Tuscan Castles & Vineyards™

Join Chefs Massimo, Marcella and Stella in Tuscany for Maremma-style of cooking, in hands-on Tuscan classes, with farm fresh products from the countryside. Discover the secrets of this exquisite Tuscan cuisine, still unknown to many, while touring the sunflower hills of Tuscany, strolling through green pastures lined with vineyards and olive groves and into marketplaces where hand-woven baskets spill with fresh and local produce. From sleepy vineyards with the region’s best wine producers, to artisan cheese-makers nestled off winding roads, Chef Massimo welcomes you into his kitchen for an extraordinary week of cooking.

During your stay you can indulge if you like and add on a luxurious spa treatments at the spa on site.  Enjoy an anti-stress massage or Nuvola Body Tank Treatment – specially designed to induce deep relaxation.

Set in the heartland of Tuscany, you may add on a day itinerary to Maremma, in your free time.

Cooking Classes in Tuscany

Chef Massimo provides hands-on regional cooking classes held each morning in the kitchen. Lunch follows on terrace with the foods prepared in class. Chef Massimo, born and raised in Maremma, is a master at his trade in the kitchen. He began his career at a young age working in the family restaurant. His continuous work in the kitchen exploring Tuscan cuisine, while keeping a finger on tradition, has made him a winner. Chef Massimo’s talented cooking style blends tradition with a twist.

Tie on your aprons and get ready to prepare Tuscan recipes made with farm-to-table ingredients – from antipasto, bruschette garnished cherry tomato, herbs and olive oil to authentic cooking classes with farro.  Fresh homemade is plentiful with pasta pici, pappardelle pasta served in a porcini or wild boar ragù or ricotta and spinach tortelli.  Traditional main courses include the bistecca alla Fiorentina and the celebrated Tuscan meat Chianina, cinghiale, wild boar. The scottiglia, a traditional meat dish, includes: rabbit, chicken, pork and lamb.  Desserts are always delicious with castagnaccio, a traditional cake made with chestnut flour, cantucci, almond biscuits dipped in Vin Santo or pitta chiusa, a fruit filled pastry crust rolled into the shape  of Tuscan flowers.

Tuscany Accommodations

Immersed in this fairytale countryside filled with history, property blends in modern comforts under its four stars.  Immersed in a surrounding green landscape, the property is a juxtaposition of luxury blended with an elegant farmhouse atmosphere.

The property is an ancient residence set in the heart of the Maremma.  The region of Maremma lies in the southern part of Tuscany; set between gentle slopes of vineyards and silver-green olive groves, owing their shading to the metallic contents of the rich soil.

In the land of where the Etruscans once ruled, groves of chestnut, pine and ilex woods, lie in meadows and wheat fields.  During your stay, visit small, ancient towns, like Rocchetta di Fazio, Sovana and Pitigliano, and pass by imposing medieval castles built high on the hills;  once defending the land from Saracen attacks.

The property has an official riding center if you would like to participate in horseback riding.  Professional trained riders will guide you, whether you are a beginner or pro.  Also on site is a fully-equipped natural spa, an indoor swimming pool, calidarium, tepidarium, laconicum and frigidarium, whirlpool bath, massage services and aesthetic treatments.  Critics hail, this Tuscan Castes & Vineyards tour is a top Italy cooking classes experience.

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Itinerary: 6 Days, 5 Nights

This program is available January 2 to April 2, April 11 to July 30 & August 29 to December 25. Check in and start your program on any day of the week. Other dates may be available upon request, please call for details.

Sunday: Arrival & Check in on Tuscany Countryside

• Arrival, check-in and welcome.
• Introduction and overview of your cooking program.
• Welcome Dinner is served. Beverages and coffee available at a surcharge.

Monday: Tuscan Pasta Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo & his team for your hands-on Cooking Class 1.  The first day focuses on Tuscan main dish recipes such as: handmade pasta of tagliatelle, tagliolini, gnocchi, tortelli with stuffing of the season, brigoli and pappardelle.
• The cooking classes explore the technique and foods of the region.  Lunch follows with the foods prepared in class. Enjoy your handmade food on the Tuscany countryside.
• The afternoon is free to relax at the spa or visit the stables for a ride though the Tuscan hills on horseback.
• Dinner is served. Beverages & coffee available at a surcharge.

Tuesday: Tuscany Cooking Class 2 & Olive Oil Tasting

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo for your hands-on Cooking Class 2.  This cooking class focuses on local foods:  soups, dressed with extra-virgin olive oil of the Maremma region.  Prepare seasonal soups such as mushroom, Mediterranean vegetable, chickpea, bean, and always flavored with Acqua Cotta.  Also included are “Tuscan sauces.”  Learn the technique for preparing the savory sauces used in topping pasta, wild boar, beans, vegetables, rices & faro.
• Preparation of the various kinds of bruschetta, slices of toasted Tuscan bread with garlic & tomatoes, goose liver and onion or duck.
• Lunch follows with the foods prepared in class.  Beverages included.
• In the afternoon, meet a distinguished local olive producer who will guide you through an Olive Oil Tasting, explaining the differences between the various different types of olives (muraiolo, Frantoiano, pendolino etc.) and the resulting oils. Learn how to distinguish the various flavors and perfumes of these prodigious oils. At the end of the tasting, bruschetta, Tuscan salami and meats, and the noble Morellino wine tops off the evening.
• Dinner is served. Beverages & coffee available at a surcharge.

Wednesday: Tuscany Cooking Class 3

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo for your hands-on Cooking Class 3 focusing on Tuscan Dolci. This Tuscan cooking vacation involves preparing traditional desserts, such as panna cotta with frutti di bosco, tozzetti to eat together with a glass of vin santo and other desserts, whose secrets you will learn under the master chef.
• Lunch follows featuring the desserts made in class.  Beverages included.
• Afternoon is free to relax or visit one of the charming Tuscan towns in the Maremma countryside, or relax on the property with a good book.
• Dinner is served.

Thursday: Market Tour & Tuscany Cooking Class 4~ Afternoon Wine Tasting

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo for your shopping trip, either at the local produce market or with local quality vendors. Shop with the chef for the best in produce and more for your cooking class to follow.
• Return to the kitchen for your hands-on Cooking class 4 focusing on a traditional Maremma menu with a modern twist. Maremma cuisine is quite particular, and cooking with Chefs Massimo, Marcella & Stella allows you to learn the food and recipes of this beautiful region.
• Lunch follows on the foods prepared in class. Beverages included.
• In the afternoon: Salute! Raise your glass as we head to the well-known cantina of the famous wine maker for a tour and tasting. Our excursion to this private Cantina is an experience for the eyes and palate.
• Informal discussion and tastings included.
• Farewell Dinner is served. Beverages & coffee available at a surcharge.
• Cooking Vacations’ welcome bag, recipe booklet and chef’ apron.

Friday: Departure & Arrivederci!

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and say goodbye.
• Ciao e Arrivederci!

*Note: This schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saint days or festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the program.