CASTELLOActivities DI CASOLE TUSCANY, ITALY 2012 Villa Concierges: Paola Lotrecchiano, Isabella Palombo, Chiara Leoni, Beatrice Fornai, Allegra Berardi and Anna Pentangelo, Francesca Dogali Office number: +39 0577 967 502 Sales Coordinator: Sisy Bordignon Office number: +39 0577 967 526 ActivitiesCASTELLO DI CASOLE — TUSCANY, ITALY Colle val d’Elsa Crystal Factory Colle val d’Elsa is famous all over the world for the Crystal production, in fact in Italy they call it La Città del Cristallo (The city of Crystal) because 15% of the World Crystal production, and 95% of the Italian Crystal production comes from there. You will have the opportunity to visit a Crystal factory and discover the secrets of the artisans’ work, escorted by a English-speaking guide that will explain and show their art step-by-step. At the end of the visit you can also buy some pieces in the Crystal outlet of the factory. Your Villa Concierge will be glad to arrange this wonderful experience for you, just ask and consider it done. Alabaster Craftsmen If the alabaster craft is to survive it is thanks to tenacious spirits of the artisans themselves! They still respectfully maintain the highest quality standards in creating wonderful sculptures from this noble stone. Explore a traditional alabaster workshop in the historical center of Volterra, a charming town close to Castello di Casole, famous for its Etruscan origins. The history of alabaster winds back through the centuries and millennia, involving the many civilizations that succeeded one another where the deposits have formed. Alabaster was used by the Etruscans from the 4th to the 1st century B.C. to first construct cinerary urns and then for different products over various eras. Your Villa Concierge will be happy to set an appointment for you in to see an authentic workshop just steps away from the Etruscan Museum. It will be like stepping into the past as you will see the same utensils on the tables, the same plaster models displayed on the shelves, posters displayed on the walls, and plenty of white dust settled on works recently finished or just begun… Wrought Iron Artisan Just a few kilometers outside of Pienza, a quaint village famous for its olive oil and cheese production, visit a wrought iron shop and observe craftsmen at work. You can buy or order iron pieces forged there, as well as learn more about a trade founded centuries ago that is still practiced by skilled laborers in the countryside. Jewelry Creation The art of jewelry design and creation dates back many millennia with precious metals and gems still a favorite by women the world over. You can witness the creation of jewelry from fusion to engraving, all following the ancient tradition of Florentine “maestri giolleieri” (jewelry masters). Ask your Villa Concierge for more information about visiting one such workshop located 30 minutes away from Castello di Casole. Chocolate Production Visiting a chocolate factory appeals to kids and kids-at-heart! Just a few minutes from Castello di Casole, your dream of seeing this production in person can come true. This nearby chocolate factory offers tours of the fragrant laboratory where you can watch chocolate confections come to life, as well as try samples of every variation. Enjoy them with a pairing of wine or liqueur as an English-speaking expert points out what flavors are highlighted. Your Villa Concierge can also arrange lessons at home with a private confectioner to share the secrets of making your own chocolate treats. Castello di Casole 1 ActivitiesCASTELLO DI CASOLE — TUSCANY, ITALY Visit a Cheese Factory or Farm Tuscany is famous for its cheeses, especially pecorino, which is one of its oldest. This famous cheese gets its name from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. The ancient author Varro wrote about cacio Marzolino (March cheese) in 20 BC. Pliny the Elder describes the Tuscan pecorino in Book XI of Naturalis Historia written around 70 BC. Experience the Tuscan flavors by visiting a cheese factory, where, after a tour to see its production, you can taste an array of delicious cheeses. An alternative to a factory tour is a visit to a cheese farm, where you can enjoy the country life and perhaps schedule a traditional lunch or dinner under the Tuscan sun. Contact your Villa Concierge for availability and costs. Cinta Senese Factory “Cinta Senese” is a breed of wild pig. Distinguished by the dark color of its skin and hair, the only exception is a pinkish strip (“cinta” meaning belt) on its shoulders and front leg. From the Middle Ages until the 1950s, it could easily be found in the Siena Province and throughout the entire region of Chianti. Subsequently it was substituted with different breeds yielding greater productivity and prolificness. The Cinta Senese has a dark meat, which is particularly tasty, with well marbled fat from its nature as a wild animal. Recently, Cinta Senese has been protected through domesticated breeding in order to preserve its genome. