Cooking Vacation 3
Cooking Vacation 3
Cooking Vacation 13
Cooking Vacation 13
Cooking vacation 2
Cooking vacation 2
Cave Bolgheri
Cave Bolgheri
Cooking vacation 5
Cooking vacation 5
Cooking Vacation 6
Cooking Vacation 6
Cooking Vacation 16
Cooking Vacation 16
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5 DAY ALL-INCLUSIVE FOOD & WINE TRIP


Food and wine lovers, this is your special trip! Join us for a memorable vacation in the heart of Super Tuscan wine country, on the Mediterranean coast of Tuscany.

You’ll cook authentic Italian recipes in my farmhouse, discover centuries-old villages, eat like a local in my favorite restaurants, meet our beloved winemakers, tour stunning vineyards and taste some world famous Bolgheri DOC wines. While Bolgheri is a hidden gem of Tuscany out of the beaten path, its name shines in the constellation of world-famous wines, such as Sassicaia and Ornellaia. The American magazine Wine Spectator awarded the title of “Best Wine in the World” to these two Super Tuscan wines on separate occasions. In 2001, the honor went to Ornellaia 1998, and in 2018, Sassicaia 2015 claimed this prestigious accolade.

This is the place where we’ve chosen to make our home, so you’ll experience Tuscany through the eyes of those who know and love it best.

Our Food & Wine Trip is designed for foodies, wine lovers and passionate home-cooks.

Throughout the week, we’ll tour world-class vineyards and cellars, meet the producers, learn about the prestigious Bolgheri DOC region and enjoy superb wines. With hands-on cooking in my kitchen, you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta and dishes from my Italian heritage, paired with amazing Bolgheri wines.

Your home for the trip will be a charming boutique B&B overlooking the Mediterranean, with a stunning view on sloping coastal vineyards stretching to the sea.

With over 20 years experience in hosting guests from all over the world and living my daily life in Tuscany, I’ll guide you every day to discover the culture of Bolgheri region through its food, wine and people.
Together, we’ll celebrate the best of Tuscany!

– Chicca




Upcoming Trips 2024


Spring dates

April 23-27
May 8-12



Fall dates

October 9-13
October 23-27



Are you looking for a shorter stay or different travel dates? Do you wish to focus more on cooking classes over wine experiences? We are more than happy to customize your trip according to your precise preferences. We’ll plan the logistics and create a unique, tailor-made itinerary designed exclusively for your group. Please contact me at chicca@cookingintuscany.cc

To stay updated with all the latest tour information, simply join our waitlist. We’ll reach out to finalize your trip to explore beautiful Tuscany with us! Click the button below to get started.



Cooking vacation 5
Cooking vacation 5

More About The Trips


WHY TRAVEL WITH US

Our Tuscany Food & Wine Trips are designed in every single detail. We rely on trusted longtime local connections to provide you with an authentic experience of life in Tuscany. Tours are meant for small groups, to have an intimate experience of the local culture.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Cook with me in my home authentic Italian recipes
• Taste world-class wines from some of the top-producing vineyards in the world.
• Explore beautiful medieval villages, meet local shop owners, and learn about the history of this area.
• Dine at my favorite local restaurants and wine bars, tasting the best of Tuscany’s world-class cuisine.
• Group size will be a maximum of 12 people

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Our tours are a 5 day, 4 night all-inclusive experience that includes:
• 4 nights in a beautiful villa overlooking the Mediterranean.
• Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners, including 3 meals in fine-dining restaurants.
• Daily excursions to the stunning medieval towns of Volterra, Bolgheri, Populonia, Castagneto, and others.
• 1 extra virgin olive oil tasting.
• A visit to a cheese farm and tasting of pecorino cheese.
• 1 hands-on cooking class in Chicca’s kitchen.
• 2 wine-tasting and winery visits in the Bolgheri DOC.
• Personalized service from your hosts, Chicca and her team
• All transfers including to and from the local train station upon arrival and departure. Easily accessible by train from Pisa Airport (1 hour) or Rome Airports (2.5 hours).

