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- Authentic Tuscan Cooking in the Val d’Orcia Valley
Authentic Tuscan Cooking in the Val d’Orcia Valley
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Authentic Tuscan Cooking Classes
The Val d’Orcia in southern Tuscany is one of Italy’s finest destinations, with a delicious selection of regional delicacies. The Val d’Orcia is located in central Italy amongst the rolling hills South of Siena and ending at Monte Amiata, the largest lava dome in the Amiata lava dome complex. Green Tuscan hills are characterized by dense vegetation, dotted with vineyards, olive groves, cypresses, beech and chestnut groves. Between marvelous castles, medieval villages, and rural houses, it is the perfect location for an authentic Tuscan cooking vacation.
The Val d’Orcia is known for its typical medieval Tuscan villages, such as Pienza, Montalcino, Castiglione d’Orcia, Sarteano and San Quirico d’Orcia, which you will visit on your tour. You will be immersed in the very soul of Italian cuisine and Tuscan viticulture.
You will be welcomed at a charming, award-winning B&B in Sarteano, where the space is elegant and refined, yet warm and full of Tuscan hospitality. Your hosts, Chiara and Giudo, are siblings who are as passionate about sharing authentic Tuscan food as they are about introducing you to the beauty of southern Tuscany. The B&B is part of an authentic historical palace that was once the home of a pope!
Highlights of Our Authentic Tuscan Cooking Vacation in the Val d’Orcia
Explore the beauty of the Val d’Orcia on your culinary vacation in southern Tuscany. Your cooking tour will include:
- three hands-on cooking classes (4th can be added on request)
- excursions to Pienza, Monticchiello, Montepulciano, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico, and Orvieto
- guided visit and wine tasting at Tuscan winery
- and more!
Itinerary
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Day 1 – Arrival in Sarteano
- Private transfer from Chiusi train station to Residenza Pio III in Sarteano village.
- Arrive at your accommodations and meet your host, Chef Chiara.
- Enjoy some free time to explore the charming village of Sarteano.
- Welcome dinner at the property, featuring complimentary wine.
Day 2 – Cooking Class & Pienza & Monticchiello
- This morning meet your private driver in the hotel lobby and depart for an half day excursion to Pienza & Monticchiello.
- First, arrive in Pienza, known for its renaissance architecture. It’s known as the city of Pope Pius II, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who was born here in 1405. Once Pius became Pope, he wanted to transform his humble birthplace into an urban-architectural treasure. This city is “born from a thought of love and a dream of beauty”.
- Afterward you will depart for Montichello.
- In Etruscan and Roman times, this small village was a crossroads of streets that connected the communities in the area. There are still traces of the medieval fortresses, greatly contrasting the Renaissance framework of Pienza. The sturdy walls and the tower of the keep that stands on the hill are signs of the village’s intense past, a stronghold for the defence system of the Republic of Siena.
- Lunch at leisure, then transfer back to Sarteano, escorted by your private driver.
- In the afternoon, enjoy a fun and entertaining cooking class at property. The food culture in Italy is not just the act of dining but the ritual of conviviality; the need to take a break from work to talk, exchange ideas, and renew the bonds of love that have long been at the heart of our domestic culture.
- In this hands-on lesson you will cook local delicacies under the guidance of your professional chef instructor. Learn how to make fresh, handmade pasta and enjoy the fruits of your labor for dinner. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
- Overnight.
Day 3 – Montepulciano & Cooking
- After breakfast, meet your private driver in the lobby and depart for a half day excursion to visit Montepulciano.
- Montepulciano is a lovely hilltop medieval town known as “Little Florence.” The town is famous for its wine and a remarkable number of wine shops line its medieval streets.
- You will have time to explore the town before your next activity.
- Transfer by private car to a local winery for a tour. The visit culminates with a tasting of the famous Vino Nobile di Mopntepulciano and a typical light lunch.
- At the end of your excursion, transfer back to your hotel, escorted by your private driver.
- Return to Sarteano. You will have the opportunity to prepare some tasty Tuscan dishes with the help of the chef. A fun, instructive, and enjoyable experience that will allow you to recreate the unique taste of your Tuscan holiday at home. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
- Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Bagni Vignoni & San Quirico d ‘Orcia
- Breakfast at the Hotel.
- Depart on a full day excursion with your driver to two beautiful Tuscan villages: Bagno Vignoni & San Quirico d ‘Orcia.
- Bagno Vignoni will be your first stop today. You will have time to explore and check out the town’s highlights, such as its famous hot springs basin.
- Afterward, journey to San Quirico, known for its medieval parish churches and stunning scenery.
- Lunch on your own in the village.
- After lunch, visit the Collegiate Church of San Quirico, a Romanesque temple distinguished by three elaborately decorated porticoes from different periods. Explore the Church of San Francesco as well.
