Alt Esc invites you to an amazing Hands-on Cooking Program and Culinary Tour in the Roman Countryside. An extraordinary cooking and cultural experience in a traditional Italian family environment. Your Italo-American host moved to Italy in his pursuit of an “Under the Ciociaro Sun” dream!

A savoring of Italian flavors, local lifestyles and traditions transcends you to capture a piece of the magic that this Roman Countryside area bestills upon you.

An authentic Italian holiday, with its Culinary Tours, Cooking Classes, Delicious Meals at Home and in local Restaurants, will have you immersed in a Traditional Italian Cultural Experience.

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Pricing: $2917 per person/double occupancy

Deposit/Registration Fee: $1300 due at time of registration. Of that $1,300 there is a registration fee of $100 which is refundable for two weeks - allowing you the time to get vacation time approved, find animal sitters, look into flights, convince your friends to join us, etc. Then, two weeks after registration, the remaining $1,200 will be paid to Casa, in your name, to hold your spot.

This $1200 deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE once it is made to cooking school. There is a $500 administrative fee for any cancellations/changes. Should you cancel this session after the deposit has been made for you, you will have $700 credit towards a future class at the cooking school, to be used within the next calendar year.

     November 15, 2024 - Final Payment Due

Castro dei Volsci is a town in the heart of the Ciociaria, 100 kilometers from Rome, on the Rome-Cassino-Naples railway line. In 1964, the Ministry of Education proclaimed it an area of particular interest to the public for its panoramas of extraordinary beauty and for the considerable significance, both aesthetic and traditional, of the heights of the town. In fact, from the slopes of the ancient tower, where, according to popular tradition, the legendary queen Camilla and her father Metabus took refuge in a cave, it is still possible to admire a varied and evocative spectacle.

On foggy days, one might be on the deck of a ship setting sail on a gray and stormy sea; what seem to be sunny islets are the peaks of nearby hills. When the sky is clear, one stands upon the stage of a gigantic theater: from Palestrina to Cassino, the towns and villages of the valley sit atop the distant mountains as on steps built by the Cyclopes.

On summer nights, the landscape becomes enchanting and one has the impression that the broad starry sky seems to spread itself at one’s feet like a carpet. The inhabited area, on the southern slope of the hill, still maintains intact, with arches, towers and bare stone walls, the appearance of a medieval hamlet, built close around the fortress. The countryside, which extends to the right bank of the river Sacco, is densely populated and studded with charming homes.

The curious visitor, on entering the village, has the impression that here time stands still; he sees little houses of gray stone, close together to lend support to and take warmth from one another, narrow, winding streets with tiled pavements and a piazza so small as to seem a living room and most of all, a silence and calm that nothing can disturb.

Our Palazzo is an historic home of nobility located in the town of Castro dei Volsci in the heart of Ciociaria. The residence is a quiet oasis both day and night, an ideal spot to relax and unwind overlooking mountain tops, valleys and surrounding towns, all to be enjoyed from a moment's distraction while cooking in the fabulous kitchen that awaits you!

The bedrooms have been renovated paying close attention to details in order to provide each of them with its own character. Every room is tastefully decorated with wrought-iron beds and antique furniture.

All guest rooms are equipped with heating and air conditioning, beautifully tiled in-suite bathrooms(soap and shampoo for guests), hydro-massage bathtubs or showers, heated towel bars and hair dryers, beauty mirror, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

You will enjoy meals in the large dining room. You can also relax in the living room with its comprehensive collection of pictures and guide books to help you plan your sight seeing excursions or just a place to converse with fellow guests. Although there are no self-catering facilities, a small refrigerator is available with many beverages to choose from - at no charge to guests.

Seven Day itinerary with Six nights’ Hotel Accommodation based on twin share.

• Meals: Daily Breakfasts, 2 Lunches & Nightly Dinner - per itinerary.

      Note: Boxed breakfasts may be provided for early flight departures.

• Tours are with a driver and/or separate guide where noted.

• All transfers and transportation is by private, luxury air-conditioned coach with driver/guide 

The culinary experience begins with transfers from Rome Fiumicino Airport to our Casa for the week.

