Cooking Tuscan Style

Independent Tour, 2010

7 Nights/ 8 Days

Italian food is loved around the world and Ciao has been featuring authentic Italian cooking lessons for years. Ciao is offering four fabulous cooking lessons on a seven day tour. Each lesson is unique and held in a different area of Tuscany. You can relish the opportunity to cook, and dine on the sumptuous dishes you prepare. Lessons in pairing the correct Wine and Food will compliment your learning experience.

Accommodations

• 4 Nights Lodging in an Agritourism near San Gimignano
• 3 Nights Lodging in an Agritourism near Cortona
• Daily breakfast included at all Accommodation

Inclusions

• 7 Nights in Tuscany at Country Style Lodging
• 4 Unique Italian Cooking Lessons
• Wine Tasting, Tour & Light Lunch in Montepulciano
• 8 Day Car Rental with Standard Transmission
• Self Guided Tours
• General Driving Instructions Including Maps
• Includes All Taxes
• Assistance from Ciao’s Italian Representatives

2010 Price

2,059 € -3 Star Accommodation Includes Economy Car with Standard Transmission
2,389 € - 4 Star Accommodation Includes Intermediate Car with Standard Transmission

Above Prices are per person and are based on double occupancy. To check exchange rates click here

Please note: Ciao Tours will Guarantee the Exchange Rate at the Time of Full Payment or 45 days Prior to Departure
Alternate Choices are permitted on an Independent Tour at a Cost of $50Cdn Per Person Per Change.

For a Customized Tour Option based on your needs and requests, please contact us with your ideas.

Daily Itinerary

day 1/night 1

LOCATION Florence, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive at "Amerigo Vespucci" Airport– Firenze (FLR)
8 Day Car Rental - Economy or similar with standard transmission
(Pick up and drop off at the Florence Airport)
ACTIVITIES Drive to Agritourism near San Gimignano and enjoy first evening in Italy

day 2/night 2

LOCATION Volterra and San Gimignano, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by vehicle and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Explore the Historical Centers of these towns and experience the magnificent views

HIGHLIGHTS
Volterra - Palazzo dei Priori, Town Hall, Piazza San Giovanni
San Gimignano - Palazzo del Popolo, Torre Grossa, Piazza del Duomo with the Romanesque Collegiata,
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

day 3/night 3

LOCATION Monteriggioni and Colle Val d’Elsa, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by vehicle and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 5 Hour Authentic Cooking Lesson in the Southern Countryside near Siena

HIGHLIGHTS
Monteriggioni: The Military Castle, Well preserved historical center with original walls and towers,
Locally-made handicrafts-olivewood cutting boards
Colle Val d’Elsa: Porta Nuova, Piazza del Duomo

day 4/night 4

LOCATION Chianti Wine Region, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by vehicle and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 5 Hour Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson in the Chianti region
with Wine & Honey Tasting

HIGHLIGHTS
Chianti Classico Region
Historical Italian Castles, Renaissance Villas, Romanesque Churches
Enjoy the small towns of Greve, Panzano, Castellina and Radda

day 5/night 5

LOCATION Siena, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by vehicle and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES 5 Hour Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson with Wine Tasting in Siena
Tour Siena at Leisure
Arrive at the Agritourism near Cortona
Enjoy Dinner at Leisure in Cortona

HIGHLIGHTS
Home of the Palio famous Horse Race
Piazza del Campo, Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica
Museum of Santa Maria della Scala
Palazzo Comunale

day 6/night 6

LOCATION Montalcino and St. Antimus, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by vehicle and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Explore the historic centre of Montalcino and the abbey at St. Antimus

HIGHLIGHTS
Duomo di San Salvatore
On a clear day you can see in the distance the Islands of Corsica and Elba on the Tyrrhenian Sea along with the Apuane Alps and closer still are the vies of the cities of Siena, Pienza and Montepulciano
Romanesque Abbey of St. Anitmus- a temple founded by Charlemagne in 781

day 7/night 7

LOCATION Pienza and Montepulciano, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive by vehicle and explore on foot
ACTIVITIES Wine Tasting, Tour and Product Sampling
5 Hour Authentic Evening Cooking Lesson at the Agritourism

HIGHLIGHTS
Pienza: (Corso Rossellino, Pecorino - sheep cheese, Ancient home of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, Pope Pius II,)
Montepulciano: (Piazza Grande, Renaissance Duomo ,Vino Nobile D.O.C.G. Wine with Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes, 14th c Palazzo Comunale in Florentine style)

day 8

LOCATION Florence, Italy
TRAVEL Arrive at "Amerigo Vespucci" Airport– Firenze (FLR) by vehicle
ACTIVITIES Return Rental Car to the Florence Airport

Conclusion of Tour