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It's always right around this time of year when I start longing for a vacation. True, most of us are just back from at least a few days off for Christmas and New Year's, but vacations are kind of like movie popcorn to me: a taste only makes me hungry for more.
So I was the perfect audience for the info I got today from a new program called Tuscany: A Journey for the Senses. I'm not crazy about the name (you can't get much more New Age-y than "journey" and "senses," and New Age-y I am not), but I love the concept: a week in Tuscany studying art, architecture, or cooking. There are four programs in all, and they last anywhere from seven to 10 days.
The best part? You stay at Fatttoria La Palazzina, a villa in the Val d'Orcia region. To be honest, I don't care if my pastel paintings turn out like my nephew's kindergarten art—if I get to bask by that pool and stare out at the rolling hills every day, I'll be happy.
The programs start at about $2,200 for a week, which sounds steep until you consider that it covers your room, classes, local transportation, admission to museums, and meals cooked by the villa's resident chef, Eliana Pasquini. I'm guessing she doesn't serve movie popcorn, but I'm sure I'll find something to tempt me.
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So, have you made your reservation? It sounds fantastic and Tuscany is on my dream list.
Posted By Shelley on January 8, 2009, 4:23 PM
Thanks for the information. My readers will really love this. Tuscany is a beautiful place.
Posted By Jet Set Life on January 8, 2009, 8:09 PM
Since Tuscany is just about six hours drive from where I live, I probably don't see it as dreamy but it definitely is beautiful. Workshops are a good idea but if you're not into that much and still want to experience all of the above, I would suggest to fly over from where ever you live and then take a train through Tuscany. It passes through all important places like Pisa, Florence, Arezzo, Perugia, Orvieto...and it's a great way to see the countryside and explore all the cities and towns.
Posted By Stella Stopfer on January 9, 2009, 9:17 AM
Have you noticed that places, like La Palazzina, rarely show photos of their bathrooms? There is a reason for this.
Posted By Florence Allegretti on January 12, 2009, 1:08 PM
Florence
what is the problem with the bathrooms? My latest experience in France was the bathroom was a small closet and dinky at best.
Posted By Food Diva on January 13, 2009, 8:41 AM
Sounds wonderful. Is it possible to use Tuscany as a "home base" and tour places like Rome etc. as day trips? I'm having difficulty finding driving or train ride distances between certain places we would like to visit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted By John on January 16, 2009, 1:18 PM
For John, try initaly.com, under the transportation link is a driving distances chart. Staying in Tuscany and visiting Rome for a day is too much, it's 200 km from Siena to Rome. Stay in Rome and then in Tuscany.
Pack light, you need space for the wine!
Posted By sheila on January 16, 2009, 6:29 PM