Imagine yourself staying in a 19th century restored stone olive mill on a hillside in Italy
surrounded by rolling vineyards, ancient olive trees and a castle. Wine tastings of
deep red Italian wines, handmade pasta, fresh pecorino cheese, cold pressed extra
virgin olive oil and meals enjoyed al fresco overlooking Lake Trasimeno – join Le Chat
Gourmet and Chef Denene Vincent for this unforgettable adventure in Tuscany, Italy.
Our culinary vacation’s immerse you in the local history, culture, food and wine –
including private vineyard tour and tasting with the winemaker, private olive mill tour and
tasting, hands-on cooking class preparing regional Italian cuisine - cook side-by-side Chef Vincent everyday, exploring Tuscan towns with artisan food, hand painted pottery, olive wood kitchen tools, hand-hammered copper cookware and leather goods – join us as we tour and taste Tuscany!
Small group size of 6-8 persons guaranteed! 

DATE
Saturday, September 7th – Friday, September 13th, 2013

COST
$3,595.00 per person, based on double occupancy 

NEW ! If you have 8 people, we can book a private trip at your selected time to travel.
Prices will vary due to seasonal rates and will be quoted based on double-occupancy.
Call us to inquire!

Day 1

Late afternoon group transfer from the Terontola train station to our private restored
1800’s stone olive mill villa with panoramic views overlooking Lake Trasimeno. The
property is located on an acre of terraced gardens that include a 22’ x 45’ private
swimming pool, WI-FI, outdoor table tennis and is surrounded by centuries-old
olive trees and rolling vineyards. Welcome Italian Prosecco wine aperitif and
antipasto buffet, tour of villa, time to freshen up and enjoy a swim in the pool.
Dinner at the villa prepared by Chef Denene Vincent.

Day 2
    
Italian breakfast at villa of coffee, fruit juice, creamy Italian butter, farm fresh jams,
yogurt, assorted fruit and toasted crusty Italian bread. Morning departure to Cortona,
the Etruscan Tuscan town made famous by Francis Mayes’s bestselling book Under
the Tuscan Sun. We begin the day at my friend Ivan’s shop for a brief history of
Cortona, while there be sure to check-out the original Etruscan well to the city, local
artwork, Venetian glass, leather goods, handmade paper and more. Enjoy the
remaining time on your own exploring within Cortona’s medieval walls, wander the
ancient streets of cobblestone, visit the town’s historical gems, enjoy the
incredible hilltop views or shop the quaint gift boutiques. Dinner at the villa.

Day 3
 
Italian breakfast at villa. It’s wine harvest in Tuscany, morning departure for a private
tour of the family owned Mezzetti vineyards, winemaking facility, ancient olive groves
and olive mill, followed by a private wine and olive oil tasting with the winemaker
accompanied by regional Tuscan antipasti dishes. Enjoy a free afternoon to swim in
our private pool, play a game of lawn bocce, stroll the terraced gardens, enjoy a hike
through the olive trees or just relax poolside under the Tuscan sun. Dinner at the villa.

Day 4

Italian breakfast at villa. Morning departure to Castiglione de Lago (the castle on the
lake) – the 11th century town IS the castle, dominated by a medieval fortress with 90’
tower. We’ll visit gourmet food shops sampling regional ingredients from wine, pecorino
cheese, chingali salami to prosciutto ham while selecting items for our cooking class.
Enjoy your remaining time exploring within the town’s medieval walls with views across
Lake Trasimeno. Late afternoon 4-course ‘hands-on’ cooking class followed directly
by dinner. Recipes include: Italian Antipasti platter with regional cured meats and cheeses;
Fritto Misto – homemade tempura battered truffle onion rings and ricotta-pecorino
cheese stuffed squash blossoms, Homemade Tuscan Pasta – hand-rolled pici pasta
with slow-cooked Tuscan peasant sauce; Tuscan Dessert – Italian meringues
with amaretto spiked whipped cream, late summer berries and balsamic de crema.

Day 5
 
Italian breakfast at villa with free morning to relax and enjoy the Tuscan sun. Lunch at
villa prepared by Chef Vincent. Evening dinner, a private welcome in the garden’s of
Agrisalotto where we will begin with an olive oil tasting accompanied with antipasti
appetizers. Followed by a farm to table multi-course wine and tasting dinner – antipasto
mista, Toscana hand-made pastas, traditional bistecca beef steak with farm fresh
vegetables and dessert sampler, accompanied with Agrisalotto’s red and white wines.

Day 6

Italian breakfast at villa. Morning departure to Market Day in Montepulciano, a medieval
and renaissance hill town of exceptional beauty with stunning views. Famous for its Vin
Noble wines, wine connoisseurs consider it among Italy's best. Montepulciano is a
culinary and shoppers delight with some of the best specialty food and artisan shops in
all of Tuscany selling – wines, pecorino cheese, honey, olive oil, spices, truffles, hand
painted pottery, olive wood kitchen tools, linens, hand-hammered copper pots and
more. Evening 4-course farewell dinner at villa prepared by Chef Denene Vincent
with sparkling Prosecco toast at sunset.

Day 7

Italian breakfast at villa. Morning transfer to Terontola train station. Alas, this wonderful
culinary experience with Le Chat Gourmet in Tuscany must come to a close but never
an end. You’ll have your memories and cooking class recipe booklets to recreate
as often as your heart desires. Ciao! 

DATE
Saturday, September 7th – Friday, September 13th, 2013

COST
$3,595.00 per person, based on double occupancy 

INTERESTED IN JOINING US?
Please contact Chef Denene Vincent at 517.663.7322
or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it