Spend 6 nights in the charming Tuscan village of Cortona, learning to cook the traditional dishes of this medieval land in some of the most breathtaking settings. In spring and summer produce is at it's peak so we will be cooking with plenty of bright, organic ingredients especially tomatoes, peppers, zucchini flowers, sunflowers, (Yes, you can cook with them!), eggplant, strawberries, and fresh herbs. We'll roll out lots of pasta nonna-style while sipping the regions best wines and plenty of spritz.

You'll feel like a local in Cortona after just a day or two, as the people are so welcoming. In between cooking we'll visit a winery in Montepulciano, spend a day in Orvieto, and join Illaria and her dad, (and their sheep),  on their farm to make cheese. If you are looking for a deeper culinary experience in Tuscany this tour is for you.

ACCOMMODATION:  

Book your own accommodations in the village.  Cortona is a charming and walkable village with loads of adorable properties, from self catering apartments to full service hotels, so there is something for everyone, all located in the historic center of the walled village just a short walk to shops, bars, and restaurants. We will meet each day for our excursions, classes, and meals.

SEE OUR LIST OF SUGGESTED PROPERTIES BELOW: 

ACCOMODATIONS:

Cortona Shabby Chic House

Casa Zeni (Silvia, the owner, has a few apartments in the same building and another on a nearby street, so any of them are good choices.). 

https://www.casazeni.com/

La Casa di Lucia

Casa Stella

Casa Caterina

Together in Tuscany  This website has many listings but please be sure the location is Cortona proper, NOT Camucia or another town.

If you would prefer a hotel which offers breakfast, the below properties offer a range of room options and are all located in the historic center of town. 

Hotel San Michele

La Corte di Ambra

Hotel San Luca

We will pick you up at Camucia-Cortona train station, which connects Rome and Florence, making a direct and easy commute to the village from either city. Check into your accommodation and enjoy an aperitivo together at a local bar in the village, followed by a welcome dinner at a classic Tuscan trattoria.

Today we head out of the village to a nearby farm for a hands on cheesemaking class and lunch on the farm.

Learn to make ricotta and pecorino from this expert father-daughter team and meet their sheep. 

Tonight, dinner and wine pairing together with Cortonese sommelier, Francesco, at AD Bracceria. This is always a favorite day on the tour!  

Rise early to shop with Chefs Joe & Angela Cicala at the local outdoor market to find the freshest ingredients for today's hands on pasta class.  We'll make a variety of pastas together and a main course depending what looks best at the butcher shop.  (Think roasted porchetta, osso buco, or chicken alla casalinga and of course something sweet.) Arrive at the villa and have a snack and aperitivo before we start the class.  Tonight dinner on your own.

You'll have today free to enjoy Cortona on your own. Explore the maze of tiny streets and discover unique shops and cafes and talk to the locals. Tonight we focus on the beautiful Italian tradition of apericena, which is a dinner consisting of many small plates.  You'll prepare apericena snacks and learn all about Tuscan charcuterie and cheeses from finocchiono, salami Toscano, prosciutto, lardo, pecorino, ricotta salata, stracchino and more. Enjoy them all with the regions best wines and Italian cocktails, and end with a hands on Italian baking class with Angela.  You can package your sweets to take back to America too! 

Wine tasting at a historic cantina with lunch. Free time to explore Montepulciano's winding maze of medieval streets of shops and charming alleys with sweeping views over the valley. Dinner on your own in Cortona tonight.

Today we travel to Orvieto, a gorgeous medieval village sitting a top a huge cliff overlooking the valley, which was once home to the popes of the past.  We'll have lunch with a balsamic and olive oil tasting at Ristorante Maurizio, and tour the Etruscan olive oil mill and dove coves below the city.  Time afterwards to shop for the ceramics for your next dinner party back home and woodcrafts the village is known for. Dinner on your own tonight.

After breakfast we will take everyone back to Camucia-Cortona train station

as needed to catch their train to the airport or onto another journey in Italy.