Holiday itinerary
An undiscovered region of Tuscany, renowned for its rich history and cuisines, will be the setting of this 6 night/7 day Italian cooking and wine holiday. Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Lunigiana region of rural Tuscany, you will find the restored 400 year old palazzo and home of this excellent cookery holiday.
The fun and relaxed atmosphere will have you cooking up a storm in one of the in house kitchens of the apartments of the palazzo. Here you will create a wide range of authentic Italian dishes from antipasti to dessert with Mirella, your relaxed Italian chef.
You’ll also discover the excellent wines of the region with your Sommelier Francesco who will take you on wine tours at local wineries in the UNESCO recognised Cinque Terre region, guided wine tastings and will generally be on hand to share his knowledge and passion for good Italian wines.
This cookery and wine holiday is a true culinary and cultural extravaganza guaranteed to fuel your passion for good food, free flowing wine and great company in a relaxed atmosphere.
Your chef Mirella, an Italian local and Franceso, a state recognised Sommelier, will both be on hand to organise every element of your holiday to ensure you return feeling relaxed and refreshed with a great collection of new recipes and wines to try out on your return.
Accommodation is set in the rural medieval village of Tavernelle overlooking a natural park in an impressive 17th century palazzo, that used to belong to an Italian noble family and has now been lovingly renovated to provide 5 self-contained apartments. The palazzo is situated down a winding street and it's secluded location allows you to really unwind during your stay.
Each apartment has its own individual style, well equipped kitchen along with bedrooms with private en-suite bathroom. The grounds include a swimming pool, beautiful gardens lawns and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rural landscape - an ideal setting to relax and sample delicious local produce.
Get more from your holiday and learn cooking and wine in Italy, enjoy the warm climate and hospitality, great food and wine, stunning surroundings and take home recipes and wines from this beautiful area to treasure for a lifetime.
Suitability
- Cookery holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced cooks
- Minimum age 18
- Your hosts are Italian but speak excellent English and all cooking classes are taught in English or Italian with translation
- Note: it is not possible to reach the house by public transport so we strongly recommend car hire with this holiday
Travelling Solo?
- These cookery holidays make great singles holidays and singles are welcome to join an existing group
- It is not possible to share a room on this holiday.
- Solo travellers can book a private room by adding the compulsory single supplement at the time of booking – please see the costing and extras for pricing details
Cooking Holiday Start Days
- All arrivals are on Sunday afternoons between year round, please see the dates and booking tab for details
- Cooking holidays are for 6 nights/7 days so you arrive on Sunday and depart on Saturdays
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Cookery 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- Sunday - Arrival and welcome aperitifs
- Check into your room anytime after 2pm and enjoy a welcome drink and chance to taste some of the regions local dishes by the pool (weather permitting) before taking your time to explore the house, gardens, pool and local area
- Whilst enjoying aperitifs by the pool there will be a chance to talk to your hosts and ask them about the course and the local area
Day 2 – Monday – Visit to local cheese producer, guided village walk and free time
- After a leisurely breakfast at the palazzo in the morning, join your hosts for a guided walk through the village and visit to a local cheese producer
- Learn the art of making fresh local ricotta or pecorino cheese
- The afternoon and evening is then free to spend as you wish, exploring the area or relaxing by the pool, or making your own plans for dinner either in the local restaurant or head to the next village to buy provisions from the shops
Day 3 – Tuesday – Hands on cooking day and time with the Sommelier
- After breakfast at the palazzo, you will head into one of the apartment kitchens for your first hands on cookery lesson
-You’ll learn to prepare a variety of dishes, and the class normally finishes around 2.30pm
