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Singles & Friends -
Cooking Vacations south of Florence in
Italy
An Italian cooking singles vacation offers you the opportunity
to join like-minded singles for a wonderful week at a beautiful recently
restored Tuscan villa set in a stunning and tranquil location in the hills of
the Casentino valley just south of Florence. You will meet new people
immediately as you beome a class of up to 14 students from many different
countries and walks of life. Spend a week immersed in the culture and lifestyle
of Tuscany. You will learn to cook authentic Italian dishes in an informal and
friendly environment, learn the passion of the Italian kitchen, while making
new friends and having fun along the way.
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Casa Ombuto
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Casa Ombuto Lounge
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Torre del Tartufo
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Torre del Tartufo Pool
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All-inclusive hands-on Italian and Mediterranean cookery
courses are given in two luxurious villas in Tuscany. You stay in either
Torre del Tartufo or Casa Ombuto and have your courses in kitchens specially
designed for this purpose on location. The Italian cookery courses are given
by Paola
Baccetti in Casa Ombuto and by Franco
Palandra in Torre del Tartufo and the Italian Mediterranean cookery course by
Laura
Giusti in
Casa Ombuto. Courses are given in a "Cantina" which is a professional kitchen
specially designed to ensure that everyone has enough space to roll up their
sleeves and get to work. Casa Ombuto and Torre del Tartufo are both recently
restored large Tuscan villas each offering luxurious accommodation with all
modern comforts, including a private bathroom in every bedroom. Both have a
large solar heated pool and are situated on a hill with a spectacular panoramic
view of the surrounding hills and valleys. Both villas have been renovated with
an environmentally friendly approach. Heating is through solar energy, the water
is from a well and only burn wood from trees cut from their own woods. (more
than 115 acres). Trees are only cut to keep the woods clean and they are proud
to protect the nature and environment. They grow their own produce and use
organic products as much as possible. Fruit, Jams, honey and truffles also come
from their own estate.
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Italian Cookery
Course
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Italian Mediterranean Cookery
Course
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Learn to make complete 4 course
Italian dinners covering all the basic Italian cooking techniques.
You will make a wide range of Antipasta's including Crostini's,
Bruschetta and Torte Verdura to mention but a few.
You will make your own Gnocchi and roll out your own Pasta - the
authentic way with typical Tuscan fillings and delicious sauces. On
top of that you will learn to make pizza which is baked in our own
wood burning pizza oven. Meat dishes include Wild Boar with
polenta, Tagliata with green pepper sauce and baked vegetables and
much much more. Desserts include Poala's famous Panna cotta or
Franco’s warm lemon pie with Italian meringue.
The Italian cookery course is given by our Italian
chef Paola Baccetti in
Casa Ombuto and by Franco Palandra in
Torre del Tartufo.
They will teach you to cook four splendid four course Italian
dinners where you will learn the passion of the Italian kitchen and
have fun doing it.
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Learn dishes from four of the most
popular cuisines in Europe and North Africa. In one week you will
make an elaborate Italian dinner, a light Spanish lunch, an exotic
Moroccan dinner, a traditional French Provencale supper, and learn
to make various breads and pastries. You will learn to make
risotto, pasta's, Foccacia, Tapenade, Ratatouille, Gaspacho,
Tortilla, Tagine of chicken, spicy couscous and much much more.
Menus are innovative, healthy and delicious. The focus is on using
fresh ingredients which are prepared to ensure that taste is
paramount.
You can guess which country is being focused on by the smells from
the cantina each day!
The Italian Mediterranean cookery course is given by International
chef Laura Giusti. This course is more intensive as it
includes two extra morning sessions - one specializing in
Breads, Pastries and one a light Spanish Lunch.
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Courses at Casa Ombuto - Saturday
to Saturday
Courses at Torre del Tartufo - Sunday to Sunday.
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Courses at Casa Ombuto - Saturday
to Saturday
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Day1
Depart
from New York or your home town for Florence,
Italy
Day
2
Arrival Florence airport for check-in at the
villa after 4:00 p.m.
