My aunt and I, both of Northern Italian origin, decided to take a Tuscan cooking adventure. After must research, we decided on Villa Pandolfini. I attest on my own grave, it has superseded all my expectations! This is a rustic villa with very modern amenities. We wanted for nothing and our bellies were always full. After the first night's stay, I felt like I was home. The grounds are magical. It is a short walk to the city or, go in the opposite direction, and take a train the most serene forest. Location is perfect! One half-hour train or bus gets you to Florence or Pisa, or the hosts will arrange transportation in a moments notice, anywhere you want to tour. The hospitality is better than a 5-star hotel. The cuisine is authentic and the chefs are local. We got the 'real thing'. I plan to return in the fall!
Diana

My stay at Villa Pandolfini was beyond my expectations. The accommodations were quaint, comfortable and although restored, they have not lost the rustic Italian countryside essence and have a wonderful atmosphere. The 7-day cooking adventure not only provided us with classes led by highly-trained and experienced chefs, but also took us on countryside tours allowing us to experience local wines, foods, markets and allowed time to take in the spectacular views of the Tuscan hills. To top it off, the owners and staff of the estate were always prepared to ensure that our Tuscan visit was all it could be. They arranged additional personal tours, visited with us and shared their stories of this beautiful region of Italy.
Delia

We enjoyed every aspect of our stay at the Villa whilst taking the one-week cooking class. Much of a tourist’s focus in Italy is on Italian food, of course. We enjoyed the food everywhere we went in Italy. However, we both agree that we prepared (with the expert help of our chefs), and were introduced to (at the Villa Pandolfini Kitchen; at the Cantinetta, in Greve; at the Cantinetta Antinori, in Florence and at da Delfina in Artimino) the best, most enjoyable food that we encountered in Italy.

The tours that your program provided were fun, while being very educational.

Many thanks to our driver and tour guide who conducted our tour of Tuscany. He was very friendly and extremely professional.

Our teachers were attentive and patient, and gave us a lot of oppportunity for hands on cooking instruction. We want to thank all of you for your careful attention to all of our scheduling needs. Thanks to all of you for all of the coordination work that you, no doubt, had to do behind the scenes, in order to make the program an excellent one. Many thanks for the very informative tour of the Ceramiche I.M.A. and the di Medici villa.

We appreciate the exceptional way in which you welcomed us, and treated us like old friends. Our total experience at Villa Pandolfini was wonderful. We will recommend it to other travelers, and would like to return someday ourselves.
Judy and John King

Wonderful class! The chef was phenomenal! I learnt some great techniques and would definitely do the class again. Thank you for a great experience!
Katie Del Moral

Maria and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed everything we learned to make and cook during our class. The pasta was to die for and the chicken just fell off the bone. The taste was divine. The master chef was a great sport and wonderful teacher! Excellent experience! Food could not have been any better. We learnt a lot and made new friends. We also did a market visit and it was a real plus! It was definitely worth it to have a guide through the market.
Nick and Maria MacPherson

The food was wonderful and our chef was great! Thank you!
Libba Miller and Landon Simmons

Our class was exactly what I hoped it would be. It showed me how to make great pasta. Our chef made it look so easy and she was an absolute delightful person to teach the proper techniques. I have every confidence that I can make this fabulous menu when I get home. Thank you for the memorable experience. It was one of the best parts of my trip to Italy.
Francine Lubera

Enjoyed the hands-on experience and ravioli making. All of the dishes were fantastic!
Karyn

Very much appreciated the acceptance of us in a class at short notice. Fantastic chef - explained well and menu was great, just as we asked.
Lena Jowett

Great chef who explained things well and showed us a variety of food, very yummy.
Kristy, 15

Very enjoyable! The food was great, easy recipes to make at home. Thanks!
Hanna, 15

We very much enjoyed our class. The organisers assured us that a novice could handle the advanced class and it proved to be true. Our chef was an absolute delight and kept all the class members involved. We highly recommend the class to anyone looking to add a unique experience to their trip.

