Luxury Cooking holiday

Thankfully Italy is one of the easiest places for vegetarians to visit. The wide range of delicious, locally grown fruit and vegetables are a staple of the Italian diet, reflected in the longevity statistics. The availability of more exotic fare such as truffles, balsamic vinegar and porcini mushrooms only adds to the fun. The inhabitants of Tuscany, where the vacation will be based, are known in the rest of Italy as the "Mangia Fagioli" or "Bean Eaters" due to the wide variety of legumes found in their traditional dishes.

Born in Italy to English parents I have been working with my Father in the tourism sector for some time now. During this time we have perfected the art of providing a luxury, villa based holiday at a very reasonable price. For many years I have been a vegetarian, a decision based on concerns about animal welfare, the welfare of the planet, and my own health. So it seemed only logical to combine the two and offer fellow "Veggies" a great holiday, at an affordable price, freed from the worry of what will be on the menu or in the dish. Lizzy Arthur

Sample Program

Saturday
Pick up from Rome airport followed by a visit to the beautiful town of Orvieto. Lunch optional, but once everyone is aboard the bus we can, if needed, phone ahead to book a meal. Arrival at the luxury villa in time get settled in before a welcome dinner.

Sunday
Mid-morning brunch at the villa, followed by a visit to Cortona. A guided tour of the museum and Etruscan ruins on the outskirts of the town can be organised for those who are interested (tickets 10 Euro). There will be time to return to the villa before dinner at the Antica Trattoria on tables set out in the square.

Monday
Visit to Pienza one of Tuscany's most beautiful hill towns, to taste various delicious balsamic vinegars and the local Pecorino sheep's cheese. Then to Montefolonico and the unforgettable Fourteenth century cellars of the Innocenti winery, whose vintages still win international prizes. Light lunch at nearby Montepulciano . . . then evening cooking class at the villa.

Tuesday
Visit to the ceramics centre of Deruta. Here the Pimpinelli family will demonstrate the traditional craft of hand made pottery - from the original piece of raw clay, through various firings and glazes all the way to the final product, hand painted by Sig Pimpinelli himself. Lunch at a local trattoria specialising in traditional Umbrian fare, after which a visit to Perugia. This evening all will be invited to make their own pizza in the wood burning oven of our local pizzeria.

Wednesday
Remembering that this is a holiday rather than a forced march, Wednesday is a free day to lie by the pool or stroll through the countryside. Transport at no cost will be provided for those who want to return to Cortona or go to the train station for a day trip to another city such as Rome or Arezzo. A light supper is provided at the villa.

Thursday
The nearby town of Camucia has one of the largest and most varied street markets of the area where guests can make their own choice of fruit, vegetables cheeses and breads for a picnic. There will be time to relax before the evening hands-on cooking lesson and supper at the villa.

Friday
Guided visit to Florence the most famed of renaissance cities and a great place to shop. We can organise advance booking of the Uffizi and/or Accademia (tickets 12 Euro). Lunch optional. On return farewell dinner at the villa.

Saturday
Breakfast then return to Rome Airport.

Price:
The price of €1350 includes:

• Breakfast and maid service on each day.
• Transport and bi-lingual guide.
• All tastings and meals if not shown as optional.
• House wine for all meals (except breakfast).
• Free high speed internet access is available at all the villas we use.
• The group will also be provided with an Italian number cell phone and the numbers to call the two organisers who will be on call at all times.

To book or if you have a question please email info@italywithrelish.it

THIS HOLIDAY IS BASED IN A LUXURY VILLA

For this vacation, meals and cooking lessons may include some dairy produce and eggs, but only those produced from animals kept humanely and free of antibiotics and steroids in local farms that I have personally visited.

All the food provided in the villa will be strictly fresh, unadulterated and non GM, fortunately in Italy this is a relatively easy task.

No fish or meat products will be used.

Non vegetarians welcome (we won't eat you)!

This is a sample program, we can change it to better fit your interests

For further information email lizzy@italywithrelish.it

Other options:

• Bread day: visit to a local bakery, back to the villa to learn how to make wholemeal and other breads, cooking lesson on the various uses of bread in the Tuscan kitchen.

• Olive oil day: visit to a local olive grove and mill followed by olive oil tasting, lunch at the olive oil mill.

• Wine making day: visit to the Avigionese vineyard and winery followed by wine tasting and dinner.

• Cheese making day: learning cheese making and ageing techniques by a local expert followed by cheese tasting and dinner in a cheese specialized restaurant in Cortona.

• Painting day: painting of classic Italian landscapes with the assistance of an established painter followed by picnic. (Some painting experience necessary)

• Spa day: visit to the local thermal baths of Rapolano (near Siena) with optional dinner in Siena.
  

To book or if you have a question please email info@italywithrelish.it