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This June experience is especially for foodies who’d like to discover the delights of the food and wine of a rich part of Italy, whilst exploring in style the art and history of the area. A little of magnificent Orvieto, followed by a week based in etruscan Cortona. Guided and accompanied by a local chef, we’ll eat where and what real locals eat! And we offer two (optional) cooking classes, all in a convivial relaxed atmosphere.
Our first 2 nights are in Orvieto, Umbria staying at an agriturismo in our own separate stone house on a large working estate, overlooking the world renowned cathedral, followed by 7 nights in Cortona, Tuscany in a restored country villa with a swimming pool, grape vines and olive trees.
Our Orvieto agriturismo is well-positioned amid undulating green hills and valleys: a perfect place to relax and enjoy the fresh country air. It has a swimming pool, a very old oil mill and wine cellars to visit for our first wine tasting, where we’ll meet the family owners of this estate. In a town built atop a column of compressed volcanic ash, we’ll take a guided tour, including the one and only church for this tour – the large Romanesque-Gothic cathedral of Orvieto, commenced in 1290, now with a magnificent mosaic inlaid façade. For those of you who would like to try your hand at preparing traditional food of the region we’ll have a local chef with us: he jokes that Nonna (grandmother) only allows him to assist with the cooking class, as she wants to ensure everything is done correctly!
Cortona, our Tuscan base for a week, provides easy access to many of the interesting places in south-east Tuscany. Our home here is well yet simply renovated, retaining some of the particular features of Tuscan houses: the huge beams above and the terracotta floors beneath. In addition, it offers modern clean bathrooms On Sunday we’ll mix with the local people in celebration, eating and partying at their annual Sagra, on another day a visit to Deruta – the ceramics art town- and a workshop where we can see the designs carefully painted by hand, followed by lunch at a trattoria which has provided some of our most memorable meals in all Tuscany: they serve a wide range of antipasti smorgasbord style, and one of the most delectable main course slow cooked meats I have ever tasted. With our charming and knowledgeable guide we’ll visit Perugia – and anyone who has visited the university town previously will be delighted to know there are now modern escalators to get to the main piazza at the top! Together with Perugia, Siena is considered one of Central Italy’s cities most rich in history and art works, and we’ll spend some time exploring and enjoying that famous town also.
Montepulciano is one of the most attractive hills towns in Tuscany. It is built on a ridge of Monte Poliziano and, although it’s a small town, its main street stretches for 11.5 kilometers from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza Grande at the top of the hill. Here we will get our first taste of their famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. After lunch we’ll visit a winery whose cantina dates back to the 1300s, and where the 7th generation winemaker makes a wine called Accerone which has won many awards including a three glasses "Rosso Gambero”. We’ll linger - tasting wine with the owner in his modest garden.
Staying in Cortona we are immersd in its history – dating back more than 2000 years. Because of its strategic position it was very important historically. A guidebook from 1639 describes Cortona as ancient and noble and having “a picturesque aspect… turned toward the midday sun”. It’s true: the town is draped over one side of its hill. One afternoon we’ll take a guided visit to the ancient Etruscan tombs below the town and to the small Cortona Museum. Not forgetting tiny, evocative Pienza, and a final wine-tasting and more formal celebratory dinner at an elegant winery nearby.
Our meals are legendary, and we balance visits to interesting places, meeting Italians, and enjoyment of food and wine in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Cost:
$AUD6350.00 pp twin share (land content only): limited single accommodation is available at supplement of $AUD599.00
For additional information or to receive a more detailed itinerary please contact Ciao Bella Tours or telephone 03 95833087.
Booking:
To make a booking for Tour C 2010, “Tasting Tuscany and Umbria”, please read the Terms and Conditions documents, then complete the Booking Form, and post to Ciao Bella Tours Pty Ltd, P.O. Box 6068, Cromer 3193 AUSTRALIA, enclosing a cheque for $AUD500.00 per person, as your deposit.
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