Buon appetito!
Sharon and Gordon Letter

My daughter and I enjoyed a lovely day with putting together an entire Italian menu. over 5 hours, we made an extraordinary amount of food from appetisers to dessert. the Italian chef was very peronsable and responded well to the small class. We were very hands-on in all aspects of the meal. It truly was one of the best meals we have had during this first week in Tuscany. Well organised program, I would highly recommend for a very fun day out!

Evalyn VanAllen-Shalash

I wanted to send you a note to tell you what a wonderful time we had on our tour. Max was an excellent tour guide and he was accommodating in every way. We couldn't have asked for a better person to take us through the countryside and to the outlets. This excursion was definitely one of the highlights of our trip!

I will highly recommend your company for tours to anyone I know of that may be coming to Italy in the future. I also intend to post our satisfaction with your company and Max on TripAdvisor.

Thanks again, and hopefully, someday, we'll get to take another excursion with you!

Tami McLemore

I have returned from my 1 1/2 week visit to your beautiful country. After Florence, we spent a week on Talormina, Sicily. I wanted you to know how very much I enjoyed attending the cooking school. It was the highlight of my trip! I have forwarded on your information to the travel agency (Maritz) that handles all our corporate travel. I have given your school high accolades. Thanks for a wonderful day of cooking! PS: I fixed the ravioli and pork that I learned at your school for our Easter dinner. Everyone said it was the best ravioli they ever tasted. Give my regards to the chef.

Marsha Spear

I just wanted you to know that the wine tour we arranged with you was absolutely one of the best tours that we have ever been on. Mr. Massimo was a great driver and guide, and we truly appreciated his knowledge of the area and his thoughtfulness throughout the day. The whole experience was the most memorable of our entire 10 day visit to Italy. We will definitely book another tour with you on our next trip to Italy.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Steve Renne

I cooking took one of your one day classes on Oct. 10 of this year and I wanted to share with you that it was a delightful experience. Good class, great teacher and lots of fun. I have a number of friends planning on traveling to Italy and if they interested in a cooking class, I'll refer them on to you. Thanks for the delightful afternoon.

Regards,
Dottie Traudt

Janet and I have just returned from Italy and your cooking class in Florence. We just want to thank you for the course and the wine and olive oil.

We had a great time cooking, learning and eating (the wine wasn't bad either!). In fact, last night we made homemade ravioli and a chocolate torte we created at the class.

We will be posting our pleasure and experiences on the Slow Travel site and hope you get a positive response.

Regards,
Howard and Janet Rose

Meaghan,

My Cooking Class at your school was the highlight of my recent trip to Italy! Since I've been home, I've been able to make the Panzanella, Pork Roast with Grapes and Eggplant & Walnut Ravioli. They were all fantastico! Thanks to the chef and her group for all they did to make this class so worthwhile. My husband was a 'guest' for the luncheon and thoroughly enjoyed himself too.

Thanks and I will continue to recommend you to my friends.

Mary Perrott Smith

Meaghan and Elizabeth,

We really enjoyed the cooking class we took when we were in Italy!!!! It was truly one of the highlights of our vacation!! I would most definitely take another class through you if I were ever in Italy!

Candace and I have a Personal Concierge and Events Planning business. I am in the process of adding a "Favorite Links" page to our website. I will be adding your site to this page as I would recomment your class to anyone I know visiting Italy.

During the class we made the flourless chocolate cake. The recipes that we received had a different desert in them. Our chef stated that he would have one of you e-mail all of us the recipe. Is it possible to get that recipe e-mailed? I want to make the Tuscan dinner that we learned for some friends!!!

It was all wonderful - your villa is beautiful - it was SO much fun!!!!

