La Cucina Romana in the Sabine Hills
La Cucina Romana in the Sabine Hills
Lying just outside of Rome, to the northeast, lies the Sabina region. A place of rustic tranquility, fertile lands, and stunning views, it offers the culinary traveler a way to experience authentic Italian life and enjoy the best of of an enchanting and unspoiled land. From the small medieval towns and monasteries nestled in the Appenine hills, to the stunning gardens and fountains of the Villa d’Este, to the wonders of the local cuisine, the Sabine region offers a plethora of culture, beauty, and cuisine to the savvy traveler.
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Trip Details
You will have 4 wonderful hands-on cooking lessons during your culinary vacation, including a special pizza class. Your guide for your Italian cooking lessons will be Chef Barbara, who studied at the Gambero Rosso cooking school and now teaches there; she also has appeared on an Italian cooking show. While you will of course learn the secrets of ‘la cucina romana,’ Roman cuisine, you will also enjoy a special Tuscan cooking class. The cooking classes will take place in the villa’s wonderful teaching kitchen, which boasts individual work stations, multiple cooking tops and ovens, and amazing views of the countryside on three sides so you will feel one with the land whose bounty you will be exploring. The classes will focus on recipes from professional chefs, ‘nonnas’ (grandmas), and special visiting chefs. You will use only the freshest ingredients, including the property’s own DOP-certified olive oil, and will learn to make everything from appetizers and pastas, to meat and fish dishes, to pizzas and desserts.
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Itinerary
Day One
- Late morning or early afternoon transfer from Rome airport (Fiumicino or Ciampino) or train station (Termini) to the villa.
- Time to relax and explore the villa and the grounds. Perhaps take a dip in the pool, or relax in the sauna before meeting your hosts and other culinary companions.
- This evening, a welcome dinner where you will experience real Roman hospitality and discuss the itinerary for the week.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast in the dining room or, weather permitting, on one of the outdoor terraces or covered verandas overlooking the surrounding olive groves and countryside.
- Meet your chef and staff who will guide you through the week.
- Next, your first hands-on cooking lesson in the beautiful newly designed teaching kitchen. Learn how to prepare a typical Roman meal from start to finish, and then enjoy it afterwards for lunch.
- In the afternoon, visit the stunning castle of Palombara Sabina, the charming nearby medieval town. You will have a rare chance to visit the castle museum, not normally open to the public, and to enjoy the stunning views of Sabina region at sunset. Following a visit to the castle/museum, enjoy a dinner at medieval castle in Palombara Sabina.
- Return to the villa and overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Off to nearby the hilltop village of Tivoli for a visit of the open air market where you will learn to pick the freshest and best local ingredients for your next cooking class.
- Next, a visit of the amazing Villa d’Este. One of the prime examples of Renaissance architecture and of the Italian Renaissance garden, it is now a UNESCO world heritage site. The villa, although gorgeous, pales in comparison to the extensive and intricate gardens, complete with nymphs, grottos, and the world-famous fountains that have inspired designers, artists, and poets for centuries.
- Lunch in a local restaurant in Tivoli.
- Transfer back to the property for your second cooking lesson, this one featuring Tuscan cuisine.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts out on the sunset terrace.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast, and depart for a special day in Rome!
- Today you will experience a day-long adventure exploring the secrets of Ancient Rome. Your special guided tour of the city will feature places not normally visited by tourists, the Rome that was dear to the ancients and known by modern-day Romans. Your experienced guide will show you the art, food, history, and culture of the Eternal City. Lunch will be savored in Rome during the course of the day, and dinner will take place in a beautiful private roof top garden apartment overlooking the presidential palace and Trevi fountain.
- Transfer back to the villa and overnight.
Day Five
- A leisurely breakfast after your full day of touring on Wednesday.
- Take a private transfer to the nearby region of Umbria for a winery visit and tasting. You’ll also get to enjoy lunch at a lovely wine estate.
- In the afternoon, take a stroll in the walled city of Orvieto, which is known for its stunning views and its impressive cathedral.
