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Convivium in Montaione
Tuscany, Italy
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Tour
Description |
About the location: In one of the most scenic areas of Tuscany,
filled with panoramic views of latticed rolling vineyards, rows
of Cypress trees, and fields of poppies, you will find the
little authentic town of Montaione. Here you will be welcomed at
the Palazzo Mannaioni Hotel, once a private manor home, and now
a lovely four-star hotel.
About the lessons: Your chef, Sara Conforti,is the owner of the
prestigous restaurant "Osteria del Vicario" in nearby Certaldo
Alto. After pursuing studies in graphic design she decided to
follow her passion—cooking! She is a true prodigy, a young chef
who has worked for ten years at the Osteria del Vicario, of
which she assumed ownership four years ago. Her philosophy is to
combine tradition and creativity, to use the most ancient Tuscan
flavors and ingredients in an expression of her youthful love of
her homeland. She was recently awarded her first, very
well-deserved, Michelin star. The hands-on lessons will be held
in the hotel kitchen with head chef Francesco Pannullo, a
raising star originally from the Amalfi coast, under her
direction. There will also be one demonstration lesson in the
restaurant Osteria del Vicario with Sara.
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Included
in the Program: |
- 6 nights accommodation in
double room prestige/charme at Palazzo Mannaioni
- Daily breakfast
- 4 dinners at restaurant
“De' Mannaioni,” with local wine included
- 3 hands-on cooking lessons
at your hotel with Chef Sara of the Osteria del Vicario or
Chef Francesco of De’ Mannaioni, lunch to follow (local wine
included)
- 1 special cooking class at
Osteria del Vicario in Certaldo with lunch to follow (local
wine included)
- Accompanied visit of
Certaldo market
- Half-day excursion to
Podere Tognetti with wine and local product tasting
- Half-day excursion with
driving guide to San Gimignano
- 2 dinners in a local
trattoria in Montaione, local wine included
- Full-day driving tour to
Lucca & Pisa, with a guided walking tour in Lucca
- Taxes and VAT
- Roundtrip transfers
Florence – Palazzo Mannaioni
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Tour
Itinerary |
Day One - Monday
Private afternoon transfer to Palazzo Mannaioni, located in the
center of the delightful village of Montaione. This medieval
hamlet and the surrounding countryside offer stunning views of
rare and pure beauty: rows of vineyards, shimmering olive trees,
secular chestnut and cypress trees and clay hills.
Enjoy an “aperitivo” before dinner in the hotel’s elegant
restaurant “De’ Mannaioni,” local wine included.
Overnight.
Day Two - Tuesday
Breakfast. In the morning meet in the hotel’s kitchen for your
first hands-on cooking lesson . The lesson will last about three
hours and you will learn to make numerous Tuscan dishes. Lunch
to follow based on your efforts. In the afternoon enjoy a
culinary excursion to nearby Podere Tognetti, a beautiful
farmhouse which produces wine, olive oil, herbal products, and
raises livestock: you will have the chance to taste the typical
wines produced in the area. Return to Palazzo Mannaioni. Dinner
tonight will be in a local trattoria in Montaione, local wine
included. Overnight at Palazzo Mannaioni.
Day Three - Wednesday
Breakfast. At 9:00 am meet your driver for a quick transfer to
Certaldo, another Tuscan hilltop town, to visit the weekly local
outdoor food market. Afterwards enjoy a demonstration cooking
lesson in the medieval part of the town at Chef Sara's
Michelin-star restaurant, the “Osteria del Vicario,” located in
what was once a monastery dating back to the 13th century. This
well-known exclusive restaurant has offered fine Tuscan dining
in an exquisite setting for over 50 years, and is now where chef
Sara delights in sharing her culinary creations with clients and
friends. Lunch to follow, local wine included. On your way back
to Montaione stop at the chapels of the San Vivaldo monastery,
which date back to the 14th century. Enjoy this national
monument with an English speaking guide and take pleasure in a
relaxing stroll among the secular trees of the monastery. Return
to Palazzo Mannaioni in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight is at
the hotel’s restaurant “De’ Mannaioni,” local wine included.
Overnight.
Day Four - Thursday
Breakfast. Meet your driving guide for a full-day excursion to
discover two special Tuscan cities. Spend the morning in elegant
Lucca with a local guide for a two hour art historical tour of
the town including the 19th-century walled promenade, the well
preserved Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and silent charming alleys full
of history. Lunch on your own, with suggestions of course! After
lunch depart for Pisa and its Piazza dei Miracoli to see the
famous leaning tower and the other monuments in this sensational
square. Return back to Palazzo Mannaioni in the late afternoon.
Dinner tonight is at the hotel’s restaurant “De’ Mannaioni,”
local wine included. Overnight.
Day Five - Friday
Breakfast. In the morning meet in the kitchen of the hotel for
your next cooking lesson followed by lunch based on your
efforts. After lunch enjoy a half-day excursion to San Gimignano
to discover the beauties of this perfectly preserved medieval
town, famous for its towers. Return to Montaione and dinner in a
local trattoria, wine included. Overnight.
Day Six - Saturday
Breakfast. This morning your final cooking class with lunch to
follow based on your efforts. Afternoon at your disposal for
optional excursions (to local wineries) or just to relax by the
hotel's lovely swimming pool overlooking the countryside.
Farewell dinner at Restaurant “De Mannaioni,” local wine
included. Overnight at Palazzo Mannaioni.
Day Seven - Sunday
Breakfast and check-out, then transfer to Florence.
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Dates and Rates |
2008 Price Per Person
Available for a minimum of 4 people
US$3100 per person, based on double occupancy
Low season: US$2900 per person, based on double occupancy
US$450 single supplement
Non-cooking companion: US$200 less per person
Junior suite upgrade: US$200 per person for the week
Available also for 2-3 people at an additional cost of US$300
per person.
4-night option also available, please inquire for pricing
2008 Tour Dates
March 10-16*
April 14-20
May 5-11br> May 19-25
June 9-15
June 23-29
September 8-14
September 22-28
October 6-12
October 13-19
November 3-9*
*Low Season
Or any other week on request for a minimum of 4 people.
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