Thanks again for a wonderful day!!!!
Mary Cunningham

Meaghan,

I wanted to thank you for the great time we had. The chef was brilliant with her cooking, her working with the kids, and her personality. The food was phenomenal and I can't say too many good things about the experience. Great job.

In fact, I'd like take a bit of the experience home with us. I enjoyed the white wine from the vineyard very much.

Thank you
Steven Cardinale

We took the class in Jully. It was by far the highlight of our 10 days in Italy. From the Bruchetta to the taramisu we had a ball making them and eating them. We will be back to Italy and plan to take the class once more.

Thank the chefs. They were are the best.

Angelo & Eileen George

Kelly and I were discussing this weekend what we enjoyed the most on our trip and we both concurred that it was "Good Tastes of Tuscany". We will highly recommend it as a must for anyone we know going to Italy.

Again thanks for such a great experience.

Best Regards,
Greg Stanhope

It's a pleasure to write about our vacation at the Villa. We loved the cooking classes, especially with the cook, who's a charmer and an easy chef to follow, even if we had no experience with Italian cooking -- which we hadn't! My husband, never one to cook anything, really got "into" making pasta. I don't know that my weight can stand that! But, better than the classes, if that's possible, were the four days we spent there. The conviviality alone -- because we met interesting and equally convivial people at each of our classes and our subsequent dinner -- would have been a good enough reason to go. Also, point of interest to travelers, the Villa is not "in" Florence, which turned out to be a plus for us. We liked the bucolic location, less busy and more of a vacation atmosphere than the city. Each day, before class, we'd take the train into Florence, and then, when we'd had our fill, we'd gratefully May 2007train back to the peace of the Villa, an easy 15 minutes away.
Regards,
J. Blackton

I have made Tiramisu and Chicken with olives for anyone that will come over and they all agree that nothing have ever tasted so good. I only reply imagine eating this in a beautiful villa in outside of Florence! I read the recipes just to remind me of what a fantastic day that was! Thank You for such a great exierience.
Sue Ann Akers

‘A Fantastic Day’, the chefs were so warm and welcoming and their enthusiasm and love of food was certainly contagious!!!!!! I cannot wait to get home and start cooking. The Villa was a beautiful and enchanting setting – PERFECT!!!!!!
I will definitely be recommending this course!!!!!!!!! Thank you.
Amanda Szkoda - UK

Have had a fantastic day and have learnt so much.
The chefs are wonderful – so enthusiastic and passionate about food.
Cant wait to come back. Thank you.
Paula Isaacs

Great Experience!!!! The chefs are very hospitable & friendly. Beautiful villa, good wines and food. Would definitely recommend – Great Hosts!!!!!!!!
Frank Kustura

This has been the best 50th Birthday. It is the best cooking class because its as fun as it is informative! The food we made were absolutely delicious!!!! Thank you so very much!!
Contessa Gaye Taunton

The class was perfect and exactly what I was expecting and looking for. The cooks were very personable and knowledgable of Tuscan Cuisine. They were a joy!Thank you!
Danellie Gabe Young

Very Good. The cooks are great. This is by far the best Italian food I have had so far. The Ravioli was fun to make. Loved the wine also.
Brian Collinsworth

Our class began with a stroll through the garden and olive grove, then espresso and biscotti in the kitchen. The chef explained the menu we would prepare and the class began. There was plenty of time for questions. We sampled the estate’s wine and the bruschetto, kneaded pasta dough for Ravioli and were free to take lots of photographs as the class proceeded. The cook was very accommodationg, answering all our questions and giving tips and giving tips for the cooking so that even the most inexperienced cook could understand. An excellent menu, good company – a day well spent. Thank you chef & Elizabeth.
Marla Poole

The cook was very generous with his knowledge of cooking, the history of the food, recipes and region. I think I can speak for all four of us that this afternoon will be difficult to duplicate. We had more fun and ate better than we deserve! What a great location and service you offer to your clients!!!!!Thank you!!!
R.Paolini

