La Locande del Prete, a small, family-run bed and breakfast on the outskirts of a medieval village in the Tuscan hills, offers a budget Tuscany experience. Their Tuscan Country Cooking and Wine package includes cooking classes taught by La Locande owner, master chef Carlo Innocenti, in an authentic, rustic Tuscan kitchen. Participants receive guided excursions to nearby villages for a winery tasting, as well as an opportunity to sample the local "pecorino" sheep cheese. Full and half-week packages are available.
La Locanda del Prete
2829 Bird Ave., Suite 5, PMB 242
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
800-766-2390
lalocandelprete.com
Run by an Italian-American woman whose passion for Tuscan cuisine led her to move to Siena, Ecco La Cucina offers a deluxe, weeklong immersion in Tuscan food and wine. Vacationers participate in hands-on cooking classes; wine tastings and wine education; and field trips to a saffron farm and to an artisanal goat-cheese maker, plus meals at local restaurants. The package includes accommodations and all meals. Ecco La Cucina also arranges shorter, custom packages for groups of two or more.
Gina Stipo
Via della Piaggetta 3
53010 Rosia (Siena) Italy
039-338-774-5487
eccolacucina.com
Formerly known as Elderhostel, Road Scholar specializes in vacations for active people age 50 and older. The company offers a 10-day Food and Wines of Tuscany fall trip. Participants in this tour stay in 3- and 4-star hotels, take classes at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine, and taste wines in the ancient cellars of a converted monastery, as well as visit a sculpting studio.
Road Scholar
11 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
800-454-5768
roadscholar.org
