Classic Tuscan Table at Villa Casagrande
Classic Tuscan Table at Villa Casagrande
Tuscany is a land known for its rolling hills, beautiful vineyards, and olive groves. A part of the region’s charm also comes from the quaint towns that populate the countryside. Situated a short way from Florence, travelers will find the tranquil town of Figline Valdarno. The 12th century town once had 19 towers as well as 4 gates; vestiges of that architecture remain, including walls around the town. Today it is a wonderful place to take a stroll — the historical medieval center is home to more than just the weekly food market — and use as a jumping off point for discovering the area. From Figline Valdarno, discover the wines of Chianti Classico, nearby hill towns. and the historical cities of Siena and San Gimignano. A juxtaposition to this quaint town, this Classic Tuscan Table itinerary also features some time in the vibrant city of Florence, where travelers will have a chance to explore and discover the Italian food scene, complete with a visit to a beloved bakery.
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Trip Details
Your 3 cooking classes will help you delve into the traditional flavors of Tuscan cuisine. The classes with be with a local chef, Anna, while surrounded by some of Italy’s best scenery. The informal but informative cooking classes showcase the basic principles of Italian cuisine, including pasta, stews, pizza, and more.
Classes include:
- Three three hands-on classes at the Villa’s ancient kitchen
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Itinerary
Day One
- Arrive in Florence and transfer from either Florence airport or train station to Villa Casagrande in the charming town of Figline Valdarno.
- Settle into your superior room, and, if time allows, enjoy entrance to the wellness center at the hotel.
- At 6 p.m. go on a guided visit of the villa, followed by a wine tasting produced on the villa’s estate.
- Welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast.
- Around 9:30 a.m. depart with your driver for a half-day visit of Arezzo, which is the hometown to important figures in Italian culture such as the poet Petrarca and architect Vasari. The town was also featured in the movie “Life is Beautiful.” After a stroll through town with your guide, enjoy some time on your own; perhaps visit the church of San Francesco and its famous frescoes by Piero della Francesca, one of the fathers of the Renaissance.
- Lunch today will be at a local trattoria in downtown Arezzo, local wine included.
- In the afternoon, around 4 pm, meet Chef Anna for your first hands-on cooking class in the well-equipped kitchen at Villa Casagrande. Dinner to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- After breakfast, visit the local weekly market in Figline Valdarno’s square (Tuesdays only). Meet the locals and pick out some fresh ingredients for your next cooking class. Return to the hotel for your hands-on course with the chef in which you’ll learn how to make seasonal and traditional Tuscan dishes.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own. (Optional excursions can be booked arranged, such as a visit to an olive mill, or a nearby mall outlet. These add-ons can be arranged with our Florence office once you’re in Italy).
- Dinner tonight at a local restaurant known for its fish menu, local wine included.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Start your day with your next Tuscan cooking class. Lunch to follow based on your efforts, wine included.
- In the afternoon, depart for the lovely wine region of Chianti Classico. While in Greve in Chianti, you’ll have a chance to taste the excellent local wine, as well as visit the village of Montefioralle. The village offers a stunning view of the surrounding valley; be sure to bring your camera!
- Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in Badia a Passignano along with local wine.
- Return to the hotel and overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- Depart for a full-day excursion to two special Tuscan cities: San Gimignano and Siena.
- In the morning, discover the preserved medieval town of San Gimignano, which if famous for its towers. Go up its highest tower — Torre Mangia — for some beautiful views (but just know it’s quite a walk!) Perhaps also take some time to visit the Collegiate Church, which features 14th century frescoes.
- Lunch on your own.
- In the afternoon, visit the medieval town of Siena, which is perhaps best known for its famous horse race “il Palio” that takes place in its central piazza. (If you would like a guide tour with a licensed guide in Siena that can be arranged for an additional cost).
- Transfer to Florence and check in to your centrally-located 3-star hotel.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Florence.
Day Six
- Breakfast.
