Our dinners are provided by our gregarious chef, Enrico Casini as well as any of us who would like to stay behind to learn some Italian cooking. Two wonderful weeks! Our dinners are provided by our gregarious chef, Enrico Casini as well as any of us who would like to stay behind to learn some Italian cooking. Two wonderful weeks!

Enrico Casini      Chef          Meals   Breakfast consists of sliced meats, scrambled & boiled eggs, home-made bread and rolls, jam, butter, dry cereals, milk, assorted fruits, yogurt, coffee, tea and sweet cakes.   Box Lunch will be a typical Italian sandwich, a piece of fruit and a small bottled water.  Dinner will feature a variety of excellent Italian cuisines created by Enrico Casini, owner, chef and operator of Le Casacce.  Mr. Casini prepares traditional Italian appetizers, soups, salads and entrees.  Desserts are usually cheese and fruit with an occasional tart or other special treats.  Local wine, bottled water or Italian coffees are available for purchase if desired.

All apartments are stylishly furnished according to local tradition and are located on the ground floor and first floor.Details: There is a top restaurant where the owner and chef Enrico Casini will spoil you with typical local Italian dishes. Enrico is considered one of the top players in Italian gastronomy. he interior of the accommodation can differ slightly from the pictures.

    As with the Plein Air Painting program (on the same dates) you will be our guest for either 7 or 14 nights accommodations, 3 typical meals a day, the services of a professional guide, safe and  reliable ground bus transportation and professional instruction by CHEF ENRICO CASINI.     During the period you are with us you will partake in several excursions (when not in the kitchen) that will take you to vineyards, wineries such as Fattoria dei Barbae and the famous winery of Banfi, to salamie factory, pecorino and goat cheese farm, a olive oil mill, honey producer and, of course, various produce markets.  In addition you will be transported to various small hill top towns in the Tuscan area.  These destinations will include Pienza, Montepulciano, Montecino, Castle de Piano, Montenaro and other towns in the immediate area.  We will also take a day to visit either Florence, Assisi and/or Siena. A TYPICAL DAY IN THE TRENCHES     The actual cooking program with Chef Enrico will either take place in the morning or late afternoon.  The classes will have a duration of approximately four hours and will include both demonstrations and "hands on" food preperations.      A typical day behind the stove will capture this kind of flavor.  You will rise at a reasonable hour,  have your continental  breakfast and proceed to gather in the kitchen.  You will be given your personal apron, a note book to take notes, and a menu for that day's project.  Chef Enrico will discuss the merits of the recipes he has chosen.  You will then learn the proper use of  knifes, cooking ware and all cooking utensils.  You will be assigned your kitchen tasks.....the chopping /grating  of vegetables. grating of cheeses and what cheese to use with a typical Italian selection:   perhaps the making of homemade bread and/or pasta, proper techniques in the handling of meats....their storage and usage.  If various sauces are a part of the menu for that day......you will learn the construction of the sauce and how it is to be used.  Generally speaking.....a full explanation will be available for every facet of the meal.. CHEF ENRICO CASINI

Chef Enrico Casini ENRICO CASINI CHEF