The setting is only exceeded by the gracious skill of our instruction. The cook made everyone feel comfortable and he altered the recipes in a way that required each of us to participate – it was engaging. Thank you so much!!!!!!!
Ben Hadley- USA

Meagan and Elizabeth,

Just a little note to say how much we enjoyed our stay at the Valentina's Cottage. The villa was just perfect for a "belated" hooneymoon. Both of you were more than helpful for both driving directions and reservations. Two of the best experiences were the Tuscan cooking class at the villa and the wine tour at the Verrazzano castle. The chefs were great teachers and chefs. Gino was a riot at the wine tour. I have told people who might be travelling to Italy soon that both are a must. Both Patty and myself feel that we have made new and wonderful friends in Italy. We are looking forward to a return trip. Hope everything is going well.
Patty and Dave, USA

Hi Elizabeth,

Mauro and I had a wonderful time in our cooking class with the cook. We made the pumpkin risotto for our family as part of our Thanksgiving meal, and everyone LOVED it. We've also make the bruschetta with eggplant, and with tomatoes. We've made the chocolate torte (another big hit!). The only thing we have yet to do from scratch is the ravioli (we'll have to wait until we have more time to do that one).

I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience. We always share it as one of the highlights of our trip.

Once again, thank you so much. Please also thank the cook for us
Erica & Mauro

I just got back to Philadelphia from Italy yesterday. I had booked "An Italian Immersion" - Advanced Class on September 24, 2005and I have been wanted to let you know how wonderful the chefs had been with our group. They accommodated all of us with their grace and pleasurable disposition. The atmosphere they created was one of great excitement of cooking such fresh beautiful gourmet food and the taste was "Magnifico"! They had made my sister's birthday and our cooking class an exciting event and a wonderful memory for us all. I will definately recommend this experience to my friends that will be coming to Tuscany in the spring.
M. PACIFICO, USA

Dear Elizabeth, Meaghan and the chefs,

Thank you very much for an incredible experience in your class! I think that day with all of you, along with my visit to 'David' was the highlight of my trip to Italy!

My birthday was very special and it was purely because of your kindness and hospitality. I truly enjoyed the wine you gave me. Thank you so much!

I realize the four of you meet hundreds of people annually and are quite busy, so I appreciate that you made me feel so much at home that day!...I have some pictures I will send to you...

Any time you come to the states, especially St. Louis, Missouri, please call me, as I would enjoy returning the generosity! That includes experiencing a Thanksgiving meal, I would love to cook our traditional meal for you...the American holiday is the last Thursday of November.
Jackie-USA

You can climb the stairs of the Duomo, one can lay eyes on the beauty of the statue of David, but one has not experienced the Tuscan region until you have tasted a meal of your own making at Villa Pandolfini. Well perhaps you get some help from the chefs , but you get to take the taste of Tuscany home with you by collectoing the wisdom of brilliant & inviting chefs. A meal & memories to last a lifetime!
BRAD FITCH- USA

'This was a fabulous experience. It was more than i expected. The cooks were so helpful, informative & enthusiastic. I will definately recommend it, as well as try to return. Thank you for a wonderful experience!!
SUE BOATMAN, USA

The cook is very nice and a GREAT chef!! The food is excellent and you learn a lot. For all those kids out there- the best part is to put the dough itno the pasta maker, I'm a professional at it!!
SARA- 11 years. USA

A major highlight of our trip to Italy!! Elizabeth was a pleasure to work with in planning it all and the chefs were very welcoming and friendly. And I ahvent even mentioned the food!! Delicious! And it tastes all the better for the fact that each of us had a hand in creating it. I'll be back – for a week... or a month..
SUSANNE WERNER – USA

This class was such a treat! The chefs were VERY knowledgable and explained every step very clearly. It was relaxed atmosphere with jokes and wine! All the courses of food are varied, and all fresh and delicious. The beautiful villa setting truly makes the cooking and dining experience come to life!!
PRYOR -USA

