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Authentic Southern
Tuscany
Six-Night Itinerary |
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Day One, Sunday
- Arrive in Chiusi, a stop on all train routes between Rome and Florence, about one hour from each. Group transfer to Palazzo Bandino at 2 pm.
- Settle into your charming room with modern bathroom.
- In the later afternoon, you'll meet your host Gabriele and your fellow adventurers to visit Palazzo Bandino's own wine cellar, where you'll learn a bit about local wines and see how they are bottled.
- Your introduction to authentic southern Tuscany begins with dinner at Palazzo Bandino.
- Overnight at Palazzo Bandino.
Day Two, Monday
- Breakfast.
- You'll have a relaxing start today at Palazzo Bandino, where Gabriele will tell you about the history of his family and their ancestral estate.
- Your first hands-on cooking lesson with chef Benocci concentrates on antipasti, such as bruschetta, crostini, fettunta and other types of canapes, as well as morsette, the delicious almond cookies that Tuscans dip into their vin santo dessert wine.
- Lunch based on what you've cooked, accompanied by tastings of Chianti, Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and vin santo.
- Afternoon excursion to Pienza, the purest Renaissance town in the world. Entirely rebuilt between 1459 and 1462, it was the brainstorm of Pope Pius II and today is memorable not only for its architectural purity but also for its exquisite food shops. You'll want to stock up on truffle-flavored cheese, wild herbs and other delicacies as you stroll through these pristine 15th-century streets.
- You will have dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
- Overnight at Palazzo Bandino.
Day Three, Tuesday
- Breakfast.
- Morning outing to Montalcino, the stately town within a castle that produces one of Italy's most prestigious wines. You'll visit a local winery whose Brunello 1997 was rated the world's #22 wine in 2002 by Wine Spectator. Here you'll taste a fascinating selection of wines and light foods that best accompany them.
- On the way home, you'll stop at a haunting countryside abbey, allegedly built by Charlemagne. If you're lucky you'll hear the monks singing vespers as they have done for hundreds of years.
- Transfer back to Palazzo Bandino for a hands-on cooking lesson featuring the classic southern Tuscan hand-rolled pasta called pici, followed by succulent whole fish baked in a paper crust.
- Dinner based on what you've prepared, accompanied by fine local wines.
- Overnight at Palazzo Bandino.
Day Four, Wednesday
- Breakfast.
- The rest of the morning is free, perhaps to indulge in a state-of-the-art spa treatment at Chianciano Terme. Try a relaxing facial, a stimulating salt glow, or choose from an array of massages (aromatherapy, Shiatsu, holistic, reflexology or Reiki). You will have a chance to learn about all the treatments and to make your reservations at dinner on Day One. If you prefer to skip the spa, you can visit the local Etruscan Museum, where you'll learn about Europe's most mysterious culture, forerunners to the early Romans, or you can stroll through Chianciano's open air market. One of the liveliest in the area, it includes everything from the tiniest espresso pot to the most praised truffles.
- Lunch is at a local restaurant.
- Transfer back to Palazzo Bandino for a cooking lesson featuring secondi
piatti, main dishes such as roasts, braised or grilled meats, alongside the thick handmade noodles called pappardelle, perhaps served with traditional sugo
alla boscaiola.
- Dinner based on what you've prepared, accompanied by fine local wines.
- Overnight at Palazzo Bandino.
Day Five, Thursday
- Breakfast.
- Morning visit to the venerable hilltown of Montepulciano, home of the renowned nobile wine. You'll stroll through the charming streets of this town, which somehow manages to be quite monumental, despite its small size. You'll also pay a visit to the weekly market, and then stop to see a masterpiece Renaissance church that sits alone on a hilltop just outside town.
- Next you'll visit an olive mill (in late October through November you'll actually see the process of an olive becoming pure cold-press first-run extra-virgin oil).
- By now you will welcome a light lunch, served at the frantoio and featuring an array of local specialties made with olio
extra vergine d'oliva.
- Transfer back to Palazzo Bandino for an afternoon hands-on cooking lesson featuring fresh vegetable dishes such as artichokes and tomatoes stuffed with herbs and cheese, followed by a luscious Tuscan dessert.
- Dinner based on what you've prepared, accompanied by fine local wines.
- Overnight at Palazzo Bandino.
Day Six, Friday
- Breakfast.
- Full-day excursion to Siena. On the way you'll drive past San Gimignano to see its world-famous skyline, dubbed "The Manhattan of Tuscany." You'll be on your own in Siena, to wander among the medieval streets, visit the exquisite cathedral or the wonderful Town Hall, do some shopping or just relax at a cafe.
- Late-afternoon transfer back to your lodgings.
- Farewell dinner and presentation of your cooking program certificate at Palazzo Bandino.
- Overnight at Palazzo Bandino.
Day Seven, Saturday
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to the Chiusi-Chianciano train station.
Program Includes:
Six nights accommodations at Palazzo Bandino in an air-conditioned
room with private bathroom or an air-conditioned apartment
(based on double occupancy)
All breakfasts
All meals except one lunch
Unlimited local wine at meals
Four cooking lessons
All excursions
Transfers to/from Chiusi rail
Beautiful full-color cookbook to take home
Taxes & Services
One group transfer provided from Chiusi station at 2p.m.
One group transfer provided to Chiusi station at 10a.m.
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SPECIAL LOW PRICE PER PERSON
FOR IN ITALY ONLINE GUESTS ONLY
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2010 TOUR DATES
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Off Season
(March and November)
US$2400.00/person
based on double occupancy
Regular Season
(April - October)
US$2650.00/person
based on double occupancy
Single Supplement:
US$260.00
Non-cooking companion:
US$2195.00
Guaranteed upgrade to
one-bedroom apartment:
US$185.00/person per week
based on availability
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April 11-17
May 8-14 (SOLD OUT)
May 23-29
June 6-12
June 20-26
August 29-September 4
September 12-18
September 26-October 2
October 10-16 (GUARANTEED EVEN FOR ONE PERSON)
October 24-30
Other dates are available on request for a minimum of 4 people
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Click here to view your accommodations
Click here to view more
photos
If you can't join for six days
Click here to read about half-day cooking lessons
Or
Click here for a Three-Night Self-Guided Itinerary
Click here if you'd like to purchase Palazzo Bandino's wine in the USA
Tour operated by Palazzo Bandino
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What's the difference between standard olive oil, good extra-virgin olive oil and the very best Tuscan extra-virgin olive oil? Why is the phrase "cold-pressed" actually meaningless? Why is it virtually impossible to find the really great oil in stores outside Italy? Click here for recipes and basic information you need to know about Extra-Virgin Tuscan Olive Oil from Palazzo Bandino. |
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