Women’s Only Cooking Class Tour of Tuscany
with Chef Renee Lavallee
May 19-26th, 2012
Tour Cost
$3495/person – 18% single supplement waived for this tour only includes land transportation, accommodations, meals (less 1 lunch), wine, cooking classes and more. Airfare extra.
Inquiries/Reservations: info@winebytheglass.ca, call 902-488-9959
Includes
- 7 nights accommodation
- 3 cooking classes
- 7 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 7 dinners
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Tuscany
Renee and our Italian hostess, Teresa, we’ll meet up with you at Florence International Airport. Enjoy an espresso before we head off to Tenuta Caparzo and Villa La Casa; our home for the next week. We’ll enjoy a tasting at Caparzo before some free time to relax at the pool, in anticipation of our first cooking class; hosted by our Tuscan host, Teresa Galli.
Day 2: Abbey of Sant’Antimo
After a night feasting, there will be some time to sleep in before the day’s events. We’ll head off to Sant’Antimo – which is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy. Here you can listen to the monks perform Gregorian chants. After mass, we’ll head to one of our favourite trattoria’s for lunch before retiring to the villa for some relaxation time before you enjoy a glorious meal prepared by Chef Renee Lavallee.
Day 3: Montepulciano & Pienza
Today we’ll tour some of the prettiest villages and towns that make up Southern Tuscany. Our first stop is the spectacular hilltop town of Montepulciano. We strongly recommend stopping at the Bottega del Rame for handmade copper wares. Next is Pienza – a quaint town with more great boutiques and home of Tuscany’s most famous cheese, Pecorino. We’ll have a light lunch at our favourite trattoria that makes incredible pici.. Next stop is the thermal baths at San Quirico before we enjoy a cooking class with Teresa.
Day 4: The Women of Montalcino
We’ll enjoy a sleep in this morning. After a light lunch at the villa, we’ll visit with local wine estates with women winemakers or owners. Included amongst the visits are Casato Prime Donna and Mocali followed by a wine tasting and dinner at one of our Tuscan guides favourite local restaurants known as Le Croce.
DAY 5: Siena
We leave in the morning for, Siena, a city of Etruscan origin and whose architectural and artistic glories are largely Gothic. Our Tuscan guide will lead us through the cobblestone streets including a visit to the Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, before heading to the famous Piazza del Campo for a light lunch overlooking this specatucal square. Following your tour of the town you’ll be on your own to explore Siena as you see fit. Tonight Renee will prepare dinner featuring local seafood.
DAY 5: Florence
We’re up early this morning. We’ll grab a quick cappuccino and pastry before boarding a train to Florence. This city was the cradle of the Renaissance and home to over half of Italy’s artistic and architectural treasures. How you choose to spend the day is up to you and the possibilities are endless – whether you feed the soul in one of its many churches and museums or the belly at the Mercato Centrale you will surely enjoy the experience. Shoppers will want to visit the famous open air market where you can find fantastic deals on textiles, paper and leather goods. If your tastes veer to haute couture head to Via Tournabuoni before heading to the Ponte Vecchio – a jewellery shop line ancient bridge spanning the river Arno. After a long day of exploring, we’ll return to the villa for a light dinner prepared by Renee.
Day 7: Exploring Southern Tuscany
This day includes a visit to local Pecorino producer. Pecorino is the famous cheese of Tuscany made from sheep’s milk. Follow our cheese shop visit, we’ll explore Montalcino with our guide Teresa. Teresa is Roman by birth but lives in a beautiful apartment in Montalcino overlooking the Val D’Orcia. She’ll walk you through this walled town, giving you an insider’s view of one of the most famous wine towns in the world. Undoubtedly she’ll also take you to her favourite shoe shop as well. Tonight you’ll enjoy the views from Teresa’s apartment as cooking class and dinner will be at her home.
Day 8 – Departure
Your guide will ensure your safe return to Florence airport.