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Carmignano: the Medici's legacy. For artists and writers who have called Tuscany “home” the land opens breathtaking vistas back into time and onto beauty , acting as a wellspring of creativity and inspiration for their masterpieces . Carmignano, on the hills outside Florence , worked as a magnet for the noble Medici’ Family as a new frontier of wine-making. |
Here, back in 1716 The Granduca Cosimo III fondly changed the grape varieties by Introducing the so called “French Grapes” in their Estate with innovative oenological methods, giving a finer character to the traditional local wines and starting a new generation of “Supertuscan” ones, that now are known and awarded world-wide.
A similar harmony of proportions and elegance can be seen in the glorious and historical villas that were projected and built as a Summer residence and hunting retreat for the Medici’s in the villages of Poggio a Caiano, at the footsteps of Montalbano hills and in Artimino, amidst their vast domain of land and properties. As backdrop of your culinary and cultural experience, Villa il Sogno in Carmignano will be a warm, and welcoming stay for the whole week The owners of the Villa and the English – speaking Chef Giuseppe has set up an unique program for guests so as to let them discover the undiscovered Tuscany and its gastronomic treasures.
 1 ° Arrival at the villa Il Sogno. Aperitif and following Dinner based on a season’s menu with Introduction to the course and orientation by your host Giuseppe , a professional Chef, who has been trained both in Italy and U.S with frequent participations in culinary contests in Italy and abroad. He is also in charge of culinary and wine classes in a Study Abroad Program for U.S students in Florence. On this week-long program an emphasis will be put on special farm produce , cheese, meats, and wines, enabling you to understand how Italians choose and elaborate these fine ingredients to be transformed in both traditional and creative dishes.
2° Olive oil day: Escursion to an olive farm and dependably on the season , visit to an olive press - Frantoio- where Farmers bring their olives right after the day’s harvest.
Olive varietals and extra virgin olive oils will be explained as well, ending with a lunch based on farm produce doused with extra virgin !!! Samples : bruschetta with white beans and
kale, platters of cured prosciutto and salami , cheese, and farm-made pickles.
Lunch will be at the mill or in a nearby olive estate .
Back to the Villa.
Afternoon class : Any of the following : Antipasti :deep fried zucchini with buffalo mozzarella,
a stuffed pasta or a scrumptious risotto or a frantoiana soup, then sauces that are mainstays in our culinary tradition : meat sauce, simple tomato , arrabbiata sauce, pesto.
Some options of desserts : any of the following : Warm Chocolate and hazelnuts soufflé with Rum sauce, Florentine Zuccotto , strawberries tart with sabajon sauce . Selection of wines.
3° Escorted Tour to Carmignano castle and visit to the historical centre , the quaint local museum of wine which is run by a the villagers’ association, then visit to the beautiful Medici villa of Poggio a Caiano, built by architect Sangallo, which conjures up the Florentine renaissance’ era Light lunch at a “ trattoria” for an earthy soup , such as : ribollita or pappa al pomodoro, and In the afternoon visit to Sesto Fiorentino for a guided tour to the oldest – over 260 years old- Porcelain factory of Doccia founded by the Marchese Carlo Ginori , back in 1735.
This evening you will be participating in a pizza class, by firing the in-door brick oven at the Villa .
4° Visit at the farmers’ market . Morning class : Typical season’s menu which will be focused on a classic mixed tuscan charcoal grill (the roasting jack will be set up at the fireplace ) and chestnut flour rolls with Ricotta ( Necci) will be taught . You will see and participate in a re-enactment of country cooking as it was back in the 18th century, by cooking chestnuts pancakes with hot stone discs.
Afternoon free: Why don’t you drive down to Prato for seeing the Pecci museum or the Textile museum? : seeing the 3 sections of the exhibition that focuses on the growth of Mediterranean textile culture with contamination of various civilizations of the sea.
Find time on your own for a coffee or tea in the Duomo square . Return. Dinner at a Trattoria in the village of Carmignano .
5° Morning trip to S. Miniato – a medieval fortress which has seen the rivalry between the republic of Pisa and Florence . The city has a wealth of historical palaces and museum. We will be heading to a nearby village for a truffle hunt with a local digger . We will also Enjoy truffle-based dishes at a local trattoria in S. Miniato. Return . Afternoon and evening free : You can just relax under the gazebo with a glass of wine. Or plan to go to Florence or Lucca for your shopping.
6° Excursion to Lari , a massive castle on a hilltop which controls a vast area of farmlands and Vineyards in the province of Pisa. The medieval village fought against the Province of Lucca In the 13th and 14th century and ,later, became a military stronghold of the Florentine republic. We will see a family-run pasta factory that still uses old – fashioned equipment , yet sells its products world-wide and have the possibility to buy this special pasta.
We will also see a wrought –iron artisan’s workshop nearby ,that recreates medieval body armours and swords. We will make our lunch break with focaccia and some cured ham in an “Alimentari” – a deli shop- with local wine. Return to the villa . Dinner in the famous restaurant “ Da Delfina” on Artimino hills with ceremony of certificate awards in Tuscan culinary.
7 ° Breakfast and transfer to the airport .
The package is including: Classes with either lunch or Dinner, with wines
All the scheduled visits – escorted –
Meals at the restaurants as mentioned in the program
Accommodations on B&B basis
Transfer from /to the airport
Not included entrance fee to museum, galleries.
Two people price : 4200 euro
Up to 4 people : 1950 euro /per person
Up to 6 people : 1750 euro /per person
Up to 8 people : 1550 euro /per person
Single supplement : 250 euro
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