Cooking and Vineyards of Southern Tuscany
Cooking and Vineyards of Southern Tuscany
The hillside village of Pergo, home for our Tuscany cooking vacations, is enchanting. While the village is situated just four miles from the Etruscan city walls of Cortona, it feels like a world away, and not only because the town consists of a handful of medieval streets. Surrounded by rolling green hills – and even some mountains in the distance – this is a place where nature, history, art, and gastronomic traditions have fused to create a breathtaking and relaxing getaway for our Tuscany wine tours and culinary vacations. Learn the ways of traditional Tuscan food during hands-on Tuscany cooking classes, delight in the picturesque setting populated by olive groves and vineyards, and explore the “terroir” during Tuscany wine tours and tastings.
Nestled in the scenic region is a family-owned estate that will be your home during your Tuscany cooking vacation, with its lovingly restored 18th-century historic dwelling. The owner, David, and his family respected the structure’s past in its renovation, as they used antique materials in the restoration and conserved original elements, including vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and terracotta floors. Many of the rooms for your Tuscany food tour feature a magnificent view of not only the garden but also the rolling hills of the region. David and his mother will welcome you like family and show you the Tuscany of your dreams.
Since the hotel is only a short ride away from other charming towns such as Arezzo, Pienza, Perugia, Deruta, and Assisi, as well as from Montepulciano, you will have ample chance to explore the amazing gastronomy of Tuscany through Tuscany wine tours and and tastings, as well as cultural tours and gastronomic excursions to taste the local products.
Come to southern Tuscany on your Italy food tour and experience the best Tuscany cooking vacation of your dreams!
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Trip Details
3 hands-on cooking lessons will focus on Tuscan dishes including:
- ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza
- bruschetta, Tuscan pici pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef, and mascarpone
- a complete 4-course seasonal menu
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Itinerary
Day One
- Transfer from Terontola Train Station.
- Arrive at Hotel Corte Dei Papi, home for your amazing Tuscany wine tour and cooking vacation.
- Rest until the evening and then enjoy a welcome aperitif, followed by a welcome a la carte dinner — which includes three courses — accompanied by a good house wine.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast.
- Morning: First hands-on Tuscan cooking class, where you will learn to create a traditional Tuscan four-course meal, which might include such dishes as: ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Afternoon: a guided tour of Cortona with an English-speaking guide. Visit the Etruscan Museum, which includes a rich collection of objects found during excavations in the area. Then, a visit to the Le Celle Monastery, just outside Cortona, where Saint Francis spent part of his monastic life.
- Time on your own to explore the town and dinner on your own. (Return transfer back to the hotel must be paid locally).
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- In the second cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, learn how to prepare traditional dishes, which may include bruschetta, pici hand-made Tuscan pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef coke entree, and mascarpone.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Afternoon on your own. Perhaps visit Trasimeno lake, or shop at the nearby Valdichiana Outlet, where most famous Italian fashion brands can be found, or schedule additional Tuscany wine tours and tastings. (Transfers can be arranged locally).
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion including cultural visits and Tuscany wine tours.
- In the morning, experience a guided Tuscany wine tour of Montepulciano, as well as a wine tasting in ancient cellars located underneath the town.
- Light lunch in a local trattoria or winery.
- In the afternoon, head to Pienza for a guided tour of the town. Next, stop in Val d’Orcia to see the cheese factory, followed by a delicious cheese tasting in the garden of the property.
- Return to the hotel for an a la carte dinner accompanied by good house wine.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- Begin your third and final hands-on cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, which will be based on a seasonal menu.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts with local wine included.
- Afternoon on your own. Perhaps relax by the pool, or visit Arezzo or Cortona on your own. (Transportation can be arranged locally).
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Six
- Breakfast followed by a full-day excursion to Assisi. You will have a chance to explore this beautiful city on your own, including St. Frances’ Cathedral, a World Heritage Site decorated in frescos by Cimabue and Giotto, as well as other attractions, including St. Mary the Greater Church, the earliest religious building in Assisi. (Lunch on your own in Assisi). (If you would like to schedule a guided tour with a licensed guide, this can be added for an additional cost.)
- In the evening, return to the hotel restaurant for a farewell a la carte dinner, including three courses, accompanied by good house wine.
- Overnight.
Day Seven
- Breakfast.
- Your culinary vacation in Tuscany has ended, but the memories will last a lifetime! Check out and transfer to Terontola train station.
Day One
- Transfer from Terontola Train Station.
- Arrive at Hotel Corte Dei Papi, home for your amazing Tuscany wine tour and cooking vacation.
- Rest until the evening and then enjoy a welcome aperitif, followed by a welcome a la carte dinner — which includes three courses — accompanied by a good house wine.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast.
- Morning: First hands-on Tuscan cooking class, where you will learn to create a traditional Tuscan four-course meal, which might include such dishes as: ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Afternoon: a guided tour of Cortona with an English-speaking guide. Visit the Etruscan Museum, which includes a rich collection of objects found during excavations in the area. Then, a visit to the Le Celle Monastery, just outside Cortona, where Saint Francis spent part of his monastic life.
- Time on your own to explore the town and dinner on your own. (Return transfer back to the hotel must be paid locally).
- Overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- In the second cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, learn how to prepare traditional dishes, which may include bruschetta, pici hand-made Tuscan pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef coke entree, and mascarpone.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Afternoon on your own. Perhaps visit Trasimeno lake, or shop at the nearby Valdichiana Outlet, where most famous Italian fashion brands can be found, or schedule additional Tuscany wine tours and tastings. (Transfers can be arranged locally).
