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Italian Cooking at Torre del
Tartufo
Tuscany, Italy
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Tour
Description |
 About
the location: This recently renovated spectacular villa is set
in the hillsides close to Arezzo and is majestic. It got its
name from the truffle estate surrounding the villa, making it
famous in the area and wonderful for seeing how truffles are
found and of course how to prepare these in many wonderful
dishes. The original villa dates back to before 1700 and we
suspect it was a chapel and over the centuries pieces have been
added on as the community grew.
Recently the owners have bought it up to the twenty first
century with top class finishing, beautiful floors with marble
inlay, marble bathrooms and all the modern comforts without
damaging the beautiful original Tuscan charm. The villa, which
has 12 bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, is very secluded
with a view that seems to go on forever but yet is close to
Arezzo (15 minutes) and Cortona (30 minutes). Florence and Siena
are about an hour away. The villa lies on an estate of about 120
hectares and is surrounded by truffle land which grows under
Hazelnut and Oak trees. Apple orchards and a deer farm are also
part of the estate and make walks around the area truly
beautiful. The villa has a swimming pool, hot tub, and
sauna/fitness area, and behind the villa is a lake with
breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.
About the lessons: During this cookery holiday, you will learn
to make complete 4 course Italian dinners covering all the basic
Italian cooking techniques. You will make a wide range of
antipasti including crostini, bruschette and torte verdura to
mention but a few. You will make your own gnocchi and roll out
your own pasta - the authentic way with typical Tuscan fillings
and delicious sauces. On top of that you will learn to make
pizza which is baked in our own wood burning pizza oven. The
Italian cookery course is given by our Italian chef Franco
Palandra in Torre del Tartufo.
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Included
in the Program: |
- 7 nights accommodation and
use of all facilities at Torre del Tartufo
- 4 Cooking lessons of
approximately four hours each
- 6 Dinners
- 5 Light lunches
- 7 Buffet breakfasts
- Cookbook, Apron and
certificate
- Superb Tuscan wines during
dinner, liquors for after dinner
- House wine, soft drinks,
tea and coffee are freely available
- Excursions on day four as
per the itinerary
- Free internet access at
Torre del Tartufo
This cookery holiday requires
you rent your own transportation. We would be happy to assist
you with a low-cost rental. |
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Tour
Itinerary |
Day One
Arrival on your own at the Torre del Tartufo property (we can
arrange transfer to and from Florence airport on request).
Check-in at the villa after 4:00 pm.
Welcome dinner and introduction given by the chef and a chance
to get to know each other.
Day Two
Breakfast is served, followed by a free morning. A light lunch
at around 1:00 pm for those who are not off sightseeing.
Hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm, during which you
will prepare a four-course meal. For dinner you will dine on
your creations accompanied by a delicious Tuscan wine to
compliment the dishes.
Day Three
A buffet Breakfast is served and you have time to relax or do
some sight seeing or enjoy the pool or take a walk. A light
lunch is served around 1:00 pm. Hands-on cookery course starts
around 3:00 pm, during which you prepare a four-course meal. For
dinner you will dine on your creations.
Day Four
After breakfast, a full-day excursion to the Casentino valley
with a visit to a local cheese farm where the traditional
methods to make Pecorino cheese are demonstrated. After a very
interested tour in a Castle close to Poppi, lunch is held in the
dining room of this beautiful castle. A visit to a Ceramic
Factory is after lunch. Wine and olive oil tasting complete the
day's excursions. You finish the day off with a wonderful dinner
in the famous fish restaurant in Giovi.
Day Five
Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure. After lunch, your
hands-on cookery course starts around 3:00 pm. You will again
prepare a four-course dinner.
For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by the
finest Tuscan wines.
Day Six
After breakfast you have the day for yourselves, to do some
sightseeing or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. An ideal
day to make a trip to Florence for shopping and sight seeing as
it's only a 50 km drive away. Or visit La Verna—an ancient
monastery where San Francisco de Assisi lived most of his life.
Alternately, you can of course stay at the villas and relax at
the pool or take a dip in the Hot Tub. Dinner reservations can
be made at a restaurant of your choice.
Day Seven
Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure and for those
interested we have a light lunch ready at 1:00 pm. Hands-on
cookery course starts at 3:00 pm and you prepare an elaborate
buffet dinner covering all the cooking techniques you have
learned in the week and many more. Presentation of food will
also be demonstrated. At the grand finale dinner you will be
presented with a certificate of attendance.
Day Eight
Breakfast and departure on your own.
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Dates and Rates |
2008 Price Per Person
US$2950 per person, based on double occupancy
US$2250 non-participating guest, based on double occupancy
US$300 single supplement
2008 Tour Dates
April 20-27
April 27-May 4
May 4-11
May 11-18
June 1-8
June 8-15
June 15-22
June 22-29
August 17-24
August 24-31
August 31–September 7
September 7-14
September 14-21
September 21-28
September 28-October 5
October 12-19
October 19-26
October 26-November 2
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