Traveling abroad is exciting. When you set out to begin planning your dream vacation, you want every detail just perfect. And likely so. For when you spend weeks and months planning your great escape, it most certainly should go off without a hitch. So when I think of new adventures that I want to offer, I know that the only way I can provide a truly incredible experience is to go and discover the land first hand.
I did exactly this 6 months ago on a trip to the Amalfi Coast. While Amalfi is my home away from home, I have always wanted to be able to add a Tuscan culinary vacation into my collection of gourmet travel adventures. So when my culinary week in Amalfi came to an end, I traveled by train to the amazing Tuscan countryside where I rolled up my sleeves, and explored from sun up to sun down. From Florence, Sienna, Chianti, and all of the other splendid areas of this region, I knew I would be back, and the rest…is history…
My days in Tuscany were surrounded by so many things to do and see. Tuscany felt like another place I could call easily call home. Throughout that week, I enjoyed quaint cafés and relaxed with delicious latte’s while looking out into the medieval villages that represented daily Tuscan life. I found the best places to sip local wines from breathtaking vineyards and cooked with talented, local Tuscan chefs in their homes. Taking excellent notes during my Tuscan culinary vacation, and meeting many locals, my next culinary travel itinerary had begun.
The charming cobblestone streets of Tuscany that reside high above the rolling hills simply cannot be described in writing. As your private tour guide, Tuscany will be seen in a way that cannot be captured by a book or in pictures. So you can imagine how excited I was when I completed my itinerary for the perfect Tuscan retreat. If you are one of the lucky few that will get to join me for this magnificent escape, you will not be disappointed.
I chose Florence as our arrival city because of the convenience of location, outstanding culture, history, and cuisine. The week starts off at the Bellavista Hotel—a delightful family-run inn that is nestled among olive groves and vineyards just a few miles outside of Florence. I met the family personally while there and fell in love with their charm and warmth. It represents the perfect spot for our culinary week in Tuscany.
Our itinerary will offer an equally splendid mix of relaxation, amazing meals, daytrips to local villages, sightseeing in Sienna and Chianti, shopping, and of course, plenty of wine and food. It’s the wine and food that makes Tuscany so popular! As your private tour guide, Tuscany will be explored without a detailed missed. As all of my culinary itineraries of the past (and future) provide, this trip offers exceptional culinary instruction and authentic cooking classes by some of the most established chefs in Tuscany. We’ll visit an organic goat cheese farm and learn how to pair wines with food and cheese. We’ll chop, sauté, bake, and prepare some of the best cuisine your palate will ever taste and enjoy an incredible “tasting” walk in Florence. A truly authentic experience that is sure to last a lifetime.
Delectable Destinations is excited to offer this Tuscan culinary vacation for guests. As your private tour guide, Tuscany will be discovered in a way that is sure to create the experience of a lifetime. Please take a look at our upcoming culinary trip to Tuscany and read about the amazing cooking classes, activities and excursions.
The finishing touches on my 2012 Tuscany trip are complete and I know without a doubt it will be an integral part of my family abroad. Yes, Amalfi will always have my soul, but I’m thankful and blessed that Tuscany now holds just another little piece of my heart.
Carol Ketelson is the owner and operator of Delectable Destinations LLC. Dedicated to planning, co-ordinating and curating customized group tours to hand-picked destinations. As an experienced travel planner, Carol’s customized itineraries, specialized tours and off-the-beaten-path experiences create memorable journeys for her small groups of singles, couples, divorced, widowed and solo travelers seeking exceptional trips into the culture and cuisine of destinations around the world. Spring and Fall bookings invite travelers to taste delectable local cuisine, culturally rich traditions and mesmerizing sights. For over 10 years, Carol’s tours have captured the true essence of Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Spain, Ireland and India.