When you think of Tuscany you can't help but think of flavourful, fresh produce, colourful, savory dishes and succulent wines. Peel back the layers of the culinary side of Tuscany on this indepth multi-day tour while you relax in a luxurious villa which dates back to the 12th century! A stone's throw from Florence, you will be immersed in all things gastronomic, vinicultural, historical and cultural as you enjoy 4 extensive cooking classes, an insightful market visit to Florence's busy "Centrale" market, excursions into the countryside where you will get to visit a well respected vineyard, a Pecorino cheese maker, Medici villa and visit picturesque hilltop villages.

In a small group environment (maximum 12 people) your English speaking Italian chefs will create a week dedicated to the secrets and traditions of Tuscan cookery where you will spend many hands on hours perfecting the skills of Tuscan cooking in an original kitchen of a 14th century Villa.

Please speak to your Sales Advisor if would like to take over the Villa Pandolfini on an exclusive basis for the week and enjoy private cooking classes and private excursions.

Even among Italy's finest cities, Florence is something special, rising from the beautiful landscape of Tuscany as a living piece of history. Everywhere you turn you'll see works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi and any number of Masters of Italy's Golden Age. It is in the museums and galleries of the city that most of Florence's treasures are concentrated. The piazzas are full of fashionable boutiques and ever more fashionable people, and the café is still central to the Florentine social life. In the evening the city lights up and its squares and streets are thronged with visitors and locals taking their "passeggiata" as the denizens of the city have done for thousands of years.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (Extra surcharge will be applied if after 8pm or before 7am).

A welcome package with your itinerary, vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Enjoy a half day walking tour with your private English speaking local guide in Florence, taking in a visit to the Uffizi gallery. You will be met at your hotel and proceed on foot to view the Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Signoria.  This personalized tour will give you local insight into the real history and hidden gems. A visit to Florence is not complete without visiting one of the most important art galleries in the world, the Uffizi. Enjoy a private guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery to have an unforgettable journey through the masterpieces of famous artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio. At the end of the tour, you are free to remain in the museum to explore further at your leisure. (The tour includes a prebooked entrance and guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery in English).

The Hotel Cellai (4*) is located in the heart of the historic center of Florence, surrounded by monuments, churches and buildings of extraordinary beauty. This boutique style hotel is close to the most interesting and evocative city sites. All sites are within a short walking distance, passing through little streets full of charm and mystery. This exclusive hotel in Florence is very close to the San Lorenzo Market, hosted in a gigantic iron and glass building, where natives gather to buy local food and wine specialties. The Galleria dell'Accademia is just a short distance away, hosting the famous David by Michelangelo, as is the Duomo with its splendid dome by Brunelleschi.

Overnight at Cellai Boutique Hotel (4*).

On each of the 4 in-depth cooking classes, you will prepare a five course meal.

'I primi piatti' -Risotto's , soups , gnocchi and fresh handmade pasta.

We will discuss different pasta making techniques, stuffed pastas, colouring and flavouring pastas, different sauces and how to match them with different types of pastas. Risotto's- what makes a great risotto? The do's and dont's, shortcuts and the broths. Salads and soups- there are many dishes in Tuscany that focus on soups in the winter and salads in the summer using old bread and the wonderful variety of vegetables in season.

'Seasonal Cooking' and 'Antipasti & Desserts'

The secret of all Italian cookery are the fresh products used. Fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables are the base of all tasty dishes and frozen products are almost never used. During the year the menus in all restaurants change, adapting to the produce available and we will discuss the various dishes popular for each season.

'Secondi and Contorni'

These are the meat, fish and game dishes accompanied by vegetables and flans.

You will also learn 'Piatti Veloce' or 'Quick Dishes'

These are great when time sometimes seems so limited. Finger foods and middle dishes such as flans, pizza, frittate and cheese and vegetable combinations are also covered.

During your 4 indepth cooking classes you will get to prepare many different Italian dishes. The following may give you an idea of the types of things that you may prepare under the tutalage of your English speaking Italian chef;

* Welcome Dinner In the Villa Pandolfini kitchen

* Torta salata with gorgonzola and pears

* Paccheri pasta with fish or spaghetti with clams

* Branzino alla isolana con le verdure - Oven baked sea bass with vegetables

* Vin santo icecream with lady finger biscuits

Class 1

* bruschetta al pomodoro

* Potato ravioli with duck ragu

* Risotto allo zafferano & zucchini - saffron & zucchini risotto

* Peposo - Chianti beef pepper stew & polenta

* Tiramisu

Class 2

* crepe al funghi porcini / porcini mushroom crepes

* Ribollita/ Tuscan winter vegetable & bread soup

* Ossobucco con potate al rosmarino - Ossobuco with oven roasted potatoes

* Bavarese

Class 3

* crostini toscani or bruschetta al aglio

* Gnocchi con salsa di pomodoro - Gnocchi with tomato sauce

* Tagliatelle verde con pesto - Spinach tagliatelle pasta with pesto

* Arista con finocchio e scalogni - Roast pork loin with fennel and spring onions

* pannacotta con salsa di frutta

Class 4

* Cipolle ripieni - Stuffed onions with percorino cheese

* Ravioli con spinaci &ricotta al burro e salvia - Ricotta and spinach ravioli with butter and sage

* Risotto con pere & gorgonzola - Risotto with pears & gorgonzola

* Pollo alla Etrusca - Etruscan chicken

* Pere al vino Rosso - Pears cooked in red wine & vanilla cream.

Avail of a private transfer between Florence and Villa Pandolfini.

