Cooking in Tuscany with Paula Lambert May 4-11 and May 11

Cooking in Tuscany with Paula Lambert
May 4-11 and May 11-18, 2013
September 28 - October 5, and October 12-19, 2013
~ Our Itinerary ~
4 May (Sat) Florence and into the Chianti countryside
We rendezvous in Florence at the Antica Torre di Via
Tornabuoni no. 1 and have a guided visit of a
special Florentine site such as the Vassari Corridor with a
local expert. Then Paula takes you to lunch at one of her
favorite trattorias. Following lunch there is time for a little
shopping in Florence. Around 4pm, we depart Florence,
drive down to Chianti, and settle into our gorgeous villa,
Podere le Radicchie. After aperitivi, we sit down to our
welcome dinner prepared for us by a talented local guest
chef. (LD – lunch, dinner)
5 May (Sun) Panzano market and first cooking class with Paula
This morning, we take a short drive to the neighboring town of Panzano to explore the local Sunday
market. At lunchtime, we visit master butcher Dario Cecchini – famous in Italy for his grass-fed
beef – and then enjoy a Sunday lunch feast of Dario's delicious meat dishes at the restaurant next to his
macelleria. Our first cooking class with Paula commences late this afternoon, incorporating fresh
produce we
purchased this
morning at the
market.
Aperitivi and
dinner at
Podere le
Radicchie.
(BLD –
breakfast,
lunch, dinner)
6 May (Mon) San Gimignano, second cooking class with Paula
This morning, we explore the medieval hilltown of San Gimignano, famous for its many towers, and see
the Renaissance frescos by Gozzoli that grace the main church. There is time to shop for linens, purses,
and more. Or you may prefer to just wander around or sit at a cafe sipping a cappuccino and watching the
world pass by. We meet for lunch on top of the city walls at a charming restaurant that specializes in
locally produced foods and wines. Then it's back to the villa for our second cooking class with Paula.
Aperitivi and dinner at Podere le Radicchie. (BLD)
7 May (Tues) Siena, pasta lesson and dinner with guest chef
Today we venture to Siena, the perennial rival of Renaissance
Florence, that now seems perpetually (and pleasantly) stuck in the
Middle Ages. A local expert shows us her favorite spots in Siena
this morning ... we visit the Duomo, the Piazza del Campo where
the famous Palio horserace is held, and the Palazzo Pubblico with
its glorious
medieval
fabulous
frescos. There is
time for
shopping and a
light lunch, and
then you will
have additional
free time for
exploring on
your own. Along
the way, Paula
shows you her favorite Tuscan pottery stores. On the
way back to the villa, we travel along the panoramic
Strada Chiantigiana, one of the most beautiful roads
in Europe, stopping in the charming town of Castellina in Chianti for a gelato. After a full day out, our
local guest chef shares with us his secrets of making fresh pasta and prepares a fabulous dinner for us
this evening back at the villa. (BD)
8 May (Wed) Chianti: Greve,
Montefioralle, Lamole, Vignamaggio,
third cooking class
Our focus today is Chianti, the renowned wine region
between Florence and Siena. We begin in the
quaint town of Greve with free time to explore the
shops on
the
charming
main
piazza, and
then make a
quick stop at her picturesque hilltop neighbor, Montefioralle,
home to Leonardo da Vinci for a time. Next we drive to the
Villa Vignamaggio, birthplace of the Mona Lisa and home to
fabulous gardens that are a favorite
of cinematographers, for a tour and tasting of their awardwinning wines. Hunger piqued, we take the scenic route up the
hill to the well-regarded restaurant in tiny Lamole and enjoy
lunch on their beautiful terrace overlooking the Chianti. Inspired by Filipo and Paolo's cooking in Lamole,
we return to the villa for our third cooking class with Paula. Aperitivi and dinner at Podere le
Radicchie. (BLD)
9 May (Thurs) Castello di
Brolio, Chianti Sculpture
Park, Monteriggioni, fourth
cooking class
We begin today at the imposing Castello
di Brolio, where Baron Ricasoli invented
Chianti Classico in the 19th century. After
a visit of the castle and its stunning
Renaissance gardens, we drive a short
distance to the Parco Sculture di Chianti,
according to Departures Magazine one of
the top sculpture gardens in the world, for
a stroll through the gardens. We then
continue west to hilltop jewel,
Monteriggioni, for lunch at one of Paula's
favorite restaurant in Tuscany. Dante
compared the towers of Monteriggioni to
giants in the Inferno, but the town's intact ring of walls now hold a beautiful medieval town, complete with
orchards and gardens and fun shops. This afternoon, we return to the villa for our fourth class with Paula
followed by aperitivi and dinner at the villa. (BLD)
10 May (Fri) Castello di Rampolla
wine tasting, villa lunch, and dinner
at Osteria di Passignano
Our final day in
Tuscany starts
with a visit to a
neighboring
vineyard for a
tasting of biodynamic
Chianti wines. Those who would like a hike may join Paula as she
leads you there up and down the hiills and along the river, while
those who would prefer a relaxed morning may go by car. Afterwards, we enjoy a light picnic luncheon
back at the villa. We pass the afternoon leisurely at the villa, enjoying the beauty of this very special
place. Our week together culminates this evening with a celebratory dinner at the nearby Michelin-starred
restaurant Osteria di Passignano, the centerpiece of the Antinori estates where the famous Super
Tuscans wines Tignanello and Solaia are grown and made. (BLD)
11 May (Sat) Arrivederci
After breakfast at the villa, we will drive back to Florence for your onward travel. Arrivederci! (B)
3800 euros per person
Please notify Paula if you would like to come and she will send you a Registration
Form.
Our itinerary is subject to change to accommodate unforeseen circumstances and/or serendipitous opportunities!
Viaggi Deleziosi ... 2944 Elm Street ... Dallas, TX 75226 ... 214.741.4072
[email protected]