Toscana Saporita Weekly Itinerary

Students arrive on Sunday and are welcomed with lunch served on the main lawn. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in, explore the estate and enjoy a delicious four course dinner prepared by your instructors.

Monday through Friday, lessons are held from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. Classes are small (never more than 12 students), completely hands-on, and make use of all-natural, seasonally-fresh ingredients. Essential Tuscan techniques you will master include: homemade pasta, ravioli, gnocchi, pizza, focaccia, risotto, bruschette, crostini and other types of canapes, vegetable and grain soups, grilled, roasted, fried and stuffed vegetables, fish and meat preparation, sweet and savory tarts, pastries, ice creams and sorbets. Typical departure is Saturday, however additional days can be arranged.

Lunch, served from 1:00PM to 2:30PM, features foods prepared during the mornings' lessons. All meals consist of three courses accompanied by local wines and served at a formally set table situated on the main lawn.

Like any respectable Tuscan, you then rest for a while, perhaps choosing to sun yourself in a comfortable chaise by the pool. Or you might prefer to stroll the grounds of the estate, pausing to pick wild herbs, photograph the hillside panoramas, or even peek in on workers harvesting grapes or pressing olives in the ancient frantoio opposite the school's kitchen.

Afternoon tours take place from 3:00PM to 7:30PM and are led by a professional, English-speaking guide who will introduce you to such undiscovered treasures as Lucca (an 11th century walled city surrounded by 3-1/2 miles of perfectly preserved walls), the hilltowns of Coreglia and Bagni di Lucca, the seaside resorts of Viareggio and Lerici, Torre del Lago Puccini, and various local wineries for tastings.

Dinner each night is a glorious, candlelit affair featuring four delectable courses prepared by your instructors and accompanied by a variety of excellent wines. One night during the week, you will be our guest at one of Italy's most famous wine bars, whose owner will personally prepare an exclusive dinner, each course paired with wines from his incomparable collection. Your Tuscan experience reaches its climax on Friday night at the graduation festival dinner, during which you receive a diploma certifying your newly acquired status as an "Authentic Tuscan Cook".