Of all the countries in the world, there is none more magical than Italy - a traveller's dream destination that offers something extra special for foodies.
My food lover’s itinerary took in many of the hotels used by Venture Holidays in Tuscany, but the focus was well and truly on the local fare
Our group was based at the Grand Hotel Vittoria, a charming four star spa hotel in Montecatini Terme, offering a luxurious and elegant setting for a vacation in Italy.
The largest and most famous of Tuscany’s spa towns, Montecatini Terme has been revered for its curative waters since at least the 16th century, when the first baths were built here. In the 18th century, local nobles and royalty began to frequent Monecatini Terme, paving the way for the gastronomic wonder it is today.
Today’s visitors may not all be royalty, but they can certainly get the royal treatment with the range of shopping, dining and sports on offer.
After seeing some of the sites of the region, we began our cooking lessons with Franco, our chef for the tour.
But before we could slice, dice and sauté, we had to learn how to live “La Dolce Vita” (“the sweet life”), meaning we had to learn how to enjoy food with all of our senses.
After breakfast, we visited a local market to prepare for our cooking lesson, where Franco showed how only the finest and freshest ingredients are chosen. Then it was our turn to cook, taking carefully-crafted family recipes and traditions and turning them into delicious smells, tastes and textures.
It was one of the best dining experiences I’d experienced – the perfect mix of food, wine and location.
If food and wine is not your passion, Tuscany has so much else to offer even the most seasoned traveller. Its natural beauty is second to none, and the region plays host to some of the most amazing architecture in all of Europe.
If you would like to experience the joy of Tuscany firsthand, contact the Savings & Loans Travel Centre, which offers a range of tours and packages to suit all tastes and budgets.