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion including cultural visits and Tuscany wine tours.
- In the morning, experience a guided Tuscany wine tour of Montepulciano, as well as a wine tasting in ancient cellars located underneath the town.
- Light lunch in a local trattoria or winery.
- In the afternoon, head to Pienza for a guided tour of the town. Next, stop in Val d’Orcia to see the cheese factory, followed by a delicious cheese tasting in the garden of the property.
- Return to the hotel for an a la carte dinner accompanied by good house wine.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- Your culinary vacation in Tuscany has ended, but the memories will last a lifetime! Check out and transfer to Terontola train station.
Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Trip
Accommodations
6 nights accommodation at in double or double twin room
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 4 lunches
- 3 dinners
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
3 hands-on cooking lessons will focus on Tuscan dishes including:
- ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza
- bruschetta, Tuscan pici pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef, and mascarpone
- a complete 4-course seasonal menu
Excursions
- Guided tour of Cortona, including Etruscan Museum and Le Celle Monastery
- Full-day excursion to Montepulciano with Tuscany wine tour and wine tasting, Pienza, and the Val d’Orcia to visit a cheese producer
- Full-day excursion to Assisi with time to explore on your own
Transfer Details
- Round trip transfers from/to Terontola-Cortona train station
Included in the 4-Night Trip
Accommodations
4 nights accommodation at in double or double twin room
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches
- 2 dinners
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
2 hands-on cooking lessons will focus on Tuscan dishes including:
- ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza
- bruschetta, Tuscan pici pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef, and mascarpone
Excursions
- Guided tour of Cortona, including Etruscan Museum and Le Celle Monastery
- Full-day excursion to Montepulciano with wine tasting, Pienza, and the Val d’Orcia to visit a cheese producer
Transfer Details
- Round trip transfers from/to Terontola-Cortona train station
Accommodation Information
Just outside Cortona lies the gorgeous 4-star relais hotel, La Corte dei Papi. This charming hotel went under extensive restoration while still retaining some of the villa’s history, including terra-cotta floors and vaulted ceilings. The elegant rooms and suites offer modern comforts, including en-suite bathroom, minibar, satellite TV, adjustable air conditioning, hair dryers, and more. Super-luxurious spa suites are also available including sitting room, a Turkish bath equipped with four multi-sensory showers with aromatherapy, chromotherapy and music therapy, and a large Jacuzzi that can accommodate two people. The property also features a beautiful swimming pool and outdoor dining area.
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
Pricing:
6-night Program
US$3800 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$900 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Add US$300 per person to upgrade to deluxe cottage with jacuzzi tub
- Add US$650 per person to upgrade to deluxe junior suite
- Add US$1450 per person to upgrade to deluxe spa suite
- Add US$1700 per person to upgrade to exclusive spa suite
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available the following weeks for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates also possible.
January 7 – March 14 – CLOSED
2020
March 15-21
March 22-28
March 29-April 4
April 5-11
April 12-18
April 19-25
April 26-May 2
May 3-9
May 10-16
May 17-23
May 24-30
May 31-June 6
June 7-13
June 14-20
June 21-27
June 28-July 4
July 5-11
July 12-18
July 19-25
July 26-August 1
August 2-8
August 9-15
August 16-22
August 23-29
August 30-September 5
September 6-12
September 13-19
September 20-26
September 27-October 3
October 4-10
October 11-17
October 18-24
October 25-31
November 1-7
November 8-14
November 15-21
November 22-28
November 29-December 5
December 6-12
December 13-19
December 20-26
Looking for tour date information?
Pricing:
4-night Program
US$2750 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$575 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Add US$225 per person to upgrade to deluxe cottage with jacuzzi tub
- Add US$450 per person to upgrade to junior suite
- Add US$900 per person to upgrade to deluxe spa suite
- Add US$1200 per person to upgrade to exclusive spa suite
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available the following weeks for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates also possible.
January 7 – March 14 – CLOSED
2020
March 15-18
March 18-21
March 22-25
March 25-28
March 29-April 1
April 1-4
April 5-8
April 8-11
April 12-15
April 15-18
April 19-22
April 22-25
April 26-29
April 29-May 2
May 3-6
May 6-9
May 10-13
May 13-16
May 17-20
May 20-23
May 24-27
May 27-30
May 31-June 3
June 3-6
June 7-10
June 10-13
June 14-17
June 17-20
June 21-24
June 24-27
June 28-July 1
July 1-4
July 5-8
July 8-11
July 12-15
July 15-18
July 19-22
July 22-25
July 26-29
July 29-August 1
August 2-5
August 5-8
August 9-12
August 12-15
August 16-19
August 19-22
August 23-26
August 26-29
August 30-September 2
September 2-5
September 6-9
September 9-12
September 13-16
September 16-19
September 20-23
September 23-26
September 27-30
September 30-October 3
October 4-7
October 7-10
October 11-14
October 14-17
October 18-21
October 21-24
October 25-28
October 28-31
November 1-4
November 4-7
November 8-11
November 11-14
November 15-18
November 18-21
November 22-25
November 25-28
November 29-December 2
December 2-5
December 6-9
December 9-12
December 13-16
December 16-19
December 20-23
Pricing & Dates
Class Pricing
Reviews
Country:
Italy
Region:
Tuscany
Tour Dates:
Available any dates March to December for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,800
4 Nights
Starting at
$2,750
Want more flexibility? We can customize all of your trip details for you, including:
- Trip length and Itineraries
- Hotels and Tours
- Transfers and Airfare
Let us show you how we can create a complete package just for you. Contact Us