Living the Real Tuscan Dream
Living the Real Tuscan Dream
This trip is eligible for our Worry-Free Booking promotion. Tuscany is one of the world’s most popular destinations, and it is the perfect destination for a cooking vacation! But its increase in popularity make the “authentic” Tuscany at times a little harder to find. But look no further: this unique Tuscany culinary vacation is meant exclusively for those who are looking for a true Tuscany food tour, the Tuscany lived by the Tuscans themselves. Immerse yourself in the Chianti countryside, take a break from the hi-tech world by embracing local slow rhythms and medieval rituals, and rediscover the pleasures and pure joy of simple food, gorgeous scenery, and beautiful souls on one of our best Tuscany cooking vacations!
Chef Andrea defines himself as your Chianti “host” for your Tuscany food tour, which explains a lot about his personality. An avid adventurer and great communicator, he has lived in Chianti his entire life, knows every single corner of the region, and through his different professional ventures has always shared his limitless passion for his land: he ran a restaurant, gave guided visits to a historical winery for years, and has organized Tuscan dinners all around the US.
What essentially marks the difference in between Italian and other cuisines, as you will discover on our Tuscany wine tours and Tuscany cooking vacations, is the importance of fresh and tasty ingredients versus the preparation techniques. Apart from the cooking phase which is of course a key component, the focus of this culinary vacation in Tuscany is definitely the “journey” that all the local ingredients make before ending up in the kitchen. You will pick up the veggies from the chef’s garden, learn more about the seasonal ingredients and talk to the local producers (meat, cheese, olive oil, wine and more).
Of course, our Tuscany wine tours and Tuscany cooking vacations would not be complete without a thorough exploration of the local culture through gastronomic visits, artisan food tastings, winery visits, and Tuscany wine tasting tours. Visit Andrea in his native Tuscany on our Tuscany cooking vacations and live the real Tuscan dream!
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Trip Details
4 cooking classes on authentic Tuscan cuisine featuring:
- visits to Andrea’s garden to pick fruits and vegetables
- classic Tuscan recipes
- pizza and bread making class
- a special seasonal food visit based on the time of year, such as mushrooming in September or foraging for wild asparagus in the spring
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Itinerary
Day One
- Transfer from Florence airport or train station in the late morning or early afternoon to Andrea’s home in the Chianti countryside (about 1 hour away) for your week-long culinary vacation in Tuscany.
- Check in to your home for the week, a little slice of heaven, and enjoy a welcome glass of wine.
- Welcome dinner prepared by Andrea, who will introduce the program for your week-long Tuscany food and wine tour.
Day Two
- Fresh homemade breakfast served at the house.
- In the morning meet Andrea in his veggie garden, learn more about his particular way to grow plants, and then gather the seasonal vegetables for your first class. Your hands-on Tuscan cooking class will be held right afterwards, lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon enjoy a half-day excursion to another favorite destination of our Tuscany cooking vacations, nearby Siena, called also “The Gothic Dream.” Meet your licensed local guide and learn about the history and legends of the town which was long the obstinate enemy of Florence. Explore “Il Campo,” the enormous square where Palio horse race has been held for centuries twice a year. You will have some time on your own for shopping before savoring a tasty dinner in the evocative atmosphere of Siena.
- Return home after dinner. Overnight.
Day Three
- Fresh homemade breakfast served at the house.
- In the morning meet Andrea in the kitchen for your second Tuscany cooking class with lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon transfer to a winery featuring Tuscany wine tours that let our travelers learn about the flavors of the indigenous Tuscan grapes and the terroir needed to produce authentic and wonderful Tuscan wines. Enjoy a guided wine tasting tour in Tuscany of the wine cellars and a tasting of olive and wine to follow.
- Return to your home. Dinner at the house and overnight.
Day Four
- Fresh homemade breakfast served at the house.
- The schedule for this morning’s Tuscany cooking vacation activities varies according to the season, as it will be dependent on a special ingredient: in early September you might grab mushrooms and take part in the wine harvest or additional Tuscany wine tasting tours; in November you would pick the olives; in summer time you would make home made gelato in a nearby gelateria in Castellina in Chianti; in the springtime you might go hunting for wild asparagus and make sausage in a local butcher shop. Lunch included and based on the seasonal ingredient.