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights
• Private transfers directly from the Pisa, Florence, or Rome airport available for an additional fee
• Required travel insurance must be purchased separately.

cooking vacation accommodations

UPCOMING DATES & PRICES 2024

€‎3495 (Euro) per participant

Spring dates
April 23-27
May 8-12


Fall dates
October 9-13
October 23-27

Price is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy available upon request with additional fee.

Alternative dates may be available upon request. Please contact us if you would like to join us at a different time or coordinate a customized, private tour for your group. 

Registration is now open to claim spots on Spring-Fall 2024 trips, join us!



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Who are the small group vacations for?

Our small group tours are for adults who love food and travel and want an intimate, “insider” experience with Italian culture. Every day, we’ll enjoy excursions and meals together as a group but also have some time to relax on your own.

How many people will be on the tour?

This trip will be made up of 4 to 12 participants, plus your hosts, Chicca, Arnaud, Jedd and Michelle. We will also be joined on occasion by some local friends, food and wine producers, and guides.

Should I book a small group tour or custom tour?

  • Hoping to travel with just your family or friends rather than strangers?
  • Want a different trip length or different dates?
  • Have a specific focus you want for your trip?

If you answered YES to any of the above, please contact us about scheduling a custom tour. We’ll work with you to craft an itinerary of experiences you’ll love within your timeframe.

The full team will be available October of 2023. Outside of this time period, Chicca and Arnaud can host groups as well.

What is the tour cost? What does the price include and exclude?

Price per person:

  • For 2023 the cost is €‎3495 per participant (double occupancy)

 

The price includes:

  • Planning: All trip logistics, including pre-trip negotiations with all hotels and vendors, onsite coordination, useful information leading up to your trip, etc.
  • Personalized service: Daily on-site guidance and support from Chicca, her team, and friends throughout the region.
  • Accommodations: 4 nights boutique accommodation overlooking the Mediterranean, based on two people sharing a room.
  • Meals:4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners, including 3 meals at fine dining restaurants.
  • Transport: Ground transportation, including transfers from Castagneto Carducci-Donoratico train station and hired ground transportation for excursions, are included.
  • Activities: Daily excursions to the stunning medieval towns of Volterra, Bolgheri, Populonia, Castagneto, and others. All other activities are included. The order of the excursions may be changed due to the availability of the providers for the different days of the week and to weather conditions

The following expenses are not included in the total trip price:

  • Round-trip airfare: this gives you flexibility in using airline reward miles or to extend your trip as you wish. Each guest is responsible for organizing their own airfare and transportation to Castagneto Carducci. We can provide airport transfers for an additional fee, if needed. You will be asked to share flight details at least 8 weeks before the trip commences.
  • Proof of travel insurance: is required (covering emergency medical, evacuation, COVID-19, and trip cancellation).
  • One dinner on your own: during one of our visits to a small town, you’ll have the opportunity to explore on your own. We’ll provide restaurant recommendations.
  • Any COVID-19 tests or vaccines: required for entry into the country.
  • Additional wine/beverage purchases: Each meal will be planned with great care and paired with a special selection of Bolgheri wines, defined in a certain amount.  You’re welcome to purchase extra wine or other alcoholic beverages but you will be responsible for the additional cost.
  • Any additional activities: you want to book along the way or outside of the coordinated group trip: spa visits, private tours, etc.
  • Spending money: there’s a good chance you’ll want to purchase souvenirs or bring back wine or olive oil.
  • Additional tips for the Trip Hosts


Custom Tour Price Quotes: Will vary based on your chosen activities, number of days, and level of accommodations. Please email us to request a quote.

Do you offer short 1-day food & wine tours as well?

Yes, we offer 4-5 hour short food & wine tours in Tuscany where you will experience our medieval villages, culinary excellence, and world-class wines. We’ll walk you through our charming towns, stunning vineyards and introduce you to great food specialties while telling stories about Tuscan history and culture. Here you can learn more about our food & wine tours.

