June 24 – July 1 2012
With Chef Vicki Wells at CUCINA DELLA TERRA , ITALY
Summer Trip: 8 days/ 7 nights
Sunday, Arrival
Arrive in Rome airport, transfer by train to Castiglione del Lago where you will be picked up and taken to our inn. Time to settle in and relax before our dinner at La Scaletta, a family run osteria specializing in Umbrian cooking.
Monday, Wine Tasting & Cultural Tour of Montefalco, Bevagna and Baking class
This is a wine town high in the hills of Umbria overlooking a valley of olive groves and vineyards. We will visit the Scacciadiavoli winery for a special tasting paired with a light lunch of affetati with the owner, Liu Pambuffetti for a tasting of the Sagrantino di Montefalco, Rosso di Montefalco and the Montefalco Sagrantino Passito. Later, we will tour the medieval town of Bevagna for visits to many of the textile, painting, paper and candle making artisanal shops.
Tonight we begin our first baking class in Italian Cuisine
Tuesday Cultural Tour of Perugia and Baking Class
Perugia, a city dating back to BCE, is home to the world famous Umbrian jazz festival in summer, the popular Baci confection produced by Perugina Chocolate, and 2 major universities. During the Renaissance, it was home to Perugino and Raphael. The architecture of Perugia reflects its rich history dating back to the Etruscan period. Remains, such as the Etruscan arch, the Rocca Paolina, a fortress during the 1500’s, the Palazzo dei Priori, the Fontana Maggiore, designed in the 1200’s to celebrate the freedom of the commune of Perugia, make Perugia an outstanding experience in travel back in time. After a walk through the city center, we will lunch on pizza . After a tour of the famous maker of Baci Chocolates, We’ll return home for a night of baking an assortment of Italian Desserts & Pastries.
Wednesday Market Day and Baking Class, Castiglione del Lago
Wednesday is Market day in Castiglione del Lago where we will experience the warmth of small town life while we shop for all of our ingredients for our dinner tonight. We’ll visit the local macelleria and sample some of the famous salumi, porchette and torta al testo for which this region is famous. After a visit to the Palazzo del Corgna overlooking Lake Trasimeno After we return home, we will reconvene in the kitchen of Cucina della Terra for a full night of baking while stopping for dinner at the Cucina.
Thursday Cultural tour of Orvieto and Baking 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, remains 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. This evening, we will return to the Cucina for a class on making pasta for savory & sweet dishes
Friday Cheese-making
Today you’ll experience first hand the production of the famous pecorino cheese of Tuscany from sheep to milking to cheese-making. For lunch , we’ll have a delightful picnic nestled in the beautiful Tuscan hills. This evening we’ll convene in our kitchen at Cucina della Terra where we will use the fresh sheeps milk ricotta in Italian baking.
Saturday Gelato and Our Bruschette Festa
Visit a gelato – maker and witness the process of turning milk into a creamy light frozen dessert, Gelato. This evening, we will light up the wood in our outdoor grill and begin preparations for a taste of authentic brushette with our own oil followed by a menu designed around the wood fired grill, including the famous bistecca & Umbrian sausages along with grilled fruits.
Sunday October 14 Early morning departure by train to Rome
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 cooking classes followed by dinner paired with local wines
All transport to and from daily tours in chartered bus
Travel insurance for medical coverage
What’s not included?
Airfare & ground transport to and from your airport to Cucina della Terra
Personal expenses including phone, Internet
Tips
Cost per person:
Airfare
$2900
all-inclusive Trip as stated above
Method of Payment:
Deposit of $500 to secure your place
Balance due 60 days prior to departure
Check for balance made out to:
Cucina della Terra, LLC,
Geraldine Sarnataro 7K
333 East 30th St.
New York NY 10016
