Italy: Florentine Retreat (trip)
Italy: Florentine Retreat
- Culinary & Wine Travel
“This experience exceeded our expectations! Silvia was a wonderful host and teacher and welcomed us into her kitchen with open… ”
5 Days, from $1,450* per person. January, June.
Accommodations: Boutique. Exertion level: 1 (7 is most strenuous)
Overview of Italy: Florentine Retreat
About the location: In the hills that look down upon Florence, just southwest of the city center, the elegant and pastoral Marignolle Relais & Charme offers a two-night and four-night cooking course and getaway. Relax away from the crowds and noise of Florence, in the peace of the Chianti hills that start where the traffic ends, perhaps by lounging around the pool. Prepare yourself to be spoiled as a guest of the Bulleri family, with your host Lorenzo. To say that this 6-room Relais has been lovingly restored is almost an understatement. It is beautiful, sophisticated, and well thought out. Each huge marble bathroom has a separate WC and glass shower, two sinks, and amenities such as local artisan-made organic soaps. Air-conditioning, CNN, and computer compatibility complete the modern electronics. A lovely terrace complements each bedroom, where breakfast can be served.About the cooking lessons: Learn authentic Florentine and Tuscan cuisine from the owner’s mother, Paola Bulleri, accompanied by her daughter Silvia. An artist and designer, Paola combines her artistic talent with a long family tradition of skillful Italian cooking to present beautiful and delicious plates. The cooking lessons are held in the lovely well-equipped kitchen of their family home, adjacent to the Relais, rolling out pasta on the green marble counters. In a three-hour hands-on Florentine cooking course, culminating in a sumptuous meal, you’ll learn about three different recipes. Some dishes that you may learn in her kitchen include antipasti like crisotini di fegatini or panzanella, pastas like penne ai carciofi or pappa al pomodoro, and dolci such as tiramisu or torta della nonna.
Operated by The International Kitchen.
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Locations visited/nearby
Florentine Retreat , Tuscany , Florence , Wine , Food , Cooking , Cooking Class , Culinary Vacation
2 testimonials about this trip
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Reviewer: Rick & Bonnie C
located in
Washington
USA
This experience exceeded our expectations! Silvia was a wonderful host and teacher and welcomed us into her kitchen with open arms. The class was different than we thought it would be. What we experienced was a unique and very friendly small kitchen in the owner's home... for just the two of us! It was very informal and informative. The dialogue with Silvia and Elizabeth was constant and enjoyable. We learned a lot about Italian cooking and family life. The program lasted about 3 and a half hours. When we left, Silvia had the recipes for the dishes that we prepared printed in English, rolled and wrapped in yellow ribbon to take home with us... what a nice touch!
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Reviewer: Simon and Maritza C.
located in
Colombia
We had a wonderful time. The Bulleri family were excellent hosts and Sylvia a great cook. We can't wait to make the menus at home. The room of the hotel was very good. We wish them lots of luck in their hotel and cooking classes.
2 testimonials about the provider, The International Kitchen:
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Reviewer: Thomas & Christine L.
located in
NC
USA
I'd like to start by saying, this was the best vacation of our lives. The Relais Oasi Olimpia is a five star hotel with a four star rating. Every member of the staff was warm hearted and friendly, and totally dedicated to our needs and well being. The rooms were large and comfortable, especially compared to the so-called four star hotel we stayed at in Rome. Carmen Mazzola the general manager was extremely competent, resourceful, and accommodating. Whenever we made a request, or a scheduling change was necessary due to weather or some other reason, she handled all with speed and good nature, always exclaiming, "It's nothing!" when we thanked her. The cooking lessons with Marco the Chef were just what we had hoped them to be. Nothing too intense, (after all we were on vacation) but informative and easy to execute. I'm happy to say, Christine and I are quite competent now in producing a variety of delectable dishes we would be proud to serve anyone. Our boat tour to Positano was wonderful, our host Antonio piloted the boat to the picturesue little town, and later stopped at a cove where we swam in the Mediterranean and had an expertly prepared lunch. Our favorite tour was of the Mozzarella Factory, I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Suffice to say, don't miss it. Being Italian-American, this vacation awakened feelings in me long hidden. Personality traits that I have are prevalent in Southern Italy. I felt like I was among my own kind at last. I want to go back.
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Reviewer: Katie P
located in
UK
I just wanted to let you know that Chris and I had a wonderful time at Chateau de Berne last week. Mayung took very good care of us as ourhostess, and Jean-Louis is great! And of course the location is absolutely beautiful, as you know. We were made to feel very welcome the whole time we were there. I'm a few months pregnant, and Mayung did a great job of juggling our schedule so that I got some rest when I needed it but we also managed to fit in a lot of activities (including a visit to the market, a winery tour and wine tasting and a visit to a local abbey as well as some shopping on our own).And the cooking lessons were very well done. Chris and I were the only students (and in truth, Chris was the only one really cooking with Jean-Louis -- my job was to take notes and pictures!), so it felt like a one-on-one tutorial. Jean-Louis is a patient teacher and he did a good job of explaining everything he was doing. As the week progressed, Chris took a more and more active role in the food preparation, and the hands-on approach was very educational too. Everyone at Chateau de Berne was warm and friendly, and they really did make us feel very welcome there. This program was Chris's birthday present (his 40th) and I'm very pleased with how well it worked out! Thank you!
Disclaimers
*Travel product and pricing information are the travel provider’s base estimates, published here as a convenience to TravelDragon users without verification by TravelDragon. Your actual price will vary depending upon length of trip, travel dates, number of traveling guests, transportation (e.g. airfare, rail passes, etc.), and optional service features such as room categories or individualized food requirements. This base price estimate may or may not include all necessary fees, taxes, government-imposed surcharges. Be sure to confirm availability, total price and trip details with the travel provider using the contact information provided here.
Max group size: 12
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1* Arrival on your own (the property is a short cab ride from the Florence train station or airport).
* Time to settle in before your first cooking class, followed by dinner based on your culinary efforts.
* Overnight.
Day 2
* After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion, starting with a visit of the charming towns of Greve and Panzano.
* Tour the wine cellars of a prestigious local producer of the famed Chianti Classico, with of course, a tasting!
* Continue on to Castellina with time for lunch on your own.
* Finish your day with an afternoon visit to Siena, famed for its palio.
* In the evening, return to the hotel with dinner on your own (your hosts can make some suggestions).
Day 3
* Following breakfast, a trip to the bustling market of Florence (closed on Sunday), to see the incredible array of fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, etc.
* The rest of the day is on your own.
* Return to the hotel and overnight.
Day 4
* Breakfast and the rest of the day at leisure.
* This evening your final cooking class, followed by your Farewell Dinner.
Day 5
* Breakfast and check out.
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