Is airfare included in the cost cost of the trip?

Round-trip airfare is not included. This gives you flexibility in using airline reward miles or to extend your trip as you wish. Each guest is responsible for organizing their own airfare and transportation to Castagneto Carducci. Nearby airports include Rome, Florence, and Pisa. We can provide airport transfers for an additional fee from these three airports, if needed. You will be asked to share flight details at least 8 weeks before the trip commences.

What type of travel insurance is required to participate?

We require that all participants purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans should include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and COVID-19 risks.

For emergency medical and Covid coverage see: Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing

Is there a payment plan?

You’ll pay for the trip in two payments (initial deposit and final payment):

  • 
1st Payment estimated $900: $100 Non-refundable inscription fee + $800 Deposit
    2nd Payment: remaining balance

Final payment due 90 days before your trip.

What if I need to cancel my trip? Is there a refund?

This global health crisis has impacted everyone, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe, and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our guests in the best way that we can.

As we’ve learned during this past year, what makes sense today may not make sense tomorrow. Please understand that we reserve the right to change these policies due to this very fluid and unpredictable situation.

CANCELATION BY YOU

If you decide you need to cancel your trip, the following refund schedule applies upon written notice of your cancellation:

  • Cancelations made on or before 90 days prior to arrival:
    •Your $100 inscription fee is nonrefundable.
    •Full refund minus unrecoverable costs.
  • Cancelations made 89 days to 60 days prior to arrival:
    •Your $100 inscription fee is nonrefundable.
    •You will be reimbursed 50% of what you have paid to date, less the nonrefundable fee.
  • Cancelations made 59 days to 30 days prior to arrival:
    •You will be reimbursed 40% of what you have paid to date, less the nonrefundable fee.
  • Cancelations made 29 days prior to arrival:
    •All payments are nonrefundable.

Cancelations must be received in writing by email to club@cookingintuscany.cc.

Unrecoverable costs may include credit card fees or any deposits required by our vendors.

You are required to take out trip cancelation insurance. If you leave a tour for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made.

What if the trip gets canceled or it’s not possible to travel to Italy?

CANCELATION BY US:

If our tours cannot operate due to COVID travel restrictions or other Force Majeure Event, we’ll give you a full refund minus unrecoverable costs. If, after the start of the tour, significant elements of the itinerary cannot be provided as agreed, suitable alternative arrangements will be offered.

To ensure a trip is safe for guests and the local community, we will consider:

  • Government safety and travel advice
  • COVID-safe requirements and protocols
  • Entry and exit requirements for travelers to Italy, including testing and quarantine
  • Current medical facility and healthcare availability in Italy
  • Flight and airline accessibility in and out of a Tuscany
  • Ability for our travelers to get travel insurance protection for, and regularly scheduled, reasonably priced flights to Italy
  • Accessibility to everyday services, such as restaurants, public transport, cultural sites, etc.

Due to the ever-changing nature of travel restrictions, we will continue to evaluate the ability to run our tours between one and two months before the scheduled tour dates. This is in order to keep the possibility of traveling viable for any guests who may be in a position to do so. All travelers will be notified of their options at least one month before they are scheduled to depart, to allow them time to make any changes to their current arrangements. However, at times it may be necessary to cancel a trip at late notice should the factors listed above change.

Our tours require a minimum number of participants (6) in order to take place at the stated price, since it takes into account group discounts, shared accommodations and other factors that create cost efficiencies. If a trip does not have enough participants, or if someone unexpectedly cancels, we will contact you with possible options.

In addition, we reserve the right to cancel your spot if we have not received your balance payment within one week of your balance due date.

Trip hosts are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip, including air tickets, gear, medical equipment or travelers insurance. You are strongly advised to take out trip cancellation insurance at the time of booking.

What kind of accommodations are we staying in?