- Spend the morning on your own in the magnificent city of Florence. (An optional guided tour of Museo Opera del Duomo and the Baptistery can be arranged for an additional cost, or to the Uffizi and Accademia galleries).
- Lunch on your own.
- Meet a guide for a tour of the San Niccolo quarter, where you’ll discover art galleries as well as local craftsmen shops. The tour ends at a lovely bakery, where you’ll taste Florentine bread, pizza, and olive oil schiacciata.
- Dinner on your own (if you’re still hungry!).
- Overnight in Florence.
Day Seven
- Breakfast followed by check out.
- Take a private transfer to either Florence airport or train station.
Day One
- Arrive in Florence and transfer from either Florence airport or train station to Villa Casagrande in the charming town of Figline Valdarno.
- Settle into your room, and, if time allows, enjoy entrance to the wellness center at the hotel.
- At 6 p.m. go on a guided visit of the villa, followed by a wine tasting produced on the villa’s estate.
- Welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast.
- Around 9:30 a.m. depart with your driver for a half-day visit of Arezzo, which is the hometown to important figures in Italian culture such as the poet Petrarca and architect Vasari. The town was also featured in the movie “Life is Beautiful.” After a stroll through town with your guide, enjoy some time on your own; perhaps visit the church of San Francesco and its famous frescoes by Piero della Francesca, one of the fathers of the Renaissance.
- Lunch today will be at a local trattoria in downtown Arezzo, local wine included.
- In the afternoon, meet Chef Anna around 4:00 pm for your first hands-on cooking class in the well-equipped kitchen at Villa Casagrande. Dinner to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Overnight.
Day Three
- After breakfast, visit the local weekly market in Figline Valdarno’s square (Tuesdays only). Meet the locals and pick out some fresh ingredients for your next cooking class. Return to the hotel for your hands-on course with the chef in which you’ll learn how to make seasonal and traditional Tuscan dishes.
- Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own. (Optional excursions can be booked arranged, such as a visit to an olive mill, or a nearby mall outlet. These add-ons can be arranged with our Florence office once you’re in Italy).
- Dinner tonight at a restaurant known for its fish menu, local wine included.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- Breakfast.
- Start your day with your next Tuscan cooking class. Lunch to follow based on your efforts, wine included.
- In the afternoon, depart for the lovely wine region of Chianti Classico. While in Greve in Chianti, you’ll have a chance to taste the excellent local wine, as well as visit the village of Montefioralle. The village offers a stunning view of the surrounding valley; be sure to bring your camera!
- Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in Badia a Passignano along with local wine.
- Return to the hotel and overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast and return transfer to Florence train station or airport.
If you’d like to stay for the full-day excursion before returning to Florence, please inquire.
Trip Details
Included in the 6-Night Trip
Accommodations
6 nights accommodations (4 nights in superior double room at the Hotel Villa Casagrande, 2 nights in a double room at 3* hotel in Florence)
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches
- 4 dinners
- Local products tasting in Florence
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
Your 3 cooking classes will help you delve into the traditional flavors of Tuscan cuisine. The classes with be with a local chef, Anna, while surrounded by some of Italy’s best scenery. The informal but informative cooking classes showcase the basic principles of Italian cuisine, including pasta, stews, pizza, and more.
Classes include:
- Three three hands-on classes at the Villa’s ancient kitchen
Excursions
- Half-day visit to Arezzo with licensed guide and time on own
- Market visit in Figline (Tuesdays only)
- Half-day excursion to Chianti including winery visit and tasting
- Full-day excursion to Siena & San Gimignano
- Tour of Florence’s San Niccolò quarter including bakery tasting
Transfer Details
- Arrival group transfer around 12:00 noon from Florence airport and around 3:30 p.m. from Florence train station (transfer times may vary slightly week to week, please contact us before you finalize your travel itinerary).
- Transfer on day 5 to Florence (airport or train station for those doing 4-night itinerary, to Florence hotel for those doing 6-night itinerary
- Departure group transfer after breakfast on day 7 to Florence airport or train station (for those doing 6-night itinerary)
If you cannot make the regular transfer times, a special transfer can be arranged at the cost of 120 Euros each way.