Welcoming dinner and introduction given by the chef and a chance to
get to meet all the other singles.
Day
3
Breakfast is served at the villa and a light
lunch at around 1:00 p.m. for those who are not sightseeing.
Hands-on cooking lesson starts around 3:00 p.m. you prepare a four
course meal. For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied
by a delicious Tuscan wines to compliment the
dishes.
Day 4
A buffet
Breakfast is served and then you have time to relax, do some
sightseeing, enjoy the pool or take a walk. A light lunch is served
around 1:00pm Hands-on cooking lesson starts around 3:00pm you
prepare a four course meal. For dinner you will dine on your
creations.
Day
5
After Breakfast there is full day excursion.
The program varies depending on which villa you are staying in but
they are both culinary excursions including visits to cheese farms,
wine and olive oil tasting. If you are staying in Torre del Tartufo
you visit the Casentino area and it also includes a visit to a
castle and ceramic factory and if you are staying in Casa Ombuto
you visit Arezzo and the surrounding areas and includes a visit to
textile factory and shopping in Arezzo. Both days are rounded off
with a special dinner in a wonderful location.
Day 6
Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure. After lunch hands-on
cooking lesson starts around 3:00 pm you prepare a four course
dinner. For dinner you will dine on your creations accompanied by
the finest Tuscan wines.
Day 7
After breakfast you have the day for
yourselves, to do some sightseeing or just enjoy the peaceful
surroundings. An ideal day to make a trip to Florence for shopping
and sightseeing as it's only a 32 mile
drive away. Or visit La Verna an ancient monastery where San
Francisco de Assisi lived most of his life. You can of course stay
at the villas and relax at the pool or take a dip in the Hot Tub.
Dinner reservations can be made at a restaurant of your choice.
Day
8
Breakfast is followed by a morning at leisure
and for those interested we have a light lunch ready at 1:00pm.
Hands on cooking lesson starts at 3:00pm and you will prepare an
elaborate buffet dinner covering all the cooking techniques you
have just learned and many more. Presentation of food will also be
demonstrated. At the grand finale dinner you will be presented with
a certificate of attendance.
Day
9
Depart to the Florence airport and take your
international flight home.
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Day1
Depart from New York or your home town for Florence,
Italy
Day 2
Arrive Florence airport
and transfer for 4:00pm
check-in at Casa Ombuto. Welcoming dinner and introduction given by
Laura Giusti and a chance to get to meet all the other singles.
Day
3
Breakfast is served and you are free until lunch is served around
1:00pm. Hands-on cooking lesson around 3:00pm you prepare a four
course Italian dinner. Dine on your creations accompanied by the
finest Tuscan wines.
Day4
Breakfast
around 10:30am a hands-on, two and a half hour breads and
pastry lesson. A light lunch together and then time to relax.
Hands-on cooking lesson starts around 3:00pm you prepare an
elaborate French four course dinner. For dinner you will dine
on your creations.
Day
5
After Breakfast there is full day excursion
with visits to Salami factory, Pecorino and Goat cheese farm, Wine
estate for wine tasting and lunch, Olive oil mill and oil tasting,
city visit to Arezzo for shopping and sightseeing, and before
dinner a visit to a Tuscan textile manufacturer in Anghiari. Then
we will all dine outside Poppi with a beautiful view of the
Castello of Poppi!
Day
6
Breakfast then around 10:30am a hands-on cookery course in
preparation of a Spanish lunch for two hours. After lunch together
you have time off until around 3:00pm. Then you prepare a three
course Moroccan dinner together with several side dishes. For
dinner you will dine on your exotic creations.
Day
7
After breakfast the day is at leisure,
to do some sightseeing or enjoy the surroundings. A trip to
Florence for shopping and sightseeing is only a 32 miles away
or visit La Verna an ancient monastery where San Francisco de
Assisi lived most of his life. You can stay at Casa Ombuto
and relax at the pool or take a dip in the Hot Tub. Dinner
reservations can be made at a restaurant of your choice.
