The Tuscan Kitchen In Cortona™

Join us in Cortona, where Chef Simonetta warmly invites you into her home and teach you all her little secrets of how to make the most of the wonderful Tuscan delights. Her Villa, nestled on a hilltop in the Val di Chiana, amid the lush fields of grain, sunflowers, olive groves and vineyards encourages your heart to dream of all things Tuscan. Learn to prepare typical Tuscan dishes while having fun from start to finish.

This special package is for those who wish to relax and enjoy the beauty of the countryside with chauffeured visits along the way.

Simonetta’s menu is simply Tuscan -

Ribollita – The celebrated Ribollita, is a hearty soup of the countryside
Pappa col Pomodoro – Bread and Tomato Soup
Cecina – A savory chick pea pie
Tortellini di Patate – Traditional Pasta stuffed with potato filling
Galline – Free range Tuscan chicken roasted in a BBQ spit
Bistecca alla Fiorentina – Naturally raised Florentine beef
Anatra all’ Arancia – Duck cooked in fresh oranges
Braciola di Maiale alle Erbe Aromatiche – Naturally raised pork rolled then roasted in herbs
Schiacciata alla Fiorentina – Tuscan flat bread
Castagnaccio – a sweet chestnut cake

Enjoy the sensation of kneading fresh pasta or preparing natural ingredients from Simonetta’s garden.
Simonetta, is an excellent and creative chef, native to Cortona! And for the more adventurous, discover Tuscany from above with an unforgettable hot air balloon trip over the Tuscan countryside.

Cooking Classes

Simonetta is an enthusiastic and passionate cook and she will transmit her emotion and energy of cooking to you throughout your stay and especially in her cooking classes. Her passion and energy are contagious and will soon have you even more curious about the Tuscan cuisine. Roll up your sleeves and tie on your aprons, a cooking lesson with Simonetta is an exciting adventure.

The ingredients used are of the freshest kind, many of which are grown on the premises in Simonetta’s garden. Other produce is obtained from local markets and farmers in the area.

After your time in the kitchen, lunch or dinner follows with foods that were prepared in class. Eat, relax and share your cooking notes around the table in her dining room where you can choose a wine from a list containing over 60 of the best Italian wines. Surely, one of them will perfectly compliment the meal you have prepared.

Cortona

There is plenty to see in the medieval town of Cortona, with its fascinating architecture, churches and wonderful Piazzas. Made famous by Frances Mayes when she wrote about renovating her house “Casa Bramasole” here, Cortona was originally an Umbrian city before being conquered and enlarged by Tuscany eventually becoming a Roman colony. This is reflected in the architecture and you will feel as if you are a part of the history of the place.
The main cultural and artistic center of the wonderful Val di Chiana Cortona’s prevailing character of its architecture is medieval with picturesque narrow streets situated on a hillside embracing the enchanting view of the whole of the Val di Chiana. Once a year the townspeople celebrate Medieval Week, a procession of over 300 people wearing traditional medieval costumes along with horseback riders parade through Cortona’s historic center. This is a spectacular site to see and will take you back in time in a moment.

Tuscany

Tuscany is the heart of Italy, located right in the center, one couldn’t ask for a better way to see some of Italy’s most well known sites. From art, architecture and history to the seaside, mountains and most importantly spectacular Tuscan cuisine there really is something for everyone in this region. From Florence the Magnificent to tiny Montepulciano , there are dozens of Tuscan towns you’ll want to visit, a thousand narrow farm roads waiting patiently for you to make the wrong turn and find your own secret treasure.

Your stay with Simonetta will detach you form Tuscany’s throng of visitors and welcome you to a secret part of Tuscany, where in addition to your cooking lessons, you will have time to soak up the charm of your peaceful, unspoiled surroundings, making it the perfect opportunity to relax both body and soul.

Accommodations

Simonetta’s Villa property is immersed in the green hills of Cortona, the famous city from “Under the Tuscan Sun”, a short way from important sites such as Arezzo, Monterchi, Sansepolcro, Camaldoli, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Siena, San Gimignano and the magnificent region of Umbria. The Villa’s rooms (the Pink Room, the Green Room and the Blue Room), are warm and welcoming, and are tastefully furnished with antiques from the 18th to 20th Century. Each has a private bathroom. The rooms and bathrooms are serviced daily. Breakfast is served in the elegant setting of the dining room, with homemade cakes using Great-Grandmother Teresa’s recipes, and homemade jams which come from the garden. All served with the finest silver, porcelain and linens.

Enjoy a pleasant hour in the sitting-room, created from the Villa’s ancient stables, a welcoming and relaxing space, perfect for listening to good music, reading a book from the library or simply enjoying a liquer by the fire. Take a stroll round the well-tended garden, stopping to soak up the sun or relaxing in the shade of an ample pine grove. The southern side of the grounds enjoys an extensive view out towards the peak of Monte Amiata, and the tree-lined northern side, with its fruit garden overlooks Cortona. For those needing to unwind, what could be better than a few hours spent at the swimming pool, or the more adventurous might even choose to take a trip on one of the Vespas or mountain bikes that Simonetta provides for guests free of charge for visiting the surrounding areas.

Photo GalleryClick Here For Property Photos

Itinerary ~ 4 days, 3 nights

Day One~ Arrival

• Pick up at train station – Check in – Introduction of Property & Welcome Tea.
• Dinner served at the Villa – Wine and Beverages not included.

Day Two~ Cooking Class One

• Breakfast is served.
• Free time in Cortona with transport to and from town provided. Pick up at pre arranged time.
• Early evening will consist of hands-on pizza-making Cooking Class 1 followed by dinner including the pizzas and more.

Day Three~ Cooking Class Two

• Breakfast is served.
• Visit to local a vineyard just a few miles from Montepulciano, wine tasting experience and 3-course lunch included. Transport to and from provided along with tour, wine tasting and 3-course lunch.
• In the afternoon, return to the Villa for your hands-on Cooking Class 2 with Simonetta followed by dinner including the foods prepared in class “al fresco”. Wine and Beverages not included.

Day Four~ Departure

• Breakfast is served.
• After breakfast, check out and arriverderci!