• Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314
  • Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565
A true garden to kitchen cooking experience in Tuscany

Small Group · Florence

7-day Intensive Hands-On Cooking Experience in Tuscany

8 Days Tuscany

The Overview

Overview

In the modern world, we often eat what is conveniently available, and what is convenient is often not good for us.  During this week of cooking lessons and food appreciation, immersed in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, you'll have the chance to connect with the food you are preparing, learn where it comes from and how eating it will effect your body.  Our resident chef will take you through the history of rural Italian communities, who developed delicious dishes that could be easily prepared from what the land around them produced.  By the end of the week, you hopefully be as convinced as we are that simple food is in no way boring and that convenience should never come before a good meal!

For 7 days, you will be in the modern kitchen of the Buccelletti Wine Estate, where each day will be dedicated to different , organically-produced, locally-sourced ingredients.  In total you will spend over 25 hours cooking, tasting and learning from local experts: a truly unique culinary experience.  To keep the experience really special, the number of participants on any course never exceeds 14.

Throughout the week, enjoy the wines of the Buccheletti estate with each of the dishes you prepare, then for the true wine-lovers, we offer a special 2-day extension dedicated solely to the wines and wine producers of the Tuscany region.

Accommodation is based on 2 people sharing a room with private bathroom in a shared villa (2-3 bedrooms per villa), with single supplement option.  If you are interested in a private villa, please contact us for more information.

If you have a group of 8+ who are interested in taking this course together privately, please contact us at education@italyvacationspecialists.com to discuss possible dates.

Duration

8 days

7 nights

Starting From

EUR 3,800

Per person for two travelers

Tailored to your departure and group.

Cooking with the Stars & Other Ingredients Unique to Tuscany: An in-depth, hands-on cooking 7-day cooking program in Tuscany. In the heart of the Chio valley in Tuscany, come and join us for an intensive program of Italian cooking and the joy of Italian food, uninterrupted by other visits and tours. For 7-days, our chef will lead you on a journey of discovery through seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes which you will easily be able to reproduce and adapt when you get home. Our cooking school is nestled in this quiet valley on the Buccelletti Family Wine Estate where many of the ingredients we will be using are produced. From the estate’s kitchen garden to local producers, experience a week of high-quality organic ingredients, married to create healthy, delicious dishes in time-honoured recipes in the Tuscan kitchen.

Regions
Tuscany
Tour Style
Small Group
Departs From
Florence
Meeting Point
Airport or Train Station
Included Meals
7 dinners · Daily breakfast · 6 lunches · 6 cooking classes · 1 wine tasting
Day by day

Itinerary

Follow the route as you read. The map traces each day of the journey, moving with you from place to place.

Tuscany

Chapter 1 · Days 1–8

Welcome to Tuscany

Tuscany is among the most beautiful regions of Italy. The gentle curves and slopes of the land will enchant you. Tuscany is as famous for its wine and cuisine as it is for its landscapes. Wine production focuses on red wines like Chianti, San Giovese, Rosso di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Bolgheri, and others. Food is prepared with seasonal…

Explore Tuscany
Day 1

Tuscany, Castiglion Fiorentino

May 18 - Arrival in Florence

  • Dinner
May 18 - Arrival in Florence — photo 1 May 18 - Arrival in Florence — photo 2 May 18 - Arrival in Florence — photo 3 May 18 - Arrival in Florence — photo 4 May 18 - Arrival in Florence — photo 5

When you arrive in Florence, our drivers will meet you at either the airport or the train station for the transfer to the beautiful Val di Chio, and the Buccelletti winery that is nestled in the center of the valley near the town of Castiglion Fiorentino.  You will have time to settle into your hillside accommodation, we’ll pick you up and bring you to the converted olive mill for our welcome dinner together.

Here you will get your first taste of some of the delicious local products and the wonderful wine and olive oil produced here by the Buccelletti Family.

 
Where we meet Airport or Train Station
Day 2

Tuscany, Castiglion Fiorentino

May 19 - Fat and Flour

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Cooking Class
May 19 - Fat and Flour — photo 1 May 19 - Fat and Flour — photo 2 May 19 - Fat and Flour — photo 3 May 19 - Fat and Flour — photo 4 May 19 - Fat and Flour — photo 5

After breakfast in your accommodation, you will head again to the olive mill which houses the newly-renovated kitchen, where you will be learning the secrets and delights of Italian and Tuscan cuisine.  Start the day by meeting Chef Michelangelo and an overview of Italian and Tuscan food.

