Sara Schaefer

Rose Travel

2025 - 08/28/25 - 9/11/25 - The Cooking Mom's Tuscany Trip

Aug 28, 2025 to Sep 11, 2025
Depart from the US 8/28; Florence Pre-Trip Extension 8/29-8/31; Tuscany Main Trip 8/31-9/8; Rome Post Trip Extension 9/8-9/11 --FINAL PAYMENT 5/25/2025

Join The Cooking Mom's Culinary Vacations to Tuscany

Join The Cooking Mom for 9 Fabulous Days in Tuscany! We’ll spend our evenings at the beautiful and historic 14th century villa resort  and our days exploring the Tuscan Countryside! We’ll take walking tours, vineyard tours with wine tastings, we’ll go on a truffle hunt and then enjoy an all truffle lunch.  Plus, we’ll take 3 different authentic Italian cooking classes! We'll cook and enjoy some delicious Tuscan food. We'll also get to taste Italy's most famous gelato!  

This is the trip of a lifetime! There is so much more included!  This trip always sells out VERY FAST! DO NOT MISS OUT! 

 
 
 
 
There's even an to go to the coast and take a beautiful boat ride! We’ll to explore the stunning villages  of Cinque Terre by land and sea!
 
 

Our resort in Tuscany is so beautiful and filled with so much charm and history!  It is in the Chianti region with views of the countryside, yet just a short stroll to the cute village for shopping and restaurants. The resort has two pools, a spa, beautiful courtyards to enjoy coffee or wine outside and relax and unwind. It even has a winery with a huge wine cave where they produce lovely wines! We’ll get to take a private tour and sample them!  Our resort has a cooking school right on the property where we will take one of our 3 different cooking classes.  It’s amazing! 

 

 
Villa Casagrande at Night
 
You’ll the opportunity to fly in 2 days early to Florence.  We strongly suggest you do it!  All Amy's travelers love it!  It’s a great way to relax and get some sleep after our long flight.  It’s a great way to meet the group to before the main trip begins!  We have booked a 5 star hotel! It’s amazing!  It’s one of the most beautiful hotels in Florence.  It has a gorgeous rooftop terrace and bar with a beautiful view! An amazing huge breakfast is included in the rooftop breakfast restaurant both days we are there.  Florence is the most fabulous city filled with art and history and amazing food! It’s worth it to fly in two days early so that you can really enjoy this beautiful city!  Also, included in this add on is a group meet and great and dinner with Amy and your transfer to our Tuscan villa from Florence on 8/31/25.   


Itinerary:

Florence Pre-Trip Extension

Thursday, August 28:

  • Depart the USA
 
Friday, August 29:
  • Arrive in Florence and transfer to your hotel.
  • Check into our gorgeous centrally located hotel in Florence. 
  • Group dinner with The Cooking Mom and the rest of the group. 

Saturday, August 30:

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Free day to explore Florence on your own or sign up for one of our optional tours. 
    • Optional: Progressive Dinner and Wine tour in Florence. 

Sunday, August 31:  

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Group transfer to our beautiful villa in Tuscany. NOTE: If you are not adding on the Florence pre-trip extension, you will need to purchase your transfer to the villa from Florence airport. We will arrange this for you, but there will be an extra cost.
    • Check in at Villa Casagrande at 3:00 pm. You can leave your luggage in the lobby and enjoy free time in Figline if you arrive before check in time.
    • 4:30 PM - Tour of resort, winery tour on property, and welcome wine tastings and reception. 
    • 7:30 PM - Welcome dinner at Villa restaurant.

Monday, September 1:

    • Breakfast at hotel and then head to Cortona, the village where Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed.  
    • Guided visit of Cortona where you will find some rare treasures with typical Tuscan architecture rich in history and beauty. Between the many churches, “palazzo” and "bottega", you can see Piazza della Repubblica and then head down via Casali, named after one of the famous noblemen of Cortona, you will come to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo. The present structure was built over the remains of an ancient Roman temple in the XV century and compared to the rest of the city, it is rather modern. 
    • Wine tasting and lunch at a beautiful Cortona farm and vineyard. 
    • Depart for an exclusive destination in the area CASTELLO DI GARGONZA!
    • Be ready to get cooking with the Chef Laura Franceschetti! You will learn the fine art of making bruschetta, handmade fresh dumplings (gnocchetti) and tiramisu dessert during a traditional cooking class ending with an amazing dinner that we cooked! 
    • Travel back to your Villa.
 
