Classic Culinary Vacations 

 

Calendar

View our annual calendar here to see when our next Tuscany cooking vacation will take place.

​

Classic Culinary Vacation Itinerary

​

Day 1 - Saturday Arrival

Arrival in Rome. Transfer by train to Chiusi Chianciano station, where you will be greeted and shuttled to the farmhouse. You will have time to relax and explore the property before joining the full group for dinner at a nearby family-run Osteria specializing in traditional Umbrian cooking.

​

Day 2 - Sunday Perugia & Wood-Fired Outdoor Grilling Class

The architecture of Perugia reflects its rich history from the Etruscan period. Walking through the town, you will witness such remains as the Temple of San Michele, the Etruscan arch, and the Fontana Maggiore (the Great Fountain) in the main piazza built to commemorate the completion of an aqueduct designed in the 1200's

We'll descend into a subterranean city for a special tour that evidences the development of Perugia from Etruscan to Roman, late antique and medieval eras. 

For lunch, we'll sample a variety of thin-crusted Pizze.  

Evening Cooking Class: Grilling over wood

​

Day 3 - Monday Assisi Tour, & How to Make Risotto & Sautè

Assisi, a World Unesco Site (atheists and agnostics welcome) features The Basilica of Saint Francis, built in 1228 with frescoes by Giotto and Ciambue, and a crypt that houses the tomb of St. Francis, hidden from the world until 1818 whe excavated. Architects incorporated the pink and ivory limestone from the surrounding Monte Subasio that add to the beauty of the town.

Lunch in a local trattoria 

Evening Cooking Class: Risotto with Mushrooms, Rollatini 

​

Day 4 - Tuesday Wine Tasting in Montepulciano, How to Make Pasta 

High in the hills of Tuscany, overlooking the olive groves and vineyards of the Val di Chiana, sits Montepulciano. You’ll discover this historic wine town by first visiting a select group of artisans. Most notably, our tour will bring us to a top winery for visit to the cellars, and finally a tasting of the vineyard’s wines: Vin Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di Montepulciano, and two more of their select labels.

 

In the evening, our cooking class will feature one of our most beloved pasta: Papparadelle with Cinghiale along with a Rosemary flavored Chicken Cacciatore in White wine 

​

Day 5 - Wednesday Hunting for the Black Truffle of Umbria

No autumn trip to Umbria would be complete without a day in the forest searching for this prized tuber. Early i the morning, we'll board a chartered bus for a ride into the Umbrian hills where we will meet your truffle hunter, Matteo, and his dog for a firsthand look at truffle-hunting culture. Afterward, we will enjoy a long farmhouse lunch. Later in the evening we'll reconvene at the cucina for a light meal of homage Italian inspired soups that are sure to lull you into a deep sleep. 

 

​

​

Day 6 - Thursday Cultural Tour of La Foce Gardens, a visit with a Local Cheesemaker and Mediterranean Fish Cooking Class

Combining a tour that includes the biographical story of the use of a beautiful villa during WWII juxtaposed against the beauty of La Foce Gardens is sure to enrich this Tuscan experience.

Lunch will take us to one of the best pecorino cheese makers in Pienza. 

Evening Cooking class focuses on Mediterranean fish preparations.

​

Day 7 -Cultural Tour of Arezzo and Dinner at a "podere" for an authentic farm-to-table experience.

Today we head to Arezzo, a town arising from a history of habitation over 200,000 years ago. It is now a thriving city abundant with food shops, cafes, antique stores, and artistic masterpieces. Art lovers will be interested in a visit to the Church of San Francesco for a view of the Legend of the True Cross by Piero Della Francesca (1400's)

Lunch will take us to a family run sandwich shop and on to a fantastic gelateria. For dinner we'll dine where everything on your plate comes from the farm. 

​

Day 8 - Early Morning Departure by Train to Rome

A farewell breakfast ends this unique cooking vacation experience.  Following breakfast, guests will be transported to Chiusi Chianciano Station.

​

**The above is a sample itinerary. Each trip's schedule may vary slightly to highlight the finest products of the season **

​

Cost of Tour

2023 $4100

 

​

Included With The Tour

From the moment we pick you up at the train station, to the moment we drop you off at the end of the tour, all your meals, wine, water , accommodations, transportation, and cooking classes are included in the price.  

​

• 7 nights lodging in a Umbrian farmhouse (based on double occupancy)

• 7 Italian-style breakfasts, including espresso, , biscotti, pane, patisserie, yogurt, fruit, and juice

• 7 lunches, either prepared on the property or part of local city tours

• 3 dinners at regional restaurants

• 4 hands-on cooking classes, followed by dinners paired with premium regional wines

• All transportation to and from daily tours on a chartered bus

• Scheduled ground transportation to and from Chiusi Chianciano station

 

Exclusions

• Airfare and ground transport to and from Rome Fiumicino airport to Chiusi Chianciano station.

• Personal expenses including phone, tips for staff, as well as heating at the property. (Ambient temperatures are personal, and we prefer to leave the choice up to our guests. Costs run approximately 17 euro/night.) There is an addition 5 euro state tax per person paid directly to the innkeeper.

​

Payment

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment and put your mind at ease. There are a number of good agencies that will reimburse your costs should you need to cancel a trip because of unanticipated personal reasons.

​

A $500 deposit is required to secure your reservation. The Balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Please contact gsarnataro333@gmail.com

​

​

 

To reserve your spot fill out the information below: