FOODIES ON FOOT IN PISA – An authentic culinary experience!

Indulge your senses on a private food tour through the authentic flavours and culinary tradition of the vibrant university city of Pisa.

Your personal tour guide Martina will ensure you feel like a local for the day, giving you the opportunity to learn about Tuscany culinary history, meeting up with native Italians and discovering cosy meeting spots downtown.

You will stop at the shops of gourmet food producers, historical bakeries and patisseries (pasticcerie) where you will have the time to taste authentic local dishes and sweet treats: from the best espresso/cappuccino and the typical cake of Pisa to tasty ‘cecina’ pancake served with fragrant focaccia bread, paired with either a ‘spuma’ or artisanal beer, if not a glass of Chianti wine.

You will then visit the colourful daily fruits and vegetable market, which has been held since the end of the 15th century in and around a renaissance style square.

Last but not least, you will enjoy an ‘aperitivo’ in one of the most popular bars!

Please note:

1) if you have any allergies or special requests, please do not hesitate to inform Martina. She will be happy to tailor the itinerary to your needs and interests;

2)Cycling food tours available on request

FOODIES ON FOOT IN LUCCA – An authentic culinary experience!

Indulge your senses in a private food tour through the authentic flavours and culinary tradition of the charming walled city of Lucca.

Your personal tour guide and culinary expert, Martina, will ensure you feel like a local for the day, giving you the opportunity to learn about Tuscany culinary history, meeting up with native Italians and discovering cosy meeting spots downtown.

You will stop at the shops of gourmet food producers, historical bakeries and patisseries (pasticcerie) where you will have the oportunity to taste authentic local dishes and sweet treats: from the best espresso/cappuccino and typical cake of Lucca to the tasty ‘cecina’ pancake served with fragrant focaccia bread pared with either a ‘spuma’ or artisanal beer, if not a glass of Chianti wine.

Last but not least, you will enjoy an ‘aperitivo’ in one of the most popular bars!

Please note:

1) if you have any allergies or special requests, please do not hesitate to inform Martina. She will be happy to tailor the itinerary to your needs and interests.

2) Cycling food tours available on request

3) If you join this tour on Wednesday afternoon (14:30-18:30), you will also have the opportunity to visit the colourful organic market held in St. Francis’ Square. There, you find local producers who sell their own fruit and vegetables, cheeses, cured meat and other typical produce.

GOURMET TRUFFLE EXPERIENCE IN TUSCANY

Seeking and tasting the ‘food of gods’ amid spectacular scenery!

If you are a nature lover and you like gourmet Slow Travel experiences, this is the perfect tour for you!
You will meet humble but generous locals, take part in an authentic truffle hunt, and enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience, whilst discovering a very ancient tradition.

Join Martina for the ultimate experience in the heart of the Tuscan countryside.
Martina will introduce you to an exceptional team, comprising a dog and two expert truffle hunters (a father and a son), who will make you discover the world of the ‘diamond of the earth’: the white truffle!

You will venture into the wooded hills surrounding the ancient hilltop village of San Miniato al Tedesco, located halfway between Pisa and Florence.  This is where, in 1956, the biggest truffle in the world was found.

Truffle hunting is a very exciting experience and you will see that the dog plays the most important role!
Everything has to be done, however,  in respect of Nature. The chance of coming across even a very small truffle it is very high when you are following in the footsteps of expert truffle hunters and their dog!

Following the hunt, you will reach the truffle hunter’s house and enjoy a delicious home cooked meal made with fresh truffle!

The truffle hunter’sister will cook before you. She is a great cook and will give you a ‘cooking lesson’ and tips on how to distinguish real truffles from the fakes and artificial products.

This is a truly wonderful and enlightening experience which you can enjoy at any time of the year. As well as the most famous and expensive white truffle (usually available only between mid October and end of December), it is possible to find different kinds of black truffles, which in Martina’s opinion, are just as good as the ‘King of truffles’.

What are you still waiting for?! Book this day tour with Martina and you will enjoy the experience of a life time!

FROM OLIVE TO EVO OIL: THE TRULY AUTHENTIC ITALIAN WAY

Learn about the authentic EVO Oil making process and enjoy a Km0 seminar in the countryside near Pisa!
Meet the producers, visit the olive grove, learn the five steps processing to make an excellent EVO Oil.  Enjoy a professional Oil Tasting and a delicious Tuscan lunch in company of your expert local guide Martina. You will make a truly authentic local experience! A delightful drive through Pisa neighborough will bring you the Medieval town of Vocopisano, located on the right bank of the Arno river, at the foot of Pisan Mountain (Monte Pisano). Dominated by a Renaissance fortress, la Rocca, which was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, and characterized by some well preserved medieval towers, Vicopisano is a truly little gem! Just off its historic centre you will find the main entrance to a beautiful family run organic farm, which old stone oil mill was renewed in different times to date. After a three unforgettable hours spent in the estate, you will finish the tour with the visit of Vicopisano and its treasures! What are you still waiting for? Book this unique and authentic slow travel experience with Martina!

