Cooking Holidays in Tuscany
Your lively group culinary vacation will take place with our longtime collaborators in Tuscany in one of three amazing properties, Torre del Tartufo, Casa Ombuto, or Villa Bellorcia. All are private villas in the countryside of Tuscnay, and all feature en suite bedrooms, common living areas, gardens, swimming pool, hot tub and sauna/fitness.
The culinary program includes cooking classes in the afternoons, while most mornings are free for exploring on your own. (For this reason, we recommend you have your own rental car.)
Come explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside while learning to cook with new friends!
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Trip Details
4 hands-on cooking classes
During this cookery holiday, you will learn to make complete 4 course Italian dinners covering all the basic Italian cooking techniques. You will make a wide range of dishes including such staples as:
- crostini, bruschette and torte verdura
- homemade pasta and gnocchi
- pizza in a real wood-fired pizza oven
Itinerary
Please note that the Mediterranean weeks, fitness and yoga weeks, and the hiking and cooking weeks have a slightly different itinerary. Please inquire for specifics!
Day One
- Arrival on your own at your accommodations. (We can arrange transfers to and from Florence airport on request, although we recommend having your own vehicle to use during the free time.)
- Check-in after 4:00 pm.
- Welcome dinner and introduction given by the chef and a chance to get to know each other.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast is served, followed by a free morning.
- A light lunch at around 1:00 pm for those who are not off sightseeing.
- Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by a delicious Tuscan wine to compliment the dishes.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- A buffet Breakfast is served and you have time to relax or do some sight seeing or enjoy the pool or take a walk.
- A light lunch is served around 1:00 pm.
- Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you prepare a four-course meal.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- After breakfast, a full-day excursion, which will vary according to your accommodation.
- For those staying at Casa Ombuto or Torre del Tartufo: You will visit a wine and olive oil estate for oil and wine tasting, after which pay a visit to a wine estate for a Tuscan wine tasting and make your way to a cheese and meat Farm for an authentic lunch and cheese and meat tasting. After lunch, stop in a local town for a gelato or visit a ceramic or fabric factory before heading back to your villa.
- For those staying at Bellorcia: drive through the magnificent Val d’Ocria to visit Montalcino and taste the famous Brunello di Montalcino Tuscan wines and have time to walk around the village. Visit an authentic pecorino cheese farm in Pienza and have a chance to see how these locals produce delicious Tuscan cheeses. Lunch is planned in a breathtaking location. Before going back to the villa for supper, visit an Olive oil farm to taste cold pressed extra-virgin olive oil and learn how it is made.
- The day ends with a light, informal dinner at the villa.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure.
- After lunch, your hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
- Overnight.
Day Six
- After breakfast you have the day for yourselves, to do some sightseeing or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- This is the ideal day to make a trip to Florence for shopping and sight seeing as it’s only a 50 km drive away. Or visit La Verna—an ancient monastery where San Francisco de Assisi lived most of his life.
- Alternatively, you can of course stay at the villas and relax at the pool or take a dip in the hot tub.
- Lunch and dinner reservations can be made at a restaurant of your choice.
Day Seven
- Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure and for those interested we have a light lunch ready at 1:00 pm.
- Hands-on cookery course starts at 3:00 pm and you prepare an elaborate buffet dinner covering all the cooking techniques you have learned in the week and many more. Presentation of food will also be demonstrated.
- At the grand finale dinner you will be presented with a certificate of attendance.
Day Eight
- Breakfast and departure on your own around 10 a.m.
Day One
- Transfer from the Arezzo train station if staying at Torre del Tartufo (cost paid locally), or arrive on your own.
- A light lunch at around 1:00 pm.
- Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by a delicious Tuscan wine to compliment the dishes.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- A buffet Breakfast is served and you have time to relax or do some sight seeing or enjoy the pool or take a walk.
- A light lunch is served around 1:00 pm.
- Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you prepare a four-course meal.
- For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the finest Tuscan wines.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- After breakfast, a full-day excursion, which will vary according to your accommodation.
