About this trip
Experience authentic cultural interactions
Learn to make traditionally cooked Italian food
See unforgettable art from the Renaissance
Taste the heart of Chianti
And learn the language of wine, food and Italian Culture
Italy thrives on fresh, seasonal foods and there will be no shortage of opportunities to experience the art and language of cooking the Italian way on this specialized retreat. Together we will be experiencing the Tuscan lifestyle, and cooking the whole way through! From meandering around Florence's cobblestone streets trying local cheeses and wines amongst the historic backdrop of the renaissance to lounging in a vineyard tasting delicious estate wines. We will be creating mouthwatering dishes and memories you will eternally cherish! By the end of this specialized 8-day cooking tour you will return home knowing the languages of Italian wine, food and culture!
What’s included
- All TransportationTo and from the international airport, all private van rides, etc.
- 7 Nights AccommodationsStay at an agriturismo in Tuscany
- Most MealsMost breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- 3 Wine tastings3 separate wine tastings and vineyard tours
- Guided walk in TuscanyWalk through Tuscany to castles, agriturismi, and tasting wine the whole way through
- Day TripsTravel to Florence, Cortona, Bologna, Arezzo and Panzano
- Guided ToursWe'll meet up with a tour guide in Arezzo and Cortona
- Ticket EntryTickets will be provided for the Uffizi Gallery
- Cheese Making ClassIn Cortona, one of the best activities is making your own cheese
- 3 Cooking lessonsNo less than 3 cooking lessons
- Experience of a Lifetime
- Airfare
- Voluntary Tips
- Tourist Tax1.50 euro/night
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Tuscany
- A private shuttle will greet you at the Florence International Airport and bring you to the beautiful Agriturismo where you will have time to unpack and relax before our first group dinner
- Welcome Dinner, a delicious traditional Tuscan meal will be prepared for you with two courses, dessert and wine to accompany. Get a glimpse of what you will be learning in the upcoming week.
Your Organizer
Bio-Monte
9 reviews
With Bio-Monte you get the best of both worlds: as your own personal experiential guides who speak your language and make what you are experiencing relate to your life. On the other side of the spectrum, our friendships with amazing Italian locals who give you an authentic taste of Italy that you will experience nowhere else.
All of our tours are sustainable tours, so everyone benefits, including the host country, its environment, and its people. We offer many types of tours, such as: Yoga and Wellness Retreats, Christian Tours, Cooking Retreats, Wine and Vineyard Tours, and Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs for short or long term programs.
Reviews
JT
Comfortably adventurous. For me it was a good pace of exploring and eating. When we did cooking and tastings it was like going to a family members or friends house. Personally I would have like a little more hands on cooking but really enjoyed what we did. Looking forward to trying it at home!
By Jeffrey Tatro for Cooking in Chianti Co-hosted by Kafe Neo on 25 Oct, 2019
We had the best time! We hadn’t met the other 8 in our group, but we became friends instantly. Fantastic group that got along, looked out for each other, and had common interests. Alessio was a wonderful tour guide and did a fantastic job. Everyone we met was so passionate about the city they lived in or their family business. Our accommodations were very comfortable and our host, Stefano, was gracious and was always there to greet us when we returned from our excursions. The city’s we visited were beautiful and the history was rich. Overall a great experience and we will have memories of a lifetime. I would highly recommend bio-montetoursofitaly to anyone.
By Sarah Ensey for Cooking in Chianti Co-hosted by Kafe Neo on 17 Oct, 2019
First, Italy is truly breathtaking and the culture is incredibly welcoming. There was not one disappointing moment of the trip. From arrival to a very depressing departure, we were blown away daily with the care, quality and thoughtfulness of every aspect of the tour. The accommodations far exceeded anything we dreamed and each day was filled with authentic, cultural experiences. We even laughed at some of the large guided tour groups with their lanyards, paddle boards, and ear pieces. We were being gifted a true and organic front seat ride through Italy without all the stiffness that comes with a structured tour. It made it much more enjoyable. Lastly, biggest shout out to Alessio for his tireless dedication to our group, ensuring we had the best experience possible. We asked several questions, requested a few schedule changes, and a few trips to the grocery and he never hesitated to go above and beyond for us. His knowledge of his beloved country is deep and wide and it's apparent how much he finds joy in showing others. I've never been on a trip where my gut was literally sick with sadness as I left. We bonded, made so many memories, laughed harder than we had in ages, cried together, and lived that la dolce vita to its fullest. Thank you Bio-Monte for your heart and soul in this beautiful Italian getaway!
By Melody Todd for Wine & Wandering in Tuscany Tour Hosted by Portia Smith on 15 Aug, 2019
Amazing intimate experiences with local people - great food, fabulous wines. Thank you for creating this tour.
By Sherri Gray for Wine & Wandering in Tuscany Tour on 04 Aug, 2019
Five stars!
Excellent organization. Adjustments were made to fit the walking abilities of the group. The food was fantastic and very much appreciated by everyone in the group. Chef Anna, Driver Luciano, friend Stefano all became dear friends as they enhanced the experience.
Dicomano is a wonderful village experience, and we enjoyed the "villa" we were housed in. The day trips were fantastic. The free time was well used by everyone and we appreciated the advice by the organizers. We had plenty of time to take photographs as we wished.
By Liselotte (Lilo) Lamerdin for Capturing Tuscany - Photography Tour on 13 Apr, 2019