Porto Ercole, Italy

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Learn how the Italians prepare their food so that is is more than just a sit-down dinner – it is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate and a meal that you wish would never end. Discover the secrets behind the incredible dishes that have made Italian cooking one of the most popular cuisines in the world. The tour culminates with a grand feast with a local chef.

All of this beautiful imagery takes place in Porto Ercole, a lovely village located right on the Mediterranean in the Tuscany region of Italy. The tour consists of 4 days of learning to prepare classic Italian dishes using ingredients found in the local markets. You will learn the secrets of preparing incredible antipasto as well as creative ways to present these tasty appetizers. The tour culminates in a grand multi-course dinner that you and the other guests have actually created. And after you have returned home, the sights and sounds of Italy will be renewed as you unlock the mysteries of this incredible cuisine in your own kitchen. The cooking classes are conducted by Suzanne McNeilly, a graduate of the Seattle Central Community College of Culinary Arts (accredited by the American Culinary Federation).

On the days you are not cooking, you will be shopping for the best ingredients in local markets, visiting wineries, and meeting extraordinary people such as local families from the village. (You may even get to cook dinner for some of them – a true Italian party at the villa!) There will be a day trip to Sienna. We will also take you to the heart of Tuscany to shop at the world famous San Lorenzo Market in Florence. There you will find stalls overflowing with the most incredible selection of food Italy has to offer. You will spend the night in this fabulous city, so there will be plenty of time for sight-seeing.

Casa Moorehead, the country estate you will be staying in at Porto Ercole, has 8 bedrooms, 4 full baths, and garden terraces for dining and relaxing.

This could be one of the greatest times of your life. As one previous guest commented, “It is the most wonderful vacation I have ever experienced.” When you return home, your trip will only be as far away as your kitchen when you prepare one of the fantastic meals you mastered in Italy. The best place to learn Italian is in the kitchen!

TourDetails

Price of this culinary tour is $3750 per person.
This 10 day package includes 4 days of hands-on cooking instruction, printed recipes of all meals prepared in class, a special cooking lesson from a local chef, lodging at the villa and one night in Florence, all meals served at Casa Moorehead (including wine with dinner), breakfast and dinner in Florence, tours of local markets and wineries, transportation to and from the Rome Airport.

Limited to 8 persons.
Price does not include airfare.
Day by day itinerary available upon request.

Montestigliano, Italy

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If you dream of Italy – and who doesn’t – be prepared to fall in love with Italy on this tour. Come with us to the Tuscan countryside to learn traditional recipes, explore the famous wine road, and mingle with local artisans. Learn how Italians prepare their food so that it is more than just a meal; it is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Montestigliano is in the heart of Chianti wine country, so the tour will include visits to two wineries – Dievole and Verrazzano. The Verrazzano winery produces an excellent Vin Santo and the best balsamic vinegar we have ever tasted. You will take day trips to Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, Siena, Lucca, Greve, and Florence. There will be an olive oil tasting and it is possible to adopt an olive tree right at Montestigliano. One night we will have delicious pizzas prepared in an antique wood stove and on our final night, we will gather for a grand Tuscan dinner prepared by the chef of Montestigliano and served on the Grand Piazza!

You will be staying at a working farm with completely renovated houses. Montestigliano is in the Tuscan hills just south of Siena. The estate is composed of a group of 18th century houses and farm buildings which have been carefully restored to retain the original features common to Tuscan architecture, such as exposed beam ceilings, whitewashed walls and terra-cotta tile floors. The villa you will be staying in was the principal house on the estate and was built in the 18th century.

With its generous proportions and fine architectural features, the house still gives a feeling of nobility as it is furnished with many beautiful pieces of antique furniture and decorations. There is a large entrance hall, dining room, living room, and a kitchen with a large open fireplace. The backdoor opens into a large garden filled with fruit trees and glorious views of the Tuscan hillside. There are 7 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms (2 of the bedrooms have sinks in the rooms). The immediate surroundings of the 2400 acre estate provide a glorious setting for walking, hiking and mountain biking. There are 2 beautiful swimming pools for your use as well.

