logo

 877 848-7477   

 

Singles & Friends: Trips - Vacations - Cruises

18 - 35 Year Olds

30's 40's 50's & Active 60 Year Olds

 

 

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.

Casa Ombuto

Casa Ombuto Lounge

Torre del Tartufo

Torre del Tartufo Pool

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.  

Italian Cookery Course

 

Italian Mediterranean Cookery
 Course

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.

 

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.

 

Courses at Casa Ombuto - Saturday to Saturday
Courses at Torre del Tartufo - Sunday to Sunday.

 

Courses at Casa Ombuto - Saturday to Saturday

 

 

 

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.

 

Day1
Depart from New York or your home town for Florence, Italy

Da
y 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.

 

 

Sample Menus

 

Sample Menus

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.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 






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.

 

3 day cookery course

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)

 


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

 

 

 

 

 

Need Airfare?

Click Below

Airfare.com-Save 70% on tickets.

Kayak.com

Expedia.com!

Chose Your Exact Flight & Time!

Get Flight Deals under $199 only at CheapOair.com

EconomyTravel.com

OneTravel.com Flight Deals

Bookmark Page
BlinkList Delicious Digg Diigo Facebook Fark Furl Google Bookmarks Spurl Stumbleupon Twitter Yahoo My Web