Chocolate in Italy-Fall

Immerse Yourself in Chocolate
2013
October  12 – 19
Saturday
Arrival
Arrive in Rome airport, transfer by train to Chiusi Chianciano Terme where you will be picked up and taken to our inn.  Time to settle in and relax before our dinner at a family run Osteria specializing in Umbrian cooking.
Sunday
Pranzo,  Gelato Tasting and Evening Chocolate Class
Spend the morning walking through a gorgeous grove of twisted olive trees , visit the old fortress of our town, and take in the panoramic beauty of Lake Trasimeno. For lunch we indulge in the Italian Sunday tradition of pranzo  followed with a visit to one of our region’s best gelaterias where you can sample an array of handcrafted gelato. Tonight our voyage launches us into the world of chocolate  with basic tempering , chocolate cakes, chocolate cookies and chocolate confections.
Monday
Cultural Tour of Perugia , Tour of Perugina Chocolate Factory
This week the annual Eurochocolate Festival commences, packing the city with all sorts of chocolate sweets- a must see for chocolate lovers. We’ll enter Perugia on the mini-metro and snake our way into the center of town which dates back to BCE making Perugia an outstanding experience in travel back in time. After lunch we’ll have free time to roam and shop before meeting up for a tour of the Perugina Chocolate factory.  By the time dusk falls, we’ll be boarding our bus for home where we’ll experience a festa built around olive oil and the grill.
Tuesday
Wine Tasting & Cultural Tour ,  Montefalco & Bevagna, and Evening Chocolate Class
Our ride to Bevagna passes through the gorgeous scenery of olives groves and multi-colored autumnal vineyards that produce the outstanding Sagrantino wine.
In Bevagna, we  will tour medieval shops that demonstrate ancient methods of looming, candle-making,  painting and paper –making.  Next, we move to our choicest cantina for a vertical tasting of the red wines of Montefalco & passito paired with merende. Tonight we reconvene in our cucina for a class on chocolate truffles.
Wednesday
Market Day in Castiglione del Lago and Evening Chocolate Class
Wednesday is Market day in Castiglione del Lago and one of the best places to experience the warmth of small town life while shopping the outdoor stalls for many of our ingredients We all get lost in the crowd , discovering ceramics, balsamics, legumes and cereals, olive wood products, and assorted finds.  Our local macelleria provides the torta al testo and porchette sandwiches for our lunch at our inn with salads. After we return home, we will reconvene in the kitchen of Cucina della Terra for a class of  chocolate soufflés, chocolate macaroons and chocolate confections made with our perugina chocolate.
Thursday
Cultural Tour of Orvieto and Evening Chocolate Class
The town of Orvieto sits atop volcanic rock called tufa.  Beginning at the base of the town, a necropolis bears the remains of Etruscan tombs.  A 175 ft deep well, designed in the 16th century was a feat of engineering.  At the top of the town lies a glistening Gothic cathedral, built in the 1300’s and housing some magnificent frescos, mosaics and stained glass. This is a town for shopping! We’ll stop for a light lunch paired with the famous white wine of Orvieto. Tonight we delve into the world of chocolate and semifreddo along with confections & cookies.
Friday
Meet the Sheep , Cheesemaking  and Evening Chocolate Class
Nothing can prepare you for this meeting!  Let’s just say, imagine the wooly white coats lining up in formation to greet you.  They’re looking for food while you simply want to meet  the source of the outstanding raw milk pecorinos , ricotta and yoghurt that you’ve been sampling with the owner of this caseficio. This event will keep you chuckling for life.  Tonight we’ll return to our cucina for our final class creating gelato & bon bons.
Saturday
Early Morning Departure
What’s Included?
Ground transport to and from CHIUSI OR Castiglione del Lago
Lodging 7nights in a country inn based on double occupancy
6 Colazione (breakfast Italian style) includes espresso, cappuccino, biscotti, pane, pasticerrie, yoghurt, fruit, and juice.
6 Pranzo (lunches) either, picnic, brown bag, trattoria, ristorante or Panini
2 Cena (dinner) outside the Cucina
6 baking classes followed by lunch or dinner paired with local wines
All transport to and from daily tours in chartered bus
Travel insurance for limited medical coverage
What’s not included?
Airfare & ground transport to and from your airport to Cucina della Terra. A bus will meet everyone at Chiusi train station at a specified time.  In the event that you can not meet , there is a taxi service available at your personal expense.
Personal expenses including phone , Internet, laundry
Tips
Cost Per Person:
Airfare
$2995 all-inclusive Trip as stated above
Method of Payment:
Deposit of $500 to secure your place
Balance due 60 prior to departure

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February 2010