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The Villa San Michele School of
Cookery
Tuscany, Italy
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Tour
Description |
 About
the location: Immersed in the greenery of the hills of Fiesole
overlooking Florence, sits the five-star Villa San Michele is a
15th century monastery that has been transformed into one of
Europe's most charming and elegant hotels. Part of the
prestigious Orient-Express Hotel family, it is a villa of
unsurpassed beauty in an oasis of peace, only a short distance
from the center of Florence. The magnificent façade was designed
by Michelangelo and still bears the cost of arms of the historic
Davanzati family. The villa is steeped in fascinating history,
amid acres of lush woodlands full of fragrant flowers and lemon
trees. The beautiful pool amid the Italian landscaping completes
the pastoral outdoor setting. The villa has a total of 45 rooms,
each with is own unique style and furnishings. The hotel also
provides a complimentary shuttle service to and from the center
of Florence. This is truly a paradise in the heart of Tuscany,
the home of art, wines, gastronomy and culture.
About the cooking lessons: The Villa San Michele School of
Cookery is located in the hotel. It has won renown in the world
of gourmets, and has attracted the attention and the
participation of some of the world's most famous chefs. All the
courses are held in English and are available only to guests of
the hotel and involve direct participation; you will work
directly in the kitchens in hands-on sessions alongside the
chef.
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Included
in the Program: |
- Five nights accommodation
in a superior room
- Two dinners with wine at
Villa San Michele
- One dinner in Florence at
I Latini
- Two hands-on cooking
classes
- Three lunches with wine
- Excursions as listed in
the itinerary with transportation
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Tour
Itinerary |
Day One - Sunday, June 8
Arrive to the spectacular Villa San Michele and get settled
into your accommodations. Welcome cocktail with your hosts
followed by your welcome dinner in the beautiful dining room.
Overnight.
Day Two - Monday, June 9
Breakfast (room service available). Following, your first
hands-on cooking lesson with Chef Attilo. Lunch to follow based
on your efforts, with included. Time at leisure. Transfer to
Florence to meet with your personal shopper. Dinner on your own
with recommendations.
Day Three - Tuesday, June 10
After breakfast, transfer to Gaiole-in-Chianti to visit Villa
San Michele’s own private winery, Capannelle. This is a very
modern and high tech winery hidden inside the ancient farmhouse.
You will have the opportunity to taste some of the superb reds,
refined whites and a very high quality olive oil produced on the
property. Lunch in the beautiful dining room of Capanelle.
Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Four - Wednesday, June 11
Breakfast, followed by your next cooking class with lunch to
follow. In the afternoon you will be treated to a special
“carving” class, learning the art of decoration. Dinner tonight
will be arranged at the very well-known and popular IL Latini in
town.
Day Five - Thursday, June 12
Breakfast. Depart for your all day excursion to the towns of San
Gimignano, Monterigioni and Siena where you will stop for a
lovely lunch with local wine and some time to visit this
historic city. Return to the hotel your farewell dinner.
Overnight.
Day Six - Friday, June 13
Breakfast followed by departure.
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| Departure
Dates and Rates |
The Ultimate 'Florentine Experience' in collaboration with The
International Kitchen
“This year The International Kitchen, creators of the ‘cooking
school vacation,’ has included in its wide-ranging list of
proposals a real top-flight experience in Florence, in line with
a philosophy that unites quality, authenticity, cordiality and a
personalized approach.”
Course dates: June 8-13, 2008
Price per person
US$4200 based on double occupancy
US$1000 single supplement
US$3900 non-cooking participant
John Greeley at Villa San
Michele
As a young man, his interest in the culinary arts developed when
he began to work the summer season in restaurants on Nantucket
Island, and then in New England. He carried on cooking: first in
the famous “45 South” restaurant and then, he returned to New
York City where he wound up in a larger-than-life place: the
renowned “21”, which looks like a private club but is glad to
open its doors to everyone.
Course dates: June 15-18, 2008
Price per person
US$3050 per person
US$400 single supplement
US$2275 non-cooking participant
A Symphony of Pasta for
three authors
Discover the secrets of pasta, an art in itself that Italy has
made its own, and how to accompany it with a wide variety of
condiments and the tastiest ingredients.
2008 course dates: April 17-20, May 22-25, September 4-7,
October 2-5
Price per person
US$2700 based on double occupancy
US$500 single supplement
US$2275 non-cooking participant
Single is beautiful and
tasty too!
Living “alone” demands unique and special everyday standards.
This is a different cuisine, in which you have to know how to
prepare tasty dishes for yourself, often quickly and in single
portions; but it also shows you how create a dinner or brunch
for friends, or how to improvise an attractive dish for an
unexpected guest, or how to amaze a new partner …
2008 course dates: April 27-29, July 20-22
Price per person
US$1550 based on double occupancy
US$400 single supplement
US$1425 non-cooking participant
Cooking with Flowers
Attilio Di Fabrizio, the chef of the Villa San Michele and sous
chef Luca Orini, will teach you how flowers can become tasty and
healthy dishes. During the week you will discover the scents of
Florence, the fascinating world of perfumes and aromatic herbs
and how to make them apart of your kitchen!
2008 course dates: June 25-28, September 10-13
Price per person
US$2450 based on double occupancy
US$600 single supplement
US$2300 non-cooking participant
Included in the Program:
- Accommodations in a
superior room
- Regional wines with meals
- Hands-on cooking lessons
with meal enjoyed with the chef
- All materials and
necessary ingredients
10% Vat To Be Added To The
Above Prices
Please contact us for additional course details. |
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