Cooking or culinary holidays, vacations, tours in Italy:

Toscana in Bocca
. . . exploring cooking in Tuscany with the senses

These cooking holidays and courses are based in and around Florence, the capital city of Tuscany and one of the country's important and historic cities. A city of atmosphere and full of culture, Florence has many impressive Renaissance style buildings many of which are ancient churches and grand palaces. Much of the city's buildings remain unchanged since the Sixteenth century.

Florence is built around the River Arno with the main crossing being the famous Ponte Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio, built in 1345, has three large arches and is the oldest bridge in Florence. What is unusual about the bridge is that is lined with shops most of which are jewelers. Originally the shops were butchers but the Medicis objected to the smell and so they were replaced with shops selling less offensive goods.There is a secret passageway running across the top of the bridge which links the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi Gallery.

Everyone has probably heard of the Medici family, one of the most famous and influential families in Italy's past. Naturally, as the family lived in Florence, it was they who were primarily responsible for the wonderful buildings that were constructed together with the grand squares and beautiful gardens most of which can still be seen in the Florence of today. Under the Medici's, Florence became a city famed for its arts and its architecture with influential names like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Filippo Brunelleschi, Mariano di Iacopo, known as Taccola and Francesco di Giorgio being responsible for creating many great works of art and beautiful buildings.

Attractions not to be missed when visiting Florence are:

• The Duomo - the fourth largest cathedral in the world
• The Bargello - one of the first national museums in Italy
• The Uffizi - the world's oldest art gallery
• Palazzo Vecchio - Florence's town hall since 1322
• Santa Maria Novella - probably the most important Gothic church in Tuscany
• The Galleria dell' Accademia - if only to view Michelangelo's David

Many of the attractions are located in a fairly small area as a result of the city's compactness, making it easy to get around on foot. As well as the many sites to see there are also a variety of colourful markets full of character which are very much a part of local life. They provide a great place to find bargains or just to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. The markets range from the very large to the small . . . the main markets in Florence worth visiting are:

• Cascine Park - bargain-priced clothes and shoes
• San Lorenzo Market - leather goods, jewelry and clothing
• Mercato Centrale - a covered market crowded with food stalls
• Mercato Nuovo - originally sold silk and gold but is more for tourists, specialising in souvenirs and gifts, including cheap lace, straw work and leather goods
• Piazza dei Ciompi Market - sells of bric-a-brac and secondhand goods

Cooking School

Toscana In Bocca is a cooking school but more than anything else it is a journey into the Tuscany of yesteryear and of today through the recounting of memories and living the day to day reality. It is all about the memory of the many traditions that are handed down from generation to generation and how the reality of modern day Tuscany is preserving those traditions for future generations.

Your hosts and teachers for the week, Anna and Gloria, will tell you countless stories and anecdotes about the food and tastes of Tuscany whilst you are preparing the food around the stove and at the table whilst you are enjoying the tastes of your labours . . . the history of the countryside, of wine, of olive oil, of art, of porcelain, of glass blowing, of wood carving, of embroidery, of bronze casting, of perfume essence selecting . . . in fact the history and culture of Tuscany.

Anna and Gloria will welcome you through their porch and into their home where they will share with you their passion for entertaining. They will pass on to you the traditions and customs that they themselves learnt from their families.

During the course of your time with them they will talk to you, while you sit around the table, about the year in Tuscany, what produce is available at the different times and cooked during the different seasons.

Together you will discover that preparing a meal has a common basis which is shared throughout the world. To know a country well you also need to know its culinary traditions and who better to teach you about the culinary traditions of Italy, and of course Tuscany, than Anna and Gloria.

Toscana In Bocca promises you a true food experience.

Classes in the Countryside and in Florence

Toscana in Bocca is located in Sesto Fiorentino which is on the north west side of Florence, only twenty minutes from the centre. The landscape around Sesto Fiorentino is the typical Tuscan countryside with plenty of vineyards, olive trees and cypress trees. When the Medici Family ruled Florence, the area was where they took their summer holidays where there are two of the most beautiful Medici Villas with wonderful gardens. Sesto was also the place of a very important porcelain factory sponsored by the Medici Family, founded by Marquise Ginori in the second half of the Eighteenth Century. The Porcelain Museum of Doccia displays beautiful sculptures, home decorations and table settings from the Eighteenth century.

For groups up to four people, mainly in winter time or by special request, Toscana in Bocca can also run classes in the centre of Florence where they use their home, in the heart of the city, near the Cathedral and in front of Or San Michele church.

