|
SPEND SPRING IN THE HILLS OF TUSCANY – LAST-MINUTE SPECIALS FROM COOKING VACATION COMPANY TUSCAN WAY MEANS SAVINGS OF 12 TO 15% ON NINE POSSIBILITIES Coconut Grove, FL, February 2008 -- Tuscan Way has announced last-minute savings on nine of its spring vacations -- including both cooking courses and wine tours. The savings, ranging from 12% to 15% off the normal rates, on weeks between March 22 and May 25, are available at Casa Innocenti, La Locanda del Prete, Villa Gaia, Villa Poggiarello and Villa Castelletti. Normal prices range from €1,850 to €2,650 ($2,794 to $4,002*) per person, double – the discounts lower the range to €1,590 to €2,332 ($2,400 to $3,521). Tuscan Way has set itself apart from many other “cooking schools” by making the cooking part of a larger Tuscan experience and maintaining an informal, relaxed class setting in its family-style kitchens, a glass of local wine always within arm's reach. All locations combine learning to cook "La Cucina Povera Toscana," the simple, creative and flavorful peasant’s cuisine, with a variety of guided excursions to medieval villages, seaside towns, private vineyards and wine cellars with wine tastings, local markets and spa visits. Wine tours substitute the cooking classes with tastings and classes on wine-food pairing but interested guests can add cooking classes. · Casa Innocenti Cooking Vacation – this five-story medieval home set in Arcidosso is a perfect environment for family-style cooking with small groups and the patriarch of the company (and accomplished chef) holding court. Savings of 15% off March 23-29 and April 20-26 reduces the normal price to €1,785 ($2,695*) per person, double; 12.5% off April 27 lowers the price to €1,838 ($2,775). · La Locanda del Prete Wine Tour - a country inn once owned by the local matchmaker centrally located in the region of Grosseto. Guests partake in tastings and wine-food pairings, with master chef and sommelier-in-training, Romeo Innocenti, often over lunch at a local trattoria or with an expert sommelier. The May 25-31 week is reduced 12% to €1,628 ($2,458). · Villa Gaia Culinary & Wine Program – guests stay at the charming country estate outside the town of Seggiano, partaking in 15 tastings, many lead by master sommeliers at the vineyard estates or at lunches where guests are instructed on the pairings of food and wine and the characteristics of the numerous outstanding vintages. Prices for the week of May 3-9 are reduced 15% to €2,252 ($3,400). · Villa Poggiarello Culinary Tour – the 18-century villa in the 1,000-year-old village of Roccastrada, 34 miles south of Siena, is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills, medieval villages and natural parks. Besides learning to cook “La Cucina Povera Toscana” -- the Tuscan peasant's cuisine, guests are treated to the foods and wines of Southern Tuscany, explore the medieval villages, attend local food festivals and stroll the sandy beaches of the nearby seaside. The week of March 22-28 is lowered 15% to €1,934 ($2,920). · Villa Castelletti Cooking Course – guests settle into a15th-century estate set within a lush 17-acre park, nine miles from Florence before getting to work with accomplished chef, Romeo Innocenti, whose specialty is Maremma seafood dishes. An array of excursion choices offers flexibility in accommodating guest interests. Prices for a five-day visit, March 24-28, are reduced 15% to €1,590 ($2,400); seven-day stays, April 26 and May 10, are discounted 12% to €2,332 ($3,521). All courses include accommodations, meals, wine, transfers and local transportation for scheduled excursions. There are up to five hands-on cooking courses during the seven-day package, wine-tasting sessions and escorted visits through the local markets, restaurants and vineyards. There are between 10 and 15 wine tastings during the seven-day wine tour packages as well as the escorted excursions. Tuscan Way is a specialized provider of packaged and custom tours to Tuscan destinations and villa rentals. Reservations, brochures and information can be obtained from Tuscan Way, 2829 Bird Avenue, PMB 242, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; (800) 766-2390 or (305) 598-8368; www.tuscanway.com. # # # *NOTE TO EDITORS: February Conversion Rate is 1 EURO = $1.51 Gillies and Zaiser 10 Nytko Drive; Suite 115 Pomona, NY 10970-2646 TW-02-February 2008
|
