Tuscan Castles & Vineyards™

Set on the green rolling countryside of Tuscany, join Chefs Massimo, Marcella & Stella for Maremma-style of cooking, in hands-on classes, with farm fresh products. With the best cooking classes in Tuscany, 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 Tuscan cooking.

While immersing yourself in the quiet countryside, indulge in the property’s luxurious spa where you will enjoy two fabulous relaxing treatments – one delicious anti-stress massage and one Nuvola Body Tank Treatment – specially designed to induce deep relaxation and sooth away your every care.

Cooking Classes in Tuscany

Chef Massimo provides hands-on regional cooking classes held each morning in the villa kitchen. Lunch follows on terrace with the foods prepared in class and while overlooking the green Tuscan hills and cypress tress. 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 authentic Tuscan favorites such as homemade pasta pici; the celebrated Tuscan meat Chianina, cinghiale, wild boar, and more. The scottiglia, a traditional meat dish, includes: rabbit, chicken, pork and lamb. End it on a sweet note with homemade biscotti drenched in Vin Santo.

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 aesthetical treatments.

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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

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

Monday: Tuscan Cooking Class 1 & First Spa Treatment

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo for your hands-on Tuscan Cooking Class 1. The first day focuses on Tuscan main dish recipes such as: handmade pasta of tagliatelle, tagliolini, gnocchi, tortelli with seasonal stuffing, brigoli and pappardelle. The cooking classes explore the technique and cuisine of the region.
• Lunch follows with the foods prepared in class. Beverages included.
• Enjoy and sip while overlooking the Tuscan countryside!
• The afternoon is free to enjoy your first Spa Treatment after which you might want to visit the stables for a ride though the Tuscan hills on horseback or simply relax by the pool.
• Dinner is served. Beverages & coffee available at a surcharge.

Tuesday: Tuscan Cooking Class 2 & Olive Oil Tasting

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo for your hands-on Cooking Class 2. This Tuscany cooking class focuses on local foods: soups, dressed with excellent extra-virgin olive oil from the Maremma region. Prepare seasonal soups such as mushroom, Mediterranean vegetable, chickpea, bean, all of which are scented with the area’s famous Acqua Cotta. Also included are ‘Tuscan sauces’. Learn the technique for preparing these delicious sauces used for topping pasta, with wild boar, beans, vegetables and faro. You will also prepare various kinds of bruschetta, slices of toasted Tuscan bread with garlic and tomatoes, goose liver and onion.
• Lunch follows with the foods prepared in class. Beverages included.
• Enjoy and sip while overlooking the Tuscan countryside!
• 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 – and the resulting oils. Learn how to distinguish the various scents of these prodigious extra virgin olive oils.  The olive oil tasting includes:  bruschetta, Tuscan salami, and the noble Morellino wine, included.
• Dinner is served. Beverages & coffee available at a surcharge.

Wednesday: Tuscan Cooking Class 3 & Second Spa Treatment

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet Chef Massimo for your hands-on Tuscan Cooking Class 3 focusing on Tuscan Dolci. Prepare 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 your master chef.
• Lunch follows featuring the desserts made in class. Beverages included. Enjoy and sip while overlooking the Tuscan countryside!
• The afternoon is free to enjoy your second Spa Treatment after which you might want to relax, visit one of the nearby Tuscan towns in the Maremma countryside, or enjoy time by the pool in the company of a good book.
• Dinner is served. Beverages & coffee available at a surcharge.

Thursday: Shopping Trip & Tuscan 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.
• Enjoy and sip while overlooking the Tuscan countryside!
• 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.

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.