Donate
||
0
0,0 0 items

No products in the cart.

May 4 - May 11

Flavors of Umbria: Food and Wine in the Green Heart of Italy

Flavors of Umbria: Food and Wine in the Green Heart of Italy

WORKSHOP COST:
3950€
Workshop Dates:
May 4 - May 11
Request More Info

About the Workshop

For those interested in a full gastronomic immersion in traditions of food and wine of Italy, this week-long workshop is ideal! Set in the geographic center of Italy - the region of Umbria, is known as the "green heart" of Italy.  Here in a small medieval village set among the verdant hills of the Todi valley, a full immersion in ancient knowledge and traditional flavors will take place. Oenophiles interested in discovering the wines of the region will not be disappointed - surrounded by by world-class vineyards in every direction, there will be plenty of opportunities for discovering  the excellent wines of the region!

Intended for experts or enthusiasts in the food and wine sector interested in improving their skills, those interested in learning about Italian foodand wine for personal pleasure, or simply for enthusiasts of good living - the pleasures of the Umbrian table provide for an unforgettable experience in Italy.

The duration of the workshop is one week, from 4 to 11 May 2024. (There is also a  possibility of personalized dates on request, if an already formed group of 6 - 12 presents itself  with different time needs.)

During your stay, you will be housed at a beautiful and grand, 17th c. villa, located on a forested mountain overlooking Tiber valley.  Surrounded on all-sides by olive groves, carefully kept lawns and grand cypress trees, hedges of lavender and rosemary grace the landscape, with a vegetable garden for guest use - the setting is idyllic. The stately villa itself is completely gated and fenced and features unique architectural elements, such as beautifully painted beamed and brick domed ceilings, terracotta tiled floors, stone walls, unique fireplaces, arched doorways and wooden-shuttered windows, all complemented by the stylish furnishing and decor throughout.  The designer kitchen features the most elegant contemporary appliances and features.The main house sleeps ten (four bedrooms, all en-suite). In addition, a stone cottage and sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, with a separate bathrooms, and provides several sitting and relaxation areas in addition to a very comfortable main lounge. A large upper terrace includes a shaded area, perfect for dining and appreciating spectacular sunsets and mountain views.  The lower patio surrounds a magnificent infinity pool.  The villa is a stunning property that will provide unforgettable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Daily cooking classes will be held by a local chef in English or Italian (if requested), with years of experience in the food and wine sector. Wine tastings add appreciation will be directed by a 3rd level sommelier, and the farms and woodlands will enrich the palette of event the most knowledgable connoisseurs of cheeses along with -  the green gold of Umbria - its wondrously rich and flavorful olive oil for which the region is famous - and 0f course, the black and white truffles of Norcia, which will be used in many of the traditional recipies and preparations, we will explore.  Guided by typical recipes of Umbrian cuisine, peasant traditions, and ancient flavors will be enriched by the backdrop castles and ancient village set among the verdant woodlands of the region.  The workshop presents a full immersion in the food and wine culture of Italy, which will mark your way of knowing food, tasting it, and experiencing it!

