Holiday itinerary
This charming town in Tuscany, renowned for its rich cuisine and fine wines, will be the setting of this 7 night Italian cooking holiday, set in the heart of the vibrant town of Cortona you will find your 4* hotel in a former 15th century palace.
Your 5 days of cooking lessons with talented chef Jonathan will take place in a nearby converted monastery in the spacious and accommodating kitchen facilities. In each cooking lesson you will cook a mouth watering 4-course meal made from selected Tuscan ingredients that you can recreate for friends and family.
The 4* hotel San Michele where you’ll stay for the week was a former magnificent 15th century palace and is steeped in history in the heart of Cortona. You’ll be less than 10 minutes walk from the cooking location and right in the heart of the bustling and vibrant Etruscan town of Cortona, the hotel offers 500 years of history combined with all modern comforts you’d expect from a historic 4* hotel.
On your non-cooking days you can enjoy a guided walking tour of Florence led by chef Jonathan who will also organise 2 evening meals in excellent local restaurants over the week so you can taste the local delicacies. You can also explore the local area independently and enjoy the wonderful food and sights this part of Italy has to offer.
Each evening that you cook, you and your fellow culinary artists will dine on the terrace, sipping local wine whilst overlooking the rolling green hills of the beautiful Tuscan landscape for a Tuscan cookery holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from beginner cooks to intermediate chefs
- Your Chef Jonathan will go into some depth regarding the history and science of the dishes, so even experts will come away having learned quite a lot
- Minimum age 18 (under 18s accepted accompanied by an adult)
- All classes are taught in both Italian and English
Travelling Solo?
- This cookery holiday makes a great singles holiday as it is the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people and there are NO single supplements for a private single room
- Please note that this course runs for a minimum of 2 people and solo travellers can join existing groups. Please contact us on with your ideal dates of travel to check availability
Cooking Holiday Start Days
- This course takes place on set dates during the months of March to October
- Holidays are for 7 nights / 8 days
- Cooking lessons start on day 2
Cooking Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1 - Arrival
- If it has been arranged in advance you will be met at the airport (Perugia) or train station (Camucia) on arrival and taken to the hotel San Michele accommodation (please note; arrival details must be confirmed at least 14 days in advance of arrival)
- You’ll have the time to settle into your fantastic accommodation, visit the beautiful hill-top Etruscan town and enjoy a real coffee in the Piazza, or relax watching the beautiful views of the rolling Tuscan hills
- In the evening, you’ll join the group in a local restaurant to get to know each other and kick start your gastronomic week with some excellent local specialities
Day 2- Market visit and first cooking class
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you visit the large bustling street market in Camucia to learn how to select the finest ingredients with the chef’s help
- Pick up local delicacies to for a picnic or to at back at the school depending on weather
- The rest of the day is free for you to explore Cortona or simply relax at the hotel
- Your cooking lesson starts at 6pm and takes place at the nearby convent which is around 10 minutes walk from your hotel
- You’ll focus on learning to make a delicious 4 course Italian meal
- Once you’ve cooked, you’ll sit down to enjoy your meal accompanied by your fellow chefs and a good glass of Tuscan wine, you will finish at around 10pm ready for the short stroll back to your hotel
Day 3 – Free time and evening cooking lesson
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel
- After breakfast, you will have the morning and the afternoon free to explore the local area or take a train to Florence or Rome perhaps
- Your cooking lesson starts at 6pm and finishes around 10pm after you’ve eaten the delicious meal you’ve learned to cook with wine
- You’ll focus on learning to make a delicious 4 course Italian meal based on traditional regional recipes as selected by chef Jonathan
- Once you’ve cooked, you’ll sit down to enjoy your meal and wine in this scenic setting
Day 4 – Florence tour and group evening meal
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel
- After breakfast, it's time to visit to Florence for the day with Chef Jonathan if you wish, otherwise the day is yours to do as you wish
- If you choose to head to Florence by train (train ticket cost extra), Chef Jonathan will be your guide around this glorious city for the day
- In the evening, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant so you can taste the local delicacies and soak up the lively Italian atmosphere
- Please note that from 2014 the group visit will no longer be in Florence but take place in Pienza where you will go taste traditional balsamic vinegar, sampling various local cheeses (Pecorino di Pienza)
Day 5 – Free time and evening cooking class
- Enjoy another free day today to explore the area, Tuscany, Umbria, Perugia or even Rome by train, sit in the sun and read a book or do exactly what you want!