CANCELATION BY US:

If our tours cannot operate due to COVID travel restrictions or other Force Majeure Event, we’ll give you a full refund minus unrecoverable costs. If, after the start of the tour, significant elements of the itinerary cannot be provided as agreed, suitable alternative arrangements will be offered.

To ensure a trip is safe for guests and the local community, we will consider:

  • Government safety and travel advice
  • COVID-safe requirements and protocols
  • Entry and exit requirements for travelers to Italy, including testing and quarantine
  • Current medical facility and healthcare availability in Italy
  • Flight and airline accessibility in and out of a Tuscany
  • Ability for our travelers to get travel insurance protection for, and regularly scheduled, reasonably priced flights to Italy
  • Accessibility to everyday services, such as restaurants, public transport, cultural sites, etc.

Due to the ever-changing nature of travel restrictions, we will continue to evaluate the ability to run our tours between one and two months before the scheduled tour dates. This is in order to keep the possibility of traveling viable for any guests who may be in a position to do so. All travelers will be notified of their options at least one month before they are scheduled to depart, to allow them time to make any changes to their current arrangements. However, at times it may be necessary to cancel a trip at late notice should the factors listed above change.

Accommodations will be at a modern, locally-owned boutique hotel within walking distance to Castagneto Carducci village. The family-run hotel/bed and breakfast sits atop a hillside with stunning views of the valley below and the Mediterranean. Daily breakfast will be provided on site.

Each room in the hotel is unique. Rooms will include a private bathroom with hot water. WiFi, heat, and air conditioning will be available. You’ll be able to unpack and make yourself at home in the same room for the duration of the tour.

What are the health and physical requirements to join the trip?

Physical ability: Guests should take personal responsibility to ensure they are physically able and healthy to participate in all group activities, such as:

  • walking on uneven surfaces for up to 3 hours over the course of a day,
  • climbing up and down up to stairs during excursions,
  • riding in and getting on/off buses or vans.

Trip activities are not strenuous, however some days we will be out and about for long periods of time. Accommodations are located in the medieval village which is located on a hill. You will encounter some steep walks uphill as well as many stairs when exploring the town.

 

Dietary restrictions: Consult with your Trip Hosts to discuss dietary restrictions, or preferences, that would need to be accommodated in order for you to enjoy this experience. We can generally accommodate vegetarian diets, but we cannot accommodate other restrictions (gluten-free, vegan, lactose intolerance).

 

Prescriptions and medical issues: If you have a condition which may require professional attention, special equipment, or prescriptions during the trip, you must bring and be fully responsible for all necessary items related to your condition. Please consult with us prior to booking to determine if our tour is a good fit for you. Failure to advise us shall release the hosts and all professional personnel from any liability related to such condition or its treatment. We cannot accommodate women past their sixth month of pregnancy. We also cannot accommodate passengers requiring wheelchair assistance, as most features of our trips are not wheelchair-accessible – please contact us directly for more information.

You should consult with a medical doctor to determine if you are healthy and physically able to participate.

 

COVID requirements: 

  • All guests and trip hosts are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before the tour begins, in addition to any requirements that Italy has in place at the time of the tour.
  • You will need to bring a COVID-19 vaccination card or photo copy to access venues on the trip.
  • Mask use may be required according to the local regulations at the time of the trip.
  • We will update you of any changes to health and safety protocols as the trip dates approach.

What kind of food will we be eating?

We will be eating regional Italian dishes and sampling many of the local wines. This will typically include wheat/gluten, dairy, and meat. We’ll dine at several fine restaurants as well as casual cafes and a pizzeria. Breakfast at the hotel tends to include baked goods, eggs, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, along with coffee, tea, or fruit juice options.

What will the weather be like?

Temperatures in Spring and Fall are pleasant in Tuscany, averaging 50°-70°F. It can be rainy on occasion, so be prepared with some rain gear. Also consider bringing layers like sweaters and jackets to keep warm.


Have any additional questions about Food and Wine Tours? Don’t hesitate to contact me at chicca@cookingintuscany.cc.

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