This was the most fun I had on this trip. I love to cook, so was in heaven the entire time. The chefs were fun and charming and their english very good. The food was great and the setting wonderful-. I could not have asked for a better way to spend my last day in Tuscany!!
SUE WOODRUFF- USA

AMAZING!!! The cooks were more than happy to answer any questions. I ahve learnt SO MUCH and the food & wine was DIVINE!!! Well worth the money.
GRACE MATTHEWS – USA

This was the best food we have had in Europe. The information and techniques I learned will enable me to go back to Oregon and cook and italian meal.
RICK GURULE -USA

Our second time here- just as wonderful as the first class we took. Will love making these recipes at home and will think of the chefs every time. Our thanks and love to the chefs & Elizabeth
DEBBIE, KATE & EMILY BRANITZ, Florida

Best thing we did in Italy. The villa is beautiful, the cooking & food were excellent and the people were great! A fantastic day- you MUST do this class.
PENNY USA

The instructors were fantastic people & very informative. The food 'to die for'
Presentation 10/10
Flavour 10/10
Quality 10/10
The Experience 10/10
Thankyou so much!!
JENNY , AUSTRALIA

Bravo!! This day has been wonderful. The cooks provided us with clear instruction for cooking, excellent recipes, lots of secret tricks. We had the best food and lots of laughs and fun- the company was great!
I'll be back!! And I'll be recommending this experience to many people back home.
PAM BREWIS - USA

From Slow Travelers

My wife and I just returned from Florence where we had the pleasure of taking cooking classes at Villa Pandolfini, a 14th century villa in the outskirts of Florence. Massimmo, Meaghan, and Elizabeth were our extraordinary hosts and the 2 days of classes were taught in English by experienced chefs. The quality of the menus, wine, teaching, companionship,and eats were beyond our expectations. Christina and I have taken cooking classes around the world. From our experiene this is one of the best.

As the day began, just stepping into a rustic Tuscan kitchen was enough to make me feel like this would be an experience of a lifetime! The cooks were not only excellent teachers who encourage you to do as much or as little hands-on work as you would like, they also were very charming and personable. Great food and great conversation—what more could I have asked for? The class itself also taught me more than just a few specialized recipes. It gave me the basics so that now I can be creative in my own cooking.
Katherine, Boston, USA

When I found the Good Tastes of Tuscany website during my trip planning, I knew that my best friend and I had to take the class. I knew it would be a memorable part of our trip, but I had no idea it would be the best thing we did in Italy! I felt like I was with my family after five hours of cooking, drinking the Villa's own wine, laughing with the chefs and the other couple in our class, and learning how to cook authentic Italian recipes. Immediately, I went home and made a few of the recipes for my own family--they were impressed! I know that I will never forget my day at Villa Pandolfini.
Andrea,
Lincoln, NE, USA

Elizabeth - just wanted to say that we are back in the States and had a wonderful trip - of course one of the top five highlights was our cooking class with the chefs. It was so nice meeting you and Massimo...in fact, Lucy is making the meal we made at the Villa on Tuesday for our club of 5 women who meet weekly....I've made the tiramisu with all the tricks! The pictures we took came out nicely and are a wonderful memory in our album...Again, thanks for giving us just what you advertised........
KATHY AMELIA, USA

'Wow, I cant wait to come back next year.Now I can make tiramisu for my son. The chefs were amazing, were extremely nformative and worked together so well'
AMPARO;USA

I recommend this class to everyone. I learned great cooking tips while enjoying wonderful food.
JOANNE D'APRILE

The whole experience was phenomenal! You can't truly experience Tuscany without this class!
ANGELA CANO

Food was fantastic & the chef's were wonderful instructors. A wonderful experience!
SABRINA GREGORIUS

