Where to begin? What an absolutely wonderful experience. Our time at Tasty Tuscany with Patrizia, Paolo, and our fellow guests will be a treasured memory for the rest of our lives. The totally charming farm house is beautiful, with spacious, comfortable rooms, a welcoming sitting room with leather sofas, a beautifully outfitted kitchen for our lessons, and a lovely dining room where we all gathered to enjoy the finest, freshest food you'll ever taste anywhere--not to mention great local wine that flowed, and flowed, and flowed.

And speaking of food, Pat's cooking lessons are relaxed and fun, but also very informative. They will change the way you think about food and teach you that not just savoring it, but also preparing it is an experience to enjoy with all your senses. Even those among the guests who weren't the primary cooks back home really got into the flow of it.

While Pat's domain is the kitchen, Paolo's is making sure you enjoy yourself everywhere else. He's there to pick you up when you arrive and there to see you off when it's time for you, very reluctantly, to leave. And all the times between, he's there to take you on trips to some of the most beautiful places we've ever seen. All you have to do is enjoy the ride, the sights, and his charming company. Things are very flexible, though. If you decide you simply want to lounge around reading or enjoying the pool instead of going exploring, no problem.

The whole experience was truly magical and we cannot recommend Tasty Tuscany highly enough. We urge anyone who wants to experience Tuscany at its best to come stay at Pat's and Paolo's place. You'll be glad you did.

Suzanne and Lee

Had the time of our lives. Pat and Paolo fantastic people, busy when you wanted to be, rest when you don't in glorious surroundings. Cookery classes great fun, people we met, lovely.
The memory of this holiday will live with us always. Came home wanting to go back. Cheap fares to Pisa, Ryanair, easy, and after that everything is done for you, and all is free. We dined in small cafes, farmhouses, and kitchens. Laughed the whole time, and changed our food for organic too. Can't rate this highly enough.

What does Heaven on Earth include? Start with natural beauty: clean refreshing air, a beautiful mountaintop vista and a dazzling night sky. The food has to be good: freshly picked, local - all with a pedigree that does not include anything artificial or processed. Accommodation - warm, comfortable, charming. You want to be with people who can engage in lively conversation - or respect your need for some peace or solitude. Top it off with freely flowing local wine - what more could you ask for?*

Tasty Tuscany is such a place. In fact, I can't remember a holiday as relaxing or restorative. Hosts Patrizia and Paulo have created a magical retreat with something for everyone. Do you like cooking? Patrizia will teach you some her family recipes and Tuscan cooking techniques which I guarantee will change the way you cook at home. Do you prefer to find interesting, out of the way places to explore and discover? Get in the van - Paulo will introduce you to places and people that aren't in the guide books. Lunch under the wisteria, an afternoon swim in the mountaintop pool, a nap in the cypress grove....every day offers moments of restoration which linger long after you return home.

In addition to the wonderful amentities, food and excursions, the genuis of this vacation is that its all inclusive. The very reasonable rates include meals, wine, excursions and transfers to and from the airport or train station. So, once you arrive, there is nothing to worry about except which novel you want to read next - and whether your next glass is red? or white?

*(True - paradise would also be calorie-free. I can't guarantee this for everyone - but I was amazed to return home from this holiday to find out I had not gained any weight - this place truly IS magic!)

This was the most effortless and wonderful holiday we ever had - or could imagine. All we had to do was make our way to Pisa (easy flights!) where we were picked up and from then on we just picked our menus, our wine (we had picked our excursions earlier) and we kicked back and enjoyed the scenery and tastes of tuscany. Our hosts were charming with excellent English. They gave guidance but we still had privacy. The cooking lessons were fun and easy, our room was spacious and the view to die for.
I would go back in a heartbeat. I am sure I will. Go if you possibly can.