Active Gourmet Holidays
Active Gourmet Holidays

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Tuscany, Italy - 3 cooking classes 
Available year round (except week before Christmas) 

 

If you want to learn how to cook true Italian food, then these cooking classes are for you! You will learn traditional family recipes from Italians who have been giving hands-on cooking lessons for over 25 years. Classes are taught in English in an authentic country home, a beautiful stone farmhouse with an organic garden. We can suggest several lovely accommodations in quaint nearby villages. 

 

Your cooking classes take place in a rustic 13th century "casa colonica" which is a typical Italian farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside with terracotta floors and chestnut beams. The house has been lovingly restored by the family which is one of the oldest noble families in Italy. There is an organic garden, vines, olive trees, roses, oleanders, geraniums, spices, fruit trees and other typical plants of the area. 

 

In the area, you can discover the treasures of Chianti, an area well-known for its castles, its medieval "borghi", wine producers, skilled craftsmen, warm and hospitable people, restaurants, typical Tuscan food, Chianti Classico wine and olive oil. The Chianti region offers picture-book rural scenery, from fields to sunflowers to rows of ubiquitous pencil pines in the hazy distance. Smaller towns such as Radda in Chianti, Monteriggioni, Volterra, San Gimignano are all an easy drive away, with stunning atmosphere and scenery. Tuscany is centrally located and is well connected by highways and a fast rail network to the rest of Italy, so you can visit other areas after or before your stay.

 

 

THREE COOKING CLASSES 

 

Day One

 

Welcome to Italy!

 

Arrival on your own. At 10am you will have your first hands on cooking class. Together with your instructor you will prepare 4 different recipes followed by lunch of the recipes you prepared, accompanied by a delicious Chianti Classico wine.

 

This afternoon you will have time to explore at your leisure and your hosts can give you many suggestions. 

 

 

 

Day Two

 

Arrival on your own. 

 

At 10am you will have your second hands on cooking class. Together with your instructor you will prepare 4 different recipes followed by lunch of the recipes you prepared, accompanied by a delicious Chianti Classico wine.

 

Buon appetito!

          

 

Leisure time in the afternoon to explore the region. 

 

          

        

 

Day Three

 

Arrival on your own. At 10am you will have your final hands on cooking class. Together with your instructor you will prepare 4 different recipes followed by lunch of the recipes you prepared, accompanied by a delicious Chianti Classico wine.

 

Time in the afternoon to explore Tuscany.
   

 

 

 

 

 

NON RESIDENTIAL DAY COOKING CLASS IN CHIANTI

 
Times:
Morning Hours (10:00 am -2:00 pm);
Afternoon Hours (3:00 pm-7:00 pm)

 

Description: The hands-on course covers traditional, home-style Tuscan and Italian recipes. Many people like this approach as they come away feeling they've had a real holiday, having enjoyed the wonderfully intense flavours and freshness of traditional Italian dishes cooked in an evocative stone farmhouse in the hills of Chianti, surrounded by vineyard and olive groves. The classes are held in a friendly atmosphere and you have the chance to make new friends and learn a few secrets from your instructors. Participants cook and eat dishes prepared using fresh, natural ingredients. A complete meal (5 recipes) such as appetizers, a pasta dish, a vegetable or meat dish and then a dessert is prepared and is accompanied by the wine which best complements it.

 

(Please inquire about large groups)

 

An example of our most popular menus: 

 


Bruschetta or Crositini with Herbs

Fresh hand-made pasta or Potato gnocchi or red or white sauces or pici (Tuscan "big" spaghetti) or Pappa al pomodoro (Tuscan vegetable soup)
Roasted meat (Arista alla Fiorentina) or stuffed vegetables, Turkey Breast with Balsamic Vinegar or Chicken cooked Tuscan Style or Stuffed vegetables or Savory Cakes with Zucchini
Tiramisu' or Panna Cotta or Gelato

 

Many more dishes are available and we welcome Gluten Freeand vegetarian requests and take care of any possible food allergy or restriction -  Just ask!

  

 

 

GROUP SIZE

 

There is a maximum of 8 participants - forfamilies ororganized groups, more persons can be accommodated. Please inquire.

 

 

(The number of participants refers to how many persons are required to run the tour, not to how many persons you must have in your party. Please inquire.)

 

 

 

HOW TO ARRIVE

 

Closest Airports/Train Stations:

 

Florence Vespucci Airport about 60 Km - 1 hour and 20 minute drive
 
Other airports:

Pisa Airport - 2 hour drive
Leonardo da Vinci (Rome) Airport - 3 hour drive 
Malpensa (Milan) Airport - 4 hour drive
Florence SMN - Nearest train station (fast connection to Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, etc.) about 57 Km - 1 hour and 15 minute drive 
If flying into Rome or Milan, we suggest taking a train to Florence.
  

*These details are provided as additional information. Transfers are not included in this tour.

 

 

 

BOOKING INFORMATION

 

 


For further inquiries or to register, click here.

 

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CANCELLATION POLICY

 

Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

 

 

CLIENT REMARKS

 

 

 

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MAP*

This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE

 

*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.

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HOMESTYLE TUSCAN COOKING 

Hi Jo-Ann - We wanted to let you know that we had an AMAZING time at the cooking school. My mother and I could not have had a better time. Paola and Simonetta were such wonderful hosts and teachers. We were treated like family. The house and property were beautiful. The hands-on cooking classes were so much fun...we learned so many great recipes that I cannot wait to test on my friends back home. I will definitely be recommending this experience to all of my friends and colleagues. Thank you so much for all of your help in setting up this once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation. It is something neither one of us will ever forget!

 

Best, Erin S. and Flor V.,
New York, New York

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