Two Faces of Tuscany Deep Forests of Casentino and Sweet Hils of Chianti

Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Saturday, 18 October, 2014, pick up at Florence Airport Pickup by 2:30pm  Afternoon arrival at Borgo Corsignano, Casentino, Tuscany  Together for our first evening we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner where our Chef, Linda Ragazzini, will teach us hands-on to prepare traditional Casentino dishes. The main course of “Sanbudello and Scamarrita” prepared from the famous Grey Pig of Casentino will be paired with wonderful Tuscan wines.

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Sunday, 19 October 2014  Day two our tour continues with a visit to the Parish Church of Romena, an aperitif at Castello di Porciano with Martha Specht Corsi, followed by a visit to Claudio Orlandi’s Estate (Selve di Vallolmo) in the National Park of Foreste Casentinesi. Claudio is the Norcino of Presidio Slow Food Casentino- Prosciutto del Casentino. We will enjoy a prosciutto tasting and wine pairing led by Giancarlo Russo, Italian expert of Cheese, Cured Meat and Meat, and Professor at Unisg (the University of Gastronomical Science in Pollenzo - Slow Food).  Following a relaxing afternoon, we will end the day with an very special dinner at Il Tirabuscio Bibbiena, recognized by Slow Food Italy as one of only 14 outstanding Osteria in all of Tuscany.

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014 

 Monday, 20 October 2014  We will start day three with visit to the Franciscan Sanctuary of La Verna, one of the holiest places of Christianity and connected to the life of St. Francis of Assisi.  Lunch will be enjoyed at La Buca Restaurant in Soci with Domenico preparing Bistecca alla fiorentina, a favorite of Tuscan cuisine.  You will be invited to enjoy a free afternoon in Casentino, walking trails, visiting local sites, or simply relaxing. In the evening we will dine with Maria Grazia in her Tuscan Home. The Chef of Slow Food-Alleanza, Maria is a specialist in time- honored Casentinesi and Tuscan recipes.

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Tuesday, 21 October 2014  On our fourth day we will be leaving Casentino. On our way out, we will pay a visit to Shepherd Lorenzo Goretti and his farm Casa Pallino in Pratovecchio, inside the National Park of Foreste Casentinesi. Lorenzo will demonstrate his production of Tuscany’s celebrated Pecorino Cheese, followed by a tasting with Master Cheese Taster Giancarlo Russo, then lunch at Casa Pallino.  Later we will travel to the Castle of Poppi built in 13th century. The castle contains the Rilliana Historic Library with 70,000 volumes, 600 incunabula (some of the earliest printed documents), and 800 manuscripts.  In the afternoon we are on the road to the Chianti Classico region. We will enjoy a celebratory welcome dinner at the Borgo San Fedele, built in the 12th century by the Romanic church, where we will spend our remaining nights. There, Chef Andrea Anichini will prepare fresh, seasonal recipes from Chianti.

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Wednesday, 22 October 2014  This morning we will visit the beautifull walled city of Siena with a private guide, discovering the classics as well as special hidden places within the city, enjoying a light lunch in town.  In the afternoon we will visit Certosa di Pontignano, followed by Olive Oil tasting at Oliviera Farm with GiancarloRusso and Chef Andrea. Then off to a private cooking lesson and dinner with Chef Andrea.

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Thursday, 23 October 2014  Day six we will learn from Norcino Cesare Rapaccini (how to properly butcher and prepare the cuts of a pig, choosing what cuts you need for each classic salami )  Following lunch in Rapaccini’s store we will head to Frantoio di Montisi to learn the production process for Extra Virgin Olive Oil..

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Friday, 24 October 2014  Our last full day in Chianti takes us to two beautiful Tuscan wineries. We will visit Fèlsina Wine Estate, considered one of the top five Producers in Chianti. We will lunch at Tenuta Corsignano with owners Mario and Elena after tasting their wines and enjoying one of the most fascinating sceneries of the Chianti Classico.  In the afternoon we will visit Azienda Agricola San Margherita and sample goat cheeses from the Chianti region, before ending our day with a Farewell Party at San Fedele with Chef Andrea.

www.musettoadventures.com Two Faces of Tuscany October 18th – 25th, 2014   Saturday, 25 october 2014  Departures to the airports in Florence (flights should be planned for afternoon) or continue on with the next chapter of your Italian Adventure!