|
        
|
 |
A Luxury Lifestyle at Villa
Mangiacane
Tuscany, Italy
|
Tour
Description |
 About
the location: Enjoy your stay in Tuscany at the very special and
exclusive Villa Mangiacane. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of
the World, Villa Mangiacane is more than a hotel – it is a
luxury private home that welcomes a few select guests in 26
opulent and eclectic rooms and suites. The Villa is located 12
kilometers from the magnificent artistic city of Florence, in
the legendary winemaking region of Chianti Classico. The estate
includes over 500 acres of vineyards and olive groves, producing
from their 6000 trees a truly superb extra virgin olive oil, and
from their vines a full-bodied Chianti Classico from Sangiovese,
Canaiolo and Colorino grape varieties and a marvelous Merlot.
Fine modern wines are produced in a setting that offers
old-world hospitality to guests.
Villa Mangiacane is a magnificent 16th-century villa bearing the
unmistakable hand of Renaissance master Michelangelo and later
Vasari. Once the home of the Machiavelli family and centuries
later the Mazzei family, it was bought by a South African
entrepreneur in 2000 and since brought back to its former
splendor. Within the villa you will find restored original
Renaissance frescoes together with paintings and sculptures from
the 15th century up to and including 20th-century contemporary.
About the cooking lessons: Your classes will be held with Chef
Massimo Bocus, a young, engaging and passionate culinary
professional using Italian cuisine with an international twist.
He started off studying law, but soon realized it severely
limited his creativity. He immediately began working in
restaurants to follow his previous and unconditional passion for
the culinary arts. During his training, he was taught one golden
rule: to respect food. As a chef, his goal is to learn, know and
use as many products as possible. In order to give a complete
view on cuisine he likes to use international products and
create a unique way to mesh them together. He believes that food
is more than “a way to feed your body.”
When cooking with Massimo, you will understand his theories:
"Food is the frame of a society, it can easily change one's
mood, it can seal a memorable moment and a taste can bring back
a distant memory." You will also learn specialty dishes that
vary with the seasons and include: handcrafted caserecce (pasta
with broccoli), toasted pine nuts and black truffle, red tuna
and porcini mushrooms sautče on Tuscan bread soup or Irish beef
loin filled with foie grass served with a Tuscan vin santo
reduction. The historic uniqueness and beauty of Villa
Mangiacane, combined with attentive service, guarantees that
your stay will be a truly memorable and unforgettable
experience.
|
|
Included
in the Program: |
- Round trip transfers
to/from Florence train station/airport
- Five nights accommodation
at Villa Mangiacane on B&B basis Prosecco and fresh fruit in
room upon arrival
- Welcome dinner (local wine
included)
- Two dinners at Villa
Mangiacane (estate wine included)
- Guided visit of Villa
Mangiacane winery with olive oil and wine tasting
- Two morning hands-on
cooking classes with lunch to follow (local wine included)
- One afternoon cooking
class with farewell dinner to follow (local wine included)
- One afternoon/evening
excursion to the Chianti area with visits to Castellina-in-Chianti
and Radda-in-Chianti including a wine tasting in a local
winery
- One dinner at Osteria di
Fonterutoli (or similar), local wine included
- Full day guided excursion
to Siena and San Gimignano
- Certificate and apron
- Tuscan cookbook and a
bottle of Villa Mangiacane Chianti wine
- Free daily access to the
Naduska Spa and use of outdoor pool facilities
- Taxes
|
|
Tour
Itinerary |
Day One - Sunday
Transfer to Villa Mangiacane in the afternoon. Check in and
enjoy a welcome drink with fresh fruit in your room upon
arrival. Dinner tonight is in the villa’s restaurant, local wine
included. Overnight.
Day Two - Monday
Buffet Breakfast. In the morning meet in the villa’s kitchen for
your first hands-on cooking class with Chef Massimo with lunch
to follow based on your efforts.
In the late afternoon enjoy an accompanied visit to Villa
Mangiacane’s wine cellars for a wine and olive oil tasting.
Dinner to follow at the villa, local wine included and
overnight.
Day Three - Tuesday
Buffet breakfast. At 9:30 a.m., enjoy a full-day guided
excursion to Siena and San Gimignano. Siena's historical center
has been declared by UNESCO, a world heritage site and San
Gimignano is a small, walled medieval hill town in Tuscany,
famous for its architecture and white wine, vernaccia. Lunch on
your own with suggestions from your guide. At 5:00 p.m. meet
your driver and return to Villa Mangiacane. Dinner tonight at
the villa, local wine included. Overnight.
Day Four - Wednesday
After breakfast, enjoy your second hands-on cooking class with
Chef Massimo this morning. Lunch to follow based on your
efforts. In the late afternoon, around 4:30 p.m. depart for an
excursion into another part of the Chianti Classico area. Visit
other important wine-making towns of Radda in Chianti and
Castellina in Chianti with their quaint alleys. Along the way,
stop at a winery for a visit and tasting. Dinner tonight will be
in a nearby village of just a few houses at Osteria di
Fonterutoli, local wine included. Return to Villa Mangiacane and
overnight.
Day Five - Thursday
Breakfast. The morning and early afternoon is free for
individual activities: enjoy one of the villa’s pools, relax in
the indoor wellness area, or use the Naduschka Spa. You may also
want to explore the nearby town of San Casciano or venture to
the Prada and Gucci outlets (please inquire). Today's lunch on
your own.
In the late afternoon meet in the kitchen for your last hands-on
cooking class.
A reluctant farewell dinner to follow based on your efforts,
local wine included.
Overnight.
Day Six - Friday
Breakfast followed by check-out.
Wellness at Villa Mangiacane:
The villa houses its very own spa; the spirit, love and passion
for art echos through this elegant retreat. The Naduschka Spa is
a unique environment, utilizing an exclusive range of holistic
beauty products from the reputable Officina de’ Tornabuoni.
These natural therapeutic products are locally produced using
mostly plants and herbs from the Tuscan countryside. The spa's
holistic approach to beauty and wellbeing offers the perfect
sanctuary for total relaxation and rejuvenation, soothing both
your body and mind. The wellness area also offers: an indoor
heated swimming pool, steam room, sauna, relaxation area, small
gym, and recreational facilities (include cycling, jogging and
vineyard hiking).
|
| Departure
Dates and Rates |
2008 Price Per Person
High season — June 1 - October 31
US$3585 per person in classic twin/double
US$390 per person upgrade to deluxe twin/double
US$1575 per person upgrade to terrace suite
US$1200 single supplement in classic double
Mid season — March 1 - May 31
US$3350 per person in classic twin/double
US$255 per person upgrade to deluxe twin/double
US$1400 per person upgrade to terrace suite
US$1000 single supplement in classic double
Low season — November 1 - December 20
US$3150 per person in classic twin/double
US$180 per person upgrade to deluxe twin/double
US$1245 per person upgrade to terrace suite
US$925 single supplement in classic double
2008 Tour Dates
Available March through December on request for a minimum of
two.
Join a week others have booked:
April 14-19 (Monday through Saturday)
September 8-13 (Monday through Saturday)
Other start days available, please inquire. |
Back to Itinerary Page
|