Tuscan fresh pasta cooking class in san gimignano

Learn how to make fresh Pici, Tagliatelle and Gnocchi at a family run Tuscan farmhouse!

In the end we all love PASTA!  But Martina’s favorite is fresh artisanal PASTA, made with Km0 organic ingredients!

And what about learning how to make your own traditional PASTA from Tuscany, and be able to cook it once returned home?!

Martina will be happy to bring you to a family run estate and winery located only one km from the outstanding Medieval hilltown of San Gimignano, in the heart of Tuscany countryside.

You will meet a great she Chef who will host you in the cosy kitchen of an old farmhouse, surrounded by Vernaccia vineyards and an olive grove. An amazing scnery!

The cook will share with you all the secrets about the typical homemade pasta from Tuscany and teach you how to cook it at the best.

You will learn how to make three different kinds, Pici, Tagliatelle, and Gnocchi as well as the sauces to serve them with.

Following the cooking lesson, you will enjoy your lunch/dinner eating your own fresh handmade pasta.

Before that, you will enjoy a selection of Tuscan bruschette (starter), taste Organic Etra virgin olive oils, and end up with Cantucci and Vinsanto (dessert).

Last but not least, all of the dishes will be pared with at least 4/5 of the owners’ own wines.

How you can say no to this fantastic slow cooking experience?

PISA ARTISAN CHOCOLATE TASTING TOUR

Join Martina for a delicious journey in one of the main centres of Tuscany’s Chocolate Valley!

Indulge your senses in an overwhelming experience, book a gourmet chocolate tasting tour in Pisa and its surroundings with your local tour guide Martina!

She will be delighted of sharing one of her healthy passions with you – yes, because natural handmade chocolate is good for you!

From a basic artisanal chocolate tasting at different local maitre chocolatiers’ workshops to a proper chocolate tasting seminar (including the history of a tradition and tips about the fantastic world of chocolate), to an hands-on chocolate class attended by a local chocolate maker. You will experience ‘at heart’!

Highlights (to be discussed with Martina according to your interests and time at disposal):

-meet up with local passionate maitre chocolatiers and their family’s members

-your sight will be captured by a wide selection of natural artisanal chocolates, from pralines to barrets, chocolate fruits, spreads and other specialties.
– you’ll touch handmade chocolatessmell the flavours, and finally taste the ambrosial pieces!
-learn about the fantastic bean to bar yourney

A truly delicious experience!

LUCCA ARTISAN CHOCOLATE TASTING TOUR

Join Martina for an authentic Gourmet Chocolate Tasting tour in Lucca.
Join Martina for an authentic Gourmet Chocolate Tasting tour in Lucca.
She will be delighted of sharing one of her healthy passions with you – yes, because handmade chocolate is good for you!
Strolling through the historic centre of this charming walled city, you will stop at different local maitres chocolatier’s shops and make a delicious ‘at heart’ experience!
All of your six senses will be seduced by the pralines, barrets, spreads and other unique specialties handmade by local master artisans of chocolate.
What a better way to discover a beautiful Tuscan Gem for chocolate lovers!
Highlights (to be discussed with Martina according to your interests and time at disposal):
-meet up with local passionate maitre chocolatiers and their family’s members
-your sight will be captured by a wide selection of natural artisanal chocolates, from pralines to barrets, chocolate fruits, spreads and other specialties
– you will touch handmade chocolates, smell the flavours, and finally taste ambrosial pieces!
-learn about the fantastic bean to bar yourney which production has been attested in Lucca since 1580s.
 
A truly delicious experience!

EXCLUSIVE EVO OIL TASTING SEMINAR IN LUCCA

What a better place than Lucca, renown for its EVO oil production since Renaissance time, to learn the history, taste the flavours, be inspired by the exceptional nutritional and sensory properties of extra virgin olive oil!

An illuminating seminar on the fascinating world of Extra Virgin Olive Oil held by a ‘Maestro dell’olio’ (EVOO Masterchef), professional taster (C.O.I method) and founder of the ‘Oil Academy’ of Lucca.

Held in the cosy rooms of a XVIII century building located inside the amazing Renaissance walls of one of the most charming towns in Italy, the seminar is divided into two parts.

First, you will learn about olive tree cultivation in Tuscany from antiquity to date, as well as the traditional and modern methods of EVOO making.
Your Maestro dell’olio will  also give you details about its exclusive healthy benefits only recently rediscovered, but well-known in the past to the point it was reffered to as ‘liquid gold’ by Omer and ‘the great healer’ by Hippocrates.

Then, you will discover details on the lable of EVOO bottles and enjoy a professional hands-on tasting in order to be able to distinguish high quality from law quality EVOO (you will taste 3-4 different kinds).

