Go to Italy and stay for the food.

Talk to anyone who has ever visited Italy and it is almost a certainty that they could, if given the opportunity, rhapsodize about the amazing meals they ate. There is a reason that Italy has a well deserved reputation for having some of the best food in the world.

At La Dolce Vita we look forward to introducing you to dishes that are served in family homes throughout Tuscany, with a bit of Piedmonte (Northern Italy) influence thrown in as well! While we will, of course, enjoy pasta, you will also be served soups typical of the region, seasonal vegetables, and the pork that this region of Italy is known for.  All of our meals will be simple yet immensely flavourful, and we know that they will be a highlight of your time at La Dolce Vita.

We are delighted to have our on-site hostess Orsa helming a team of women who will be preparing our meals during our week together. With a Doctorate in Anthropology and History of Food, Orsa believes without a doubt that the best way to know a culture, a country and its people is through its food. She encourages her guests to branch out and taste various dishes while in Itlay (not just pizza!) to discover the country’s many flavours.

With a few exceptions, most of the meals included in the retreat tuition will be eaten on the Borgo Personatina estate. And most of these will be eaten, family style, in a large communal dining room. Or, on sunny days, we often dine al fresco on the veranda.

Breakfast

Breakfast will include your choice of Homemade cake, yogurt and granola, fruit salad, toast, cold cuts, eggs, and cheese. To drink, attendees will be able to choose from an assortment of coffees (espresso, cappuccino or Americano) teas, or fruit juice.

As for the beverages available with our other meals, water will be provided with each lunch, and with dinner we will routinely serve water, regular coffee and tea. There will be a few occasions where wine is provided with the dinners. You are welcome to purchase wine when it is not provided, or bring your own to the retreat. Further details will be provided in the private Facebook group, prior to the retreat.

In each apartment you will find a kitchen or kitchenette with a cook top and fridge which you will find stocked with water and enough soda to get you through the first few days. As we journey through Tuscany you are welcome to purchase more soda, or other food items and bring them back to your apartment to prepare and eat at your leisure.

If you have any food allergies, or dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can confirm that the kitchen will be able to safely accommodate your needs.

Not included in your tuition

There are two lunches which are not included in the retreat tuition. They are during days when we will be away from the estate at meal time. The first missed lunch is on the day we visit the antique market and the other is during our visit to Siena. In both cities, you will have plenty of options for your meals. You will find that you can eat on the cheap, with a €5 pizza, or go all out with a €65 four course lunch. The choice is up to you.