Tour Details

The price of this extraordinary tour is $3450 per person and is limited to 10 people. The price includes lodging, all meals at the estate (wine included with dinner), all tours, cooking class, special chef night, and transportation to and from the Florence Airport.

Price does not include airfare and lunches on day trips away from the estate. A day by day itinerary is available upon request.

Porto Ercole, Italy

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Imagine sitting on a terrace of an enchanting Italian country estate looking over the silvery green leaves of olive orchards that gently slope down to a small village filled with colorful, old buildings, that just happen to sit right on the edge of the beautiful blue Mediterranean. And, of course, you are sipping one of the great red or white wines produced in this region. And from here you will take day trips to the Tuscany that most Americans don’t see as well as spend 2 days in Florence. This tour guarantees that you will leave your heart in Italy and truly become Italian.

All of this will actually take place at Casa Moorehead, a country estate located on a hill overlooking Porto Ercole, a lovely beachside village in Tuscany. You will come home each evening to delicious meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients and served outside under the grape arbor. Relax on two wonderful terraces overlooking the Mediterranean with breath-taking views (moonlight on the Mediterranean is something to behold.) Books (in English), some written by the villa owner’s father, Alan Moorehead, a renown Australian author, are found throughout the house. The home contains 8 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and on the 10 acres surrounding the estate are a swimming pool and hiking trails.

Day 1: We will meet you at the Rome Airport mid-day and then travel via van up the coast to our country estate where you will be greeted with a delicious antipasti party.

Day 2: Settle in at Casa Moorehead and then in the afternoon explore Porto Ercole.

Day 3: A day trip to Siena. This town is defined by its Gothic architecture, built in a namesake shade of reddish brown. Start your visit from the famous fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, where you will meet your local English speaking guide who will take you to all the hidden treasures of Siena. Shopping is great here, especially ceramics and pottery. Have lunch on the Piazza and watch the world go by.

Day 4: This morning we take a panoramic drive around the hilltops overlooking the Mediterranean. This drive rivals the Amalfi Coast in the south of Italy and no traffic!! We will be stopping for coffee at a lovely hotel on the edge of the cliff. And then we will have lunch in Porto Santa Stefano, Porto Ercole’s sister city. There will be plenty of time to wander along the beautiful boardwalk and enjoy some shopping.

Day 5: Today we train to Florence. Visit the famous museums – the Accademia where Michelangelo’s David is housed, and the Uffizi, Italy’s greatest art gallery. Take in the spectacular Duomo and its orange-tiled dome, Florence’s most famous symbol. We will take a guided evening stroll around Florence and then have dinner, before going back to our hotel in the heart of Florence.

Day 6: You will take a guided tour of the Uffizi and the Vasari Corridor and then there will be time left to explore on your own – great shopping for leather goods and clothes. Dinner that night will be at one of Rachel Ray’s favorite restaurants in Florence.

Day 7: There will be more time for shopping this morning, before returning to Porto Ercole in the afternoon.

Day 8: This is market day in Porto Ercole – a great time to shop for tablecloths, linens, food items, and a host of other things. You will truly feel like an Italian. There will be a hands-on cooking class in the afternoon at Casa Moorehead. We will be using all the great food purchases from the morning market! If you are not up for the class, then you can spend the afternoon at the local beach on the Mediterranean.

Day 9: Sovana, Sorano, and Pitigliano – 3 ancient Etruscan villages. You can hike the “hollow road” to Sorano. These trails are excavated in the tufa (yellow volcanic rock typical of this area) and are like tunnels winding down from the hills to the banks of the river or valley. You will feel like you have stepped back in time. Then there will be time for visits to Pitigliano and Sovana after the walk.

Day 10: Day trip to the island of Giglio. This ancient island has a remarkably preserved village at the top of its mountain. After the breath-taking bus ride to the top, you can explore the village and then continue on down the back side of the island to a beautiful beach for swimming or just relaxing.

Day 11: We will spend the morning in Orbetello and enjoy a boat ride around the harbor. We will end the day with a Grand Italian Feast prepared by a local chef.

Day 12: Depart for home. We will take you to the Rome Airport or help with other arrangements if you are staying on in Italy.

