Truffle Hunting and Cookery Holiday

Highlights

  • Go truffle hunting and find your own truffles for an authentic Tuscan experience
  • Learn the local secrets for cooking with truffles with a variety of recipes
  • Soak up the magical Tuscan atmosphere in Arezzo and the Tiberina Valley
From £1000 pp*
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3 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Venture out into the Tuscan countryside to hunt and learn to cook one of the most sought after ingredients in Italian cuisine - truffle. Enjoy incredible home cooked meals, great local wines and traditional expeditions on this unique 3-night experience.

In a charming area of Tuscany, a region world-renowned for its incredible food and fine wines, you’ll find a picturesque Italian farmhouse tucked away in lush hills and valleys, nearby to the historic medieval city of Arezzo.

This will be the setting for your unforgettable experience of Italian cuisine, where you will truly immerse yourself in the country’s fantastic culture, all under the watchful eye of Chef Fabrizio, your host. He will help you thoroughly enjoy every aspect of your holiday and come away feeling relaxed and inspired by the incredible food you have prepared.

Learn authentic Italian recipes and cooking techniques, from foraging to preparation to seasoning, so that you can return home an absolute expert in the kitchen.

Enjoy scenic woodland walks with trained truffle hunting dogs, learning all about this age-old practice and traditional foraging practice in beautiful settings, before heading home to prepare and eat delicious, truffle based dishes in the classic Tuscan style.

You’ll also get to experience the stunning Tiberna Valley and the history and culture of Arezzo, topping off what is already a great experience of Italian life in Tuscany and a truly relaxing weekend.

You’ll acquire great knowledge of the surrounding area and its culture & history during a guided tour of Arezzo and the Tiberina Valley. Enjoy relaxing at the picturesque farm, cooking and eating fabulous truffle-based dishes, and drinking excellent wines on an Italian cooking holiday from what really can be considered the wine capital of the world.

This experience runs from 2nd March to 31st October.

*From price is based on 2 people sharing a room.

Arrival & Cooking Lesson

Today you will be met at Arezzo train station and transferred to the villa for your stay.

Enjoy an aperitif with your host, Chef Fabrizio and your first lesson tasting prosecco with a welcome snack buffet.

In the evening, enjoy your first cooking lesson with Fabrizio as you prepare an evening meal with local products and precious forest fruits such as porcini mushrooms and truffle.

Truffle Hunting Day

After breakfast,we will leading towards the Tiber valley to visit the medieval village of Anghiari and Citerna (HUMANITY HERITAGE), to admire its historical monuments and frescoes (leonardo da vinci – andrea della robbia – Donatello).

Enjoy lunch at the local trattoria (1 drink included), before meeting your truffle guide in the early afternoon, who will take you to the woods with his dogs in search of these treasured ingredients.

After a day of truffle hunting, return to the villa for an excellent crispy pizza/calzone dinner prepared by your chef.

 

Cooking Lesson & Winery Tour

After breakfast, you’ll have your last cooking class where you’ll focus on elaborate techniques using the scavenged products of the forest to make a unique, 3 course lunch.

You will have a free afternoon to relax by the pool or enjoy the grounds of the villa.

In the evening, sit down to a meal prepared by your Chef at the villa that will again showcase some of the woodland favourites.

 

Departure

Today is your last morning and after breakfast, check out and be transferred back to Arezzo station for your journey home.

What's included

Included

  • Return transfers to and from Arezzo train station
  • 3 nights accommodation in a twin/double apartment with private bathroom
  • Breakfast each day at the house
  • 2 cooking classes (preparation of 3/4 course meal with drinks) on days 1 and 3
  • 1 Truffle hunting/foraging excursion
  • 1 Guided tour of a nearby town
  • All lunches and dinners throughout your stay (please note that some meals are taken in local restaurants where soft drinks are included but wine is extra)
  • Prosecco tasting on your arrival evening
  • You can check in any time after 12 pm on day 1 and check-out by 11am on day 4

Accommodation

Il Poggetto Moonlight

The villa is 2km from the centre of the historic city of Arezzo, surrounded by a prestigious winery and the woods of the Lignano National Park.  Its hillside location provides wonderful views and the tranquil setting is perfect for relaxing.