- Return to the villa to take part in a hands-on pizza making class using the property’s outdoor pizza oven. Dinner to follow based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
Day Six
- Breakfast.
- This morning, depart for a nearby olive grove and mill to learn about the local olive oil production, which started during ancient Roman times. You might also stop at a local dairy to learn about local cheeses. Return to the villa for an olive oil tasting, along with lunch.
- This afternoon, your last cooking lesson, in which you will employ all the skills you have learned during your other lessons to create a large graduation dinner, from antipasti to dolci.
- Overnight
Day Seven
- Light breakfast and goodbye to your hosts and friends, then transfer to Rome airport or train station.
Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Trip
Accommodations
6 nights accommodation at private villa
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 5 lunches
- 6 dinners
- Local wine with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
You will have 4 wonderful hands-on cooking lessons during your culinary vacation, including a special pizza class. Your guide for your Italian cooking lessons will be Chef Barbara, who studied at the Gambero Rosso cooking school and now teaches there; she also has appeared on an Italian cooking show. While you will of course learn the secrets of ‘la cucina romana,’ Roman cuisine, you will also enjoy a special Tuscan cooking class. The cooking classes will take place in the villa’s wonderful teaching kitchen, which boasts individual work stations, multiple cooking tops and ovens, and amazing views of the countryside on three sides so you will feel one with the land whose bounty you will be exploring. The classes will focus on recipes from professional chefs, ‘nonnas’ (grandmas), and special visiting chefs. You will use only the freshest ingredients, including the property’s own DOP-certified olive oil, and will learn to make everything from appetizers and pastas, to meat and fish dishes, to pizzas and desserts.
Excursions
- Visit of the Palombara Sabina castle, including its museum
- Excursion to Tivoli to see the market and the Villa d’Este, a UNESCO world heritage site famed for its extensive and intricate gardens and fountains
- Insider’s day in Rome
- Excursion to Umbria including winery visit and Orvieto
- Visit to local food producers such as an olive oil producer and, when available, a cheese producer
Transfer Details
- Transfers to and from Rome’s main train station (Termini) or airports (Fiumicino and Ciampino). Transfers will also be made to Rome hotels with central locations, if possible (some driving restrictions may apply).
Not Included
- Massages, or trips to local Spas
- Liquor, cocktails, or special requests on wine
- Additional trips into Rome or to other venues, including shopping excursions (specialty shopping trips for custom tailored clothing can be made)
Accommodation Information
This charming villa in the Sabina region was built as a private summer home in the early 80’s and recently renovated for use as a villa rental and site of a culinary vacation. The house features eight elegant guest suites with en suite baths, a wonderful common living room for gathering, several outdoor verandas and terraces, and a magnificent teaching kitchen with glass walls looking out onto the surrounding countryside. The spacious rooms include air conditioning, free WiFi, and satellite TV. The grounds boast a large outdoor pool and extensive gardens and orchards, including the olive trees that produces the property’s excellent olive oil.
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
2020 Pricing:
6-night Program
US$3400 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$500 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Subtract US$200 per non-cooking companion
- Add US$100 per person to upgrade to Upstairs room
- Add US$200 per person to upgrade to Upstairs suite
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 90 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Sample weeks. Please contact us to confirm availability.
2020
May 24-30 (sold out)
May 31-June 6 (sold out)
June 7-13 (sold out)
June 14-20 Cherry Harvest
June 21-27 (sold out)
June 28-July 4 (sold out)
July 5-August 29 – Not Available
August 30-September 5 – on option, please inquire
September 6-12
September 13-19
September 20-26 (sold out)
October 4-10 (sold out)
October 11-17 on option, please inquire
October 18-24 (sold out)
October 25-31 (sold out)
November 1-7 – Olive harvest
November 8-14 – Olive harvest
November 15-21 – Olive harvest
2021
April 11-17
May 9-15
June 13-19
September 5-11
Other 2021 weeks also available, please inquire for more info.
Pricing & Dates
Class Pricing
Reviews
Country:
Italy
Region:
Rome (Lazio)
Tour Dates:
Available select weeks April through November. Please review our complete pricing and dates details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,400
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