- Return to Sarteano at the end of the Tour.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day 5 – Orvieto & Cooking Class
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- This morning meet your English speaking driver and transfer to Orvieto for a 2-hour guided tour. You will learn about the city’s history and visit monuments from the 13th and 14th century. You will start at the Piazza Duomo and meander through the main city squares, ending in the old medieval quarter.
- Lunch on your own in Orvieto, with suggestions from your guide .
- Transfer back to Sarteano.
- In the afternoon, meet the chef and start your third cooking class with a delicious dinner to follow. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
- Overnight
Day 6 –
- Breakfast, then a day free for your individual explorations.
- In one of the most beautiful areas of southern Tuscany, Sarteano stands out. Monte Cetona makes for beautiful views, unmatched in the region.
- While you are there, you can visit the Castle, which overlooks the historic centre. From there, you can admire the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo and the church of San Martino, where the Annunciation by Domenico Beccafumi is preserved.
- You may also visit the town’s best known site, the Tomb of the Hellish Quadriga, found in October 2023 in the necropolis of the Plains. This is one of the most significant discoveries in the field of etruscology in recent decades.
- Or, if you want additional cooking lessons, we can add another hands-on cooking class in the morning, followed by lunch, for $200 per person (wine paid locally).
- Farewell dinner with your hosts at the Residenza, and a final overnight.
Day 7 – Arrivederci!
- Enjoy your final breakfast in Sarteano.
- Private transfer to Chiusi railway station.
-
Day 1 – Arrival in Sarteano
- Private transfer from Chiusi train station to Residenza Pio III in Sarteano village.
- Arrive at your accommodations and meet your host, Chef Chiara.
- Enjoy some free time to explore the charming village of Sarteano.
- Welcome dinner at the property, featuring complimentary wine.
Day 2 – Cooking Class & Pienza & Monticchiello
- This morning meet your private driver in the hotel lobby and depart for an half day excursion to Pienza & Monticchiello.
- Arrive in Pienza start exploring on own a gem in the Val d’Orcia. It’s known as the city of Pope Pius II, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who was born here in 1405. Once Pius became Pope, he wanted to transform his humble birthplace into an urban-architectural treasure. This is how the artistic city is known today: “born from a thought of love and a dream of beauty”. At the end of the visit, board again on your private car and reach Montichello.
- In Etruscan and Roman times, this small village was a crossroads of streets that connected centres and communities in the area. There are still traces of the medieval fortresses, greatly contrasting the Renaissance framework of Pienza. The sturdy walls and the tower of the keep that stands on the hill are signs of the village’s intense past, a stronghold for the defence system of the Republic of Siena.
- Lunch at leisure, then transfer back to Sarteano, escorted by your private driver.
- In the afternoon, enjoy a fun and entertaining cooking class at property. The food culture in Italy is not just the act of dining but to the ritual of conviviality, the need to take a break from work to talk, exchange ideas, renew the bonds of love that have long been at the heart of our domestic culture. Inspired by this concept, the cooking school is open to food in the broadest, most all-encompassing sense of the term: not just a source of pleasure and sustenance, but a repository of knowledge, ideas and emotions!
- In this hands-on lesson you’ll use the best seasonal products following alongside a professional chef. Learn how to make fresh, handmade pasta and finally enjoy the fruits of your labor for dinner. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
- Overnight.
Day 3 – Montepulciano & Cooking
- After breakfast, meet your private driver in the lobby and depart for an half day excursion to visit Montepulciano. Montepulciano is a lovely hilltop medieval town well known as the little Florence for its urbanistic style similar to Florence and known throughout the world for its coveted nobile wines and a remarkable number of wine shops lined along its medieval streets. This beautiful Renaissance hilltown, which still adheres to its medieval plan, is embedded in a picture- postcard landscape: every way you turn, you are confronted with the iconic image of the Tuscan countryside, where waves of hills and golden fields, dotted with cypresses, roll and roll together.
- Explore the town at your leisure (no guide). Then, head again by private car to a local winery to discover the production and the various stages of refining and aging of the wine. The visit culminates with the tasting of the famous Vino Nobile di Mopntepulciano and a typical light lunch!
- At the end of your excursion, transfer back to your hotel escoted by your private driver.
- Return back to Sarteano. You will have the opportunity to prepare some of the tastiest Tuscan dishes with the help of the chef. A fun, instructiveand enjoyable experience that will allow you to recreate the unique taste of your Tuscan holiday at home whenever you want. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
- Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Bagni Vignoni & San Quirico d ‘Orcia
- Breakfast at the Hotel.
- Depart on a full day excursion with our driver to two beautiful Tuscan villages: Bagno Vignoni & San Quirico d ‘Orcia.
- Upon arrival in Bagno Vignoni, you’ll explore the city on your own and be amazed by its curious main square, which features a large hot springs basin.
- Later journey to San Quirico, which lunch on your own.
- After lunch, visit the Collegiate Church of San Quirico, a Romanesque temple distinguished by three elaborately decorated porticoes from different periods. Explore the Church of San Francesco as well.