Tour Details

Price is $3850 per person and includes all lodging, all meals at the country estate (including wine with dinner), breakfasts and dinners in Florence, transportation for all side trips, all guided tours, and transportation to and from the Rome Airport. Price does not include airfare and lunches away from Casa Moorehead.

Limited to 9 women.

Montestigliano, Italy

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From the hills of Tuscany to the Mediterranean – come discover the beauty of the hilltop towns to the spectacular villages of Cinque Terre on the sea. This new tour for Changing Gears Journeys will take your breath away!
Montestigliano is located in the Tuscan hills just south of Siena. It is in the heart of Chianti wine country, so the tour includes visits to two wineries – Dievole and Verrazzano. The Verrazzano winery produces an excellent Vin Santo and the best balsamic vinegar we have ever tasted. You will take day trips to Montepulciano, Pienza, Siena, Greve, San Gimignano, and Florence. There will also be a 2 day overnight trip to the Cinque Terre area with a stop at Lucca on the way back to Montestigliano. There will be an olive oil tasting and it may be possible to adopt an olive tree right at Montestigliano. You can also take part in a hands-on cooking class in the kitchen of our estate. On the final night of the tour, we will gather for a grand Tuscan dinner prepared by the chef of Montestigliano and served on the Grand Piazza!

Montestigliano is a working farm. The estate is composed of a group of 18th century houses and farm buildings which have been carefully restored to retain the original features common to Tuscan architecture, such as exposed beam ceilings, whitewashed walls and terra-cotta tile floors. The villa you will be staying in was the principal house on the estate. With its generous proportions and fine architectural features, the house still gives a feeling of nobility as it is furnished with many beautiful pieces of antique furniture and decorations. There is a large entrance hall, dining room, living room and a kitchen with a large open fireplace. The backdoor opens into a large garden filled with fruit trees and glorious views of the Tuscan hillside. The villa has 7 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms (2 of the bedrooms have sinks in the room). The immediate surroundings of the 2400 acre estate provide a glorious setting for hiking. There are 2 beautiful swimming pools for your use also.

Itinerary

Day 1: Pickup at Florence Airport. Antipasti party at Villa Donati, your home away from home in the heart of Chianti wine country.

Day 2: Montepulciano and Pienza. A guide will take you to a working winery just outside Montepulciano, followed by a walking tour of this wonderful hilltop town, home of the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Then you will have lunch in Pienza, the birthplace of Pope Pius II, and a great Renaissance town.

Day 3: Day trip to Siena with a guide. Siena is defined by its Gothic architecture, built in a namesake shade of reddish brown. You will start your tour at the famous fan-shaped Piazza del Campo. Shopping is great here, especially ceramics and pottery.

Day 4: Travel over to the Cinque Terre area where you will spend 2 days. Cinque Terre means five lands and it is a series of villages clinging to a remote stretch of the Italian Riviera coastline.

Day 5: Walk between several Cinque Terre towns. Plenty of time for the beach and shopping.

Day 6: Depart the Cinque Terre area. Stop at Lucca for a few hours on way back to Montestigliano. Lucca is the only town in Italy entirely surrounded by walls. You can walk around the city on the wide shaded walkways atop the walls.

Day 7: Wine tasting at Dievole Winery. This winery is located in a valley close to our villa and is a producer of Chianti Classico wines. After the wine tasting, it is back to the villa for an olive oil tasting.

Day 8: All day in Florence with a guided walking tour of the city. Take in the spectacular Duomo and its orange-tiled dome, Florence’s most famous symbol. Great shopping for leather goods and clothes.

Day 9: Visit a local market and then back to the villa for a hands-on cooking class.

Day 10: Wine tour at Verrazzano Winery with stop at Greve. You will have lunch at the fabulous Castello di Verrazzano. After the wine tour, it is on to Greve, a pretty little village with an unusual triangular piazza lined with porticoes.

Day 11: San Gimignano, known as the City of Beautiful Towers, is a classic medieval walled hill town. Originally there were 72 towers, but now its 14 surviving medieval towers create a beautiful skyline visible from the surrounding countryside.

