7 Day | Tuscan Gastronomy and Cooking Retreat

Check in to your apartment, relax, get acquainted with your surroundings and take in the backdrop of the medieval village. You'll meet the team and your course-mates before heading to a local organic vineyard for a tasting with an incredible view!

Then dive into an al fresco four-course welcome feast cooked by chef Oli with plenty of great local wine to celebrate your arrival!

09:00

Visit a local buffalo mozzarella farm, starting the day off with a delicious buffalo milk cappuccino before taking a guided tour, meeting the buffalos, and tasting their amazing range of cheeses..

11:00

Head to a farm near the coast for an insightful tour of an organic Tuscan rice farm. We'll pick some rice up for the risotto class later!

17:00

Aperitivo with a view, followed by a risotto masterclass using our local rice, plus a lesson in perfect biscotti making. 

Enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner, eating the risotto and biscotti you have made out in the square of our medieval village with plenty of good wine!. Your private chef has also thrown in a couple of extra gastronomic treats.

07:00

Set sail on unique fishing boat trip bright and early to pull in nets with the charismatic local fisherman who's making waves in marine life preservation on the Tuscan coast. Enjoy the chance to dip into the sea for a swim and have lunch on the deck, under the sun's rays.

14:00

Have a break by the pool or take advantage of your free time to explore the local village and rub shoulders with the Tuscan locals.

18:00

Roll up your sleeves and get to cooking with your resident expert chef Oli who is on hand to show you the ropes—you'll be making handmade gnocchi! We'll enjoy this as well some fresh fish which we caught on the boat just this morning.

11:00

You'll start the day with a cycle tour to a nearby vineyard—a light ride over the hills and down through the local villages to burn off the excesses of the week, with a knowledgeable and friendly private cycling guide. The ride will take you to a beautiful vineyard on the Tuscan plains.

13:00

An unforgettable experience at an award-winning vineyard, you will get a real understanding of the art form that is winemaking. Enjoy a Tuscan lunch and private tasting of their Sangiovese, Viognier and Syrah.

18:00

After an hour or two resting up after your cycling and vineyard experience, professional fresh pasta maker Oli will take you through all the basics of creating great fresh pasta, including making the dough, using a pasta machine, and learning 3 shapes—farfalle, tagliatelle and garganelli. You'll also drum up the perfect Tiramisu together, and enjoy your creations with a view of the Tuscan hills.

11:00

Using yesterday's newly acquired basic pasta skills, you'll take things a step further and learn to make different filled pasta shapes. With a delicious seasonal filling (eg spinach and ricotta or pumpkin) you'll learn to make ravioli, tortelloni and much more! You'll then enjoy your pasta as part of a delicious 3 course lunch.

15:00

After lunch you'll knead out some pizza dough ready to be used for the following day's dinner. Pizza dough has a much better texture and flavour when made the day before and allowed to develop!

17:00

Relax at your apartment or enjoy one of the great local restaurants and a bit of time to yourselves on your free evening.

11:00

About an hour away is the fairytale medieval town of Montalcino—gastronomically famous for Brunello wine and honey. Here, you'll learn all about organic honeymaking, study the hives, and get an insight into what makes Brunello wine so sought after. To the soundtrack of the bees busying away, you will lunch with traditional Tuscan dishes and honey tastings, along with some delicious Brunello.

14:00

Spend an hour or two wandering the beautiful streets of Montalcino. Grab a gelato, enjoy the impressive churches, great views, and numerous wine bars!

19:00

Back in Roccatederighi, you'll use the dough you made the day before to create real handmade Italian pizza and cook it together in our wood-fired oven. Sit down with the view for one last time and enjoy your authentic handmade pizza.

11:00

Time to say goodbye. Check out and ground transfers to the train station.