In Transit: Overnight in transit

Afternoon: Check-in at the Hotel Universo in Lucca. Light snack, orientation meeting and presentation of the program Welcome cocktail

Dinner: Dinner at the Hotel

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Dinner

Lucca, first cooking lesson at International Academy of Italian Cuisine

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Expert-led visit of Lucca Visit to the Domus Romana followed by a Convivium (a lunch roman style)

Lunch: Lunch at the Domus Romana

Afternoon: First cooking lesson at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine The Chef Gianluca Pardini will hold a comprehensive hand-on course designed to teach you make Four courses lunches covering all the cook techniques from pasta to pastries and everything in between. You will learn the passion of the Tuscan kitchen and, importantly, have a lot of fun and enjoyment doing it. Menu : Antipasto: Panzanella (bread salad) Primo piatto: Zuppa di faro (barley soup) Secondo piatto: Carrè de maiale bardato con patate arrosto (pork loin with roasted potatoes) Dessert: Crespelle di Necci, Castagnaccio (pancakes with pine nuts and ricotta cheese, chestnut dessert)

Dinner: Dinner at the cooking school

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Departure to Viareggio. On the way stop in Torre del Lago. Expert-led exploration of the town of Viareggio famous for the “Liberty” style architecture of some of its buildings along the promenade.

Brunch: Snack and Aperitif at the Gran Caffe’ Margherita,

Afternoon: Transfer to the cooking school. Second cooking lesson. Antipasti: Calamari ripieni (Stuffed calamari) Primo piatto: Gnocchi di branzino con vongole e pomodori arrostiti (Sea bass gnocchi with clams and roasted tomato sauce) Secondo piatto: Involtino di filetto di orata con melanzane e pure di zucchini (Rolled bream fillet with aubergine and zucchini purée) Dessert: Buccellato

Dinner: Dinner at the Cooking School

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Hotel

Morning: Morning at leisure. Suggestions: - Florence or Pisa

Lunch: Lunch on your own

Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure. Suggestions: - Florence or Pisa

Dinner: Dinner on your own

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Hotel

Morning: Departure to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Visit to the Caseificio Bertagni, a small family-run caseificio producing both sheep’s and cow’s cheeses from using only Tuscan milk

Lunch: Lunch at the local restaurant

Afternoon: Third Cooking Lesson at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine. Menu 2 Antipasto: Sfogliatine di zucchini e caprino con crema di zucca (Puff pastry with zucchini and goat cheese served with pumpkin cream) Primo piatto: Ravioli di zucca con pecorino e cannella (Ravioli stuffed with pecorino cheese and cinnamon) Secondo piatto: Pollo alla cacciatora (cacciatore chicken) Dessert: Cantucci con Vin Santo

Dinner: Dinner at the cooking school

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Departure to Carrara. Visit to a private marble quarry and marble studio. Departure to Colonnata. Visit to a factory producing Lard, which was the traditional meal of the quarry workers. Its production dates back to the year 1000 and has been handed down from generation to generation. The maturation takes place in marble tubs placed in caves or cellars.

Lunch: Snack based on the lard of Colonnata along with other local specialties

Afternoon: Departure to Pietrasanta. PIETRASANTA is famous for its connection with marble. Artists and sculptors, from all over the world, live and work there. It has been defined THE "SMALL ATHENS" for its marble studios, its artistic foundries, its artisans, for the ancient and modern monuments, for its sculptures, gifts of the great artists of this century that add beauty to its streets and squares, and also for its historic center, considered a precious jewelry case of the Middle Ages Free time in Pietrasanta

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fattoria Forci / Visit to San Martino (an old Olive press) Fourth hands-on cooking lesson

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: Departure to Fattoria di Forci, one of the beautiful Villas of Lucca, aristocracy family summer Residences in the XVII century Visit the cellars and the ancient olive mill (16th century) Transfer to San Martino, farm producing biodynamic wine and oil. Lecture on the farm production in the winery followed by a wine and olive oil tasting with cheese in the Wonderful Villa Sardi, another noble residence.

Lunch: Lunch at the local restaurant

Afternoon: Transfer to the Cooking school for the fourth hands-on cooking lesson. Menu 4: Antipasto: Involtini di peperoni con crema al formaggio ed erbette (rolled peppers with cream cheese and herbs) Primo piatto: Pasta fatta in casa con fiori di zucca (fresh made pasta with zucchini flowers) Secondo piatto: Scaloppine alla Senese (Scaloppine with terragon) Dessert: Schiacciata con l’uva (typical sweet focaccia with grapes)

Dinner: Dinner at the cooking school.

Lodging: Hotel Universo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Morning departures based on flight schedule time