I have returned to my home country with my family to work with an Agritourism Farm in Tuscany, teaching cooking classes, preparing fresh foods, and sharing my culinary knowledge. The word "Agriturismo" (pronounced ah-gree-tour-eez-mo)
blends the Italian words for "agriculture" and "tourism": picture a cozy Bed and Breakfast on a working farm, to enjoy a true farm-to-table experience. Olive oil, ch
eese, wine, amazing vegetables and luscious fruit are produced right there. When you visit, you might have the opportunity to help on the farm, prepare food, take cooking classes, tour the countryside, go hiking or horseback riding, or all of the above! My love for fresh food and the classic dishes of Tuscany make this the perfect next step in my culinary career. Here is an example of a week vacation:
Saturday Day One
Arrival - Meet and greet at Pisa or Florence Airport and transfer to the Agriturismo. Settle in, unpack, acquaint yourself with the Farm and grounds, anyone feeling energetic can take a turn around the charming, historic village of Torre, a walk through the Vineyard and our Cantine with one of our Il Venturino staff member.
6:00 pm Introduction to your Chef Roberta Campani, meet your hosts and tell us what would make your week perfect, if we can, we will make all the necessary arrangement. Welcome Aperitif followed by an early buffet dinner prepared by your chef. Sunday Day Two
After breakfast we will visit the Town of San Miniato and Vinci. San Miniato in medieval times was on the Via Francigena which was the main connecting route between France and Roma.The area of San Miniato is renowned for The White truffle production, If you were looking for an afternoon of adventure, we could arrange for you to go truffle hunting with one of the experts. Vinci is the birthplace of Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci. Aperitif and a light lunch in one of these two towns.
4:00 pm will be a 2 hour cooking demonstration followed by outdoor dinner
Monday Day Three
After breakfast we head up to Pisa, best known for the leaning Tower and as the birthplace of Galileo. Situated at the mouth of the river Arno, some make it a quick in and out hour trip and others take the time to explore this fascinating medieval city. Lunch and shopping in Pisa
On the way home we could visit the famous marble quarry city of Carrara where Michelangelo sourced his marble for the statue of David. Tuesday Day Four
Today we enjoy the surroundings, option to go with our professional Botanist,
a few steps from the most famous nature reserve of the Padule , there are the woods of the Cerbaie, a place that seems to stand still in time hundreds of years ago. With an impression of being in a real enchanted forest, we will learn about some very rare plants, some medicinal and edible, like our famous “Aglio Orsino”. Picnic lunch in the woods. Back to the Farm to relax and take a dip in the Agriturismo’s beautiful pool.
4:00 pm will be 2 hour cooking class where you will make fresh pasta with wild herbs picked during our walk through the Padule. Wednesday Day Five
Early breakfast and departure for the famous Pistoia Food Market, a great photographic opportunity as this magnificent cornucopia of plenty unfolds against the backdrop of this ancient city. Early lunch in Montecatini Terme, then we will enjoy ourselves in the thermal waters of outdoor pools at Grotta Giusti, always set at a calming 34˚C, The restorative water is rich in bicarbonate, sulphate, calcium and magnesium, which is beneficial to the body. Return to the Agriturismo for a cooking session, using the wonderful fresh ingredients that we purchased in the market. Thursday Day Six
Early breakfast and departure for an all-day adventure in Florence City. Tour with our private guide to Florence's museums, palaces, and churches which house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. Wine Tasting followed by dinner at Vivanda
Friday Day seven
Arrivederci!!!
