This is a week of pure adventure for people that like to let their trip unfold naturally without too much scheduling or structure. In fact, we often find that even on our structured itineraries, those unplanned days that are the result of an unexpected turn of events wind up being the best days of the week.
Here is how this week will work: On your first day, the group will have dinner, and we will all get to know one another. During this evening, we talk about places everyone really wants to see, and dishes people really want to cook. We’ll then discuss special events that are going on during the week, such as music festivals, food festivals, etc. By the end of the evening, we will have a rough idea of what we want to do that week, with an understanding of which things are ‘must-do’ and ‘might do’.
We’ll then let it all unfold as the week goes on. Each evening we will decide what our plans are for the following day, knowing that even during the day we can change our plans on the fly with total flexibility.
As we are out exploring, our meals will be completely within the theme of the week. Wherever we are when we want lunch or dinner, we’ll simply find a place that looks good to eat.
Even our classes will be completely flexible. On class days we’ll meet and go shopping together, deciding or menu for the day as we shop in the local stores and stands, building our menu based on the freshest items of the day.
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While the primary goal with all of our weeks is to share a family experience (That’s what makes it fun for us, too), this one takes it to a new level. We’re making decisions together and we’re discovering together. We’re not guides in the traditional sense… we’re part of the group. We just happen to know the area very well, speak the language, and happen to be the designated drivers… oh, and we’re that family member that always pays the check :-). |
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There will be four cooking classes this week. The dates and times off the cooking classes must be set before the week begins, but the menus will be somewhat on the fly. If there are any dishes the group really wants to make, we’ll decide that on the first day. Otherwise, we’ll let it unfold as we shop for each class. We can choose from any of our standard classes from other weeks, or we can simply build it all as we go. |
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We have found that there is always a group vibe, even when people don’t know one another. Once you are here, we all become friends, and it is quite easy to agree. If a few people really want to spend a day or evening in Rome, we’ll do it. If some are dying to see Florence, let’s go! If people want to visit a bunch of wineries, we can do it, and we may even do some exploring ourselves to places we have never been! It’s all very relaxed and stress-free. |
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With respect to eating out, it’s hard to find a bad restaurant in Italy, but pretty much everywhere we go, we have places that we know are outstanding. Still, we will try new places we have never been as well, and when we are at festivals, we will usually eat in the festival taverns and always try to sample local specialties wherever we are. |
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The benefit of winging it is that every day is a surprise, making everything even more exciting, but there are some drawbacks. Some places simply require advance reservations. For example, if you have your heart set on seeing the Vatican, trying to do so without reservations can easily put us at the end of a 3 hour line. Additionally, while we decide to do whatever we want on the fly, we will return to Soriano every evening, so our excursions will be limited to the regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio (Basically Rome, Florence and everything in between).
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If you are still reading, this is probably a perfect fit for you, but to make sure, some things must be completely clear. You must have a strong sense of adventure. People that need structure are not a fit.
You must be the kind of person that sees the fun side of things not working out as intended. We may find a festival we want to go to, drive 45 minutes to get there, and find no parking. Or we may find a place we want to go closed on the day we go there. Lack of planning can create such problems. On the flip side of that, when these things happen, we often end up with an alternative that was better than the plan.
You should be an open and outgoing, but also easy going person. You need to be outspoken, good natured, and fun. However, we cannot make everyone happy all of the time. Some in the group will want to do something or go somewhere you would not have chosen, and you need to be willing to happily accept that (and so do they).
You should be the kind of person that gets excited about discovering a tiny little hole in the wall restaurant with terrible service but great food, or that lunch truck that makes the most fantastic sandwiches. You must be ready to have the house wine, not the perfect Brunello. We’ll eat in some wonderful restaurants, but we’ll also eat Panini off a truck and quick lunches at roadside grills (Often the best food you will have in Italy!)
You must understand and be excited about the fact that this is a family experience, not a ‘served’ experience. In other words, be ready to help set the table & wash the dishes when we have classes. |
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2009 - Wine Harvest + Cooking Under the Tuscan & Umbrian Sun 