  •  

Tuesday, September 2:

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Travel to San Miniato for truffle hunting and more! You will join a local expert who will take you through the Tuscan forests where the white truffles are found.  After your walk, enjoy lunch based on fresh truffles.
    • Guided winery visit - located at the foot of the hills of San Miniato. Here you will taste and learn the history of Sangiovese, the symbolic grape of Tuscany, but also the vine that more than any other manages to take on different connotations depending on where it is grown.
    • Transfer back to the Villa 
    • Rest of the day at leisure

 

Wednesday, September 3: 
    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Depart to Siena on Wednesday, Market Day! Great shopping and a so much fun!
    • Guided  tour as we stroll along the narrow Medieval streets of the city, flanked by splendid palaces and historic shops, you will reach Piazza del Campo, of which the Palazzo Publico (Town Hall) is the focal point. You will suddenly get to the spectacular Cathedral of the 12th century, of which you can admire the magnificent architecture and the splendor. 
    • Enjoy some time at leisure for shopping and lunch on own.
    • Depart to towards San Gimignano. 
    • Explore the village and stop for an ice cream tasting with award-winning, master ice-cream maker, Sergio Dondoli.  This is voted the best gelato in the world and you get to try 3 different flavors! 
    • Beautiful Tuscan steak dinner and wine tasting in the most beautiful vineyard! We’ll enjoy a magical night at Tenuta Torciano. It’s a huge beautiful vineyard.  Well an enjoy a tour of the farm followed by an excellent wine pairing dinner including with Fiorentina Steak and many amazing wines from the region! 
    • Transfer back to the villa after dinner. 

 

Thursday, September 4:

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Head to Florence for a fabulous day in this amazing city! 
    • Once arrived in Florence the group will split in different smaller groups to have a food and art tour of the city.  We’ll explore this beautiful city and have a taste some of its most famous foods like giant panini sandwiches and the city’s best gelato.  We’ll also spend time in the city’s huge central market and try different foods olive oils and balsamic vinegars.  
    • After Florence, we’ll have the most wonderful cooking class and dinner on a real Tuscan farm! 
    • We’ll meet the family that Amy has known since for years! We’ll tour of the farm to pick vegetables that will be used for your cooking class based on local genuine products, ending with the most amazing farm dinner with wines.  It’s a magical night! 
    • Transfer back to the Villa.
 

Friday, September 5:

    • Breakfast at hotel.
    • Free Day. 
      • Optional: Cinque Terre Tour with boat ride and amazing views of Cinque Terre villages, guided village land tours with free time. When we get back home, we'll have a huge Tuscan pizza party with pizzas, salads, Italian beer and wine.
        • OR
      • Optional: Pizza Making Class - Participate in an optional Pizza Making Class at our resort Villa Casagrande.

 

Saturday, September 6:

    • Breakfast at resort. 
    • An amazing 3 hour cooking class with a huge meal to follow at our resort cooking school with Chef Mamma Anna. She will arrive teach you how to prepare typical Tuscan dishes like lasagna, pork roast, biscotti and and other Italian specialties. Afterwards, you will enjoy an amazing meal!  We will split into 2 groups for 2 different cooking classes to get an authentic intimate experience.  There will be a 10am and 5pm class with a huge meal with wine to follow your class.  
 
 
Homemade Bruschetta

 

Sunday, September 7:

    • Breakfast at our hotel.
    • Depart for Montepulciano and spend your day exploring the town and having  wine tastings.
    • Transfer back to the Villa.
    • Tonight enjoy a Farewell dinner with wines at the most gorgeous Tuscan villa near the musician Sting’s villa.  It’d an AMAZING night! 
 
Dinner and Wine Tasting

 

Monday, September 8:

    • Breakfast at hotel.  
    • Departure to Florence airport if taking transfer with group. NOTE: If you are not adding on the Rome post-trip extension, you will need to purchase your transfer from the villa to the Florence airport. We will arrange this for you, but there will be an extra cost.
    • Why not extend your trip and stay a few more days! See the Vatican and Colosseum and Rome with Amy! If staying for Rome post-trip extension, you'll transfer to Rome with the group and then fly out of Rome 9/11/25.  Transfers to the Rome airport will be included.  It’s a very easy and often cheaper fight home than flying home from Florence!  More information on our 3 night Rome add on coming very soon! Please email Sara and let her know if you are interested in the Rome add on 9/8-9/11.

