Aolmaia Tuscany Society
. . . the Italian way to the heart of Tuscany

The Aolmaia Tuscany Society organises great holidays for overseas visitors - small select groups for cooking classes, wine tours, gourmet tours or cultural tours - the choice is yours.

The Society is made up of a small group of Italians who live in the heart of Tuscany, near San Miniato which is within easy reach of Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra. They have designed their tours and courses in such a way as to enable you to experience the true Tuscany, to immerse yourself in the enjoyment of its culture, traditions and way of life.

They love their region and, as only people who live there can, they know the real Tuscany. Sharing with you their knowledge is something they are passionate about, whilst at the same time ensuring you have the most wonderful and unforgettable experiences during your stay.

COOKING WEEKEND IN TUSCANY

A fine short vacation with the best of Tuscan pleasures . . . food, wine, olive oil, art and nature

• Spring Break - April to July : Three night program from Thursday to Sunday, as described below.
  

• Autumn Break - September to November : Three night program from Thursday to Sunday.
  Special Truffle Festival versions in October and November, including special truffle meal, visit to truffle festival, excursion in the woods searching for truffles with a professional truffle digger and his dog.

Itinerary
Day 1 : Thursday
	Arrival from 5:00 pm onward and check in. Dinner at 8:00 pm.
Day 2 : Friday
	In the morning, hands-on cooking class by Chef Bartolo and lunch. In the afternoon a visit to the olive mill and olive oil tasting, followed by a visit to a renowned winery and wine tasting*. Dinner at Le Boscarecce. *Special Truffle Festival editions in October and November
Day 3 : Saturday
	In the morning, hands-on cooking class by home-cook Emanuela, based on home made pasta and traditional Tuscan cuisine, followed by lunch, wine included. In the afternoon, guided tour to San Gimignano, the famous medieval towers town.
Day 4 : Sunday
	In the morning, cooking class by Loredana at her farm house, based on traditional hand made pasta and typical Tuscan cuisine. Lunch to follow with wine included. Afternoon departure.

To find some interesting information on Truffles <click here>

Accommodation : Le Boscarecce

Le Boscarecce, which literally translated measn 'little woods' is run by Massimo and Susanna whose family has owned and managed the Hotel Albion in Florence for four generations. Recently they lovingly restored the two hundred year old farmhouse and its barn. The result is a stunning country inn named Le Boscarecce with a modest number of pleasant bedrooms each named after a famous literary or historical female figure.

Weather permitting breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on the terrace which has been designed for relaxtion and enjoyment of the surrounding landscape. The sun setting over the Apennines is something for your memory book. For guests’ pleasure there is a large swimming pool, a tennis court and, for the more sedentary, a small library of historical books and books on the history of art . . . as well as a gazebo in which to enjoy a quiet read.

To maximise your enjoyment and ensure you get the best service this tour is limited to a maximum of eight people.

For further information, availability and prices visit www.aolmaia.com/calendar.html or email aolmaia@hub-uk.com

LUCCA & CINQUE TERRE CUISINE TOUR
. . . savouring Tuscan cuisine at its best

• Four night program, from Wednesday to Sunday

  The most elegant town of Tuscany ~ Lucca

  The best coast of Tuscany ~ Versilia

  The worldwide famous jewel villages ~ the Cinque Terre

A fabulous cuisine tour, savouring Tuscan cuisine at its best, cooking with top chefs, living an unforgettable experience, in touch with the art, tradition, history and nature of the region.

Itinerary
Day 1 : Saturday
	Arrival from 4:00 pm onward and check in. Free pick up from Pisa International Airport or from Pisa railway station. Settle into your hotel. Welcome by Aolmaia staff, introduction to the tour schedule. Dinner at 8:00 pm.
Day 2 : Sunday - Pisa
	Morning cooking class by Loretta Degli Innocenti, Chef of Villa Chini, specialising in Tuscan traditional cuisine, followed by lunch at her restaurant. Afternoon: guided visit of Lucca old town. Dinner at selected restaurant in Lucca.
Day 3 : Monday - Viareggio
	Hands-on cooking class where you meet the fishermen at the pier and choose the fish you will cook for lunch, guided by Chef Cristiano Tomei who specialises in Tuscan fish recipes. Lunch at his reataurant. In the afternoon you travel to the marble mountains of Carrara to discover the production of typical 'lardo' of Colonnata, or visit to the Carnival laboratories of Viareggio. Dinner at your hotel.
Day 4 : Tuesday - Cinque Terre
	Tour to one of the most spectacular parts of the Italian coastline. On foot and by car, train and boat, we will explore four of the 'five lands', the untouched fishing villages standing like antique jewels on the steep coast. Fish lunch at a typical trattoria in Monterosso. Return and dinner at your hotel.
Day 5 : Wednesday
	Morning departure.

Accommodation : Club I Pini Hotel or Piccolo Hotel Puccini

Club I Pini Hotel
It is a charming small hotel, in the Liberty style, where guests return faithfully year after year to enjoy warm family-type hospitality. Many of Chini's paintings, frescoes and decorations, such as a colorful stained glass fruit basket, are displayed throughout the common rooms where guests can congregate in several sitting areas.
It is located near the seaside resort town of Lido di Camaiore (between Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi) surrounded by a spectacular garden, whose towering trees and profuse sweet smelling flowers make it a tranquil oasis.

Piccolo Hotel Puccini
This small and friendly hotel lies right in the very heart of Lucca, just over the street from the house in which Giacomo Puccini was born (now home to a small museum dedicated to the man himself).

The hotel has just fourteen rooms each with bathroom, television and direct telephone and prides itself on its courtesy and professionalism.

To maximise your enjoyment and ensure you get the best service this tour is limited to a maximum of eight people.

For further information, availability and prices visit www.aolmaia.com/calendar.html or email aolmaia@hub-uk.com

This is just an example of what is available. To find out more visit the Aolmaia web site <click here>