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Umbria & Tuscany - itinerary help

Posted by (Seattle, WA, USA) on

Thank you everyone for the ideas on my earlier posting. I now have an itinerary for your comments. Here it is:

4/16:Arrive Florence f/Seattle–chill out/recover from jet lag

4/17-25: RS – Heart of Italy tour ending in Rome(includes Florence, Cinque Terre, Lucca, Volterra & Rome)

4/25: Rome to Orvieto (day trip) – overnight in Rome

4/26 & 27: Rome to Assisi by train – Two days in Assisi with day trips to Perugia/Deruta

4/28-5/1: Lago Trasimeno – Isola Polvese hostel; Three/Four days with daytrips to Cortona, Montepulciano,
Sienna & Arezzo

5/1-2: Arezzo one night – Sunday antiques market

5/2-3: Arezzo to Florence by train or bus – possible cooking class

5/4: Florence to Seattle – homeward bound – very early a.m. flight

There are several questions that probably have been posted and answered here and forgive me if it is redundant. I have been following Lydia’s posts and it prompted some more questions on my trip. Here are some specific detailed questions I would like opinions on:

  1. Florence: Does anyone have experience with Teatro del Sale. It is a restaurant/theatre where chef Fabio Picchi cooks and his wife Maria Cassi leads the entertainment part of the evening?

  2. Florence or Assisi for cooking classes? I am thinking of doing a cooking class with the Accidental Tourist organization. Any opinions? They do classes in Florence, not Assisi. Recommendations for classes in Assisi? I am interested in just a day class – perhaps starting with market.

  3. Should I do an overnight in Sienna (instead of Arezzo) then head to Arezzo antiques Market on Sunday morning then train/bus to Florence?

Posted by
799 posts

I've never taken a cooking class in Europe, so I can't help with any advice on that front. It does seem like cooking is a bit of a focus for you.

If you are, indeed, interested in Italian cooking (and food, I assume), have you considered Bologna, maybe instead of Assisi? Bologna is a culinary highlight in Italy, and I would guess there are probably some great cooking classes there. The (food) markets in Bologna are fantastic! Though you may be wanting to stay further south than Bologna.

You could always decide once you're there, but as part of the RS tour, you only spend 1 1/2 days in Rome. I'd forego the day trip to Orvieto, and instead spend more time in Rome.

Specifically answering 3., I would say you have enough moving around, and keep your overnight in Arezzo.

Posted by
1421 posts

Yes, I do love to cook but it isn't really a huge focus of my over all trip. I love Italian food and preparing the same.

You're probably right about Sienna - I just can't fit it all in and my itinerary as it stands now, looks pretty well rounded.

Posted by
799 posts

On the Teatro del Sale and cooking class questions, you might try chowhound.com, which has forums for various places, such as Italy. People there may have more knowledge and/or experience on cooking classes.

We were in Florence in September, and I did look up Teatro del Sale, but we were looking for a more low-key place, so didn't eat there.

Posted by
6898 posts

Linda, I am aware of 3 cooking schools in Florence. My wife and I took a 1-day Tuscan cooking class from Scoula di Arte Culinaria Cordon Bleu (http://www.cordonbleu-it.com/). It was just great. It's not associated with the real Cordon Bleu and there is no market shopping - Just 6 hours of cooking. I am aware of the Accidental Tourist cooking classes and those of www.divinacocina.com. Judy Witts Francini (the Diva) is an American permanently living in Florence for quite some time. She is also quite excellent. You can also find another 3 or so cooking schools in Florence on the web.

I am not aware of cooking schools in Assisi but there used to be 1-2 in nearby Perugia. We almost signed up for one there.

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