 

 
 
 

 

Click HERE for more information on this amazing trip!

 
What's included in this trip:
  • Accommodations including breakfast as listed in the itinerary
  • Meals listed in your itinerary
  • Services as listed in your itinerary
  • Luggage allowance on ground transportation is based on one standard sized suitcase and one small carry-on per personal. Additional luggage must be arranged in advance, fees may apply
  • Skip the line entry as listed in itinerary. queuing for security may still apply
  • Applicable taxes & fees in force at time of confirmation. Changes, including per person city taxes, coach permit fees, etc., taking effect after confirmation may result in a supplement added to your final prices. 
  • Transfers are not included. A group transfer from Florence to the Tuscany villa is included if you are adding on the Florence pre-trip extension. A group transfer is included from Tuscany to Rome if you are adding on the post-trip extension. All other transfers will be arranged for you, but there will be an additional cost. We will add these costs to your invoice closer to departure. 

What's not included:

  • Flights
    • Flights can be purchased directly with the airline. I will send out information on the flights Amy and Hoyt will be on, and you can call the airline directly to book the same flight. Rose Travel can purchase the flights for you, but there will be a per ticket service charge of $100 per ticket. 
  • Transfers are not included. A group transfer from Florence to the Tuscany villa is included if you are adding on the Florence pre-trip extension. A group transfer is included from Tuscany to Rome if you are adding on the post-trip extension. All other transfers will be arranged for you, but there will be an additional cost. We will add these costs to your invoice closer to departure. 
  • Travel Insurance - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! You will have the option to sign up for Travel Insurance at the time of booking. 
  • Meals and drinks unless listed in your itinerary.
  • Tips for drivers, guides and other services (A tipping guide will be included in your itinerary).
  • Supplements or optional tours as listed.
  • Visa, passport, and entry/exit fees.
  • City taxes to be paid upon check out of hotels. 
 

Cancellation policy

Cancellation of travel must be made in writing and is effective from the date we receive the written notification. Any trip deposit or payment is non-refundable.  Rose Travel and The Cooking Mom's Culinary Vacations incur costs with the suppliers of your trip well in advance of your departure date. At the effective date of cancellation all overdue payments will be required, any additional payments will not be required.  We highly recommend trip insurance and it is available for purchase at booking.

Call Sara with Rose Travel with any questions! You can reach her at 720-884-7913 or email sara@rosetravelgroup.com.

 

 
****Note: The host for this trip is The Cooking Mom, Amy Hanten.  In the event that the minimum amount of travelers is not met for this trip and Amy cannot host, the trip may cancel with a full refund. 
 

Available Packages

The Cooking Mom's Tuscany Vacation
Available until May 25, 2025

Starting At: $4,550.00
Deposit: $1,000.00 per person

 Included
  • Accommodations
  • Tours listed in itinerary
  • Transportation listed in itinerary
  • Meals listed in itinerary
 

Extra Options

Florence Pre-Trip Extension - 2 nights - August 29-August 31, 2025
Available until May 25, 2025

$799.00
Deposit: $200.00

Arrive early and have a chance to explore beautiful Florence!
 
Inclusions:
 - Transfer from Florence airport to hotel
 - Accommodations for two nights in beautiful Florence hotel
 - Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
 - Breakfast each morning
 - Transfer from Florence hotel to Villa Casagrande
 - Your Host, Amy - The Cooking Mom
 
We will be offering optional tours and will send those options soon!
 
***Please Note: For Single Occupancy, the cost of this extension is $1,205. Your invoice will be adjusted upon booking by Rose Travel Group.
 

Optional Full Day Cinque Terre Tour with included Pizza Party Dinner - September 5
Available until May 25, 2025

$295.00
Deposit: $50.00

8:00 AM transfer to La Spezia. Today, you will have the privilege of experiencing Cinque Terre and its beauty.                              

10:30 AM transfer by shuttle to the rail station (bus not allowed) and start your tour by train to visit some of the enchanting villages.                                                               

5:00 PM - depart for pizza party with the group at a local restaurant.

Transfer back to hotel after dinner.

                                               

Optional tour inclusions: bus at disposal as per itinerary; full day tour of Cinque Terre with guide, train and boat.