Join us in beautiful Cortona, Italy, for a unique and unforgettable authentic Tuscan experience, where where you will discover magical villages and off the beaten path adventures!
Our home for the week is a beautiful and historic 18th-century luxury hotel villa located within the town walls of medieval Cortona and walking distance to the center of the old town. This villa encompasses every quality of Tuscan charm, beauty, and history along with spectacular views of the rolling hills of Valdichiana and nearby Lake Trasimeno. An enchanting villa where old world elegance meets contemporary comfort. A ‘Taste of Tuscany’ you’ve always dreamed of!
Autumn in Tuscany will take your breath away, with a kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and emotions. The month of September offers landscapes filled with captivating colors amidst infinite shades of yellow, orange, and red, while olive groves and vineyards paint a picture with hues of gold and dark green. Traditional food festivals and wine fairs animate villages and towns, and the days remain sunny and warm.
Together, we will embark on a rich cultural journey of Italian passion, beauty, food and wine, where culinary traditions are lovingly upheld and celebrated. Our week together will be filled with amazing people, encompassing the warm hospitality the Italian culture does so well. We will travel through the rolling hills of Tuscany covered in vineyards dotted with hilltop medieval villages full of history, and visit small family-run farms, where you will have the opportunity to partake in a cultural experience with the owners. In addition, Pasqualina has planned a special sunset gathering on her olive grove, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste her exquisite olive oil drizzled over a variety of bruschette paired with delectable wine.
This is where the magic is! Join Chef Pasqualina and her Tuscan family in beautiful Cortona where you will nourish your soul with a Taste of Tuscany.
As always, we will arrive as strangers, but leave as family!
A Taste of Tuscany
Itinerary & Details
Itinerary:
Saturday, September 28th:
Arrival Day – Check-in is at 2:00 p.m.
- Welcome to Tuscany! After you check into the villa, you will have some time to unpack, relax, and enjoy the beautiful grounds.
- Indulge in a complimentary bottle of local wine and snacks.
- 7:00 p.m.: Welcome ‘Apericena,’ an Italian favorite foodie ritual where you will have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and our Tuscan family.
Sunday, September 29th:
A Hands-on Pizza Making Class Held at the Family Farm, Followed by Dinner.
- 7:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Free Time.
- 3:30 p.m.: An immersive pizza-making experience at the family farm, where Chef Pasqualina and her family will personally guide you on a tour of their cherished farm. Following the tour, you’ll dive into a traditional pizza-making class. To culminate this delightful experience, we will gather for a dinner, surrounded by family and friends, to savor the delicious creations you’ve crafted.
Monday, September 30th:
Tuscan Culinary Adventure: A 3-course Cooking Class and Lunch in the Heart of Val d’Orcia
- 7:30 a.m.- 9:15 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Indulge in an exclusive, hands-on cooking class at a quaint, family-owned restaurant nestled within a picturesque medieval town, offering stunning views of the renowned Val d’Orcia region. During this experience, you’ll master the art of crafting traditional Tuscan specialties through expert guidance. Following the class, relish in a delightful lunch where you can savor the dishes you’ve expertly prepared.
- 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Free time to explore this magnificent medieval town.
- 6:00 p.m.: We head back to Cortona.
- Free Time: Dinner on your.
Tuesday, October 1st:
A Family-Run Truffle Hunting Experience Followed by an Indulgent Truffle Based Lunch.
- 7:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 9:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: A truffle hunting experience followed by a truffle-based lunch at a family-run agricultural farm that was born out of passion for nature and its precious hidden fruits. Here we will discover and learn about the many aspects and secrets of truffles and truffle hunting. Together, we will hunt for one of the world’s most prized culinary delicacies followed by a divine truffle-based indulgent lunch prepared and served by the family.
- Free Time: Dinner on your.
Wednesday, October 2nd:
A Splendid Day Exploring Tuscany: Savoring, Sipping, Indulging in Culinary Delights, Exploring Charming Medieval Towns, and Reveling in Joyful Moments.
- 7:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Embark on a scenic drive through the captivating vistas of Chianti, winding through rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. You’ll have the opportunity to savor the true essence of Tuscan cuisine, including the renowned Bistecca Fiorentina at a celebrated restaurant, making it a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Discover the charm of an off-the-beaten-path and picturesque medieval hilltop town, providing you the unique opportunity to wander through enchanting alleyways and uncover the hidden treasures and culinary delights in this corner of Italy.
- 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: We head back to Cortona.
Thursday, October 3rd:
A Day of Exploration and Olive Grove Delight.
- 7:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m: Free time to enjoy excursions or visit other charming Tuscan towns or join Pasqualina at the weekly Thursday morning market in the town of Camucia, where the locals shop.
- 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Savor an enchanting evening at Chef Pasqualina’s Olive Grove, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste her exquisite olive oil drizzled over a variety of bruschette paired with delectable wine.
Friday, October 4th:
Explore Cortona Old Town or Enjoy Excursions During Your Free Time. Etruscan Farewell Feast: Dining in the Heart of Historic Cortona.
- 7:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Free time to explore Cortona Old Town or enjoy excursions, visit other Tuscan towns, or simply relax at the villa.
- 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: A farewell dinner at a charming and characteristic restaurant located in the historic center of Cortona where you will experience a magical Etruscan atmosphere, along with their delicious and authentic Tuscan dishes and wine!
Saturday, October 5th:
Departure Day – Checkout is at 11:00 a.m.
- 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast.
Details:
What’s included:
- 7 nights accommodations. Check-in is at 2:00 p.m./Check-out is at 11:00 a.m.
- Welcome Culinary Genes Gift Bag.
- Welcome ‘Apericena’ gathering.
- Daily Breakfast.
- Hands-on pizza making class followed by dinner.
- Culinary Genes recipes and a homemade surprise.
- Truffle Hunting experience followed by lunch.
- Cooking class in a quaint medieval town followed by lunch to taste your creations.
- A visit to an off-the-beaten-path medieval town.
- Lunch in Chianti at a renowned restaurant.
- Sunset Olive oil tasting, appetizers, and wine.
- Farewell dinner at a local Etruscan restaurant.
- Private transportation is provided only for excursions indicated in the program and local stops – train station or local restaurant.
- Free Wi-Fi Internet available, but please remember we are in Tuscany and may not always get service.
*Events are subject to change depending on mother nature and unforeseen circumstances.
What is NOT included:
- Your round-trip Airfare.
- Transfers to or from the Villa on arrival/departure days are not included. We will be happy to assist you with private transportation. Prices vary depending on the amount of passengers.
- Transportation and hotels outside of planned events.
- All lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary. Meals that are NOT included are:
- Lunch Sunday, September 29th. (We recommend enjoying a lighter meal for lunch as there is an abundant amount of food for breakfast, as well as the pizza-making class)
- Dinner Monday, September 30th.
- Dinner Tuesday, October 1st.
- Dinner Wednesday, October 2nd. (If you can eat after our splendid and generous lunch)
- Lunch Thursday, October 3rd.
- Lunch, Friday, October 4th.
- Personal alcoholic beverages, other than what’s provided in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance: We highly recommend considering personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance.
- Any other incidentals that are not part of the package.
- Any additional excursions and tours.
- Gratuities for personal tours. It’s customary to offer your drivers a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind. Tips can only be paid in cash.
A minimum of 8 participants is required for this trip to take place.
Rooms are based on double occupancy. Cost per person:
- Deluxe: $5500
- Superior: $4900
Deposit of $850 is non-refundable and non-transferable.