Arrive at the Villa Pandolfini after lunch and settle into your accommodation, having time to explore the estate, relax and freshen up for the 'Benvenuto' dinner which will take place in the villa's historical 14th C kitchen featuring the original stone fireplace, marble sink and vaulted ceiling. The kitchen will be the heart of this gastronomical adventure. You will meet up with your fellow chefs in training (max. 12 per class), receive your recipe books and course guidelines and you will meet your chefs who will be your tutors for the week.

The 150 hectare estate of Villa Pandolfini is located in a private forest, with vineyards and olive groves a mere 10 minutes drive from Florence. Formally a hunting residence, the foundations of the villa date from the 1200's. The villa boasts antiques, frescoes, a beautiful loggia looking onto a breathtaking renaissance garden, outdoor dining, and a swimming pool. This is the perfect place to discover Florence and enjoy the real Tuscan countryside living in an elegant castle that has accommodated guests such as Napoleon Bonaparte and King Charles VIII of France. Relax at the villa and enjoy its grounds, wine and forest, or discover the many local attractions such as horse riding, trekking, antique markets, Caruso’s villa and gardens, medieval villages and Etruscan ruins.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

Today you will get a great introduction to the Tuscan countryside, it's people, history and culture. Enjoy an authentic Tuscan experience visiting medieval villages, admiring impressive castles and witnessing centuries of history whilst driving through the green Chianti valleys, the Sienese Crete which is farmhouse for it's red earth and the magnificent Val d'Orcia.

On the way down south we will stop off to admire an amazing Pieve of Sant’Anna in Caprena. This 14th century Olivetan monastery is where ‘The English Patient” was filmed. In this area, the 'Gladiator' film was also made and here you will see the most photographed row of cypress trees. Throughout the day you will get to visit a charming vineyard estate owned by one of Tuscany's renowned noble families where you will have the opportunity to savour their wines, olive oil, cheese and salami and enjoy a light lunch at the vineyard's restaurant. Then we continue onto the characteristic towns of San Quirico and Bagno Vignoni, famous for the natural hot springs. You will have time to relax in Pienza, a quaint village full of lovely shops selling crafts and local produce. The views from Pienza overlooking the Val d'Orcia are absolutely spectacular.

On the way back to Florence we will stop off at a pecorino cheese making factory that will give you an insight as to what makes this centuries old cheese so famous. We will then finish the day at Montalcino for an 'aperitivo' before heading back to the villa via a different route.

Enjoy dinner at leisure this evening (not included). Florence is a short taxi ride away if you feel like heading into town and checking out one of the many, many restaurants.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

Enjoy an indepth cooking class this morning which will finish with lunch (which you will have been instrumental in preparing!).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Take it easy in the gloriously peaceful surroudings of the Villa's estate this afternoon or avail of the optional shared excursion (additional cost) this afternoon.

Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to add in this optional afternoon tour.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

Enjoy an indepth cooking class this morning which will finish with lunch (which you will have been instrumental in preparing!).

You have the choice to eiter relax and do your own thing this afternoon or join us on a shared afternoon trip where we will take you through the hidden country roads through the glorious Chianti region of Tuscany (additional cost). We will take you to an ancient Abbey which has a spectacular view over the vineyards of one of the top two winemakers in Italy. You will also have the opportunity to taste their wines. Winding through these country roads, you will admire & enjoy breathtaking scenery and some of the most charming Chianti villages. If luck allows, you may also get to listen to the famous 'Dante reciting' butcher!! People all around the world come to this little town in the hope that they hear his 'pose'. You will then visit a farm where 'Chianina' cows are raised; and here is where we will settle and relax for a wonderful meal while enjoying the view up to the medieval town of San Gimignano. You really will feel like you are part of another century!

Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to add in this optional afternoon tour.

Enjoy dinner this evening at a local pizzeria.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

You will leave the estate around 10am this morning to travel into Florence to visit the famous 'Mercato Centrale'. You will meet the chefs here and they will guide you through the multi level marketplace where for centuries Florentine's have purchased their fresh produce. You will take a glimpse at an amazing Florentine tradition and then eat lunch together, shoulder to shoulder with the Florentine people.

After lunch you are free to enjoy Florence, to go shopping in the leather markets, try the best gelato in the world and walk the stone streets enjoying this romantic and enthralling city.

If you wish to have a personal guided tour of Florence, this can be arranged upon request and restaurants for those who want to stay in town for dinner can be booked. Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to add in this optional afternoon guided tour of Florence.

Enjoy dinner this evening as a group at a historical Florentine restaurant. You will be met by your hosts at the restaurant who will dine with you before you are brought back to the villa.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

Enjoy an indepth cooking class this morning which will finish with lunch (which you will have been instrumental in preparing!).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

This morning you will get to see one Italy's centuries old crafts that is still alive and well today- hand painted ceramics! We will visit factories where you will see the products painted and have the chance to purchase directly from the manufacturers who can then ship to anywhere in the world. This little village which has become world renowned for their artisans is also charming to wander around, browsing through the stores.

From here, we contiue on through the winding hills to reach a magnificent Medici villa which we will visit and get an insight into the incredible word of the Medici family and the last royal family of Italy. You'll then be taken to the nearby medieval hamlet of 'Artimino' which sits on top of a hill overlooking the vineyards and farmland of Etruscan times. You will dine at a very famous restaurant with incredible views. In the Summer and Spring we typically sit on the terrace and in the Winter we usually sit in the old restored farmhouse which has been converted into a restaurant. We then head back to the villa to relax before the cooking class begins this afternoon.

After this morning's fun, you will have your last indepth cooking class of the week this afternoon where you will get to prepare a farewell dinner. You'll also learn an interesting presentation of an aperativo (pre-dinner drink) which accompanies any festive dinner.

Overnight at Villa Pandolfini.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (Extra surcharge will be applied if after 8pm or before 7am).

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).