Hello, We have a Italian cookery course at Bellorcia course commencing 3-10 October 2020. If this is too tight for you, you could consider the Italian cookery course at Torre del Tartufo running from 4-11 October 2020. You can get close to both villas by train and from there take a cab to the villa. In terms of travel, your best bet is to fly into Florence this is the closest airport(1 hour and 15 minutes). If you can get good deals to either Pisa (2 hours and 15 minutes) or for that matter Rome (3 hours), this could also work. We look forward to welcoming you to Tuscany!

If you are doing the cooking class solely, there is no need to rent a car. But if you are going to spend some time in Rome, other parts of Italy after the week is over, I would most definitely rent a vehicle. There is one free day which we went into the small villages, and we thoroughly enjoyed because the bulk of tourists go to Florence. And I mean BULK! A taxi from the airport to Bellorcia is fine, but otherwise, it is NOT easy to get. I hope this helps, and it’s not too late.

We recommend car hire. You are more flexible if you have a car you have plenty of free time to explore the area. We can help you with suggestions as there are many places with great historical value and beauty in the vicinity. The villa is about a 15 minute drive from the closest city, so quite remote. Your best bet is to rent a car at the airport. Alternatively you can take the train to Chuisi and we can book a taxi for you to take you to the villa. The cost is around € 45. If you need a car for other side trips the Guest Relations Manager can book this for you when you are at the villa. The hot tub takes about 6 persons at a time I think.

Your dietary request is no problem – we frequently have guests with allergies on the course and the chefs can adapt the menu accordingly to avoid you eating nuts, shellfish and fruit. However if your allergies are very severe that there cannot be any small trace of nuts, shellfish or fruit in the kitchen preparing food then we advise you not to join which would be very unfortunate. Hopefully this answers your questions adequately.

I am sorry it has take me so long to answer. It is difficult for me to give you a suggestion which location to choose.  I love all the villas and they all  have a special charm:  Casa Ombuto is smaller, more quaint and has a serene and mystical atmosphere.  Torre del Tartufo and Bellorcia are both a lot grander with wide open spaces and the views are majestic. Bellorcia is in the famous Val d’Orcia and is superbly decorated.   They are all wonderful and all I can suggest is that you look at the CV’s of the chefs and their sample menus.   All communal kitchens are spectacular.