Saturday

Arrival to Villa Pandolfini Estate, orientation and 'Benvenuto Dinner' to meet the Chefs and your hosts. The entire group will arrive after lunch and settle into their accommodations, having time to explore the estate, relax and freshen up for the 'Benvenuto' dinner which will take place in the villa's historical 14th Century kitchen, the heart of this gastronomical adventure. Participants will receive their recipe books and course guidelines. Partners are also welcome to join the welcome dinner where you will feast on traditional Tuscan fare of the season and enjoy the estate's wine.

Sunday

'Southern Tuscany Tour' The group will visit a charming vineyard estate owned by one of Tuscany's renowned noble families where you will have the opportunity to savour their wines, olive oil, cheese and salami and enjoy a light lunch at the vineyard's restaurant. Then we continue onto the characteristic towns of San Quirico and Bagno Vignoni, famous for the natural hot springs. Relax in Pienza, a quaint village full of lovely shops selling crafts and local produce and the view overlooking the Val d'Orcia is absolutely spectacular. Dinner tonight in the local pizzeria. This is what real pizza should taste like!

Monday

Cooking Day 1. Starting at 10am, the day's cooking will finish at 3pm, after a lunch prepared by the students. The afternoon allows time to relax or opt to choose additional activities and tours offered in our 'Additional Activities' program.

Tuesday

Cooking Day 2, from 10am - 3 pm, finishing with lunch prepared by the participants. The afternoon, there will be an OPTIONAL afternoon tour (to be paid separately), such as to 'Chianti and San Gimignano', or a trip to see the leaning tower of Pisa and then the charming town of Lucca.

Wednesday

Visit to 'Mercato Centrale, Lunch and free afternoon in Florence. We can book the museums for you if you like or a private guide to take you on a walking tour of the city. Evening dinner at a historical Florentine restaurant with us! We will meet you in Florence at the restaurant and dine with you and bring you home .

Thursday

Cooking Day 3, from 9.30am -2.30 pm, finishing with lunch prepared by the students. In the afternoon, a seasonal activity such as Truffle Hunting ( obviously in the appropriate season ) can be arranged, or else there will be scheduled Free Time during which the group can relax or opt to choose additional activities and tours offered in our ' Additional Activities' program

Friday

Cooking Day 4 and Excursion to Italian Hand Painted Ceramics Factory, where we share with you one of the centuries old crafts, that is still alive and well today. We will travel through the winding hills to reach a magnificent Medici villa which we will visit and get an insight into the incredible word of the Medici family and the last royal family of Italy. Lunch will be in a medieval hamlet at one of the nicest restaurants in Tuscany. In the summer and spring we sit on the terrace and in the winter in the old restored farmhouse converted to a restaurant. We then head back to relax before the cooking class begins in the afternoon, for the preparation of the farewell dinner for the entire group - partners welcome of course! At the dinner you will be joined by your hosts and accompanied by live music.