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit a factory of Cinta Senese products where you can savor this remarkable flavor. The visit consists of an explanation about the production will you observe through windows (the laboratory is inaccessible for safety and security), followed by a tasting of the Cinta Senese lunch meats. When the weather is favorable, you can also visit the breeding, reachable by a short ride from the laboratory. Ask your Villa Concierge for reservations and prices. Grappa Distillery A longstanding tradition maintains every honorable Tuscan man sips a bit of Grappa at the end of his meal! Experience a trip to a Grappa distillery for a brief introduction to the history and production of this beloved Italian spirit followed by a special tasting. You will sample five types of Grappa served with a traditional Tuscan snack, which many be gelato or chocolate, depending on the season. Ask your Villa Concierge for further details. Handcrafted Brewery In the village of San Quirico d’Orcia, a short drive from Castello di Casole, revel in breathtaking views of Val d’Orcia. Many movies about Tuscany have been filmed in this very region where stands a small and historic brewery. You will witness production and taste the two ales produced by a beer expert whose known for welcoming guests with open arms. A visit to the quaint brewery makes a great stop on a day trip to the Val d’Orcia area. Ask your Villa Concierge for further details. A Tuscan Castle Just like you’d find in a fairy tale, Tuscany’s enchanting landscape features hilltop castles that dominate the valleys. Visit a Medieval castle close to your villa for a unique opportunity to envision life from centuries ago. Tours usually consist of a visit to the property’s gardens with an English-speaking guide. Ask your Villa Concierge about access to the castle’s ancient museum and armory. Special arrangements can be made for brunches, afternoon breaks or dinners in this very particular and ancient setting, with memorable views and atmosphere. Castello di Casole 2 ActivitiesCASTELLO DI CASOLE — TUSCANY, ITALY Saffron Growing and a Cooking Lesson The origins of saffron production reach hundreds of years into the past as chronicled by documents describing the intensive cultivation of the saffron crocus in San Gimignano during the Middle Ages. An extremely pure saffron is produced naturally without the use of any chemical products in all phases of its cultivation, drying and conservation. Saffron crocuses are planted in August and are ready to be harvested in October. You will have an opportunity to participate in the saffron harvest (which takes place just this one month a year) and hear a full explanation about this flower and other vegetables in the Tuscan fields. When saffron is not in season, take a cooking class on the farm utilizing the world’s most expensive spice in appetizers, entrees and dessert, according to your preference. Ask your Villa Concierge about these cooking class programs available throughout the year. Dinner at a Tuscan Agriturismo While the language of the Etruscans may have all but disappeared, influences from their earthy cuisine live on in Tuscany. A look at the Tuscan countryside reveals some of the key ingredients in its traditional cooking resources and methods: olive groves with their silvery sheen, fairytale forests of chestnut trees, hillsides blanketed in grape vines, angelic sheep lolling among ruins, fragrant rosemary and sage bushes lining gardens. Tuscan cooking is simple and seasonal, without the heavy sauces found in other regions. Eschewing butter, Tuscans use olive oil generously for cooking, dressing salad, dipping bread, and flavoring soups. You can experience the joy of country life with a delicious dinner in a farmhouse where the simpler things in life warm your heart. Farm Life Experience life at a fortified farm close to Castello di Casole, where you will enjoy the wild beauty of the woods and the pleasant agricultural landscape, too - where Cinta Senese pigs, cows and donkeys are bred for their succulent meat. The hospitable staff will arrange activities that define the link between Mother Nature, the landscape and human labor. Reservation are required through your Villa Concierge. Flowers & Lavender A farm in Tuscany not only produces vino from its grapes and olio from its olives, but also fields of flowers, which are the source of many fragrances. We can arrange a special tour in a quaint hilltop country house and shop to experience the flowers and scents of Tuscany. Here in this colorful place, time seems to stand still while admiring the towers of San Gimignano. While on the grounds you will visit the flower fields, scent workshop and store - where you can purchase their signature potpourri.