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.

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.

Siena

Siena is one of Tuscany’s most famous medieval towns, set among Chianti’s olive groves and vineyards. The town’s original character has survived for centuries, with old buildings and palaces remaining unspoiled. Make sure to visit the heart of Siena, its unique shell-shaped central square Piazza del Campo. The piazza is famous worldwide for the Corsa del Palio; horse races run twice a year amid colorful festivities. The Campo also boasts the massive Palazzo Pubblico, the seat of civil government decorated with paintings and frescoes by Sienese art masters Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Simone Martini. Nearby is the Duomo di Siena, a striking example of Italian Romanesque architecture that was initially intended to be the grandest cathedral in existence. Narrow, winding streets lead visitors to artisan leather-makers, wine bars, and trattorias, many of which are highlighted in the Michelin guide Siena for their exceptional cuisine and quality.

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Itinerary: 7 days, 6 nights

Day 1: Arrival & Check in

• Arrival, check-in and welcome.
• Check in and relax.
• Introduction and overview of your cooking program.
• Enjoy your Cooking Vacations’ Welcome Bag with Prosecco toast.
• Welcome Dinner featuring the Chef’s Tasting Menu featuring a full Tuscan fare.

Day 2: Tuscan Cooking Class 1 & Garden Walk

• 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 discover the Tuscan Gardens on the property with your host.  Walk the foot paths throughout the property, bring your camera or your sketch pad and let your creativity begin.
• Dinner included at the property.

Day 3: 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 included at the property.

Day 4: Tuscan Cooking Class 3

• 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!
• Dinner included at the property.

Day 5: Market Tour and Shop with the Chef & Tuscan Cooking Class 4 ~ Wine Tour and 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.

Friday: Discover Siena!

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet your driver for a full day tour to Siena.  In Siena, meet our English-speaking guide for a walking tour by the Paleo, the Church of Saint Catherine and delicious artisan shops selling paneforte, cheese, wine and biscotti!
• Following the tour, return to the property.
• Farewell Tuscan Dinner included at the property.

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.