- In the evening again around 6pm, head to the nearby convent for the evening’s cooking class
- Once you’ve cooked, you’ll sit down to enjoy your meal accompanied by your fellow chefs and a good glass of Tuscan wine
Day 6- Local tour and evening cooking lesson
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel
- You can take part in an optional tour of the local Etruscan museum to learn more about the fascinating ancient civilisation
- In the evening, your next cooking lesson starts again at 6pm and finishes around 10pm after you’ve eaten the dinner you’ve learned to cook
- You’ll again focus on learning to make a delicious 4 course Italian meal learning new skills and dishes and perfecting your cooking techniques
Day 7 – Free time and evening cooking class
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel at your leisure
- You’ll have the day free to spend as you like, you can visit the area, other cities or local shops and buy gifts to take home with you
- Today is your last cooking lesson at 6pm and you’ll prepare a farewell dinner together with the group
- Once you’ve cooked, you’ll sit down to enjoy your wonderful farewell dinner, soaking up the beautiful view and enjoying the delicious wine!
Day 8 -Departure day
- Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel before heading back to the airport
- If you are travelling from Perugia, you’ll have a transfer included
- Take home delicious flavours, good memories and a collection of fantastic Italian recipes to make at home
About Your Chef
- Passionate about enjoying real Italian food your chef Jonathan is British by origin but has been living and cooking in Italy for over two decades and is one of very few Englishmen to have been asked to cook for Italian nobility
- It is a passion that has led him to be invited to teach in England, France and the USA to both amateur and professional Chefs
- As Italians often attend the cookery courses, especially in winter, your classes will be taught in both English and Italian so the Chef’s bilingual daughter is often on hand to help out, a perfect chance for you to get to grips with your Italian food vocabulary!
What Will I Learn?
- You'll learn how to prepare a full 4 course Italian meal on 5 days of your holiday with different menus and dishes each day
- The focus on the classes will be on traditional and delicious food from the Tuscany region and you'll be learning to cook food that you will enjoy
- How to select fresh, seasonal produce
- Techniques for dressing the plates
- Each cooking lesson will build on the last one and you’ll develop your cooking skills throughout the week learning all of the Chef’s secrets for great Italian food
Typical Italian Dishes You May Learn To Cook
Antipasti, Zuppe and Insalte
Crostini Neri
Rucola salad
Focaccia
Raw Zucchini salad
Zuppa di Farro
Primi e Secondi Piatti
Gnudi
Tagliata with rosemary (Steak)
Gnocchi alla Gorgonzola
Chicken breast alla Marsala
Radicchio di Treviso
Verdura Saltata
Fried Zucchini flowers
Rabbit with black olives
Grilled Aubergine
Mackerel with balsamic vinegar
Dolci and Formaggi
Crostata
Cantucci
Panna Cotta
Pecorino cheese board and various types of honey
The San Michele 4* Hotel Accommodation
- Your accommodation is set in the heart of the beautiful Tuscan town of Cortona just a few steps from the main square (piazza)
- You’ll stay in a converted 15th Century Italian palace that has been converted into the 4* San Michele hotel
- The palace is an old mansion, which dates back to XV century, restored respecting all its traditional features
- Considered to represent Cortonese history the ministry of Art has declared the hotel to be a “National Monument”
- There are a total of 43 twin/double guest rooms all with private bathrooms, hairdryers, satellite television, a mini-bar, telephone and air conditioning
- Wifi is available in public areas of the hotel for no charge
- If you are travelling solo, you can stay in a twin/double room for sole occupancy with NO single supplement
- Each room is different and unique with wooden beams and offering views over rooftops and the views of the valley
- The accommodation offers all the beauty of an antique palace, restored respecting historical traditions and architecture
- You can drive all the way up to the hotel, if you have hired a car, where staff offer a valet service
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days (including arrival and departure days)
- Check in anytime after 2pm on day 1 and check out by 11am on day 8
Meals
- All breakfasts are included and are taken at the San Michele hotel
- A 4 course dinner is included on the 5 evenings that you cook with the chef and you’ll have dinner on these nights in the convent kitchen where your cooking classes take place (10 minutes walk from your hotel)
- You will also enjoy 2 group evening meals during the week in local restaurants
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking
Free Time In Italy
- This Italian cookery holiday is packed with culinary delights but in your free time you may want to explore the local area
- The local town of Cortona offers an incredible selection of historical monuments dating back to the town’s Etruscan history
- You will be in the perfect location to explore the surrounding towns of Perugia and Florence, it is also possible to get a direct train to Rome as well if you would like to spend a day in the capital
- Your host will give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area such as the local markets, wine tasting, walking and more
- On 20th February 2012 Italy will celebrate Carnevale, also known as carnival or mardi gras. It is celebrated in Italy 40 days before Easter, a final festival before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent. In Italy, Carnevale is a huge winter festival celebrated with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music, and parties
Visit Cortona market, buy fresh, seasonal food and learn the secrets of cooking fantastic Italian food on this fun and relaxed Italian cookery holiday with a difference.