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
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