Hello: has anyone stayed in Casentinesi National Park, "near" Florence? From what I have read (somewhere) this (and other) National Parks DO have (rough?) equivalents to our AirBNB type places. We would love to try that, but my one inquiry (I believe to a tourist board near the National Park) has not lead to a reply (1 + month ago). And, I would love to take a week's classes in making dinner meals ("authentic," FWIW, originating in that area, and Italy, not the Bronx or Chi). I "think" I am not finding the right places/people to ask.
A few weeks ago, our town had a mini "Italian" festival as it does from time to time (this is wine country, & many Italians settled here in 19th C, many streets bear their names), . Strangely to me, no one there (I asked about 10 people) knew anything related to such classes or about this park, just the traditional "thank you, no we don't know anything about this all..."
So, please, where do I go from here? Ideas to pursue (and, I often found answers if I pushed hard enough, in the past): Italian Consulate in San Francisco, teachers at the local universities, local cooking schools/classes, the local library, continuing to email Italian Tourist Boards. Sadly, the local "Italian Fun Groups" who sponsored the recent festival -- now you know where that went.
All ideas, especially your experiences having done such, appreciated.
*Please note: while "Florence" is the obvious fallback, I am sorta city'd out, hoping to limit our visits to a few short daylongs. Small, and green(ish), and local (E. "tuscany" et les environs) people/places, I prefer. But, would love to read what you reply.
Thank you. Stay safe, and safe journeys.