Palazzo Mannaioni kitchen uses only organically grown fruits and vegetables for the cooking lessons, and the only beef served is the local Chianina, grazing beef, known by the "Cinque R" designation, indicating the highest quality and purity of the livestock. Wines served during the meals are from fine Tuscan wineries, such as the much-acclaimed Antinori vineyards. In addition to cooking, you will have the opportunity to explore the Tuscan countryside with an expert English speaking guide. The Palazzo Mannaioni lies in the center of the town of Montaione, a pristine medieval village ideally located near San Gimignano, Florence, and Pisa. The towns main square is only steps away from the hotel's entrance. It's the perfect base for visits to Tuscan vineyards, olive mills, and ancient hill towns.

About the cooking lessons: English speaking Chef Constantino Servidio comes to the program with impeccable credentials, including his time spent at the two star Michelin restaurant in Florence, Enoteca Pinchiorri. After attending culinary school in Bari, Chef Servidio has worked at some of the finest restaurants in Tuscany. In 1991 he was the winner in a "National Competition of Young Chefs," and went on to represent Italy in South America, where he placed fourth. During the your stay at the Palazzo Mannioni, he will teach you authentic recipes that will be easy to reproduce at home. Each lesson will focus on successive stages of an Italian meal, from antipasto to dolci . Afterwards you will enjoy lunch based on your cooking efforts, complete with a selection of fine wine.

2004 Dates:	May 2 - 8 (3 spaces left) May 23 - 29 June 13 - 19 June 20 - 26 July 18 - 24 August 8 - 14 August 22 - 28 September 5 - 11 September 12 - 18 October 3 - 9 October 17 - 23 November 7 - 13 November 21 - 27
Price:	6 Night Program $2695 $225 Jr Suite upgrade 4 Night Program $1995 $175 Jr Suite upgrade
Single Supplement:	$350 (6 night program) $250 (4 night program)
Program Includes:	Four or six nights accommodations with private bath Four Hands-on cooking lessons (6 night program); three lessons with four night program) Wine Tasting and excursions Services of an English speaking escort Transfers to and from Florence at designated time All meals (except 1 lunch) with fine quality wine One group transfer provided to and from Florence

DAYS	ITINERARY
Day One, Sunday	Arrival and meet the prearranged transfer from Florence to Palazzo Mannaioni. Welcome and introduction to the cooking course. Welcome dinner out at La Piccola Osteria. Overnight at Palazzo Mannaioni.
Day Two, Monday	Breakfast. 9:30-12:30 your first hands-on cooking lesson with Chef Constantino Servidio. Today your lesson may focus on antipasti and Tuscan soups. A lunch based on what we've cooked follows, accompanied by fine regional wines. Afternoon free to relax. Dinner in a typical Tuscan trattoria: Carpe Diem. Overnight at the hotel.
Day Three, Tuesday	li> Breakfast. Full day excursion to Pisa and Lucca. For those on four night package, afternoon transfer and arrival at Palazzo Mannaioni. Dinner out at La Piccola Osteria. Overnight at the hotel.
Day Four, Wednesday	Breakfast. Before today's cooking lesson you'll visit the Certaldo market to pick up some fresh ingredients. Today Chef Constantino Servidio may teach you how to make the perfect handmade pasta, along with the best sauces to accompany it. Lunch with wine. Afternoon excursion to a winery farm house in the beautiful Tuscan surroundings to visit cellars and taste wines. Dinner at Carpe Diem. Overnight at Palazzo Mannaioni.
Day Five, Thursday	B Breakfast. 9:30-12:30 cooking lesson. Today we will learn Tuscan main dishes. Lunch with wine follows. Afternoon excursion to the town of San Gimignano. San Gimignano is best known for its collection of medieval towers which form an unusual silhouette. At one time, there were more than 70 towers, all built for defensive purposes by the town's wealthy families. Today 14 survive, many clustered around the central piazza. Dinner tonight at Il Latini restaurant in Certaldo, or another Tuscan trattoria. Overnight at Palazzo Mannaioni.
Day Six, Friday	Breakfast. Before your class you might want to visit the local market in Montaione. 9:30-12:30 your final hands-on cooking lesson. The focus today is breads and desserts. Lunch with wine. This afternoon we will visit another local winery for a tour of the cellars and a wine tasting. Farewell dinner in the charming wine cellar of Palazzo Mannaioni, or one of the previous ristoranti if only two people. Overnight.
Day Seven, Saturday	Breakfast. Transfer to Florence airport or rail station.

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