French Mediterranean

Our Program: We Cook, Eat, and Play

Cook: Join us in our medieval hill top village for a week of cooking delicious meals where the women of the village are masters of their art…food! They will endear you with their skills and laughter in the kitchen. Our teachers use the same recipes their grandmothers, or “Nonnas” as we say in Italy, used. Nothing has changed for generations–this is the way women in Tuscany have cooked for hundreds of years. Its magical to see Tuscan women cook!

Eat: After sharing time in the kitchen with new friends and your new “Nonna” we get to eat. We will sit around the table on patios, in gardens and sometimes in the kitchen and share the fruits of our labor. We will dine on homemade gnocchi, tagliatelli, bruschetta, herb chicken, stuffed flowers and original to Montefollonico–the thick ribbons of handmade eggless pasta–pici. And of course no meal is complete in Tuscany without a few good bottles of vino. We will also travel to neighboring villages and dine at renowned.

Play: After all the food and vino we are ready to play…the Tuscan Way. We will walk the cobblestone streets of villages, shop at local markets, visit wineries and cheese makers, see historic sights, and stop for cappuccino and local made pastries and taste creamy gelato. We will see who wins the red ravioli with their pasta rolling skills and who can win the coveted golden rolling pin for their skills and ability to pronounce.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Your home for the week will be at The Muse–within walking distance to Time Square. Our program fits all levels of cooks. Class sizes range from 10 – 16 people and all skill levels–just enough, but not too many.

COST

$3750 per person for our 6-night 7-day all-inclusive program, based on double occupancy.  There is an extra fee of $300 for a single room.  Cost includes 6 nights at Hotel La Costa in Montefollonico, hands on cooking classes, all meals, wine and receptions, excursions, tours, bus tours, and all gratuities.  In other words…as long as you are with the group, you pay for “nothing” –except for your souvenirs!  Airfare and airport transfers are not included.  We accept checks and credit cards.

DEPOSIT

$500 required at the time of booking.  The balance is due 90 days before start of the program.

CANCELLATION POLICY

120 days before start of program – full refund
119 days to 46 days before start of program – 50% refund
45 days before start of program you will unfortunately forfeit 100% of your payment.
BUT… if you do not cancel, and only want to change your date and notify us of this change before your arrival date, we can change this for you without any charge–assuming we have availability.

DATES FOR 2017

May 7 – 13 Full
May 14 – 20 Full, Private Group
May 21 – 27 Full
May 28 – June 3 Full
June 4 – 10 Full, Private Group
June 11 – 17 Full
June 25 – July1 Full

Sep 3 – 9 Full
Sep 10 – 16 Full
Sep 17 – 23 Full, Private Group
Sep 24 – 30 Full
Oct 1 – 7 Full
Oct 8 – 14 Full

DATES FOR 2018

May 6 – 12 Full
May 13 – 19 Full
May 20 – 26 Full
May 27 – June 2 Full
June 3 – 9 Full, Private Group
June 10 – 16 3 spaces available
June 17 – 23 Open

Sep 2 – 8 Full
Sep 9 – 15 Open
Sep 16 – 22 Full
Sep 23 – 29 Open
Sep 30 – Oct 6 Open
Oct 7 – 13 Open

DATES FOR 2019

May 5 – 11 Open
May 12 – 18 Open
May 19 – 25 Open
May 26 – June 1 Open
June 2 – 8 Open
June 9 – 15 Open
June 16 – 22 Open

Sep 1 – 7 Open
Sep 8 – 14 Open
Sep 15– 21 Open
Sep 22 – 28 Open
Sep 29 – Oct 5 Open
Oct 6 – 12 Open