FERCHIA, TUSCANY
THURSDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER TO TUESDAY 4TH OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 5TH OCTOBER TO MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER
Back in Tuscany at last, at our new location set in the Colline Pisane, just 50 minutes from Pisa International airport! This delightful and traditional stone property is off the beaten track, in a tiny hamlet high in the hills. On the drive from the airport, the winding road will follow a tributary of the river Serchio, which historically has been the site for a thriving paper mill industry. Many of these amazing old factory buildings are now derelict, or used for paper recycling, although 13 of them are still in full production.
The Main Farmhouse at Ferchia, standing at 1500 feet above sea level, was originally built 300 years ago, fell into disuse in the 1960’s and has now been lovingly restored with under floor heating, chestnut joinery and many original features. The accommodation is divided between the Main Farmhouse, the Villa and the small Oast House, once used for the roasting of sweet chestnuts (Metato), and can sleep 10 singles or doubles. All the bedrooms have new beds, 3 bedrooms have double beds and the others can be made up as doubles as required. There are a total of 6 bathrooms shared between the rooms. There are 3 fully equipped kitchens throughout the properties and several cosy sitting rooms and sunny terraces for relaxing.
There is a really lovely bean shaped swimming pool, with fantastic views across the valley. It is 13 metres by 6.5 metres and is 1.4 metres deep, (no diving) heated by solar panels. The poolside shower is also heated by solar panels. There are sun beds with mattresses, umbrellas, tables and chairs on all terraces, and there is also a boule court (boccie) nearby, in a level, shady spot.
We can offer a selection of games and books available in the house as well as the snooker table in the Main Farmhouse. All linen except pool towels is supplied – so kindly bring your own, we hope to be able to still swim in October.
Our new Tuscan programme will be run as a house party, with the central focus being about discovering Tuscany through your taste buds. This is the perfect spot for those seeking peace and tranquillity, with no traffic, just stunning scenery and gentle woodland walks. It is possible to walk to the little village of Pariana, which you can see from the terraces across the valley, by following the track opposite the main gate. It takes about 40 minutes, though it is quicker on the way back downhill!
There are wild boar in the woods around the property, and also porcupines, plus deer, foxes, badgers and pine martens. On the house walls outside there are lots of different kinds of lizard and gorgeous butterflies. The cat is called Frank – he’s a very gentle ginger cat with blue eyes who adopted the house 5 years ago. He is not allowed indoors, (and he knows it!). Smoking is not allowed anywhere indoors.
We have our own water supply, which is fed by a spring from the mountain just 500 metres away and is drinkable straight from the tap.
Click Link on right hand side of page for more information on this delightful location.
THE DELIGHTS OF TUSCANY
WEEK 1
THURSDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER - TUESDAY 4TH OCTOBER
DAY 1:
THURSDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER
Depart with Easyjet Flight EZY5233 10.55
Arrive Pisa 14.30
Joce (our Front of House manager) will meet you at Pisa airport and travel with you on the mini bus back to Ferchia
16:00 Afternoon tea/welcome snacks and settling in time.
20:00 Dinner at Bar Aldo in Biecina – a typical rustic restaurant, frequented by the locals.
DAY 2:
FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
Breakfast at 09:00
10:30 Lesson 1 Pasta + 6 Sauces + Antipasti
Making: Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci, Tagliatelle al Ragu, Pappardelle al Ragu di Pesce, Tagliolini al Pesto,
Sugo di Funghi Porcini, La Carbonara, Fat Free Fresh Tomato Sauce.
Antipasti for lunch: Bresaola and Rocket, Roasted Pepper Salad, Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Mortadella and Parmesan Salad, Mushroom Carpaccio, Frittata and local bean dishes.
13:30 Lunch by the Pool
Siesta
16:00 Lesson 2: Tuscan Desserts and Delights Making: Zuccotto, Semifreddo, Torta di Riso, Torta della Nonna, Italian chocolate cake.
20:00 Pasta Party Dinner
DAY 3:
SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER
Breakfast at 08:30
9:30 Departure Pistoia market. Each guest will be given 10€ to buy something new and exciting for dinner tonight 13:30 Visit to a local wine producer - Greppo
Lunch
16:00 Collodi: Visit to the Villa Garzoni Gardens
As well as being the home of all things Pinocchio, there is a world famous Baroque garden here, which is still intact and well worth a visit in this little town.
Return to Ferchia
18:30 Lesson 3: Cooking up our market produce for Dinner
DAY 4:
SUNDAY 2nd OCTOBER
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Departure for Pescia where we will board the train for Lucca. This is a day visit to this stunning jewel of a walled city where Valentina’s grandfather was born.