The chef's were really fun and knowledgable. Food was fantastic!
MARIANNE WOOD

A very enjoyable experience a real flavour of Tuscany.The food was fantastic and the chef's very friendly. Thankyou!
CAROLINE GRAHAM

Great instruction, food and wine. Well worth my time.
LINDA MCGOWAN

Would highly recommend-fun, lots of laughter & interaction with all participants. A relaxed atmosphere, excellentfood and the ability to join in and do hands-on preparation.
RENEE LAMBORN

A lovely day, the food was exceptional and the hands on opportunity was fun!
FRANCINE FERRARO ROTHKOPF

Menu was amazing, loved all the food. Lots of fun and the chefs teachingwas very informative.
SUZY THOMAS

Excellent presentation in a fabulous setting by very experienced ad charming staff.
MARY GLATZMAIER

The cooks were very friendly and knowledgable. I felt very welcomeand really enjoyed myself.
CORRINE CLARKE

Loved the the wonderful atmosphere, easy recipes, hands on and of course the eating!!
JANN LONGHURST

The chefs were wonderful, friendly and intersted in us. I want to make pasta at home now!
VIC CLARKE

Wonderful tips and a pleasant setting for the cooking school.
MORT WOOD

Very enjoyable! Nice,cool and attractive location. Great food, we loved making the pasta. Thanks for the left overs!
LAUREN CLARKE

I loved touching and playing with the pasta dough. Thankyou for helping me discover an interest I didnt even know I had!
LISA HAMILTON

Loved the food! The opportunity to cook was ample and we really appreciated you being so welcoming to our teens.
SARAH MODEN-ALLISTON

'Ottimo!!' It was a pleasure! The cooks are wonderful!
ANTONIA BEHRMAN

Excellent! Very enjoyable experience. Would highly recommend this class!!
CLAIRE SLEVIN, IRELAND.

The cooks were very informal & friendly. It is a lovely atmosphere & everyone was very helpful.
JACQUIE McALLISTER, AUSTRALIA

'From the moment we arrived at the Villa, every experience was wonderful. The food amazing, the chefs warm and friendly, and the instruction very thorough, Elizabeth was very helpful in the planning-always charming.'
EMILY VALLI, USA

'The chefs were charming, and made the class VERY appraochable. It was great fun and very informative. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who loves food. Bravo!!'
NANCY BROUGH , USA.

'There was nothing about this class that I didnt like!'
EMILY BRANTITZ , USA.

'Loved the presentation of the dishes. The intructions for each recipe were very clear & easy. The chefs were so wonderful and we had the most delicious meal!
DEBBIE, Florida, USA

'What a fun, amazing day! Your patience and explanations were great, and the food fabulous. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Italy.
MARY MILLER, USA.

'I loved learning so many recipes in such a short time. This was a wonderful class in a beautiful setting. The cook was terrific and an excellent teacher. Thankyou- I can't wait to try my new skills at home.'
KRISTI TRAVERS, USA.

'I really appreciated you incorporating the students ideas into the menu planning. We had a wonderful time. The chef was extremely knowledgable and approachable. The hosts Elizabeth & Massimo were charming, and the food was abundant and absolutely delicious!'
TERRI RYDER, USA

'I loved the setting and am so happy that I can take home the flavour of Italy with me! The cook is sooo awesome, a very talented woman. She gave us so many extra recipes & ways to use what we cooked. It was great!'
DEANNA WALL, UTAH

'This was excellent! This class is the best souvenir for me form Italy. Absolutely unforgettable. Grazie!!
SANDRA PRINCE, USA.

'The chefs were great- very engaging, personable & knowledgable. They did a wonderful job & the food was delicious!'
BECKY SCHMITT, USA

'What a wonderful kitchen!! The cook was knowledgable, graceful and so talented!'
KYLE YASINKSKI, USA.

'This class has wet my appetite for more!'
ROSEMARY MITTON, USA.