Overview
Something different from CED for 2025 - a new retreat length, a new experience and a beautiful new site and accommodation - the boutique and wine hotel VIN Hotel (www.vinhotel.it), specialising in laid back luxury and sustainable tourism. Immerse yourself in Italian food, wine and culture under the Tuscan sun in this five night journey of gastronomic discovery. Live the Italian foodie dream with intimate cooking classes, private dinners, tastings and behind the scenes tours at artisanal organic food and wine producers. Guided by your experienced chef and pasta maker, Oli, you'll try your hand at making beautiful handmade fresh pasta, gnocchi, risotto, and Italian desserts. Meanwhile Starri, the VIN Hotel owner and wine expert will hold tastings and pairings through the week as this course takes on an added wine element, deepening your knowledge of not just the region, but the country's wonderful winemaking culture. On top of the classes and tastings, expect hands-on immersive food experiences, for example trying your hand at harvesting olives, and visiting a buffalo mozzarella farm! We'll also wander through the terracotta streets of stunning local medieval towns, and amongst the vines at biodynamic wineries. Located in the untouched Maremma region of southern Tuscany, near the town of Montieri, your retreat is in the perfect location for wonderful views and immersing yourself in nature. You'll have a unique experience staying in comfortable rooms at the stylish VIN Hotel, where you can enjoy the beautiful modern swimming pool, panoramic views and daily breakfast buffet.
Schedule
Example Itinerary - An idea of what to expect, but subject to change due to factors such as weather
Previous
Next
Day 1
Arrival and check in. Welcome, introduction to Tuscan wines, handmade gnocchi class, and three-course welcome dinner!
Day 2
Visit a local Medieval hilltop village with stunning views, meet a truffle hunter and her truffle dogs, before enjoying a tour, tasting and lunch at one of our favourite biodynamic vineyards. In the evening we'll learn to make pasta together, taste some more wines, and enjoy it all for dinner back at the hotel!
Day 3
A morning learning about olives and the oil making process. Try your hand at picking in the olive grove and taste some wonderful local extra virgin olive oil. In the evening, before another three course feast, we'll do a class on Italian desserts, as well as tasting sweet wines!
Day 4
We’ll drive you to Tuscany’s best buffalo mozzarella producer. You’ll be given a guided tour of the farm and facilities, before enjoying a tasting brunch of their wonderful cheeses. Just 10 minutes away from the buffalo farm, Ariane is growing organic and stone processed Tuscan rice of the highest quality. You’ll learn how the rice production works and be shown around the rice fields. We’ll pick up some of their fantastic rice for our dinner and evening risotto lesson.
Day 5
Visit the wonderful local town of Massa Maritima with its stunning piazza and duomo, before we stop for a tour, tasting and light lunch at an excellent natural wine producer and vineyard. In the evening, back at the hotel, we'll look at |talian spritz and cocktail making, before learning to make filled pasta shapes like ravioli and tortelli!
Day 6
Enjoy a delicious brunch as you look at the views one last time, before we check out and help you with your journeys onto your next destination
What's included
What's Included
All meals
Wine and drinks
Accommodation with hotel buffet breakfast included
Private travel during itinerary
Ground transfers from nearest major train station (Grosseto)
Tours of artisan producers
Immersive gastronomic experiences
Cooking classes
Guided wine tastings
Accommodation
Private Room
At VIN Hotel, our priority is to make your stay in Tuscany about more than just a hotel room. Each space is designed with intention, reflecting what we value most when traveling: comfort, simplicity, and the opportunity to unwind.
FROM$2,339.54/pp
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