I can't wait to share a week of cooking, companionship, and celebration with you in Cortona, Italy! Immerse yourself in quintessential Tuscan views, food, wine, along with new friends from all over the world. Whether you're celebrating a life milestone, looking for a break, or relishing in a fresh start, we'll all bond over something that connects us all: food! I can't wait to share delicious bites with you while enjoying breathtaking views, learning about ancient cities, and sipping wine in the countryside.
A Tuscan gem of a town just a hop, skip and jump away from Umbria, we'll explore, taste and immerse ourselves in the best both regions have to offer.
Immersed in the green hills of Val di Chiana, we'll stay in a country residence just a few kilometers from Montepulciano and Cortona. The farmhouse, built at the end of the 17th century, was constructed on the antique ruins of a brickyard and the traces of the centuries are still evident. The residence is composed of two main buildings that have been faithfully and beautifully restored to exhibit their original architectural features. The classic style is perfectly combined with all modern conveniences: heating, air conditioning, satellite TV and WIFI.
With Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza and Perugia all within an hour's drive, we will have both Umbria and Tuscany at our fingertips.
The farmhouse is composed of nine holiday apartments of different size, which can accommodate from two to four people. All apartments are decorated in the traditional style of a typical Tuscan country house.
Just a stone's throw from Cortona, near Lago Trasimeno, the agriturismo has sweeping views of Val di Chiana, and plenty of green space for exploring and relaxing. There's also a pool!
Using the farmhouse as a base during the week, we'll take day trips to nearby Montepulciano known for its 'vino nobile' and explore Perugia's Etruscan, Roman and Medieval architecture. We'll immerse ourselves in the beautiful picturesque hills out on a group guided e-bike ride through the picturesque hills. Along the way we'll (of course!) have time for sipping, tasting and snacking on some of the region's local delicacies.
We'll visit the cosmopolitan city of Perugia, a gorgeous medieval gem full of fascinating history. As the capital of Umbria and also home to one of the oldest universities in the world as well as the university for foreigners, it boasts a large student population -- both Italian and international, keeping it young (despite its pre-Roman roots!).
We'll visit the town whose name is synonymous with only the best reds which, of course, we'll get to taste. Afterwards we'll head to a family-run wine estate and farm, home to some of the best wines of Tuscany as well as some of the best bred beef. We'll have a tour followed by a meal at the estate's top-rated restaurant.
We'll have a cooking class at the villa one afternoon, a great excuse to make use of the villa's gorgeous kitchen. We'll also get the chance to go on a group guided electric bike tour through the glorious countryside. Along the way, we'll stop, hydrate and snack on some of the region's sumptuous delicacies and wines.
Starting from £2250 per person
Roundtrip group transfer to and from Florence
Five nights' accommodation in your choice of room at country residence
All meals except for lunch on Day 1 & 2 (wine with dinner)
Cooking Class by local chef
Day trip to Perugia with guided tour
Wine tasting & lunch at winery / farm estate
Day trip to Montepulciano
Guided e-bike ride
Transportation to and from organized excursions
Guided tour of Cortona