Today will be dedicated to some of Italian cuisine’s most basic ingredients: flour and extra virgin olive oil as you explore the simplicity of Italian cooking.  Put on your apron and roll up your sleeves and get started with your first cooking lesson dedicated to the art of making bread.  

While your dough rises in the warmth of a Tuscan day, head out to the nearby olive groves for a relaxed lunch with the olive producer, whose family has been growing olives on the land here for 18 generations.  Afterwards, a tasting of olive oil will introduce you to different oils from around Italy, the different olives grown on Italy's many terrains and their characteristics and aboveall the strong, fruity olive oil of the Val di Chio.

By now, your bread should be ready to shape and put in the oven.  As it cools off, relax around the table in the garden with your fellow chefs and a glass of the local wine, before dinner is served and you can taste your first Italian cooking project.

Day 3

Tuscany, Castiglion Fiorentino

May 20 - Garden to Table

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Cooking Class
May 20 - Garden to Table — photo 1 May 20 - Garden to Table — photo 2 May 20 - Garden to Table — photo 3 May 20 - Garden to Table — photo 4 May 20 - Garden to Table — photo 5

In the estate’s organic kitchen garden, begin the day hand-picking the vegetables you will be using today.

In the morning, we start learning how to make the local handmade pasta, pici, which will be served for lunch accompanied with a variety of tomato-based sauces.

While Italians are masters of seasonal cooking, they are also adept at preserving food at its height, to enjoy throughout the year.  The afternoon will start with a look at how food can be preserved in a way that it retains taste and nutrition and is also a joy to behold.

The final recipe of the day, is one of Italy’s most delicious vegetarian main courses that will allow you to impress vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.  Our chef will show you typical ways to serve up the freshest vegetables of the season to make the perfect dinner to share together on a spring evening in Tuscany.
Day 4

Tuscany, Castiglion Fiorentino

May 21 - Dairy

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Wine Tasting
  • Cooking Class
May 21 - Dairy — photo 1 May 21 - Dairy — photo 2 May 21 - Dairy — photo 3 May 21 - Dairy — photo 4 May 21 - Dairy — photo 5

Our lessons today will be dedicated to dairy products, starting with a light lunch based on locally-sourced eggs, served with more freshly-grown organic produce.

After lunch, it’s time to get out of the kitchen and visit some of the local producers, starting with a visit to a cheese producer where you’ll get to try your hand at making cheese, as well as learning about the process and tasting a variety of local cheeses.

Back in the kitchen, we will look at alternatives to pasta commonly enjoyed in Italy.  As types of pasta vary greatly as you cross the country, so too does the use of other grains, depending on which part of the country they are in.  This afternoon will take a look at some of these, including tasting typical recipes made with rice, spelt, corn and barley, ending the day with a cheese-based risotto, which will be our dinner for this evening.
Day 5

Tuscany, Castiglion Fiorentino

May 22 - Meat

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Cooking Class
May 22 - Meat — photo 1 May 22 - Meat — photo 2 May 22 - Meat — photo 3 May 22 - Meat — photo 4 May 22 - Meat — photo 5

There's so much more to meat in Tuscany than simply the enormous bistecca fiorentina, and today you will discover just a little of what Tuscan families typically eat as the 'second plate'.

Starting with a trip to a local butcher's, you get the chance to learn more about how Tuscan cuisine, traditionally made up of 'poor' dishes, has developed numerous delicious ways of ensuring that no part of the animal is ever wasted, including delicacies like slow-cooked Lampredotto and award-winning Lardo di Colonnato.

Next explore the specialized production of cured meats, salamis and prosciutto

The details

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Most meals (final lunch at your leisure)
  • Private airport/train station transfers
  • Local transfers
  • Cooking lessons with a professional Italian chef
  • All ingredients and cooking facilities
  • Welcome bag
  • Tastings with experts

What's Not Included

  • Everything not clearly specified under “rates include”.
  • Food and beverages not mentioned in the program
  • Gratuities of any type
  • International fights
  • Travel Insurance
Your rooms

Where You'll Stay

Hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with a property of similar standard.

In their words

Traveler Reviews

Emily and David Davison Travelled with us

My husband and I just took a two week trip to Italy that was planned for us by Eleanor Kinchin-Smith. It was a fantastic trip and we could not have been more thrilled. We worked together with Ele to let her know about our interests and our style of travel. She planned the perfect trip with excellent private guides at all of our sites, professional drivers and lovely hotels. We arrived in Italy with all of our train and ferry reservations made by Ele, with tickets in hand. She was in touch with us daily throughout our trip to make sure that things were going smoothly. She was able to make a few changes to our itinerary as needed. We look forward to working with Ele again on our next trip and have put her in touch with another family member to help plan their trip as well.

