Holiday itinerary
In the grounds of a wonderful Agriturismo are two beautiful farmhouses set 1.5km apart and just 40km from Pisa in the Tuscan hills offering the perfect location in which to pursue your passion for all things Italian.
This Tuscan cookery course offers a unique opportunity to learn how to cook delicious Italian dishes using local produce from the olive oil, wine and cheese farms nearby.
Under the direction of your knowledgeable and professional guide you will go trekking on horseback in the beautiful area of Lari in Tuscany.
This is a wonderful introduction to Tuscany’s rich culture of food set in the beautiful and relaxing surroundings, with a great opportunity to explore on horseback too.
Suitability
- The cooking and horse riding elements are both suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced chefs/riders
- Your hosts are Italian but there are English speaking guides on hand at all times to guide you through the course
- Minimum age 18 but children aged 7 or over are welcome if accompanied by an adult
- Younger children are welcome and babysitting can be arranged locally at an additional charge whilst you are taking your course
- A minimum of 2 people must book together on this course for the course to run
- Please note that car hire is essential for this holiday
Italian Cookery And Horse Riding Holiday Start Days
- This course runs year round
- Arrivals can be on any day of the week
- If this course appears ‘on request’ we can usually accommodate your requirements, to check availability, email us on or call us on 08445 020445 with your preferred dates and someone will get back to you very quickly
Italian Cooking and Horse Riding Itinerary
Day 1 –Arrival Day
- Check-in to your accommodation anytime after 2pm
- In the evening you will enjoy a 3 course welcome dinner served in the farmhouse dining room or on the terrace
- Please note that your welcome dinner may not always be taken at the Farmhouse; it may take place in a local restaurant in the nearby town of Peccioli
- If your welcome dinner is taken in a nearby restaurant, please check taxi fares if you decide to travel by taxi
Day 2 –Free Time and Cooking Class
- Enjoy a leisurely Italian breakfast when you rise for the day
- Spend the day relaxing by the pool or exploring the local area before starting your cooking lesson at around 4pm (times can vary)
- Your cooking lesson will last around 3 hours and will focus on cooking a 4 course menu of typical local dishes
- After the cooking lesson, sit down and enjoy eating the meal you’ve just prepared accompanied by the estate produced wines
Days 3 and 4 – Horse Riding
- Again, relax over a leisurely Italian breakfast before joining your professional guide for a day trekking the Tuscan countryside on horseback
- The tours take place in a great setting on the hills around Volterra, along the vineyards and olive groves, through the forests and the little medieval villages, up to sulphur springs and sanctuaries.
- Your guide will choose the most suitable route each day according to the weather and your capability
Day 5 –Free Time and Cooking Class
- Enjoy a leisurely Italian breakfast when you rise for the day
- Spend the day relaxing by the pool or exploring the local area before starting your cooking lesson at around 4pm (times can vary)
- Your cooking lesson will last around 3 hours and will focus on cooking a 4 course menu of typical local dishes
- After the cooking lesson, sit down and enjoy eating the meal you’ve just prepared accompanied by the estate produced wines
Day 6 –Departure Day
- After breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 11am ready for departure taking home with them new cooking skills and an insight into Italian life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over
What Will I Learn?
- The cooking course will concentrate on the typical cuisine of Tuscan: its pastas, risottos, meat and vegetable dishes
- At the start of your course, your Chef will discuss menus with you to ensure you cover any particular skills you want to learn during your cookery class
- You will spend your 2 days trekking through the Italian landscape, your instructor will guide you in the basics of riding if you are a beginner to help you develop your balance and control over the horse to help to create a harmony between yourself and the horse
- As a intermediate to advanced rider you will have the chance to develop your existing skills with plenty of opportunity to canter and gallop
Accommodation
- You'll stay in a well appointed twin or double room in one of the farmhouses which are set 1.5km apart in the grounds of the estate
- The house you are staying in will be advised on arrival
- Check in anytime after 2pm on your arrival day and check out by 11am on your departure day
- The beautiful farmhouses both offer every comfort of a hotel with the relaxed and easy going feel of a countryside retreat
- The houses have both been converted to a high standard maintaining the original Tuscan farmhouse architecture
- Guests staying in one of these two houses take their breakfasts and welcome dinner in the house dining room and each house has its own large swimming pool
- Prices are based on 2 sharing a twin or double room
- 2 bedroom apartments are available for families or groups at a small supplement
-There are two different farmhouses where you might stay; Giuseppe and Alessandro
- Giuseppe's farmhouse provides Wi-fi underneath the portico next to the office. They have a dog and a cat who are free in the courtyard
- Alessandro's farmhouse provide Wi-fi near the reception area
Meals
- Breakfast is included each day
- A welcome dinner is included on your arrival day
- You’ll also enjoy the dinner you’ve learned to cook on days 2 and 5
Sample Italian Menus
Dishes vary according to the season and what food is available but may include:
- Risotto with artichokes
- Pasta with spinach and ricotta
- Tuscan meat stew
- Tuscan bean soup
- Tiramisu
- Stuffed onions with pecorino cheese
- Rosemary roasted vegetables
- Foccacia bread
- Wines from the estate are carefully chosen to accompany each dish
- Dietary requests can be catered for including vegetarians if advised at the time of booking
Other Courses In Tuscany
- If this Tuscany cookery holiday whets your appetite for all things Italian, other courses are also on offer, including cheese making, painting and more, please follow this link to more courses at this school or email for details
Slow down to the pace of life on an Agriturismo in Tuscany and pursue your passion for Italian food and also horse riding on this cookery holiday with a difference.