Frequently asked questions

You will. I teach beginners every season, and they do beautifully. I teach by feel and by demonstration. There are no surprise tests. Experienced cooks usually find that they un-learn a few things and learn a few new ones — which they tell me afterward is more useful than they expected.

We accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice. Italian cuisine naturally offers excellent vegetarian options, and I work closely with our restaurant partners on other requirements — gluten-free, dairy-free, allergies. Tell me on the call. We will make sure you eat beautifully.

Yes. After the week, I will send you a small set of recipes from what we cooked together, written in my own words, so you can cook these dishes at home. They are not exhaustive — Lina herself never wrote her recipes down, and she taught me by feel — but they will give you the spine of each dish.

Florence is a city, with the crowds and the museums. Chianti is the rolling-hills inland Tuscany of postcards. The Etruscan Coast is something else: coastal Tuscany, with the Mediterranean visible from the vineyards, the seafood and the steak on the same week, and a smaller, quieter, less tourist-saturated rhythm.

The seafood lunch on Day 2 is at a restaurant set right on the beach. The Mediterranean is six kilometers from the hotel — close enough for a morning walk if you want one. We do not build a beach day into the schedule, but the sea is part of every day.

Comfortable. Most days involve thirty to sixty minutes of total driving. Volterra on Day 4 is the longest single drive — about an hour each way. We provide all transfers; you never need to drive yourself.

The following expenses are not included in the trip price:

• Your travel to Tuscany: Your airfare and your train ticket to the Castagneto Carducci station.

• Travel insurance: We require all guests to carry proof of travel insurance covering medical care, evacuation, and trip cancellation.

• One dinner on Day Three: This is the seaside dinner where you can order according to your preferences. Arnaud and I will still join you to host the evening, but we pay our own bill.

• Your personal spending: Any extra wine bottles you purchase, souvenirs, gifts, spa visits, or tips.

• Single occupancy: If you are traveling solo, there is an additional single supplement fee for your private boutique hotel room.

The closest airport is Pisa (PSA), which is approximately one hour away by train. Florence (FLR) is around 2 hours away, and Rome (FCO) is about two and a half hours.

Castagneto Carducci has its own train station, and we will collect you there when you arrive.

NOTE: If you prefer a private transfer directly from the airport, we can arrange one for an additional fee.

Before every trip, we begin with a brief, no-commitment video call on Zoom to discuss the details of your Tuscan Cooking & Wine vacation and answer any questions you may have.

If you decide to book, the payment is split into two parts: an initial deposit to secure your spot, and a final payment.

For custom private tours, the price quote will vary depending on your chosen activities.

The physical demand is moderate. We walk through medieval villages on uneven cobblestones, with some climbs and stairs and through vineyards. If you can comfortably walk one to two miles and handle stairs, you will be fine. The pace is leisurely with plenty of opportunities to rest.

Our small-group trip works well for a variety of travellers:

• Couples and friends who want a relaxed, slow-paced trip without the logistics of driving, planning routes, or making reservations.

• Solo travelers looking for a safe, welcoming group. You will have your own private room to relax in, but you will always have company for meals and excursions.

• Food and wine lovers who want to experience authentic Tuscany through home-cooked meals, fresh ingredients, and tastings at historic local estates.

• Cooks of any level. No professional experience is required. Our Tuscan cooking classes are accessible, hands-on, and focused on sharing traditional family recipes.

What makes our program unique is that you are not joining a typical commercial tour. Instead, you are invited into our daily life in Italy.

While our trips are legally registered and we are fully covered, Arnaud and I are not corporate tour operators. We are simply a couple in love with this region, and this trip is our way of sharing our home with you. You will enjoy a hands-on Tuscan cooking class in my farmhouse kitchen, visit local winemakers for premium Bolgheri wine tastings, visit an artisanal Pecorino cheese farm, and experience the Etruscan Coast from a local perspective. By the end of the week, it feels less like a vacation and more like staying with friends.