- You will then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour and eat the meal you’ve learnt to prepare with the rest of the group
-Just before the meal the Sommelier, Francesco will talk you through the wines and provide some points to help you with wine tasting too
- After all that cooking, take some time out to relax before dinner out in the local village or preparing something in your apartment kitchen
- Your host and Chef Mirella has a wealth of knowledge about the local area and is always on hand to make restaurant recommendations
Day 4 – Wednesday – Visits to local wineries, wine tasting and visit to fishing village
- Enjoy breakfast at the palazzo in preparation for your day of wine tasting and visits
- Today you will have the chance to explore the idyllic UNESCO recognised Cinque Terre region – a string of five coastal villages linked by train from La Spezia that are renowned for their excellent wine produce and fishing
- You will travel by train from nearby La Spezia with your sommelier and wine expert Franceso to one of the wineries in the coastal Cinque Terre region and learn about the local history and local produce of the area
- Enjoy a guided wine tasting accompanied by a light lunch at the winery
- After lunch you’ll take a walk through Manarola, one of the oldest towns in the Cinque Terre
- Head to the second winery and take part in another guided wine tasting session
- Return to the palazzo in the evening and enjoy dinner in your apartment or in a nearby restaurant
Day 5 – Thursday – Free day (optional visit to the local bee keeper)
- Today is a chance to enjoy some free time after breakfast at the palazzo
- There is plenty to do in the local area and Mirella your host is based at the palazzo so will be happy to make suggestions
- You could visit some of the local mountain towns and villages and there are lots of lovely scenic drives
- There is also lots of hiking opportunities, particularly along the coast where you can enjoy sea views, or in the rugged nearby Tuscan-Emilian Appenines
- Beaches are just a 30 minute drive away or you could return to the Cinque Terre and enjoy one of the beaches there
- There also may be an opportunity to visit the local bee keeper living in the village
- If he is available you can visit the beehives and learn the secrets of making local honey
- The local honey has a DOP certification (Protected Destination of Origin), meaning of the honey has gone through rigorous quality checks and so guarantees a unique and inimitable product
Day 6 – Friday – Hands on cooking day and farewell dinner
- After breakfast at the palazzo, around 10.30am you’ll head to one of the apartment kitchens for another day of hands on cooking with Mirella
- You will prepare a final meal for the group from antipasti to dessert
- Once the cooking is finished, you’ll sit down with Francesco, your Sommelier and enjoy a wine tasting and wine tuition to learn about the wines you area drinking
- Sit down with the group and enjoy the delicious food you’ve learnt to cook accompanied by tasty local wines
Day 7 – Saturday – Departure day
- After a leisurely breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 10am ready for departure taking home with them delicious new cooking skills and recipes, new knowledge of Italian wines and an insight into Tuscan culinary life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over
Note: all activities may change depending on the weather conditions and the cooking level of the group
About Your Chef and Hosts
- Your Italian hosts are Chef Mirella and Sommelier Francesco
- Mirella is your chef for the week and will teach you lots of authentic Italian recipes
- Mirella’s style of teaching is relaxed and fun and she aims to share with you her passion for cooking using good quality local and seasonal produce
- Overall, Mirella’s philosophy is that meals should be made with the finest ingredients, and where possible, using only the freshest seasonal and organic ingredients – she’s a strong believer in the slow food movement
-Mirella lives in part of the palazzo so is always on hand for local advice or anything you may need during your stay
- Francesco is your Sommelier for the week and will lead wine tastings before each cooking lesson and take you out on a full day of winery visits and guided tours
- Franceso is a state qualified Sommelier and so is passionate about wine and extremely knowledgeable
- He loves talking about the different varieties and qualities and sharing his interest with others using a fun relaxed style of tuition
What Will I Learn?
