Culture, Cuisine & History In Tuscany
Experience the Tuscan culture like never before in the luxurious setting of Villa Michaela and take away the skills to recreate at home. Learn how to cook Tuscan and Italian dishes with our Seven-Day course including daily workshops in our traditional Limonaia kitchen and gastro-tours of local markets and vineyards. Enjoy the fruits of your labour with long lunches and dinners beside the pool or in our stunning frescoed dining room.
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Courses run for 7 nights.
Day Rates include:
7 Nights accommodation
All cooking workshops
All tours as per itinerary
Transportation for scheduled excursions
All food & wine consumed at the Villa
Rates include restaurant visits and transportation
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5250 euro for Deluxe Suite
4750 euro for Deluxe Double Room
4450 euro for Double Room (not en suite)
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A deposit of 30% is required upon booking with the remaining balance due within 8 weeks of arrival.
Full refund if cancelled 31 days or more before the arrival date.
Dates for 2024:
Feb 17th - 24th | March 16th - 23rd
April 20th - 27th | Oct 19th - 26th
Oct 26th - Nov 2nd | Nov 2nd - 9th | Nov 9th - 16th
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Collection from Pisa airport in air conditioned vans.
Welcome dinner at Villa Michaela in our beautiful frescoed dining room.
Day 2:
Breakfast
Guided tour of historic Lucca with an English speaking guide.
Lunch at one of Villa Michaela's favorite restaurants.
Bicycle around the walls, shopping in the boutiques of Lucca or return to villa.
Cooking demonstration in the traditional Tuscan Limonaia kitchen with chef at 5pm.
8pm: Dinner in the dining room.
Day 3:
Breakfast
Early breakfast and departure for the famous Pistoia food market – a wonderful photographic opportunity as this magnificent cornucopia of plenty unfolds against the backdrop of this ancient city.
Early lunch in Montecatini Alto – a funicular ride up to this idyllic village with incredible views.
Return to the villa for afternoon “Hills of the North” cooking session, using the fresh ingredients purchased in the market. Enjoy the fruits of your labour with dinner at the Villa followed by a private opera recital in our stunning chapel.
Day 4:
Breakfast
Wine, olive oil and honey tasting in one of the most elite vineyards in Tuscany with a special lunch in their beautiful garden following the tasting.
A tour around the beautiful Lucchese area by air conditioned van.
Aperitivi and canapés in Lucca before attending the (perfectly timed at one hour) Puccini/ Verdi opera recital in the stunning Chiesa San Giovanni. Dinner after the concert at a wonderful local restaurant in Lucca.
Day 5:
Breakfast
Our chefs will take you on a full day excursion to the food market in Livorno. It is one of Italy's best architectural markets, often referred to by the locals as their "louvre". A canal runs from the sea to the gates of the market where you will find, meats, fish, cheeses and many more local delicacies.
Lunch will be enjoyed in Livorno.
In the afternoon there will be a cooking class with some of the wonderful items purchased at the Livorno market. Dinner will be enjoyed at the Villa.
Day 6:
Breakfast
Early departure for an all day visit to Florence with an English speaking guide, including a visit to the Uffizzi and Academia to see Michelangelo's famous David.
Lunch in Florence.
Dinner at Villa Michaela.
Day 7:
Breakfast
Depart at 9:00 for a day in Cinque Terre taking the train along the coast.
Lunch in the beautiful village of Vernazza with stunning views of the sea.
Dinner at Villa Michaela.
Day 8:
Breakfast
Depart for Pisa airport or Lucca train station.
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Dates:
Courses available throughout February, March, April, October and November. We reserve the right to cancel if a minimum of attendees is not met. Minimum of 10.
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