Saturday 25th September
Limited to 12-14 Participants.
Including all lodgings, transportation and meals listed below; does not
include air or train fares, Transportation from Rome or Florence airports to
Ferraguzzo can be arranged for an extra charge.
The deadline for booking this tour is 25 June 2010
Price Euro 3.400 per person

Daily Schedule

7-9 a.m. Breakfast; cook serves and cleans up kitchen afterwards

8-9 a.m. Departure from Ferraguzzo for excursions

1 p.m. Lunch in restaurant or at Ferraguzzo

7,30-8 p.m. Dinner in a restaurant or at  Ferraguzzo


Saturday  25^th of September - Benvenuto! Welcome!

We meet at 1:30 pm Arezzo train station, halfway between Florence and Rome,
and are transported by a comfortable minibus to our home for the next week, to
Ferraguzzo ,  a recently restored 17th century farmhouse with spectacular
views over Umbria and Tuscany. At lunch we are introduced to selected of foods
from this region of farms and forests. After an optional country walk, we'll
taste some of the best local wines on the terrace at sunset. Dinner will be
prepared by the Beppina the cook followed by roasted chestnuts and vin santo
around the blazing hearth.

Sunday 26^th of September

 
"Educational itinerary to the Discovery of the Truffle" you will
understand its history and its secrets, you will live the excitement of
picking it in the woods, we will show you how to preserve the truffle and
how to use it in cooking.
You will assist in the preparation of dishes in which the "Precious Tuber"
is the main protagonist.
Tasting the cooked dishes will conclude this fantastic experience.
After a short, scenic drive into the next valley, we'll arrive at
picturesque town of  Monterchi  The picture gallery contains one of the most
beautiful paintings in central Italy: “La Madonna del Parto”, as well as
many works by Piero della Francesca, who was born in Sansepolcro. We will return
to our valley for dinner at our favourite restaurant, Il Castello di SOrci.

 Monday 27^th of September  - AREZZO

 
You may not know that worldwide famous personalities were born and lived in
Arezzo and its province over the centuries. What..!?! Surprised?? No, no..
you're right! There are even the likes of  Michelangelo and Leonardo..... And
who else? The picture  below shows you all the famous people that have lived
here.  They're quite a few, aren't  they? Following lunch in Arezzo, a
sophisticated ancient city, famous for its art museum, Etruscan and Medieval
architecture, Giostra del Saracino festival  and fashionable shops. After an initial
introduction to the city, you are free to wander on your own. We will join
up later for some of Arezzo's best pizza. Or  diner at  Ristorante Fiorentino , 


Tuesday  28^th of September – TOUR OF FLORENCE

In the morning we discover Florence and its history. 8. a.m  departure from
Ferraguzzo for Arezzo station Arrival Florence to 9.30. On a walking tour with
a professional English speaking guide. Itinerary through Piazza Santa Croce,
Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria is a perfect introduction to
Florence. We lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon we visit  the Uffizi Gallery,
one of the world's top art museums - it houses some of the most important
works of the Renaissance, including paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto,
Botticelli and Michelangelo. Lots of sculptures too. On the way home we'll
dine at Castello di Sorci, where Primetta Barelli, in her seventies, still
makes her own pasta and grills meats over the coals.


Wednesday 29^th of September - Gorgeous Gubbio

Wear your walking shoes! In the morning we visit the ancient hillside town
of Gubbio and its weekly farmer's market. Our guide will lead us on an
architecture and history tour and we'll learn about the area's prehistoric
importance, the Umbri tribe and Roman eras, and its height of power and
influence in the early Renaissance. We lunch in a restored medieval cantina,
returning home for a pasta demonstration and dinner with  Leda
 

 
Thursday,  30^th of September  - Textiles, Artisans and Truffle Treasures

Our first stop today is the bee keeper's farm for acacia and chestnut honey and
lovely candles, then we head north to Anghiari for a visit to an ancient
olive mill and the famous Busati textile workshop.  After lunch at a typical
Tuscan restaurant we hunt for truffles with Severio Bianconi, then head back
to Severio's farm for a lecture about how to cook with truffles, and an
excellent meal created by  Sra. Gabriella in which black and white truffles
will be served in abundance.

Friday,  1^st of October  -  Assisi and St. Francis

Off to the region's most famous town, art-filled Assisi, where Italy's
beloved St. Francis founded his order. We are treated to a special visit to
the home of a private collector of medieval art followed by a tour of the
town and a al fresco lunch (weather permitting). Then we return to Ferraguzzo
where Lido and Beppina will serve up a typical Tuscan  dinner in honour of
Medici family. We raise our glasses and toast the food and artisans of
Italy!
 
Saturday, 23^rd of October   Buon Viaggio!

We depart from Ferraguzzo at 10 a.m. for the Arezzo station, carrying with us fond
memories of our unforgettable week in Italy's heartland.

- cell 334 1431426