In the final part of the seminar you will learn how to pair EVOO with food and you will taste some delights!

Martina has personally took part to the seminar and enjoyed it very much.
It is a truly educational and unique culinary experience!

Note: this experience can easily be combined with one of the Lucca tours  listed on this website. Otherwise Martina will be happy to customized an itinerary for you.

 

ITALIAN GELATO & PIZZA MAKING CLASS IN SAN GIMIGNANO

Learn the secrets of making a real gelato and a perfect pizza with a passionate Tuscan cook!

Are you a pizza and ice-cream lover and would you like to learn how to make them at home?
This is the perfect experience for you!

Take part to a fun private cooking class on these two ‘must eat’, gelato and pizza, while enjoying the unique Beauty of Tuscany countryside!

Martina will bring you to a family run estate and winery located only one km from the outstanding Medieval hilltown of San Gimignano.

You will meet a great cook who will host you in the cosy kitchen of an old farmhouse, surrounded by Vernaccia vineyards and an olive grove.

The cook will share with you all the secrets about authentic handmade pizza and artisan gelato, while teaching you how to cook them at the best.

You will start making the gelato (using seasonal products) and the wafer cookies to fill them with your own handmade ice-cream.

Then, you will make the pizza dough, create your own pizza and bake it in the oven.

Finally you will eat them all! Buon Appetito!

private cooking class in the heart of florence

Learn how to create an incredible meal at home!
In order to create an incredible meal at home, you should know some secrets and add a pinch of ‘magic’!

Take this cooking class in Florence with a great native she Chef and you will learn how to make it!
 
First, she will bring you to S. Lorenzo local food market, where you will do some good food shopping and food tasting.

Then, you will drive to the Chef’s home and start an hands-on class of about 3 hours, preparing a whole meal: one pasta dish (can be pasta or gnocchi or risotto), one meat dish (or fish on request) with side dish, and a dessert.

When it is ready, you will have a sit a the table set in the cosy living room and eat what you have cooked, paring each dish with a suitable wine.

Buon Appetito! Enjoy!

EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE COOKING CLASS IN LUCCA

Discover the secret of Tuscan cousine with a brilliant sommelier & culinary expert!

Learn how to make fresh handmade pasta, EVO oil cookies, mayonnaise souce and other delicious local dishes while hosted in a beautiful XVIII century building, located inside the walls of Lucca!

Your brilliant sommelier and culinary expert will welcome you in his home and will give you an introduction to Tuscan cousine.
Following his tips and instructions, you will ‘mettere le mani in pasta’ that is ‘you do your pasta yourself’: one step at a time you will make the dough and then your own tagliatelle!

Then, you will prepare a sauce for the pasta: fresh chopped tomatoes, basil, garlic, and EVO Oil cooked in a pan…so full of flavour and a delight!

While sipping a glass of a Chianti wine, you will go on making a handmade mayonaise and deep-fried local seasonal vegetable – of course, you will learn how to do it perfectly at home!

The cooking class will end with a dessert: you will bake healthy EVO Oil biscuits.

At this point, you will take a seat at the beautifully set table of the cosy dining room and eat all the delicious dishes you made.

Last but not least, your personal sommelier will teach you how to pare them with different high quality Italian wines!

Buon appetito!

LUCCA ARTISAN GELATO TASTING TOUR

From Gelato to Sorbet and Granita trends in Lucca
If you are a lover of Gelato, this is the perfect tour for you! Visiting Italy, you will soon realize every single city is studded with many artisanal ‘gelaterie’. It is therfore important to make sure you visit the best ones and learn how to recognize them! Joining this tour with your expert local guide Martina, You will discover Lucca’s four best artisanal gelaterie, run by a local Maestro del Gelato (Gelato Masterchef), and you will taste their specialities. While strolling from gelateria to gelateria, you will learn the history of gelato, its current trends and interesting details about its couterpart: granita and sorbet! This experience will let you fall for gelato – hook, line and sinker!

EXCLUSIVE GELATO MAKING CLASS IN SAN GIMIGNANO

Join a world famous ‘Meastro Gelatiere’ for a two hour truly memorable and fun experience!
Be a ‘gelatiere’ for a day! Join Martina and a passionate ‘Maestro Gelatiere’ (Gelato Masterchef) in this exciting and unique experience for both kids and adults! Book a day tour of the beautiful hilltown of San Gimignano with Martina and ask her to bring you to one of the “Best Gourmet Places in the World”. There you will take part to a private gelato hands-on class with a great personality and Master of gelato. Sergio will happily teach you all you need to know about real Gelato and how to make it yourself! After a fun lesson, you will prepare a Fiordilatte ice-cream (made with raw milk) and a Seasonal Fruit flavour gelato (persimmon, banana, strawberry, lemon, melon). Finally, you will eat your own handmade Gelato all together! A truly memorable experience! Duration: 90 minutes (reservation with 7 days notice)

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