Included in the 4-Night Trip
Accommodations
4 nights accommodation in superior double room at the Hotel Villa Casagrande
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 3 lunches
- 4 dinners
- Local wine included with all included meals
Classes & Instructors
3 cooking classes with a local chef, Anna, held in the villa’s ancient kitchen. The informal but informative cooking classes showcase the basic principles of Italian cuisine, including pasta, stews, pizza, and more.
Excursions
- Half-day visit to Arezzo with licensed guide and time on own
- Market visit in Figline (Tuesdays only)
- Half-day excursion to Chianti
Transfer Details
- Arrival group transfer around 12:00 noon from Florence airport and around 3:30 p.m. from Florence train station (transfer times may vary slightly week to week, please contact us before you finalize your travel itinerary).
- Transfer on day 5 to Florence (airport or train station for those doing 4-night itinerary, to Florence hotel for those doing 6-night itinerary
- Departure group transfer after breakfast on day 7 to Florence airport or train station (for those doing 6-night itinerary)
If you cannot make the regular transfer times, a special transfer can be arranged at the cost of 120 Euros each way.
Accommodation Information
Dating back to the end of the 14th century, the Villa Casagrande is a large hotel that is enclosed by the town walls of Figline Valdarno. The elegant hotel features 60 bright and spacious renovated rooms that offer a warm ambiance and every modern comfort, including hair dryers, mini-bars, air-conditioning, and room safes. You can also relax in the wellness spa which features a heated swimming pool, sauna, hammam, hydro-massage tub, and sensory showers; and offers spa services. A restaurant is on site as well, and offers wonderful Tuscan cuisine. As you’ll see during a tour, the property also has a farm, which includes a wine fermentation room, wine cellar, and storehouse. A computer with Internet is available in the hotel lobby.
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For those who decide to book the 6-night option, the final two nights include accommodations at a beautiful 3-star hotel in the chic San Niccolò neighborhood. The hotel features modern amenities and has a wonderful outdoor terrace. (An upgrade to a 4-star hotel in Florence is available; please inquire.)
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
2020 Pricing:
6-night Program
US$3475 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$420 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
- Add US$275 per person to upgrade to 4* hotel in Florence (double occupancy)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Upgrade to 4* hotel in Florence single occupancy: please inquire.
Tour Dates
Available year round for a minimum of 2 people. Sample dates follow, please inquire for availability.
Itinerary starts on Sunday.
2020
January 5-11
January 12-18
January 19-25
January 26-February 1
February 2-8
February 9-15
February 16-22
February 23-29
March 1-7
March 8-14
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?
2020 Pricing:
4-night Program
US$2475 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$280 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available year round for a minimum of 2 people. Sample dates follow, please inquire for availability.
Itinerary generally starts on Sunday.
2020
January 5-9
January 12-16
January 19-23
January 26-30
February 2-6
February 9-13
February 16-20
February 23-27
March 1-5
March 8-12
March 15-19
March 22-26
March 29-April 2
April 5-9
April 12-16
April 19-23
April 26-30
May 3-7
May 10-14
May 17-21
May 24-28
May 31-June 4
June 7-11
June 14-18
June 21-25
June 28-July 2
July 5-9
July 12-16
July 19-23
July 26-30
August 2-6
August 9-13
August 16-20
August 23-27
August 30-September 3
September 6-10
September 13-17
September 20-24
September 27-October 1
October 4-8
October 11-15
October 18-22
October 25-29
November 1-5
November 8-12
November 15-19
November 22-26
November 29-December 3
December 6-10
December 13-17
December 20-24
Pricing & Dates
Class Pricing
Reviews
Country:
Italy
Region:
Tuscany
Tour Dates:
Available any dates you choose for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details.
6 Nights
Starting at
$3,475
4 Nights
Starting at
$2,475
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