Villa Castellett: A Taste of Firenze & Northern Tuscany

Villa Castelletti A Taste of Firenze & Northern Tuscany T u s c a n y , I t a l y ® LA DOLCE VITA IN TOSCANA Firenze. Experience Your Own Renaissance Buongiorno! I sincerely hope you will join us for this special treat of a culinary & wine holiday. A true taste of Northern Tuscany,where we have brought together so many fine,quaint and rich elements from within the heart of Florence itself as well as the surrounding hills and countryside. Perfectly nestled in the lush country valley of Northern Tuscany,you’ll find Villa Castelletti:upscale, fully equipped and with independent accommodations on a rich,noble estate.From Villa Castelletti, you will have direct access to the best of both worlds - the natural provincial countryside of Tuscany, and the crown jewel of what we call Firenze! “The universe stands continually open to our gaze. Over the past few years,we have been offering guests unique culinary and wine experiences throughout Tuscany and excursions to wine estates/cellars, local sagre (food festivals), exquisite restaurants, Pecorino (sheep) cheese factories, cantine sociali (social wine cantinas) and many other places. In the following pages,we will explain why we are so proud and excited about our Florentine Tuscan Way experience and hope that you will join us for this personalized custom culinary experience. Discover your own Renaissance.Discover it the Tuscan Way... All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” - GALILEO GALILEI Il Ponte Vecchio Experience Florence... The Tuscan Way Florence is a beacon of creative energy and light for the Western world as it was the seat of the Renaissance and birthplace to the many artists,writers and architects whose influence we still feel today.For Michelangelo,Leonardo da Vinci,Botticelli,Dante Alighieri,Machiavelli and many others Florence was home. Florence fueled The Western world’s exit from the Dark Ages of Medieval Europe into a new age of light,hope,dreams,and unsurpassed creativity.It is difficult,if not impossible,to give due justice to Florence in a few words and photos.The mystical light. The hazy mist. They are the essence of Florence.One intriguing aspect of this city is that it is today,in many ways,as it was centuries ago -small,accessible,and green with the landscaping of unspoiled working estates and majestic villas located just a few miles away from the city’s center with views out over the Duomo,the Arno,Santa Croce,the synagogue and Giotto’s tower. "Thank you for an unforgettable visit. I could not have imagined a more unique experience. Our trips throughout the villages, with your insightful comments, were so very enjoyable. And your cooking lessons! I’m excited to practice all the classic Tuscan recipes! I truly appreciate all your kindness, warmth and a glimpse of family life in Italy. I would like nothing more than to return..." A TUSCAN WAY GUEST RAPHAEL You will experience Florence the Tuscan Way…living on a noble estate just outside the city,exploring the surrounding regions and spending a full day dedicated to the heart of Florence - all from a culinary perspective:the morning food market,a picnic in the hills overlooking the city,cooking and dining in a gem of a restaurant known as Trattoria GARGA located near the famous Ponte Vecchio. “The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has. And to this Palazzo Vecchio The Market in Florence image arrives only the hand which is obedient to the mind.” - MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI Rediscovering the Beauty of Florence Your full day in Florence begins bright and early at the Central Food Market.Here you’ll meet Sharon and Mimms of the secretly celebrated Trattoria GARGA restaurant & cooking school.They will lead us as we walk and shop around the market.On this special day,farmers descend from the hills to sell pastas,fruits,vegetables,olives,olive oil,meats,fish,free-range poultry,wild boar and other game.You’ll discover the non-tourist Florence while experiencing the authentic way Florentines live - immersed in immeasurable wealth of quality agricultural fare.You will also have the opportunity to learn the art of handpicking fresh quality ingredients for your evening cooking course and for an afternoon picnic at the famous Piazza Michelangelo where there is a spectacular view. In the afternoon,you will have time to yourself to do as you please.Shop in famous boutiques like Prada,Salvatore Ferragamo,Armani and Versace;visit the Ponte Vecchio,the Accademia,the Uffizzi, Santa Croce,the Duomo and more - or simply relax in cafes and stroll along romantic streets at your own pace. At the end of the day,we will meet up again with Sharon and Mimms at the 16th century palazzo, which overlooks Trattoria GARGA.There you will get down to "business" with a cooking course that is fun,informal and thorough learning Sharon & Mimm’s specialties while wining and dining like Florentine Royalty.You’ll prepare savory hors-d’oevres,cook a special,full-course Italian dinner and enjoy an exquisite multi-course meal in the charming and artistic ambiance of Trattoria GARGA - a storybook setting in downtown Firenze... The Wonders of Northern Tuscany Northern Tuscany deserves special attention since it was the most advanced area in all of Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance,a period spanning nearly 1000 years! The result? A region that exudes agricultural,artistic,architectural and historic treasures.At the center of it all is Florence,the heart and capital of Tuscany.Further a field,throughout the Province of Firenze,are the many magnificent private villas built and designed with all the splendor of past ages.Villa Castelletti is no exception! During your vacation,we will guide you on numerous excursions to extraordinary cities and regions including:the mecca of Florence,the lovely city of Lucca and the architectural phenomenon of Pisa where you’ll visit the leaning tower and the Campo dei Miracoli which is hailed as the piazza having most perfect assemblage of religious buildings anywhere to be found.We will also take you to see the towered hilltop town of San Gimignano which sits beautifully perched above olive groves,vineyards, cypress trees and has been called "the Manhattan of Tuscany";the Chianti Classico,including Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) and Carmignano wine regions,where you’ll taste wine at the famous Carmignano wine estate called Tenuta Capezzana,run by the noble Bonacossi family. You will also visit Vinci,birthplace of the great "Renaissance Man" Leonardo da Vinci,and tour the museums that showcase his inventions,many that have perplexed and inspired scientists and humanists everywhere.With your private accommodations on the Villa Castelletti estate,you will have a quiet, relaxing and comfortable stay,true to authentic,traditional Tuscan style. With six,hands-on cooking courses,you’ll learn "La Cucina Povera Toscana" and Florentine Tuscan country cooking.Carmignano & Chianti wines are always within arm’s reach so you will wine and dine like a true Tuscan. "Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does Nature, because in her inventions, nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous." - LEONARDO DA VINCI Pisa San Gimignano ... - tailieumienphi.vn