Your personal guide to Italian cooking

Toscana in Bocca is two ladies that have in common a passion for entertaining at home . . . different personalities but the same enthusiasm, same knowledge and love of the tradition and history of the art of entertaining with the food and culture of the region. And more . . .

Anna has a degree in literature and loves to entertain friends at home. She values the table as a pleasure and meeting place. In the country house she offers the best of meals from the Tuscan tradition in a joyful and fascinating atmosphere. Gloria is an art historian and lived in the USA for many years. She associates with international circles saving her true Florentine attitude especially when it comes to cooking.

"I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the five days we all spent together. I learned some great things and enjoyed everything we did." ~ Toni, West Orange, New Jersey

"I have such fond memories of the trip. You and Anna made it more enjoyable than we could have imagined." ~ Rita, Cave Creek, Arizona

"The cooking class was absolutely superlative and I can honestly say that I loved every minute of it.. The recipes you taught were impeccable and I am on the way to becoming a verifiable Italian chef." ~ Dolores, Beverly Hills California

"I am especially grateful to you both for your instruction, hospitality, friendship, your extra measure effort. I feel like you are my new Italian friends even sisters." ~ Colleen, Auckland, New Zealand

"You are two very special people. Because I work with personality type differences I was able to appreciate the strengths you each bring to the team. You work hard and the results of your effort shows." ~ Zelda, Savannah, Georgia

"You made the week a truly delightful experience of doing (cooking) and learning (about wines, olive oil, porcelain etc.)." ~ Beth, Phoenix, Arizona

"The rest of the trip was great but the best time was cooking school! Thank you and Anna again." ~ Barbara, Telluride, Colorado

"Dear Gloria and Anna, the school and you two ladies couldn't have been any better. We all learned a great deal and had the best time with you . The trip is now fond memories which will last the rest of my life. Tuscany is a place I wanted to visit for quite some time and you certainly made my dreams more than come true." ~ Jo Ann, San Francisco, California

"I will always have with me the memory of the atmosphere that you both create during class" ~ Mary Lee, Singapore

The Courses

Our classes are for a maximum of ten people and are suitable people of any skill from real beginners to the those that love to cook. The courses are also aimed at young people and couples as well. Transportation can be arranged for an extra charge.

	Five Day Courses
	These courses are held from a Monday to a Friday. Each day starts at 10:00 am and goes through to 2:00 pm. The cooking lessons take place on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday when everyone will get involved in cooking different meals on each of the days. On the Tuesday and the Thursday there will be visits to specialty shops and first class craftsman or special places of interest in the countryside.
	Three Day Courses
	These course can be taken over three consecutive days or arranged to fit in with what you would like to do. The first day's cooking lesson will deal with everything to do with pasta. On the second day you will be taught about the main courses in Tuscan cooking. The third day's cooking lesson is about desserts and how to set the table and create the right atmosphere for an enjoyable meal whether for family or for entertaining. Each days lesson starts at 10:00 am and finishes at around 2:00 pm.
	A Typical Tuscan Menu
	This is a one day cooking course where Anna and Gloria will cook together with you to prepare a complete Tuscan meal. The lesson starts at 10:00 am and finishes at around 2:00 pm.

Accommodation

Anna and Gloria are haply to help you find accommodation. If you need help do not hesitate to contact them. Below are two recommendations for your consideration.

• Hotel Villa Azalee, Viale Fratelli Rosselli Florence
  The villa was built in 1790. Beautifully furnished throughout in keeping with its style, with antique furniture, paintings and silverware. At the same time the hotel features the most modern equipment, and each room has it sown phone, minibar, heated towel rail, satellite television and air-conditioning. For the energetic there are bicycles to rent and for those looking to relax there is a very pleasant private garden. Each day starts with a buffet breakfast.
• Hotel Beacci Tornabuoni, Via Tornabuoni 3 Florence
  Located in the heart of Florence, a short stroll from the world famous Duomo, where art and history blend together, the Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci awaits its guests with the ambiance of a bygone age. Run by the Bechi family who are experts in hospitality everything is done to look after their guests to ensure their every need is looked after and that their sty in Florence is an enjoyable one.

  The hotel has a wonderful atmosphere with its authentic furnishings, frescoes, the lamps from Murano and the care taken in every aspect, makes each and every room unique. The special location of the Palace means the rooms allow you to enjoy spectacular views over the roofs of Florence and her famous landmarks. The panoramic roof garden is the pride of the Hotel Tornabuoni Beacci. The garden provides a splendid view of Florence and the surrounding rolling hills and can be enjoyed for breakfast in the morning, or drinks and cocktails in the early evening sunset.

If you need help finding accommodation in Florence just contact Anna and Gloria.

For further information email cooking.holidays@hub-uk.com