About the Instructor

Included Amenities

Click on the links below for detailed information about our included amenities.
View Amenities Page »
  • Airport transfer from and to the Leonardo da Vinci Rome/Fiumicino Airport (FCO) aboard our private bus (on scheduled dates only). Bus departs the airport promptly at 12PM.
  • Airport welcome service and assistance with baggage
  • 24/7 bi-lingual support with manager on site at all times
  • All ground transport aboard private buses or our ICA van, unless otherwise specified. Licensed and insured professional driver and ICA guide accompany all excursions. Orientation at each destination is provided as is departure coordination (guide service is available upon request — unless specified — for an additional fee)
  • Village orientation and complimentary drinks provided on arrival day
  • Private access to our 5-storey tower at our Palazzo Persiane (on sign-up basis) for spectacular morning and evening views
  • Access to our art materials shop (during posted hours)
  • Thorough orientation lecture and maps provided the evening before departure
  • Return transport to the Rome/Fiumicino Airport (departs 5:30AM) with rest stop
  • Departure service/airport assistance at airport
  • Unless otherwise specified, single occupancy accommodation is provided in rooms with a view of the Tiber Valley that includes sink and vanity. Rooms are with shared bath on each level (3 rooms per bath) in our 14th century convent building, The Asilo. Apartments, rooms with private bath and AC, double rooms, group or villa accommodations are available for couples, business associates/ friends, or groups for an additional fee
  • Linens and towels provided
  • Weekly housekeeping service with change of towels and linens
  • Free washing machine access
  • Good Wi-Fi connection and access to our library and film collection
  • 3 chef-catered, gourmet meals per day (buffet breakfast, 3-course lunch, 4-course dinner) — with wine at lunch and dinner (table wine provided at lunch and dinner. An excellent wine list is offered at additional cost), while in Monte Castello
  • Group dining service is as follows, with breakfast and lunch served in our dining room, etc, with dinner (weather permitting) served on our private terrace overlooking the Tiber Valley
  • Lunch and dinner are plated as follows: pasta course, main course, vegetable, fruit/salad, dessert
  • When requested at registration, vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options are provided
  • After dinner drinks on our terrace overlooking the Tiber valley
  • Dining service is as follows: Breakfast: 8:00 AM; Lunch: 1:00PM; Dinner: 8:00 PM. No meals are served on Fridays (excursion day) unless otherwise specified
  • On Saturday and Sunday, a full buffet brunch with fresh pastry and Prosecco is served at 11:00 AM
  • On Saturday, homemade, wood-fired pizza is served at 7:00 PM (except on departure days, when a special farewell dinner is served)
  • Sunday dinner with antipasti is served at 7:00 PM
  • Farewell dinner on the evening prior to departure
  • 24/7 access to our primary building and library is provided, including access to workspaces, studios, and ceramics facility
  • Special access to certain cultural and art collections is available upon request
  • FOR VISUAL ARTISTS: private, or semi-private secure and monitored studio space is provided (24/7 access)
  • FOR WRITERS: private workspace is provided (24/7 access)
  • FOR GROUPS: Group workspace is provided (24/7 access)
  • FOR CERAMIC ARTISTS: 24/7 access to our ceramics facility
  • Free access to lectures and events at the Teatro Concordia
  • An end of the session exhibition with reception that includes hors d'oeuvres and Prosecco in our gallery. Posters are prepared to promote the event with copies provided to all participants
  • 1 excursion per week is included (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary) aboard our private bus. Additional trips can of course be scheduled and given our central location. (Day trips are possible to as far north as Siena or Florence and as far south as Rome.)
  • Advanced reservations and ticket purchases for groups and individuals
  • Concierge services provided upon request at an hourly rate
  • Restaurant reservations (provided under Concierge services)
  • Car rental
  • Critique series with visiting visual artists
  • Artist materials workshops
  • Drawing and painting sessions from the figure
  • Cooking classes
  • Cheesemaking workshop
  • Pizza-making workshop
  • Kids cooking classes
  • Wine appreciation and Sommelier Courses
  • Wine and olive oil tastings
  • Vineyard tours
  • Truffle hunting
  • Ballroom dance classes
  • Weekend excursions to flea markets and natural sites
  • Shopping excursions to cashmere and leather outlets, to Deruta famous for fine painted traditional ceramics, and antique stores
  • Overnight excursions to the sea and day-trips to Rome beaches
  • Hot air balloon tours
  • Hot springs excursions
  • Lake Trasimeno tours
  • Umbria abandoned castle and fortress tour
  • Sustainable farming tour 
  • Babysitting services
  • Soccer, archery, and horseback riding camps for kids
  • Motorized mountain bike rentals
  • Electric car rental 
  • Golf-cart tours of Rome and Florence
  • Hiking/naturalist guides to national/regional parks - mountain hiking available
  • Fishing/Hunting Excursions

Payment Options

  • Payment in full (€500 non-refundable deposit is included. No refunds will be issued within 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. See refund policy for more details).
  • Non-refundable €500 deposit (Balance due must be paid a minimum of 30 days prior to workshop).
  • Balance payment (after €500 deposit).