- For those staying at Casa Ombuto or Torre del Tartufo, you will have time to explore, shop, and sightsee in the charming town of Arezzo. Along the way, we’ll pay a visit to a wine estate for a tasting, and drive through the breathtaking Tuscan countryside to visit an olive oil mill for a tasting and a lunch. You will also make your way to Anghiari to visit the textile factory.
- For those staying at Bellorcia, you will have a visit to the Val d’Ocria and Montalcino where you will taste the famous Brunello di Montalcino, and then head to Pienza for a cheese producer visit. You will have lunch while you are out, and will stop on the way back for an olive mill visit.
- The day ends with a light, informal dinner at the villa.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Departure.
Trip Details
Included in the 7-Night Trip
Accommodations
7 nights accommodation at either the Torre del Tartufo, Casa Ombuto, or Villa Bellorcia
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 5 lunches
- 6 dinners
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
4 hands-on cooking classes
During this cookery holiday, you will learn to make complete 4 course Italian dinners covering all the basic Italian cooking techniques. You will make a wide range of dishes including such staples as:
- crostini, bruschette and torte verdura
- homemade pasta and gnocchi
- pizza in a real wood-fired pizza oven
Excursions
- Full-day excursion on day 4 (see itinerary for details)
Transfer Details
- Transfers are not included (but can be arranged from Arezzo if you are staying at Torre del Tartufo). You may wish to have a rental car for this itinerary (particularly for the 7-night itinerary).
Not Included
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Lunch and dinner on your free (7-night itinerary only)
Included in the 3-Night Trip
Accommodations
3 nights accommodation at either the Torre del Tartufo, Casa Ombuto, or Villa Bellorcia
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches
- 3 dinners
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
2 hands-on cooking classes
During this cookery holiday, you will learn to make complete 4 course Italian dinners covering all the basic Italian cooking techniques. You will make a wide range of dishes including such staples as:
- crostini, bruschette and torte verdura
- homemade pasta and gnocchi
- pizza in a real wood-fired pizza oven
Excursions
- Full-day excursion on day 3 (see itinerary for details)
Transfer Details
- Transfers are not included (but can be arranged from Arezzo if you are staying at Torre del Tartufo). You may wish to have a rental car for this itinerary (particularly for the 7-night itinerary).
Not Included
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Lunch and dinner on your free (7-night itinerary only)
Country:
Italy
Region:
Tuscany
Tour Dates:
Available select dates for a minimum of one person. Please inquire for specific dates and review our complete pricing details.
7 Nights
Starting at
$3,850
3 Nights
Starting at
$2,550
Accommodation Information
Torre del Tartufo: This stunning villa, which dates back to before 1700, is situated in the hillside just 15 minutes from Arezzo and 30 minutes from Cortona (Florence and Siena are about an hour’s drive). But with its views that seem to go on forever, Torre del Tartufo feels like a secluded retreat in beautiful Tuscany. The villa’s name comes from the surrounding truffle estate, which is famous in the area for seeing how truffles are found and used in cooking. As for the villa itself, the owners suspect it was once a chapel that was built up over the centuries. Today, the renovated villa features top-of-the-line finishing as well as beautiful floors and marble bathrooms, while still retaining a Tuscan charm. The villa’s 120 hectare estate includes fertile grounds for truffles — due the hazelnut and oak trees — as well as apple orchards and a deer farm. The lake located behind the villa also offers stunning views of the hills.
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Casa Ombuto: Situated on a hill, this Tuscan villa is in a secluded environment that offers breathtaking views of the area’s hills and villages, including the picturesque medieval town of Poppi in the heart of the Casentino valley. The villa dates back to before 1800, and today features farm-style teak furniture, large living areas with fireplaces, terra-cotta floors, open wooden beams, and marble bathrooms. The property also has a lovely private outdoor area known as the ‘piazza,’ which is shaded by four old trees, where breakfast and dinner is served weather permitting.
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Villa Bellorcia: The newest addition to the group of properties is the stunning villa Bellorcia, which boasts 8 double en suite bedrooms, a large outdoor area with heated pool, hot tub, and outdoor dining area. There is also a vegetable garden.
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Pricing:
7-night Program
US$3850 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$300 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Subtract US$950 per non-cooking companion
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available for a minimum of 1 person. Please note availability changes frequently – inquire with specific dates.
2022
May 14-21 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (sold out)
May 15-22 at Torre del Tartufo (2 rooms left)
May 21-28 at Bellorcia (sold out)
May 21-28 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (3 rooms left)
May 22-29 at Torre del Tartufo (3 rooms left)
May 28-June 4 at Casa Ombuto (3 rooms left)
June 4-11 at Casa Ombuto (sold out)
June 11-18 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (1 room left)
June 11-18 at Bellorcia (3 rooms left)
June 12-19 at Torre del Tartufo (2 rooms left)
June 18-25 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (1 room left)
June 19-26 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
June 25-July 2 at Casa Ombuto (2 rooms left)
June 26-July 3 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
July 2-9 at Casa Ombuto (2 rooms left)
July 3-10 at Torre del Tartufo (3 rooms left)
July 9-16 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (3 rooms left)
July 16-23 at Casa Ombuto (sold out)
July 17-24 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
July 23-30 at Casa Ombuto (Mediterranean Cooking) (2 rooms left)
July 24-31 at Torre del Tartufo (3 rooms left)
July 30-August 6 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking)
August 6-13 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking)
August 7-14 at Torre del Tartufo (Yoga Week) (sold out)
August 13-20 at Casa Ombuto Coolking & Hiking)
August 14-21 at Torre del Tartufo
August 20-27 at Casa Ombuto (2 rooms left)
August 27-September 3 as Casa Ombuto (1 room left)
August 28-September 4 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
September 3-10 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (3 rooms left)
September 4-11 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
September 10-17 at Bellorcia (sold out)
September 10-17 at Casa Ombuto (sold out)
September 11-18 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
September 17-24 (at Bellorcia) (sold out)
September 17-24 at Casa Ombuto (sold out)
September 18-25 at Torre del Tartufo (1 spot left)
September 24-October 1 at Casa Ombuto (sold out)
September 25-October 2 at Torre del Tartufo (1 room left)
October 1-8 at Casa Ombuto (Mediterranean Cooking) (sold out)
October 8-15 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (sold out)
October 9-16 at Torre del Tartufo (1 room left)
October 15-22 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking) (sold out)
October 16-23 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
October 22-29 at Casa Ombuto (Mediterranean Cooking)
October 23-30 at Torre del Tartufo
October 29-November 5 at Casa Ombuto (Cooking & Hiking)
October 30-November 6 at Torre del Tartufo
November 5-12 at Casa Ombuto
2023
Please inquire for 2023 dates.
2022 Pricing:
3-night Program
US$2550 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$100 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Subtract US$850 per non-cooking companion
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance due 60 days prior.
Tour Dates
Available select dates for a minimum of 1 person.
2022
June 6-9 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
June 9-12 at Torre del Tartufo (sold out)
July 11-14 at Torre del Tartufo (1 room left)
July 14-17 at Torre del Tartufo (2 rooms left)
August 1-4 at Torre del Tartufo (3 rooms left)
August 4-7
August 22-25 at Torre del Tartufo
October 3-6 at Torre del Tartufo (1 room left)
October 6-9 at Torre del Tartufo
October 24-27 at Torre del Tartufo
2023
Please inquire for 2023 dates.
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Country:
Italy
Region:
Tuscany
Tour Dates:
Available select dates for a minimum of one person. Please inquire for specific dates and review our complete pricing details.
7 Nights
Starting at
$3,850
3 Nights
Starting at
$2,550
Want more flexibility? We can customize all of your trip details for you, including:
- Trip length and Itineraries
- Hotels and Tours
- Transfers and Airfare
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