Guests are free to roam the city. We highly recommend hiring a bicycle or simply strolling around the tops of the city walls, which will take you about 40 minutes. This is your opportunity to explore Lucca at your leisure, the glorious architecture, many beautiful churches and the best street for shopping is the Via Filungo, (bearing in mind that some shops do close for siesta between 12:30 and 15:30)
17:30 Return to Pescia
Return to Ferchia
Lesson 4: RISOTTO MASTERCLASS DEMONSTRATION
20:00 Dinner
DAY 5:
MONDAY 3RD OCTOBER
09:00 Breakfast
Morning: Relaxing by the pool/Walk through the woods to Pariana
13:00 - Lunch by the Pool
15:30 Lesson 5: Tuscan Classics
Making: Cantuccini, Panforte, Crostini Toscani, Pappa al Pomodoro, Farro Salad, Malfatti, Bistecca Fiorentina
20:00 Dinner
DAY 6:
TUESDAY 4TH OCTOBER
09:00Breakfast
11:00 Departure for Pisa airport Flight EZY5234 at 14:30 (arriving London Gatwick 15:40)
WEEK 2
WEDNESDAY 5TH OCTOBER - MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER
THE DELIGHTS OF TUSCANY
DAY 1:
WEDNESDAY 5th OCTOBER
Arrival with Easyjet Flight EZY5233 14:30
(Departing Gatwick 10:55)
Joce will meet you at Pisa airport and travel with you on the mini bus back to Ferchia
Afternoon tea/welcome snacks
Settling in
20:00 Dinner at Bar Aldo in Biecina a typical local restaurant patronized by locals.
DAY 2:
THURSDAY 6TH OCTOBER
Breakfast at 09:00
10:30 Lesson 1 Pasta + 6 Sauces + Antipasti
Making: Ravioli di ricotta e spinaci, Tagliatelle al Ragu, Pappardelle al Ragu di Pesce, Tagliolini al Pesto,
Sugo di Funghi Porcini, Carbonara, Fat Free Fresh Tomato Sauce
Antipasti for lunch: Bresaola and Rocket, Roasted Pepper Salad, Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Mortadella and Parmesan Salad, Mushroom Carpaccio, Frittata and local beans.
13:30 Lunch by the Pool
Siesta
16:00 Lesson 2: Tuscan Desserts and Delights
Making: Zuccotto, Semifreddo, Torta di Riso, Torta della Nonna, Italian chocolate cake.
20:00 Pasta Party Dinner
DAY 3:
FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Departure for Pescia where we will board the train for Lucca. This is a day visit to this stunning jewel of a walled city where Valentina’s grandfather was born.
Guests are free to roam the city. We highly recommend hiring a bicycle or simply strolling around the tops of the city walls, which will take you about 40 minutes. This is your opportunity to explore Lucca at your leisure, the glorious architecture, many beautiful churches and the best street for shopping is the Via Filungo, (bearing in mind that some shops do close for siesta between 12:30 and 15:30)
17:30 Return to Pescia by train arriving tbc
Return to Ferchia
Lesson 3: RISOTTO MASTERCLASS
20:00 Dinner
DAY 4:
SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER
Breakfast at 08:30
9:30 Departure Pistoia market. Each guest will be given 10€ to buy something new and exciting for dinner tonight
San Salvatore shopping for picnic
13:30 Visit to a local wine producer - Greppo
Picnic lunch at the winery
16:00 Collodi: Visit to the Villa Garzoni Gardens
As well as being the home of all things Pinocchio, there is a world famous Baroque garden here, which is still intact and well worth a visit in this little town.
Return to Ferchia
18:30 Lesson 4: Cooking up our market produce for Dinner
DAY 5
SUNDAY 9TH OCTOBER
09:00 Breakfast
Morning: Relaxing by the pool/Walk through the woods to Pariana
13:00 - Lunch by the Pool
15:30 Lesson 5: Tuscan Classics
Making: Cantuccini, Panforte, Crostini Toscani, Pappa al Pomodoro, Farro salad, Malfatti, Bistecca Fiorentina
20:00 Dinner
DAY 6:
MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER
09:00Breakfast
11:00 Departure for Pisa airport Flight EZY5234 at 14:30 (arriving London Gatwick 15:40)
PRICE
Price per person; £1280 (excluding flights)
The non-participant price is £720 per person (excluding flights) sharing with participant cook.
Non-participants are of course very welcome to join us. They will take part in all the activities including all outings and meals, except the cooking classes.
Special Transfers outside of scheduled timetable ie: earlier or later arrivals with other Airlines or by train will incur an extra charge.
- 5 hands-on cooking classes
- 1 cookery demonstration
- 1 wine visit to local producer
- 1 tutored visit to Pistoia Market
- 1 tour of the Villa Garzoni Gardens
- 1 day in Lucca for shopping and exploring the City.
- 1 dinner at local restaurant
Please note that the above programme could be subject to changes without prior notice.
N.B. OUR COURSES ARE ALL SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM NUMBER OF BOOKINGS IN ORDER TO RUN. WE ADVISE GUESTS NOT TO BOOK THEIR FLIGHTS UNTIL FINAL CONFIRMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED 8 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START DATE. AS STATED IN OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS. WE CANNOT REFUND PAYMENTS IN RESPECT OF TRAVEL IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION. THEREFORE, EARLY BOOKING OF YOUR FLIGHTS IS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.