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Cooking in the Art City of
Pietrasanta
Tuscany, Italy
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Tour
Description |
 About
the location: Along the Tuscan coast lies the lovely town of
Pietrasanta, home to the famed artist Botero. The picturesque
streets surrounding the pristine piazza and the beautiful
cathedral are lined with numerous galleries and shops. Known
also as the “little Athens,” Pietrasanta has been the cultural
capital of Versilia since Renaissance times and is particularly
well located for interesting excursions, such as to Lucca, Siena
and the Cinque Terre. Your accommodations will be at a fittingly
charming and elegant palazzo hotel of only six bedrooms. You
will feel like a pampered guest in a private home while enjoying
every amenity. The nineteenth-century Palazzo, set right in the
historical center, was carefully renovated a few years ago by
the present owner, whose love of antiques had led her to her
prior business. Using her experience and impeccable taste to
furnish and restore the palazzo to its orginal splendor, she has
created an atmosphere that guaranteees an unforgettable
experience.
About the lessons: Dorino Falcomer, born in South Africa, is of
Italian heritage, and his wife’s family is from Pietrasanta,
where they relocated seven years ago. While Dorino’s training is
as an electrical engineer, he has always been drawn to cooking.
He has worked in various restaurants, his last as the head
pastry chef at the finest restaurant in the area, Il Pineto,
where he spent three years refining his culinary skills. He has
continued along this path doing private catering and frequent
dinner parties for friends and family. In his spare time he
surfs, fly fishes, golfs (he is a certified instructor) and is
also a registered artisan! He is an unusually talented man who
is delighted to share his culinary expertise and secrets with
you!
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Included
in the Program: |
- Five nights in a two room
Suite at Palazzo Visdomini on B&B basis.
- One welcome dinner in
local restaurant in Pietrasanta with local wine included
- Three hands-on cooking
lessons of approximately three hours each with chef Dorino
Falcomer followed by Three dinners at Palazzo Visdomini
local wine included
- Half-day excursion to
Forte dei Marmi with the chef accompanying the group
- Full-day excursion to
Cinque Terre
- Half-day excursion to
Lucca with private licensed tour guide
- Half-day excursion to the
marble quarries in Carrara
- Round trip transfer Pisa –
Palazzo Visdomini at pre-arranged time
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Tour
Itinerary |
Day One - Sunday
Pisa- Pietrasanta
Transfer by car from Pisa airport or railway station to
Pietrasanta. Check in at Palazzo Visdomini, a prestigious
historical house where the charm of elegant surroundings blends
with the atmosphere of a unique town. Afternoon free for
individual explorations of the town. Dinner reservations have
been made for you tonight at local restaurant Ancilla, local
wine included. Overnight at Palazzo Visdomini.
Day Two - Monday
Lucca – Cooking class
After breakfast, transfer to Lucca where you will have a guided
tour of this medieval city. A real gem among the beautiful
Tuscan hills, Lucca has some of the best examples of Gothic and
Romanesque architecture that Tuscany has to offer, the
cathedrals of San Michele and San Martino for example.
- Lunch on own with
suggestions from your guide.
- Return back to Palazzo
Visdomini.
- In the late afternoon meet
Chef Dorino Falcomer in the original stone hearth kitchen
for your first cooking lesson. Menu items might include
specialties such as:
- First course: tomato sauces, Basic salsa, Hand made
pasta
Dough preparation for focaccia, panzanelle (fried), rustic
bread
- Main course: Rolled & stuffed white roast -
stuffing using seasonal options
- Oven roasted seasonal vegetables
- Dessert: Chocolate & almond cake, Italian pastry
cream (custard)
- Dinner to follow based on
what you have prepared, local wine included.
- Overnight at Palazzo
Visdomini.
Day Three - Tuesday
Cinque Terre
Breakfast. After breakfast depart for full day driving tour to
the Cinque Terre, five tiny fishing villages in Liguria, nestled
on stone cliffs and small inlets with spectacular views of the
Mediterranean sea on one side and steep terraced cultivated
lands on the other. Lunch on your own with suggestions by our
guide.
Return to Palazzo Visdomini in the late afternoon. Dinner on
your own in Pietrasanta and overnight.
Day Four - Wednesday
Forte dei Marmi market - Cooking class
Breakfast. After breakfast depart with the chef for a visit of
the Forte dei Marmi market, where you will buy fresh ingredients
foar the afternoon cooking lesson.
Free time for shopping and lunch on your own. Return back to
Palazzo Visdomini.
In the late afternoon meet Chef Dorino for your second cooking
lesson. Menu items today might include:
- First course: Hand made noodles (trofiette) à la mariniere
- Main course: Baked Fish of the day – Potatoes & tomatoes with
Lardo di Colonnata
- Dessert: Wild soft berry flan
Dinner to follow based on what you have prepared, local wine
included.
Overnight at Palazzo Visdomini.
Day Five - Thursday
Marble quarries – Cooking class
After breakfast, departures with your driving guide for a half
day excursion to the local marble quarries where the famous
artist Michelangelo selected marble for use in masterpieces such
as the Moses and the unfinished Slaves. Lunch on own in nearby
town or in Pietrasanta. In the afternoon you will have some free
time before your next cooking class to visit a local marble
studio (hotel can give you suggestions). Meet in the kitchen
with chef Dorino for your last cooking class. Menu items might
include:
- First course: Classic Tuscan antipasti
- Main course: Hand made stuffed pasta (tortelli) with Ragu
versigliese style
- Dessert: Mille foglie with Crème Chantilly and fresh
strawberries
- Farewell dinner to follow based on your efforts, local wine
included.
- Overnight.
Day Six - Friday
Pietrasanta - Pisa
After breakfast, optional two-hour guided art tour available
(pay at hotel).
Transfer by private car to Pisa airport or railway station.
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| Departure
Dates and Rates |
2008 Price Per Person
Prices based on a minimum of 4 people
Low season — March 1 (except Easter Week March 23-29) - April
19; October 1 - November 30
US$2500 per person based on double occupancy in a suite
US$300 single supplement
US$400 per person supplement for 2 or 3 people
High season — April 20 - June 30, September 1 - 30
US$2800 per person based on double occupancy in a suite
US$325 single supplement
US$400 per person supplement for 2 or 3 people
2008 Tour Dates
March 30-April 4
April 6-11
April 13-18
April 27-May 2 (sold out)
May 4-9 (sold out)
May 11-16
May 18-23
May 25-30
June 8-13
June 15-20
June 22-27
September 7-12
September 14-19
September 21-26
September 28-October 3
October 5-10
October 12-17
October 19-24
October 26-31
Join a week others have booked: April 20-25. |
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