About the location: This week represents the best of Tuscany! Your week will begin in the heart of Tuscany, at the Villa Bianca Hotel, which provides an alluring blend of tradition and charm. It is located in the historical town of Gambassi, a small spa town midway between Florence and Siena. This luxurious villa dates back to the 19th century, when it was the home of the illustrious philologist Zingarelli. Meticulous restoration work has returned the villa to its original splendour. This hotel is a small gem; only 10 rooms, all of which are tastefully furnished with antiques and beautiful fabrics, yet complete with all modern amenities. Each room has an original signature wall decoration created by the noted local artist, Giulio Greco. The lovely swimming pool, surrounded by a large Italian style garden, is part of the extraordinary landscaping that creates a green oasis around this elegant hotel. The hotel restaurant Gambasinus provides a wonderful setting with stunning indoor and outdoor dining areas. You will spend fours glorious nights at the Villa Bianca exploring the best of Tuscan regional cuisine before heading for Florence, where you will spend two nights in a lovely, centrally located hotel.

About the cooking lessons: Chef Luca Tinti is a young chef, knowledgable and full of enthusiasm. And, you will find him a very charming teacher!

During you hands-on cooking lessons, in which you will use the freshest of ingredients, you will learns dishes from the best of Tuscan traditions: chicken liver pate with bruschetta all'olio, beef carpaccio, homemade egg papardelle noodles with wild duck sauce, pappa al pomodoro, creamy risotto with saffron from San Gimignano, wild boar with balck olives, tagliata di manzo (beef fillet) with parmesan cheese and red chicory, zuppa inglese dessert.

This wonderful gourmet experience also features some of our most unique food excursions: a visit to a truffle factory with a truffle hunt, Medieval and Renaissance dinners, cheese tastings, two market visits, and the chance to dine with a real Florentine family.
 

• Four nights at Villa Bianca in double room
• Daily breakfast
• Two hands-on cooking classes with chef Luca, followed by lunch with local wine included
• Full day tour to San Gimignano and visit of truffle factory in San Miniato
• Two dinners at Ristorante Gambasinus, local wine included
• One medieval dinner at the Villa Bianca, local wine included
• One dinner at the Enoteca i Quattrogigli for a Renaissance menu, wine included
• Half day excursion at Castello di Oliveto (or similar) for a cheese and salami tasting pared with wines
• Excursion to local market in Certaldo
• Half-day excursion to Villa Pillo (or similar)
• One cheese tasting
• Transfer from Villa Bianca to Florence by private car
• Two nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Florence
• One dinner at Enoteca Boccanegra (or similar), local wine included
• Two-hour guided excursion of Sant’Ambrogio market in Florence
• One farewell dinner in a private house, transfers and local wine included
• Arrival transfer from Florence airport (11:30 AM) or train station (2:30 PM) to Villa Bianca, and return transfer from Florence hotel to airport or train station at 11:00 AM on day of departure

NOT Included in the price:

• Meals not specified in the program
• Gratuities
• Museum entry fees
• Wellness programme on request on day three

Please note: The itinerary, restaurants, and wineries may be altered slightly due to opening and closing times of establishments and circumstances beyond our control.