- Your week will build on your cooking skills and understanding of Italian produce
- You will learn how to select the freshest ingredients and work with produce that’s in season
- The style of food will include authentic Italian dishes, regional Tuscan classics but also Mirella’s own creations too
- Francesco will guide you through your wine tastings as you learn the techniques needed to taste a variety of wines
- You will begin to understand the complexity of flavours, the scents and the differences in the varying regions of Italy and their wines
- You will also learn how to pair the perfect wine with what you have cooked in your lessons and be taught how to pair all sorts of wine with food you make in the future
Sample Menus
Dishes vary according to the season and what food is available but may include:
- Handmade ravioli stuffed with fresh cheese butter and sage
- Tuscan soup with beans and sausage
- Pork with potatoes
- Tiramisu
- Panna cotta with fruit sauce
- Cantucini (local speciality -dried biscuit with almond)
- Bruschetta al pomodoro
- Tagliatelle al ragù alla bolognese
- Arrosto di maiale con patate al rosmarino (Roasted pork with potatoes and rosemary)
The Palazzo Accommodation
- Your accommodation is set in the mountain hamlet of Tavernelle, in the pretty Lunigiana region of northern Tuscany
- The village is on the edge of a natural park and is surrounded by beautiful scenery
- The region is very rural and unspoilt and is truly a peaceful haven away from the Tuscan tourist crowds
- You’ll stay in a restored 17th century palazzo in lovely grounds ensuring complete peace and quiet during your stay
- There are a total of 5 self-contained apartments and guest rooms all with private bathroom
- Prices are based on 2 sharing a twin/double room with private bathroom
- There is one small apartment with one double bedroom, one apartment with 2 bedrooms each with en-suite bathroom, one apartment with 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms (one en-suite), one apartment (loft) with 2 bedrooms and 1 large bathroom & 2 double bedrooms each with en-suite bathroom
- If you are travelling solo, stay in a twin/double room for sole occupancy for a small single room supplement (note: shared single rooms are not an option on this holiday)
- Some rooms are decorated in a rustic style, others in a contemporary style
-The palazzo still has many traditional features including terracotta floors, sandstone portals and stunning vaults
- Rooms all have private en suite bathrooms
- The rooms are all within the thick stone walls of the palazzo so remain a comfortable temperature during the hotter months
- There is a lovely secluded swimming pool in the grounds for guests use
- The house is surrounded by wonderful gardens where you can eat outside or relax on the sun loungers or by the pool
- You’ll take your cooking lessons in one of the apartment kitchens
- Accommodation is included for 6 nights / 7 days
- Check in anytime after 2pm on day 1 and check out by 10am on day 7
Meals
- All breakfasts are included at the palazzo
- Upon arrival you will enjoy a tasting of local produce
- A light lunch on Wednesday is provided at one of the wineries
- You will enjoy the food you’ve learnt to cook after your two cooking days on Tuesday and Friday accompanied by delicious wines
- On each evening, you are free to make your own dinner plans, whether it be a local restaurant or preparing something yourself in your apartment kitchen
- Note: There is a local family run restaurant within walking distance in the village but we do strongly recommend car hire to reach the nearby villages for a wider choice of reasonably priced dining options
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking
Non-Participating Partner
- If you have a partner or friend who would like to join you on the course but they do not wish to take part in the cookery lessons, they are more than welcome
- Included in the price will be, 6 nights/7 days bed and breakfast accommodation in the same room as the participating partner, a welcome dinner of traditional Tuscan appetizers and all meals prepared during the cooking classes
- Please see the costings and extras tab of the course page for details on pricing
Free Time In Italy
- This Italian cookery and wine holiday is perfectly located to explore this beautiful part of undiscovered northern Tuscany
- You are a within 2.5 hours of many Italian major cities; Florence, Genova, Pisa, and Milan
- Beaches and the coast are just 30minutes away by car, or you can take a train from nearby La Spezia along the coast to visit the 5 villages that make up Cinque Terre
- The nearest shops and grocery stores are about 6km away
- The hamlet of Tavernelle is very small but there is a good family run restaurant a short walk from the palazzo
- Your hosts will give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area such as the local markets, restaurants, walking and more
- It is recommended to have a car to fully explore the area and there are many scenic drives throughout the region.
Visit the Cinque Terre region, learn the secrets behind traditional, authentic Italian cooking using fresh, seasonal food and enjoy the magical mountain surroundings on this fun and relaxed Italian cooking and wine holiday with a difference.