotto, or soup.
- Dinner to follow.
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 Day
Three
- Breakfast.
- Excursion to Perugia, the 3000-year-old capital of Umbria, for a guided tour of the most significant sights of this art city.
- A walk along Trasimeno Lake followed by a special lunch in a typical restaurant with saffron specialties from nearby Città della Pieve.
- In the afternoon, your second cooking lesson, focussing on secondi piatti, meat and fish dishes.
- Dinner in the relais to follow.
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 Day
Four
- Breakfast.
- Excursion to the northern part of the park of the Orcia Valley, and walking tour to Pienza. The village, which has been declared World Human Heritage, is an ideal Renaissance town and was built by Pope Pius II as one of the first examples of a planned town. Today, it is memorable also for its food and specialty cheese shops.
- An informal lunch of cheese tasting with wine, typical ham and salami in a lovely wine bar in Pienza.
- In the afternoon, your third cooking lesson will focus on desserts.
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Farewell dinner at the relais.
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Day
Five
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the Chiusi rail station at 10:00 am.
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2008 Price Per Person
US$1900 per person, based on double occupancy
Single supplement: please inquire |
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2008 Tour Dates
Available any time on request for a minimum of two (2) people from April 1 through October 31.
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Included in the Program:
- Four nights accommodation in double room
- All breakfasts
- All meals and tastings
- Unlimited local wine at meals
- Three cooking lessons
- All excursions
- Round-trip transfers from the Chiusi-Chianciano train station (Pickup at 2:00pm the day of arrival, and dropoff at 10:00 am the day of departure)
- Taxes & Services
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Cooking Vacations 
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