- Return back to Sarteano at the end of the Tour.
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day 5 – Orvieto & Cooking Class
- Enjoy your breakfast. This morning meet our English speaking driver and reach Orvieto for a 2-hour guided tour: You will learn about the history and see the main monuments of this beautiful city built between the 13th and 14th centuries, a period in which Orvieto reached its maximum power. Start at the Piazza Duomo and meander along the main city squares. The end of the tour is in the old medieval quarter.
- Lunch on your own in Orvieto (with suggestions from your guide) before coming back to Sarteano .
- In the afternoon meet the chef and start your third cooking class for the preparation of a Tuscan menu. Delicious dinner to follow. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
- Overnight
Day 6 – Arrivederci!
- Enjoy your final breakfast in Sarteano.
- Private transfer to Chiusi railway station.
Trip Details
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Included in the 6-night Tuscan cooking vacation
Accommodations6 nights in a historic residence B&B
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 1 lunch
- 5 dinners
Classes & InstructorsJoin your host Chiara, an accomplished chef and cookbook author, for your hands-on cooking classes. She will teach you the secrets of Tuscan cuisine, which traditionally features a few high quality ingredients impeccably prepared. Chiara can also do vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan menus. Your class will end with a delicious meals (wine not included, paid on the spot).
Excursions- Half-day excursion to Pienza and Monticchiello with English speaking driver
- Half-day excursion to Montepulciano with English speaking driver
- Guided visit, wine tastings and lunch at a Tuscan wine estate
- Full-day excursion to Bagno Vignoni & San Quirico d ‘Orcia with English speaking driver
- Half-day excursion to Orvieto with English speaking driver and 2-hour guided tour of Orvieto
Transfer Details- Arrival and departure transfers are including from the Chiusi train station.
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Meals not indicated
- Beverages except as indicated.
- 4th cooking classes (added on request for $200 per person)
-
Included in the 5-night Culinary Vacation
Accommodations5 nights accommodation at historical residence B&B
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 1 lunch
- 4 dinners
Classes & InstructorsJoin your host Chiara, an accomplished chef and cookbook author, for your hands-on cooking classes. She will teach you the secrets of Tuscan cuisine, which traditionally features a few high quality ingredients impeccably prepared. Chiara can also do vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan menus. (Please note that wine is not included and is paid on the spot if you want to add it to your meal).
Excursions- Half-day excursion to Pienza and Monticchiello with English speaking driver
- Half-day excursion to Montepulciano with English speaking driver
- Guided visit , wine tastings and lunch at a Tuscan wine estate
- Full-day excursion to Bagno Vignoni & San Quirico d ‘Orcia with English speaking driver
- Half-day excursion to Orvieto with English speaking driver and 2-hour guided tour of Orvieto
Transfer Details- Arrival and departure transfers are including from the Chiusi train station.
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Meals not indicated
- Beverages except as indicated.
- 4th cooking classes (added on request for $200 per person)
Accommodation Information
Your accommodations will be at an authentic historical palace, which in the Fifteenth Century was home to Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, Pope Pius III. The palace offers just three guest suites, each large and well-lit, that our culinary travelers can call home during their authentic Tuscan cooking vacation.
The elegant junior suite bedroom in Sarteano
Dining room with private library
An elegant studio suite
Sarteano B&B Suite complete with a grand sitting area and free standing bath
In suite desk and armchair in Sarteano
Suite at the charming B&B in Sarteano.
Pavilion and Courtyard leading to street
Junior suite bedroom in Sarteano
Fully equipped bathroom
Rainfall shower and deluxe sink
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Pricing and Tour Dates for Our Authentic Tuscan Cooking Vacation
Find the pricing and dates for our authentic Tuscan cooking vacations in southern Tuscan, or contact us for availability or to book.
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2025-2026 Sample* Pricing
See moreUS$4890 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$400 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
*Pricing varies by season and week. Please inquire for detailed pricing for your dates.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
+$200 to include optional 4th cooking class
Single supplement: please inquire
Authentic Southern Tuscan Cooking Vacation Tour Dates
See moreOur Tuscan culinary vacations can take place any week you choose for a minimum of 2 people.
2025-2026
Please inquire for available dates! -
2025-2026 Sample* Pricing
See moreUS$4820 per person based on double occupancy
*Pricing varies by season and week. Please inquire for detailed pricing for your dates.
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Single supplement: please inquire
Tuscany Cooking Tour Dates
See moreOur Tuscan culinary vacations can take place any week you choose for a minimum of 2 people.
2025-2026
Please inquire for available dates!
We Can Help Plan The Best Unique Tuscany Vacations
Planning an authentic Tuscany culinary tour can be overwhelming, but we're here to help. From flights and transportation to additional tours and accommodations, we've got you covered. While we can't pack your bags for you, we can certainly make your Tuscany culinary vacation even better.
