Caspin Journeys - The Unique Walking Experience

'In a Tuscan Country Kitchen' takes place at Molino di Bordone, an elegant 17th Century Tuscan Farmhouse situated among the Tuscan and Umbrian hills, only minutes from the beautiful Etruscan walled town of Cortona. This is an ideal setting for an unforgettable week of culinary adventure, gourmet food & fine wines.

All the activity takes place in the independent Casa Fontanella, part of the farmhouse which has been newly restored to a very high specification. It has elegance, style and space, with a dream country kitchen, professionally fitted for our culinary events. We also a lecture room next door which has multimedia facilities and is perfect for talks about Tuscan Food & Wine

We offer a week long cooking experience covering many aspects of family and refined cuisine. Seasonality and quality of ingredients are paramount and we use the freshest ingredients available from local producers, weekly markets and our own organic garden and this is reflected in the menus we choose. Our skilled chefs will provide you with the knowledge to recreate with confidence when you return home.

To compliment each program we also include a delightful selection of excursions to medieval hill towns, ancient abbeys & Etruscan sites, Renaissance frescoes, classical concerts, vineyards, olive oils, pecorino cheese & wine tastings.

What is included for participants?

Tuition with highly qualified staff
7 nights shared accommodation
Buffet breakfast daily, Welcome dinner
Visit to local markets
All mentioned meals including wine tasting
Excursions listed in the itinerary
Comprehensive set of recipes to take home
English-Italian cooking expressions
Comprehensive set of recipes to take home

The course will cover

Starter = Antipasti
first course = primi piatti
main courses = secondi piatti
dessert = dolce

N.B. If you are a non-participant guest, you are welcome on the excursions, can use the facilities at the farmhouse and join in all the meals.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival day

We meet between 14.00 and 16.00 at Cortona (Terontola) train station, easily reached from Rome, Pisa, Florence or Milan. Relax and settle into your accommodation at our beautifully restored 17th century farmhouse which will become your home for the week. Enjoy a swim or a stroll around our gardens and then join us for a welcome cocktail party. While our cook prepares our Tuscan Feast you will be given an introduction to the week’s activities by your hosts, Pino & Caroline

Day 2

Brunello wine country

We travel to the walled hill-town of Montalcino, famous for Brunello, one of Italy’s finest wines. From the battlements of the Rocca castle you look down upon magnificent views of the Val D’Orcia and towards Monte Amiata. The prelude to our lunch is a cheese and wine tasting in the Enoteca of the castle which offers a wide selection of Brunello’s. After lunch we visit the cellars of a well-known winery, have lunch and then continue to the picturesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo, built by Charlemagne where the monks still celebrate mass in Gregorian chant. Our return journey home is through spectacular countryside
Cooking Lesson 1 – afternoon with dinner

Day 3

Vino Nobile wine country

Today we head into the wine country of Montepulciano. We visit the estate of a famous winery and taste Vino Nobile before entering the historic town through 16th century gates, where we are rewarded by magnificent palazzos and historic wine cellars. Lunch is in the tiny walled hamlet of Monticchiello whose location and quaintness leaves you with a sense of utopia. We end our day in Pienza a renaissance jewel and world heritage site also known for its art of pecorino cheese making. We have the fortune of visiting a small family run cheese-making farm, seeing how they make it and tasting different types served with pears honey, marmellata; what a way to end the day!

Day 4

Exploring Cortona

We start 2 miles outside the Etruscan city walls of Cortona at the spiritual and tranquil setting of Le Celle, 12th century Franciscan hermitage and then enter Cortona through one of the ancient city gates to explore its edieval streets, monuments and bustling piazzas. A guided tour of the Etruscan museum and some free time to indulge in a gelato follows, but don’t spoil your appetite as we have arranged wine tasting of Cortona wines and a tasty picnic lunch in the shady tree lined park. Introductory talk on Etruscan cooking.
Cooking Lesson 2 – afternoon with dinner

Day 5

Siena & Chianti wine country

Today we are accompanied by a Sienese art historian who leads us on a walking tour of the heart of Siena. We visit one of the most richly decorated cathedrals in the world with masterpieces by Duccio, Pisano, Lorenzetti, Donatello, Pinturicchio and Michelangelo. In the campo square we learn about the world famous Palio horse race and the traditions of its people. We peak into the open air fresh produce market. The rest of the day we are treated to the idyllic countryside of Chianti Classico stopping in Monteriggioni, tasting wine in Fonterutoli and entering the Castello di Brolio whose family created the blend for this world famous wine. In the evening we dine out at a Michelin star restaurant.

Day 6

From Piety to Decadence

This morning we visit our local market to choose the fresh produce that we will use for the cookery class. After lunch there is time for a well deserved rest. In the afternoon we visit the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore set in spectacular eroded landscape known as the crete senese. Here fine renaissance paintings by Sodoma and Signorelli adorn the cloister. Our day ends decadently as we relax in the hot springs of a local spa. In the evening we return to the house for an informal barbecue dinner.
Cooking Lesson 3 – afternoon with dinner

Day 7

Free day

Today you are free and have the opportunity to relax, return to Cortona, buy last minute souvenirs and have lunch independently in Cortona. We rendezvous late afternoon to prepare our farewell banquet and musical ensemble.
Cooking Lesson 4 – afternoon with dinner