Day 12: Depart for home from Florence Airport

TOUR DETAILS:

The price of this extraordinary tour is $3700 per person.
The price includes all lodging, all meals at the estate (wine included with dinner), all tours, cooking class, breakfast and dinner in Cinque Terre, grand feast on the piazza, transportation to and from the Florence Airport.

Price does not include airfare and lunches away from the estate.
Tour is limited to 8 women.

Tuscan Countryside and the Eternal City

- Montisi and Rome, Italy

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Dream of lingering in a place where life changes slowly- where life abounds with artisans, farmers and family. This tour is a portrait of Italian village life! Your home during this tour will be in an authentic Italian villa right in the center of a real live Italian village of 400 called Montisi. This village is in the heart of Super Tuscan wine country near Montepulciano and Montalcino. The trick to enjoying this wonderful place is to settle in and begin to hear the rhythms of the house, of the village, and the ancient countryside, lived in since long before the Roman Empire. After your week in Montisi you will go onto Rome for a few days of sightseeing, including a boat ride on the Tiber River to Ostia Antica, the ancient port town of Rome.

The villa you will be staying in is called Villa Maddalena, named after the owner’s daughter. The villa has original sections from the 12th, 16th and 18th centuries that have been thoughtfully restored, furnished and decorated to retain the authentic Tuscan architecture. Each bedroom has it own modern bathroom. Most of your meals will be prepared at the villa by Suzanne, an accomplished chef, but we will have a very special meal at one of our favorite local restaurants.

While in Montisi you will visit the hill top towns of Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino, and the hot springs town of Bagno Vignoni. You will also have a cooking class in the kitchen of the villa. There will also be a visit to the great Renaissance city of Florence. Art, architecture, history and culture will surround you, all bathed in the clear, dazzling light of the Tuscan sun.

In Rome, there will be visits to St. Peters, the Jewish Ghetto area, the Spanish Steps, and the Coliseum. You will spending 4 nights in a hotel near Campo de’Fiori, so right in the heart of all the tourist attractions.

Tour Details

The tour is open to men and women and the price is $4000.00.
Price includes lodging, all breakfasts and dinners and some lunches in Montisi, all breakfasts and 2 dinners in Rome, all local tours, transportation around the local area and pickup at the Florence Airport.
Your departure home will be from Rome.
Price does not include airfare, 2 dinners and lunches in Rome.
Limited to 12 participants.

Cooking Classes and Wine Tours

- Provence, France

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This 12 day tour takes place in a gorgeous French estate located outside the tiny village of La Roque sur Prenes, which is about 35 minutes east of Avignon, in the heart of Provence. The estate is called La Ferme Valentin.

The tour includes cooking classes, wine tours, exploring the French countryside, a boat ride through the Les Calanques, a distinctive series of Mediterranean fjords, and visits to towns such as Avignon.

You will visit a goat farm and learn from the farmer how to make goat cheese. On another day you will visit a local bakery to learn how to make baguettes and other French yummies. On these days we will have half day French cooking classes taught by Suzanne. There will also be one full day cooking class where you will learn how to cook the cassoulet, the ultimate comfort food of Provence.

There will be wine tasting tours in the Cotes de Rhone wine villages. Besides visiting some of the well known towns around the estate, such as Avignon, we will also visit Les Baux de Provence, a medieval fortified town. And the estate is located close to small French villages very much alive with real live French families (not tourist filled). We will also have a guided walking tour through the nearby forests of oak, chestnut and olive trees with views that are not to be compared.

The estate has 5 bedrooms, each with its own modern bathroom. This recently restored traditional French home has TV with English satellite, cinema with videos to watch at your leisure, table tennis, washing machine, and a pool. There is also an internet connection. There are lovely Provencal countryside views from all the rooms.

Tour Details

This great new culinary tour in Provence is $4000.00 per person.
Price includes all meals, except some lunches, all tours around the countryside, boat ride, wine tours, cooking classes and visits to local artisans, and lodging. Price does not include airfare and some lunches.
Tour price does include transportation to and from Marseille Airport.
Tour is open to men and women and is limited to 8 people.
There will be plenty of activities for those who do not wish to participate in the cooking classes.