Required Forms

All ICA participants; whether coming independently, with a group or through a college / university, must provide the following completed forms and information to icarts.info@gmail.com at least 2 weeks prior to attending their program. 
Emergency Contact & Medical Information »Liability Waiver »
Proof of Insurance / Travel Insurance
Itinerary and Passport
For detailed information and to download the required forms, please visit our Guides and Forms page.

Itinerary

Day 1: May 12th

Pick up at the Leonardo da Vinci Rome/Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) by private transport .  Arrival at FCO no later than 11 AM is required for a prompt 12:00 departure. Arrival at the villa in the early afternoon, welcome aperitif with typical products and bubbles, greeting from the chef and accommodation in the rooms, where you will find a courtesy kit and a welcome gift. Free time will follow, relaxing in the pool, followed by a four-course gourmet dinner.

Day 2: May 13th

  • 08:00 – 10:00 rich Italian and international buffet breakfast with coffee shop included.
  • 10.30am visit to the nearby town of Todi, where you can admire the historic Cathedral of San Fortunato, the temple of Consolation, the noble palace, the Piazza del Popolo – Italian-style reinforced aperitif included – return scheduled for 2.30pm at the villa.
  • 5:00pm 1st cooking lesson: "fresh egg pasta from the Umbrian tradition - ravioli, tortelli, tagliatelle" - at the end of the lesson dinner with tasting.

Day 3: 14. May

  • 08:00 – 10:00 rich Italian and international buffet breakfast with coffee shop included.
  • 10.30am departure for Orvieto, visit of the city with our guide.
  • Lunch in the facility
  • Return at 4:30pm
  • Afternoon relaxation
  • Four-course gourmet dinner with typical products of the Umbrian tradition.

Day 4: 15. May

  • 08:00 – 10:00 rich Italian and international buffet breakfast with coffee shop included..
  • 10.30am gastronomic experience: "hunting for the black gold of Umbria - searching for truffles in an authorized private truffle farm and tasting the products found with a light lunch".
  • return to the villa - Afternoon relaxation.
  • 5:00pm 2nd cooking lesson: "his majesty the pig, the king of Umbrian cuisine - sausage, chicory, livers" - At the end of the lesson, dinner with tasting.

Day 5: 16. May

  • 08:00 – 10:00 rich Italian and international buffet breakfast with coffee shop included.
  • 10.30am departure for Montefalco, visit of the village and rich tasting of typical products of the Umbrian lands and 7 wines at the Scacciadiavoli winery estate.
  • 5.30pm return to the villa – Afternoon relaxation.
  • 8:00pm “truffle evening” gourmet dinner.

Day 6: 17. May

  • 08:00 – 10:00 rich Italian and international buffet breakfast with coffee shop included.
  • 10.30am departure for Monte Castello di Vibio, a medieval village which houses the smallest theater in the world, just 99 seats, entirely made of wood in Goldoni style.
  • Gourmet aperitif in the square to admire the viewpoint of the middle Tiber valley.
  • Return to the villa at 4:00pm
  • 5:00pm 3rd cooking lesson: “focaccia & pizza Italian style” – followed by dinner with tasting.

Day 7: 18. May

  • 08:00 – 10:00 rich Italian and international buffet breakfast with coffee shop included.
  • 10.30am departure for Perugia, the regional capital. Visit to the National Gallery of Umbria with guided tour of the museum and works.
  • Light lunch in the splendid setting of Corso Vannucci.
  • Return at 5.30pm – afternoon relaxation/free time.
  • 8:00pm aperitif in the garden, live musical accompaniment, gourmet dinner.

Departure: 19. May

  • 5:30 AM departure with our private vehicle transport to the FCO airport with our guide for departure assistance.
2021© International Center for the Arts - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
shopping-cartangle-double-up
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram