Tasting Tuscany and Umbria Cooking Holiday

This holiday has now been and gone and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. If this sort of break is of interest to you or you would like something similar tailoring to your needs please email info@italywithrelish.it

This June's experience is especially for foodies who would like to discover the delights of the food and wine of a rich part of Italy, whilst exploring in style the art and history of the area. A little of magnificent Orvieto, followed by a week based in Etruscan Cortona. Guided and accompanied by a local chef, you will eat where and what the locals eat! And there are two (optional) cooking classes, all in a convivial relaxed atmosphere.

The first two nights are in Orvieto, Umbria staying at an agriturismo in your own separate stone house on a large working estate, overlooking the world renowned cathedral, followed by 7seven nights in Cortona, Tuscany in a restored country villa with a swimming pool, grape vines and olive trees.

The Orvieto agriturismo is well-positioned amid undulating green hills and valleys - a perfect place to relax and enjoy the fresh country air. It has a swimming pool, a very old oil mill and wine cellars to visit for the first wine tasting, where you will meet the family owners of this estate. In a town built on top of a column of compressed volcanic ash, there will be a guided tour, including the large Romanesque-Gothic cathedral of Orvieto, commenced in 1290, now with a magnificent mosaic inlaid façade. For those of you who would like to try your hand at preparing traditional food of the region there will be a local chef with you - he jokes that Nonna (grandmother) only allows him to assist with the cooking class, as she wants to ensure everything is done correctly!

Cortona, your Tuscan base for a week, provides easy access to many of the interesting places in south-east Tuscany. Your home here is well yet simply renovated, retaining some of the particular features of Tuscan houses - the huge beams above and the terracotta floors beneath. In addition, it offers modern clean bathrooms. On the Sunday you will mix with the local people in celebration, eating and partying at their annual Sagra, on another day a visit to Deruta – the ceramics art town - and a workshop where you can see the designs carefully painted by hand, followed by lunch at a trattoria which has provided some most memorable meals in all of Tuscany - they serve a wide range of antipasti smorgasbord style, and one of the most delectable main course slow cooked meats you will taste. With your charming and knowledgeable guide you will visit Perugia – and anyone who has visited the university town previously will be delighted to know there are now modern escalators to get to the main piazza at the top! Together with Perugia, Siena is considered one of Central Italy’s cities most rich in history and art works, and you will spend some time exploring and enjoying that famous town also.

Montepulciano is one of the most attractive hills towns in Tuscany. It is built on a ridge of Monte Poliziano and, although it is a small town, its main street stretches for 11.5 kilometers from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill. Here you will get your first taste of their famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. After lunch you will visit a winery whose cantina dates back to the 1300s, and where the seventh generation winemaker makes a wine called Accerone which has won many awards including a three glasses "Rosso Gambero”. You will linger, tasting wine with the owner in his modest garden.

Staying in Cortona you are immersd in its history – dating back more than two thousand years. Because of its strategic position it was very important historically. A guidebook from 1639 describes Cortona as ancient and noble and having “a picturesque aspect . . . turned toward the midday sun”. It is true, the town is draped over one side of its hill. One afternoon you will take a guided visit to the ancient Etruscan tombs below the town and to the small Cortona Museum. Not forgetting tiny, evocative Pienza, and a final wine-tasting and more formal celebratory dinner at an elegant winery nearby.

Enjoy legendary meals with balanced visits to interesting places, meeting Italians, and enjoyment of food and wine in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Special Price:
Including transport, accommodation, breakfasts and evening meals with house wine 1895 Euro

If you have a question please email info@italywithrelish.it