About the location: Just a stone's throw away from the bustle of Florence is Villa La Massa, a beautiful Renaissance villa on the banks of the Arno River. This has been home to several aristocratic families over the centuries. Today it has been magically transformed by the owners of Villa D'Este into an elegant residence hotel.

The Villa La Massa has 38 rooms and suites, all decorated in classic Tuscan style with spectacular panoramic views. Every modern amenity is available, from hair dryers, to satellite television, to direct dial telephones. The villa's swimming pool and gardens sit among age old cypress trees overlooking the Arno River. Its restaurant, Il Verrocchio, was named one of the top fifty restaurants in the world in the May 1999 issue of Conde Nast Magazine.

The International Kitchen invites you to join us for a glorious culinary week in early autumn at Villa La Massa. For four nights you will be treated to the warm atmosphere of the Tuscan countryside, learning how to cook regional specialties such as crostini, ribollita, and fagioli. Wine and olive oil tastings are included, along with a full day trip. In your free time you can relax by the pool, or take the short shuttle ride to Florence for shopping or sightseeing.

About the cooking lessons: Your instructor is Andrea Quagliarella, who was chef at Villa D'Este for 19 years before being appointed executive chef of Villa La Massa. Chef Quagliarella was born in Bisceglie, a small village on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, on February 19, 1956. Thanks to his father's experience as an exporter of fruit and vegetables, Andrea acquired a noted sensitivity to taste in his early childhood. His sense for taste grew and developed and his exclusive and natural first hand knowledge would be placed at the disposal of his assistants and clients throughout the course of his career. For he last 5 years Andrea has been the Executive Chef of Villa la Massa. With his Team he has increased the quality of the Restaurant "Il Verrocchio". During the winter months he visits Hotels and Restaurants around the World.
 

• Four nights' stay in a deluxe accommodation.
• Full buffet breakfast served at the Restaurant.
• Welcome cocktail
• Three morning cooking classes followed by lunch at the "Verrocchio" Restaurant (beverage included)
• Half-day guided tour to the Chianti Region with visit of a winery, wine tasting and lunch (beverage included)
• Farewell dinner at the "Verrocchio" Restaurant (beverage included)
• Villa La Massa recipe booklet and special gift
• Free use of fitness center
• Taxes and Service

2008 Price Per Person

Peak Season: May 30 - July 12, August 29 - September 27
US$2575 per person based on double occupancy
US$1160 single supplement
US$1975 non-cooking companion (sharing double room)*

High Season: April 25 - May 29, July 13 - August 28, September 28 - October 11
US$2460 per person based on double occupancy
US$985 single supplement
US$1860 non-cooking companion (sharing double room)*

Low Season: March 6 - April 24, October 12 - November 15
US$2350 per person based on double occupancy
US$410 single supplement
US$1750 non-cooking companion (sharing double room)*

Junior suite and Suite rates available on request.

*Non-cooking companion rate excludes all lessons and lunches.

2008 Tour Dates
Available on request March 6-November 15 for a minimum of two people.