Ron and Deb Crosby Travelled with us

Dear Guiseppe and Jesse,

We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future.

Hotels

1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were part of their family. I would recommend it to anyone and would specifically ask for it if we were to make a return visit.

2. Hotel La Baia in Monterosso was nice and it's location was very good especially for us older folks humping luggage from/to the train station.

3. Hotel Lucchesi in Florence- what can I say expect FANTASTIC. The rooftop view at sunset is well worth it. Again very friendly and helpful staff. Would recommend it to everyone.

Wine Tour

Money well spent. We had a great time overall. The driver Mario was OUTSTANDING. He had lots of local knowledge as well as about winemaking. USE HIM AGAIN!!!

The various wineries we visited on tour:

Altesino- fantastic and they were not cheap on their pouring. Great experience.

Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencion Sloaria- Again a great tour by one of the owner's daughters. We felt like we were the only thing on their mind although there were other customers there. A great way to complete the day.

Again we had a fantastic time and are very appreciative of everything you booked for us. We wish you continued success and if our travels should bring us back to Italy, we know who to call.

Leon and Michele Travelled with us

The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.

Bob & Sandy Travelled with us

Jesse & Giuseppe,

Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.

Where you are

Location

Italy Florence

Florence and beyond

8 days through Italy, with every stop chosen by the people who live here.

Where we meet

Airport or Train Station

Where it starts

Florence

Nearby Experiences

Cooking Course on the Amalfi Coast in Positano
Cooking Course on the Amalfi Coast in Positano
Fall Ball in Florence
Fall Ball in Florence
Flavors of Fall in Tuscany: Olive Harvest, Truffles, Wine & Cooking
Flavors of Fall in Tuscany: Olive Harvest, Truffles, Wine & Cooking
Exclusive & Private: Rome, Florence & Venice
Exclusive & Private: Rome, Florence & Venice
A Taste of Tuscany & Cinque Terre: Food, Wine & the Italian Riviera
A Taste of Tuscany & Cinque Terre: Food, Wine & the Italian Riviera
Pisa, Volterra, San Gimignano
Pisa, Volterra, San Gimignano
Piety and Patronage Tour
Piety and Patronage Tour
Pienza, Montepulciano and Tuscany's Beautiful Orcia Valley
Pienza, Montepulciano and Tuscany's Beautiful Orcia Valley
Absolute Italy: Mostly Private Tour of Italy including the Amalfi Coast - Capri - Pompeii - Rome - Tuscany - Florence and Venice
Absolute Italy: Mostly Private Tour of Italy including the Amalfi Coast - Capri - Pompeii - Rome - Tuscany - Florence and Venice
Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera
Florence, Tuscany and the Italian Riviera
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a private tour, or will we join a group?

Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and the only people on the itinerary are the ones you bring with you. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace of each day is yours to set.

Can the itinerary be changed to suit us?

Yes. What you see here is a starting point, not a fixed departure. Tell us how long you have, what you love and what you would rather skip, and we will reshape it around you. A slower morning, an extra night somewhere you fell for, a different region entirely.

How do we start planning?

Send us a note using the form on this page, or call us on 1-866-779-2565. A travel specialist replies within one business day, usually with a few questions of their own. There is no cost and no obligation in asking.

Are the hotels shown the ones we will stay in?

Usually, yes. Hotels are subject to availability, and if one is full on your dates we will replace it with a property of a similar standard and tell you before you book. Never a surprise on arrival.

When should we book?

The earlier the better, particularly for travel between May and September, when the best small hotels and the guides worth having are taken first. That said, we have put together beautiful trips at short notice, so ask and we will tell you honestly what is still possible for your dates.

Plan your journey

Start the Conversation

Quick Enquiry

Our travel specialists reply within one business day.

Handpicked

Our Featured Properties

From the journal

Our Recent Blog

Visiting Rome During a Heat Wave? Read This Before You Go Latest

Visiting Rome During a Heat Wave? Read This Before You Go

Read article
Visit the journal
Keep exploring

Explore More of Italy

Curated Italy journeys and travel inspirations.

Weddings & Honeymoons Custom Group Tours Family Vacations Guaranteed Departure Small Group Tours Health & Wellness Retreats
Cinque Terre, Italy

Ready to plan your journey?

Connect directly with a member of our team for expert guidance and fully customized travel across Italy and the Mediterranean.

Start Planning Your Trip

8 days from EUR 3,800 per person

1-866-779-2565 Enquire Now
Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314 Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565
Home About Italy
Our Story Meet Our Team Press & Media Coverage
Travel Agents Contact Us Book Consultation Trip Planning Customizable Tour