Benvenuti and check-in at the villa followed by a welcome aperitivo. After check-in you set off for a guided walk acquainting you with the medieval historical village of Castro Dei Volsci. Following our walking tour, Casa Gregorio welcomes our guests to an early dinner in one of our dining rooms, concluding with an after dinner liqueur.

After a typical Italian breakfast in the Casa’s new cappuccino bar, we set off to the town of Arpino, birthplace of Cicero and land of the “Olives”. This morning we visit a traditional olive oil mill (Frantoio) and are explained the process of how to make Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We then proceed to a local estate and taste the fresh olive oil. A light lunch with flavors of the oil and a sample of some of the owner’s organic wine accompany our visit. Prior to leaving olive country, you may just decide to bring home a bottle of “Terra di Cicerone” extra virgin oil.

Back to our Casa, at around 4pm its time to meet our Chef and start baking! Dinner is served at the Villa’s dining room.

Today, after breakfast at our Casa , we set off for a visit to the local town’s farmers’ market to gather what’s needed for tonight’s antipasto extravaganza and get a feel of how the locals live. Next, a visit to a local cheese Caseificio and sample fresh Ricotta, Buffalo mozzarella and Provolone. The morning continues with of visit to the “Abbey of Fossanova” on our journey to the Tyrrhenian seaside town of Terracina. A view of the sea and a stroll by a few shops, we lunch at the local Trattoria Centosedici. Upon return and a short time for relaxation, we begin our second cooking class by preparing a variety of “Antipasti”. Bruschette, Crostini, Crocchette, Arancini, Frittate, Frittelle di zucchini, grilled peppers and eggplant, stuffed zucchini are a few examples accompanied by the sampling of various Formaggi and olives and are enjoyed at dinner with wine in our casa's dining room. 

After breakfast, today’s journey begins at Pastorella where we will watch the process of making fresh sausage, followed by a visit at “Prosciuttificio” in the town of Guarcino (the Parma of Ciociaria), and there we have a picnic lunch of fresh hand cut prosciutto or porchetta. Upon our return to Casa Gregorio, with a short time to relax, we begin our hands-on cooking lesson number three with our chef Valerio. Fantasia of “Primi Piatti”, you will learn how to prepare a variety of home made pasta shapes with the proper seasonal sauce, that you will then enjoy tonight at dinner with a great bottle of wine in our dining room. 

After breakfast we head off to visit the Abbey of Montecassino, which has a significant part of history here in Ciociaria. Afterwards we visit a winery in Val Comino, a region in Italy famous for its Cabernet wines. You will have the opportunity to see one of their vineyards, visit the cellar and bottling plant, and learn the vinification process ending with a wine tasting. Afterwards, we continue our journey to the nearby town of Atina, famous in Italy for its annual “Jazz Festival” and have lunch at the “Old Cantina Visocchi” now totally restored with antique winery relics into a sophisticated restaurant called “Le Cannardizie”. Our host Patrizia Patini, a sommelier, gives us a taste and sampling of yet another fantastic wine of the region. In the afternoon you will begin to prepare a list of “Secondi Piatti” such as Involtini, salsiccia con patate e peperuola, and Scaloppini alla mela, and the proper “Contorno” to accompany the main course. Dinner with wine is in the dining room. 

Breakfast/Brunch today is served at Casa Gregorio Cappuccino Bar. After breakfast, stroll the cobblestone streets of Castro Dei Volsci and visit the Artisan shops where you can participate with the artisans in learning the traditional art that has been passed down generation to generation. This is a great time to find that treasured memento to remember your visit with us.

In the early afternoon, Chef walks you through making the Perfect Pizza Dough and at 5:00 pm it is the Pizza Party concluding our culinary week. On this last evening join us in the Tavern for a night of entertainment.

Your final day comes too soon, but it is time to have breakfast, gather up your newly-acquired cooking skills, pack your bags, and travel back to the airport. We hope you will be leaving with wonderful memories! The earliest flight scheduled for departure will determine the time you leave the Casa.

Great opportunity to remain 'in-country' and explore another part of Italy!