WHATSCOOKIN in Tuscan Riviera
with Britt Bunyard
Sept. 23 - Oct. 2 2023
Program
Day 1 - Sept. 23, Sat
Arrival at Pisa Airport Galileo Galilei and transfer to Casa Piero in Viareggio. There will be a limited amount of transfers offered which will be established once everyone’s flight schedules are in. It is recommended you book a flight that lands after 11am and before 4pm. If you remain within our suggested time slot you can avoid having to wait at the airport for a long time if you should arrive too early or having to reach Casa Piero by your own means if you arrive too late. Viareggio is a seaside resort in northern Tuscany boasting a two-mile-long esplanade lined with decorative Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings, historic cafés and fancy boutiques. Go on a walking tour and enjoy a gelato at one of the many excellent gelaterie in town. Welcome aperitifs and dinner.
Day 2 - Sept. 24, Sun
After an early breakfast head for the Val di Taro to take part in the Borgotaro Mushroom Fair, an event which includes tastings, street food, exhibitions and live music. The Borgotaro porcino is considered superior in aspect and smell to a regular porcino, and is absolutely delicious to eat. The mushrooms grow in the woods of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine mountain range where oak and chestnut forests cover the hills. In the months of September and October, hundreds of mushroom hunters from all over Italy come to these woods with baskets in arm to collect these prized fungi. The Borgotaro porcino is the only mushroom with an IGP designation which is a European guarantee of excellence. You'll be able to admire, smell and even purchase this precious mushroom and have lunch at one of the many stands found in the fair. Dinner back at Casa Piero (aka the villa), where the porcino of Borgotaro will be the star ingredient.
Day 3 - Sept. 25, Mon
After breakfast experience a typical day at the beach in Viareggio at one of its private bathing establishments. Get a bite to eat oyo before returning home. A mini van will be waiting for you after your seaside outing to drop off your towels and beach wear and pick up mushroom baskets. Britt Bunyard will lead a mushroom foray through the wooded park you'll need to cross to get back to Casa Piero. In the afternoon take part in a fun hands-on cooking course preparing a full-course meal to have for dinner.
Day 4 - Sept. 26, Tues
After breakfast meet local mycologists who will be taking you to foray in the nearby mountains. Have lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon visit Pietrasanta, a charming little town that has attracted celebrated artists from around the world. Artists like Henry Moore, Joan Mirò, Botero and Niki de Saint Phalle have at some point been drawn to this tiny artists' mecca. Beautiful palazzi, churches and lively cafés overlook the vast, open, central square that is frequently the site of whimsical sculpture exhibits. Return to Casa Piero. Dinner oyo.
Day 5 - Sept. 27, Wed
After breakfast, visit the Cinqueterre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, five ingenuously constructed fishing villages set amid a dramatic coastal scenery. Take a ferry down the coast from which we'll be hopping on and off to visit the towns. Dinner in the Villa.
Day 6 - Sept. 28, Thurs
After breakfast go on a second foray with the Italian mycolgists. Have lunch in a local trattoria. Visit the endearing city of Lucca, hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls. Its cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades make it a perfect destination for an afternoon and with a ratio of 1 shop per every 3 inhabitants it's a great place for shopping. Return to Viareggio in the late afternoon/early evening. Dinner oyo.
Day 7 - Sept. 29, Fri
After breakfast the local mycologists will be taking us to another great spot to go mushroom hunting. Have lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon visit the beautiful, late Baroque gardens of Villa Reale in Marlia with a stately, French-inspired rectangular pool, a Pan grotto, a nymphaeum, an English-style park and a most original, trimmed boxwood theater with terracotta statues depicting performers. Return to Viareggio for dinner oyo.
Day 8 - Sept. 30, Sat
After breakfast yet another mushroom foray awaits in another stunning location. Have lunch in a local trattoria. Visit one of the many reputable wineries found in the area and enjoy a wine tasting. Return to Casa Piero. Dinner oyo.
Day 9 - Oct. 1, Sun
After breakfast the local mycologists will take us on our final foray. Return to Casa Piero for lunch. Have free time in the afternoon before meeting up with the rest of the crew in the Villa's kitchen to take part in a second cooking course to prepare your farewell dinner.
Day 10 - Oct. 2, Mon
After breakfast, departure from Pisa International airport Galileo Galilei. Check out time at villa is by 11 am. We recommend you book a flight that departs around noon (11 am – 2 pm). We will only offer a limited amount of transfers to airport therefore if you remain within our suggested time slot you can avoid having to wait at the airport for a long time if your flight departs very late or having to reach airport by your own means if your flight departs very early.
Gallery
FUN. REAL. ENLIGHTENING.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- ACCOMMODATION
- ALL TRANSPORTATION MENTIONED IN ITINERARY
- ENTRANCE FEES TO ALL ACTIVITIES MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY;
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
- HANDS-ON COOKING LESSONS.
- ALL BREAKFASTS, DINNERS IN VILLA AND LUNCHES MENTIONED IN ITINERARY.
- 6 MYCO FORAYS.
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
All rooms are double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and wifi.
click here to see the gallery of Casa Piero in Viareggio
*All activities are subject to change on the basis of which options are deemed to be the most suitable in terms of current culinary standards, the weather conditions on a given day, and other relevant criteria.
Amenities
DOUBLE ROOMS ALL WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM
FREE WIFI
AT THE MOMENT THIS TOUR IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE SHARING ROOM
Tour available for maximum 10 people
All payments must be made by bank transfer or credit cards. Please contact us to receive a booking form with our bank details, along with our terms & cancellation policy.
