Nonna's Cucina In The Roman Countryside™

Join us in a hidden part of Italy, South of Rome, in a hilltop town called Pico with your hosts Chef Valentina and food lover Carlo. In the heart of the Ciociaria Region, this charming Medieval town is known for their famous cheese Marzolina, Porcini mushrooms, artisan made salami, and hearty foods of the land.

Pico is an ancient village that looks out for miles over rolling green mountains, with the Roman boarder to its left and the hills of Monte Cassino to its right. A 10th century castle, an ancient church to the patron saint, Sant Antonio, a stone tower to protect against invaders, artisan food makers, and wild olive trees are a sampling of the old world treasures that you will find in our Nonna’s Cucina In The Roman Countryside program.

The village lies in the breast of the Aurunci Mountains, next to Abbeys of Montecassino, Casamari, and near the grottos of Pastena. Pico, literally translating to high point, was once home to the famous Italian writer, Tommaso Landolfi (1908 to 1979) who found peace and quiet for his writings.

Enjoy history, art, culture and great food and wine in this unforgettable cooking adventure set in Pico, Rome’s beautiful hinterland.

Regional Cooking

Our program, with your hosts Chef Valentina and Carlo, includes four hands-on cooking classes that use regional recipes and seasonal local products. Work up an appetite in the kitchen, where you will learn how to make antipasto, pasta or risotto, a secondo, and dessert. Chef Valentina will lead you through her favorite Ciociaria menus, turning local seasonal ingredients into hearty regional lunches and dinners. Your Chef will share her secret recipes for soups, homemade pastas, delicious side dishes, fish, meat & fish (vegetarian alternatives available), and wonderful sweet desserts.

The flavors of Ciociaria cuisine are rooted in the genuine antique traditions of peasant life, and Chef Valentina’s country kitchen is where you’ll learn how to cook like a Ciociaria Mamma. Her classes are hands-on, using seasonal vegetables from the garden and the local market, mushrooms gathered in the nearby hills and cheeses produced by local artisans. You will learn that simple is often best in Italian cooking and maybe even discover why locals look so good and live so long! Only now is the rest of the world realizing the importance of genuine, simply cooked food, but here they’ve been doing it this way for centuries. 20/20 from New York even visited Pico, to learn the secret of their longevity!

Valentina’s recipes take their cue from age-old peasant dishes and always have a special personal twist. What could be more delicious than healthy and hearty vegetable soups; mezze maniche pasta with eggplant, olives, cherry tomatoes and home produced olive oil; light potato gnocchi with locally gathered porcini mushrooms; and easy to create veal involtini with carrot velouté. All followed by homemade wine cookies, hazelnut biscotti, apple cake and tarts made with a selection of homemade preserves. Everyone enjoys the foods made together in class around the table with Carlo’s local wine.

Accommodations

The property sits on a cobblestone footpath that dates back to the 11th century. Step in to this cozy palazzo that is elegantly decorated with country antiques that your host, Carlo has collected over time. Each room reflects well-thought planning as modern comforts blend with old world treasures, original tile floors pave the way, wood beam ceilings add a country touch and family carefully decorate each part of the property. Each bedroom is furnished with pristine furnishings, comfy bedding and all the modern amenities one could imagine. Each bedroom, complete with private bath has been named accordingly, Bellavista, La Fornacelle, L’Antico Portale, and the Bishop’s Rooms even boast original frescoes and watercolors. Breakfast is served daily. Step out your door onto the worn cobblestones of bygones past and wander through this hillside town which is a quiet retreat for the soul.

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Pico & The Surrounding Area

Pico takes great pride in its Medieval heritage, carefully preserving its remarkable antique walls and towers, and you’ll be able to visit its castle, antique churches, and admire the stone archways which are among the many treasures to be discovered while strolling though the village’s alleyways. There are many fascinating day trips to be taken: visit Arpino, the motherland of the great orator Cicero; the medieval village of Veroli, famous for its street artists and artisans; and Boville with its precious Giotto mosaics. Visit local castles and monasteries, take trips to ancient villages within the National Park of Monte Aurunci and soak up the beauty of the seaside towns of Gaeta and Sperlonga. You may also visit Collepardo, Arpino, Anangi and the famous Montecassino all nearby.

Itinerary: 6 Days, 5 Nights

Day 1: Arrival & Cooking Class 1

• Afternoon – arrive at property.
• Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail while your host, Carlo explains your itinerary.
• Later afternoon: Meet Chef Valentina and tie on your apron for your Cooking Class 1 in the kitchen to learn and prepare a full Ciociara menu. Dinner follows and everyone joins together to eat the foods prepared in class together. Wine available at a surcharge.

Day 2: Visit to Veroli, Casamari, Isola del Liri and Arpino ~ Cooking Class 2.

• Breakfast is served
• After breakfast, depart for Veroli and visit the town and its pretty historic center.
• Transfer to Isola del Liri and see the town and its waterfalls.
• Lunch at a characteristic restaurant in Isola del Liri, wine not included and available at a surcharge.
• After lunch, visit Arpino and return to Pico in the afternoon.
• Tie on your apron and get ready for your Cooking Class 2. Dinner follows and everyone eats the foods prepared in class together. Wine available at a surcharge.

Day 3: Anagni, Piglio, Lago di Canterno, Fumone: Wine Tour

• Breakfast is served.
• After breakfast, depart for Anagni where you’ll visit the town’s Cathedral, its crypt and the historic center.
• Transfer to Piglio for the Wine Tour. Enjoy a tasting of traditional local wines served with delicious local products.
• Continue on to Lago di Canterno and Fumone to visit the castle.
• Return to Pico in the evening.
• Dinner is included at the Hotel. Enjoy a special Introduction To Local Products- with local wine pairings, cheeses, salumi, and Extra Virgin first cold pressed olive oil.

Day 4: Montecassino, Archeological District of Casinum, Grotte Di Pastena; Cooking Class 3

• Breakfast is served
• After breakfast, depart for Montecassino to visit its famous Abbey and archeological site. Return to Pico for lunch at a traditional family owned restaurant, wine and water included.
• Continue on to Pastena with its wonderful caves.
• Return to Pico.
• Tie on your apron and get ready for your Cooking Class 3. Dinner follows and everyone eats the foods prepared in class together. Wine available at a surcharge.

Day 5: Terracina, Sperlonga, Grotta di Tiberio and Museo Romano; Cooking Class 4

• Breakfast is served
• After breakfast, depart for Terracina to visit the Temple of Giove Anxur (Jupiter) and the town’s historic center.
• Lunch is in a great little restaurant in the town’s fishing area.
• Continue on to the beautiful town of Sperlonga and visit the Roman Museum and Tiberius’ Cave.
• Return to Pico.
• Roll up your sleeves for your Cooking Class 4. Dinner follows and everyone eats the foods prepared in class together. Wine available at a surcharge.

Day 6: Check Out & Arrivederci!

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out.
• Arrivederci e a presto!