- In the late afternoon join Andrea in his kitchen for a pizza and bread baking class and learn about yeast and baking techniques. Pizza dinner to follow.
- Overnight.
Day Five
- Fresh homemade breakfast served at the house.
- Around 10:30 am meet your private driving guide and enjoy a full day excursion to Southern Tuscany, another perfect destination for our Tuscany cooking vacations.
- Your Italy food tour will start this morning Podere il Casale, a local cheese-maker in the Pienza countryside where you will learn about their cheese making traditions and have a light lunch to follow.
- The next stop will be Montepulciano, a lovely hill-top medieval village with perfectly preserved walls and great views on Orcia valley hills. Enjoy some time on your own in town, and make sure to climb the Public Palace and to stop in an underground cellars for one of the best Tuscany wine tours to sip a glass of Nobile, Montepulciano’s signature full bodied red wine.
- Head next to Pienza, a true symbol of the Renaissance. Walk along the narrow, romantic streets of this tiny village that was home to Pope Pius II and that still perfectly represents the essence of Tuscany over five hundreds years later.
- Optional stop for dinner on the way back to Andrea’s (cost paid locally).
Day Six
- Fresh homemade breakfast served at the house.
- This morning you will have free time to relax by the pool or hike in the countryside on your own. Lunch based on Andrea’s garden vegetables will be served.
- After lunch enjoy your farewell Tuscan cooking class with a final dinner to follow.
- Overnight.
Day Seven
- Breakfast, a fond farewell to Andrea, and departure transfer to Florence airport or train station. We hope you have enjoyed your Tuscany culinary vacation!
Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Trip
Accommodations
6 nights accommodations in farmhouse
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 5 lunches
- 5 dinners
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
4 cooking classes on authentic Tuscan cuisine featuring:
- visits to Andrea’s garden to pick fruits and vegetables
- classic Tuscan recipes
- pizza and bread making class
- a special seasonal food visit based on the time of year, such as mushrooming in September or foraging for wild asparagus in the spring
Excursions
- Half-day excursion to Siena, including tour with licensed guide
- Visit of Tuscan winery with Andrea
- Seasonal food excursion on day 4
- Excursion to southern Tuscany featuring Montepulciano, Pienza, and a cheese producer
Transfer Details
- Roundtrip transfers from Florence airport or train station
Accommodation Information
Lying on gentle Chianti hills, Andrea’s rustic farmhouse B&B is in a perfect location for those who wish to experience authentic Tuscan life: the house was originally a barn, lovingly restored and converted into three simple, large bedrooms, each with private bathroom (outside the room but private). The house offers a large outdoor area with a scenic pool, Andrea’s personal vegetable garden, vineyards and olive groves. Breakfast with fresh eggs from the roost and local cheeses is served daily.
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There are also 2 lovely double rooms with en suite bathroom available at a wine estate just 150 meters from Andrea’s house (and owned by Andrea’s cousin) .
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
Pricing:
6-night Program
US$3600 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$350 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Subtract US$300 per person when booking 4 or more people
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
This trip is eligible for our “Worry-Free Booking” promotion*, which means your deposit is fully refundable up to 31 days prior to the trip start date. Questions? Please contact us!
*See our terms & conditions for details and exclusions.
Tour Dates
Available any week you choose starting on Sunday for a minimum of 2 people.
2020
Please inquire for additional weeks not posted.
May 17-23
May 31-June 6
June 7-13
June 19-28 (sold out)
August 13-20 (sold out)
September 20-26
September 29-October 10 (sold out)
October 11-17
October 25-31 (Olive Harvest Week)
2021
Generally available any week Sunday to Saturday. Please contact us for 2021 dates until specific weeks become posted.
Pricing & Dates
Class Pricing
Reviews
Country:
Italy
Region:
Tuscany
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose with a Sunday start date for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,300
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