Deposit £ 500 per person
Please note - The city of Barga has put a council tax E1 per day per person which can be paid locally.
Itinerary:
Sat 06 May 23 - Arrival and welcome dinner
Arrival at Pisa airport.
Transfer to residence (1 hour 15 minutes) where you will enjoy a welcome drink and a discussion regarding the weeks activities before settling in and relaxing in your room.
In the evening, chat with the locals at your Tuscan home for the week while you enjoy a little wine tasting and dinner.
Sun 07 May 23 - Visit to Barga and afternoon cooking lesson
After breakfast, you will head to the medieval village of Barga where you can walk the ancient streets and step inside the 11th Century cathedral and take a moment to take in the picturesque views of the Serchio valley. A light lunch in Barga will be followed by a cookery lesson starting at about 2:30pm. Your cookery lesson that day will last 3-4 hours and you will learn to make fresh pasta and various sauces. After the lesson, take some time out to relax on the veranda before indulging in the meal youve prepared.
Mon 08 May 23 - Free time in Lucca, Pisa & BBQ dinner
After breakfast, youll head to Pisa to admire the ancient Piazza Miracoli with the cathedral and famous leaning tower; with a stop at Ponte del Diavolo on the way. Enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant in Lucca. In the afternoon, you can wander the unique shops in Lucca and admire the historic cathedrals and squares at your own pace. In the evening youll head home to enjoy a social BBQ dinner.
Tue 09 May 23 - Market, afternoon cooking & live music
After breakfast youll travel to Castelnuovo Garfagnana to wander around the sprawling market and have lunch in a local wine and grocery store. Back at home, it is pizza and Foccacia night; all made in a wood fired oven and eaten on the veranda, accompanied by live music from Alex.
Wed 10 May 23 - A day of fresh seafood
After breakfast youll head to Fornaci di Barga to buy fresh vegetables and visit the fish store. This afternoon you shall make spaghetti alle vongole spaghetti with clams for lunch. Have some time to relax before an evening of fresh seafood. The menu tonight includes fish soup, fried calamari, calamari salad, a sauce for crostini, and a favourite local dish of octopus and potato salad.
Thu 11 May 23 - Tour and lunch in Castelnuovo Garfagnana & vegetarian classics
After breakfast youll explore the Garfagnana area and enjoy an olive oil and cheese tasting for lunch. Today youll have an afternoon cooking lesson focusing on vegetarian classics, such as savoury pies like sformato di patate, sformato di verdura , torta di farro, Zuppa di farro and perhaps melanzane alla parmigiana. You wont even miss the meat!
Fri 12 May 23 - Village and Vineyard visit
After Breakfast youll head to the little village of Sommocolonia, an ancient hill town with incredible views. It was the home of Ritas parents before they emigrated to Scotland, and she has fond memories that she would love to share with you. Next is a visit the Vineyard Concori. Here youll walk the vineyard and learn about making wine, followed by a wine tasting and lunch. You can have an afternoon to relax, or the group can decide what they would like to have a go at in the kitchen for a fantastic farewell dinner.
Fri 12 May 23 - Departure day
This will be your last breakfast together before Rita and Alex see you off to the airport where you will fly back home with amazing memories, experiences and new cookery skills.
Offer Includes
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Airport taxes
- 7 nights accommodation at the B&B in a private ensuite room
- 3-4 hour hands-on Italian cookery lessons
- Transfers to and from Pisa International Airport (on first and last course days only)
- Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca to visit historic sites with time to enjoy the shops, markets and cafes Wine tasting and lunch at local Vineyard, along with a local cheese tasting
- All transport during the excursions
- Wine and soft drinks included at all meals
Meal Plans
- As per Itinerary