Day
8
Breakfast, a morning of leisure and a light
lunch at 1:00pm. Hands on cooking lesson starts at 3:00pm. All four
cuisines will be in the buffet dinner covering all the techniques
you have just learned any many more. Food presentation will be
demonstrated. At the finale dinner you will be presented a
certificate of attendance.
Day
9
Depart to Florence airport and take your
international flight home.
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Sample
Menus
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Sample
Menus
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Available Dates
Casa Ombuto -
2010
April 17 - 18
May 1-8
May 8 - 15
May 22-29
May 9 - June 5
June 12 - 19
June 19 - 26
July 3 - 10
July 10 - 17
Aug 14 - 21
Aug 21 - 28
Aug 28 - Sep 18
Sep 18 -25
Sep 25 - Oct 2
Oct 9 - 16
Oct 16 - 23
Oct 30 - Nov 6
Nov 6 - Nov 13
Torre del Tartufo 2010
Apr 18 - 25
Apr 25 - May 2
May 2 - 9
May 9 - 16
May 30 - Jun 6
Jun 6 - 13
Jun 13 - 20
Jun 20 - 27
Jun 27 - Jul 4
Jul 4 - 11
Jul 11 - 18
Aug 22 - 29
Aug 29 - Sep 5
Sep 5 - 12
Sep 12 - 19
Sep 19 - 26
Oct 10 - 17
Oct 17 - 24
Oct 24 - 31
*** = weeks also offering 3 day cookery course.
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Available
Dates
2010
Apr 24 - May 1
May 15 - 22
Jun 5 - 12
Jun 26 - Jul 3
Jul 17 - July 24
Sep 4 - 11
Sep 11 - 18
Oct 2 - 9
Oct 23 - 30
Nov 7 - 14
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Price for
All-Inclusive Package - $4,795*Double Occupancy
There are no
hidden or extra costs, and you feel totally at home to come and go as you
please. Non cooking guests ($3,895) are welcome on the excursion and can use
the facilities at the villa and join in at the meals.
Includes
* Airfare from JFK airport, New York (or we can arrange air from
your home city)
* Car rental or train transfers included
* 7 Nights accomodations and use of all the Villa's facilities
* 6 Dinners - 5 light lunches - 7 buffet breakfasts
* 4 Cooking lessons of approximately four hours each
* 2 Morning courses of about 2 1/2 hours each (Mediterrean Cookery
only)
* Superb Tuscan wines during dinner, liquors for after dinner. House wine, soft
drinks, tea and coffee are freely available
* One day excursion as listed above
* Cookbook, apron and
certificate
*Roommate matching is available
so there is never a need to pay a single supplement. If you wish to room solo there
is an additional $500 charge. A $2,000 deposit is required to make the reservation
with either visa, mc, or check. The remaining amount is due 30 days prior to
arrival date.
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New!!!! For selective weeks: Introducing a
Three day cooking vacation at the Italian cookery course at
Torre del Tartufo 
- Two cooking lessons (Monday and
Wednesday)
- Full day culinary excursion
(Tuesday)
- All meals and fine Italian wines and other
beverages included
- Luxurious accommodation in Torre del
Tartufo villa with private bedrooms with ensuite
bathrooms
- Free transfer from Arezzo train station
(Monday noon and Thursday morning after
breakfast)
- Apron and Recipe book
Arrival day: Monday in time for
lunch
Departure day: After breakfast on Thursday
Price for 3 day cookery course - $1,850 (price does not include
airfare)
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Cancellation and Change
Policy
If you cancel 60 days prior to
arrival date you will receive your deposit less an administration charge of $500.
If you cancel between 60 and 45 days you will unfortunately forfeit your deposit.
Cancellation less than 30 days prior to arrival date 100% of the amount is
forfeited. If you want to change your date 60 days prior to arrival date there is
no charge to change the land portion, assuming there is availability. The charge to
change the airline ticket is whatever the airline is charging at the present time.
We strongly recommend that you take travel insurance to cover in case you need to
cancel.
For Availability and Booking
Information
877 848-7477
or
cooking@bestsingletravel.com
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