Borgo Bernardini, a little hamlet tucked away among the gently folding Lucchese hills just a few miles from Lucca, is a gracious and luxurious Tuscan retreat. Originally, a wild-boar hunting lodge, it was extended in the early 1800’s to become a small village for the workers of the estate owned by Count Cosimo Bernardini. Today, its restoration has accentuated the values of space and setting; inner courtyards softly lit, old walls rambling with enchanted silence…a genuine time-forgotten village atmosphere immersed in a splendid aristocratic estate of weeping willows, fountains and formal gardens. Borgo Bernardini is a home of beauty, tranquility and comfort.

Fully air-conditioned throughout, Borgo Bernardini has 12 individually styled double bedrooms all with modern en-suite bathrooms. The gracious living overflows into the many reception rooms – the magnificent banqueting hall, the formal drawing room with views across the peschiera, the card and billiard room, the domed music room, gardens and the swimming pool.

 Included are tours to Pisa, the Chianti region, Lucca, and several markets and wineries. This week is filled with luxurious surroundings, wonderful food, excellent wines, and a learning experience that you can share with your friends and family.

• Fly into Pisa or Florence airport and arrive at Borgo Bernardini around midday. 
• 1:00pm Buffet lunch prepared by Valter and meet your hosts and cooking colleagues, followed by a tour of the Borgo estate and free time to settle in and relax before the first cooking lesson. 
• 5:00pm Orientation and introduction of Guide for the Week. Hands-on cooking lesson and preparation of dinner. 
• 7.30pm Welcome aperitifs by the Peschiera followed by dinner in the banquet hall.

• 8:00am-9:00am Breakfast.
• 9:00am Join us for a run or leisurely stroll around the ancient walls of Lucca (2½ miles)
• 11:00am Cooking class on Pasta and its Sauces followed by lunch.
• 3:00pm A short guided visit of Pisa and it’s Leaning Tower in the Campo dei Miracoli (30 minutes drive) which also includes the Duomo, Baptistery and Campo Santo cemetery. Afternoon tea and pastries at Salsa – one of the most renowned pastry shops in Italy since 1840.
• 6:00pm Hands-on cooking lesson and preparation of dinner.
• 8:00pm Aperitifs in the drawing room and viewing of a 20 minute video on Lucca followed by dinner in the banquet hall.

• 8:00am - 9:00am Breakfast available
• 9:30pm A guided tour through the city of Lucca. 
• 1:00pm Specially selected tasting menu for lunch at Buca di Sant’Antonio followed by free time to further tour and shop in Lucca until returning to Borgo at 5:00 pm.
• 6:00pm Hands-on cooking lesson and preparation of dinner.
• 8:00pm Aperitifs in the drawing room followed by dinner in the banquet hall.

• 7:30am-8:30am Breakfast.
• 8:30 – 11:00am Visit to the bustling market town of Pistoia to help the chef choose fresh produce for dinner. 
• 11:30am A kitchen challenge – students and chefs work together to prepare a buffet lunch with items found at the market. 
• 1:30pm Lunch followed by free time to relax and enjoy the facilities at Borgo Bernardini. 
• 5:00pm Hands-on cooking lesson and preparation of a special wine-tasting dinner.
• 7:30pm Introduction to the wines of Tuscany by a wine specialist in the wine library followed by dinner and wine tastings to accompany each course.

• 7:30am - 8:30am Breakfast available
• 8:30am Depart Borgo for a Chianti adventure (1½hrs drive) stopping off at the little market town of Greve in Chianti to see the Antica Macelleria Falorni who have been curing hams and meats since 1700. Our first wine-tasting will be at the villa and winery of Vignamaggio dating back to the 14th century. The estate itself recently became well known as the setting for the Kenneth Branagh film “Much Ado About Nothing”. We shall tour the formal Renaissance gardens before tastings of the wine, olive oil and pecorino cheeses made on the premises.
• 1:30pm Special tasting menu of local Chianti produce for lunch at L’Osteria La Piazza just outside Panzano followed by a tour of the incredible Badia A Passignano where wine has been produced since 1200. Today the Antinori family own the vineyards and age the wines in the cellars of the abbey. The Abbey itself was founded around 1050 and is renowned for it’s enormous Ghirlandaio fresco of The Last Supper.
• 6:00pm Leave Chianti and return to Borgo for an informal pizza supper.

• 8:00am - 9:00am Breakfast.
• 9:00am During Fall (November – January) a visit to the local Frantoio (olive press) to see the process of making the infamous Lucchese olive oil with an opportunity to taste and purchase. 
• 11:00am Hands-on cooking lesson and preparation of lunch.
• 3:00pm Free afternoon to either relax at Borgo or join in a special chocolate and truffle making session with Valter in the kitchen. There’s also the opportunity to do some last minute shopping along Via Fillungo in Lucca and to visit the local factory Linen and Shoe stores as well as a kitchenware store on the outskirts of Lucca. 
• 6:00pm Hands-on cooking lesson and preparation of dinner. 
• 8:00pm Farewell Drinks and Graduation Ceremony in the Cooking School Kitchen followed by a Formal Dinner in the banquet hall.

• 8:00am - 9:00am Breakfast
• 9:00 – 11:00am Departure
• Note: Slight variations or adjustments to the daily schedule may be made.