There are 3 double or twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms, each has a large balcony or patio.

The villa is equipped with a restaurant and a large professional kitchen, where cooking lessons will be held. There is a garden with a small spa pool.

The Villa features:
– Beautiful hillside setting only 2 km from the centre of Arezzo
– Just 5 km from Arezzo train station
- 3 double rooms with ensuite and air conditioning
- Professional kitchen and workspace to hands-on learn
– Wonderful gardens to relax in with tables and chairs for dining
– Relaxing area with sun loungers and sofa + whirlpool spa
– BBQ ,communal garden and private panoramic terrace
– English and Italian speaking hosts with a wealth of knowledge about the area
– Delicious local food and wine
– Secure private parking

Your local host

Fabrizio

Chef Fabrizio was born in the Tuscan wine region of Arezzo in the 70’s and grew up surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Under the influence of his mother and grandmother, Fabrizio fell in love with cooking and the food from his region.

His family are local producers of Chianti and extra virgin olive oil and you’ll have the chance to taste these during your stay!

After obtaining a degree, he went to a hotel school in Tuscany before moving to Bournemouth in the UK to work as a chef. After that, the travel bug bit and he moved to various countries around the world to cook and experience new cultures, learn about different food and techniques in places as far afield as India, Thailand and Morocco.

Despit... Read All

Chef Fabrizio was born in the Tuscan wine region of Arezzo in the 70’s and grew up surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Under the influence of his mother and grandmother, Fabrizio fell in love with cooking and the food from his region.

His family are local producers of Chianti and extra virgin olive oil and you’ll have the chance to taste these during your stay!

After obtaining a degree, he went to a hotel school in Tuscany before moving to Bournemouth in the UK to work as a chef. After that, the travel bug bit and he moved to various countries around the world to cook and experience new cultures, learn about different food and techniques in places as far afield as India, Thailand and Morocco.

Despite his travels and experience, he credits his mother and grandmother as the ‘gurus of traditional cooking’. This is where he learnt his Tuscan cooking skills and passion for quality, organic, seasonal food.

Location

Getting there

Nearest airports:
Florence (80km, 1 hour)
Perugia (110km, 90 minutes)
Pisa (150km, 2 hours)
Rome (250 km, 2 hours 30 minutes)

By train:
The nearest train station is Arezzo which is 5km away from the villa.

A return transfer service to and from Arezzo train station is included in the price, and pick ups are anytime after 12pm. Please be sure to provide your arrival and departure details at least 7 days before you arrive.

Please view more info about airport transfers in the FAQs at the bottom of the page

What our travellers are saying...

A wonderful experience set in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Chef and guide Fabrizio certainly went the extra mile to ensure my holiday was personalised, informative and fun. The Truffle hunting walk in the hills was a fantastic experience I shall never forget.

S Coulson

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

This cookery holiday is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced cooks

Minimum age 18 (under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Your hosts are Italian, however so all cooking classes are taught in English

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

These cookery holidays make great singles holidays and singles are welcome to join an existing group

When can I start?

Holidays can start on any day from March to October depending on availability

Please note: truffle hunting is not permitted in July & August in Italy so the holiday won't take place at that time

The cookery school is closed in January and February

If you wish to stay for extra nights, please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you

Can I get picked up or dropped off at the airport?

The pick up at Rome Fiumicino airport is planned at 11:30am on day 1. If you want you can be picked up at a Hotel in Rome, but we need to charge €60 extra. Private pickup and drop off for group tours.

Of course, we are always happy to support you to organize a private pick up/drop off only for you to let you join our small group tours listed in our calendar. Please keep in mind that a private transfer (before or after the planned one) from Vasto to Rome airport or city center costs around €330.

What time can I check in and out?

Check in is any time after 1pm
Check-out is by 10.30am

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