A daily itinerary of things such as optional cooking and painting lessons, shopping in markets for local fresh gastronomic produce & leather goods and sightseeing in medieval villages and cities such as Florence, Assisi and Rome, made for a wonderful trip with nostalgic memories.
Each day starting with a delicious Americano or Cappuccino and ending in an infinity edged swimming pool at our country house on the outskirts of medieval Anghiari, enveloped in the Appenine Mountains, just 1 1/2 hours south of Florence. The weather was very warm... hot, but there was usually a breeze and a few sun hats were chased around the mountainside of Assisi. Parents listened with children to outdoor symphonies and choirs as they echoed through the ancient streets of the village and enjoyed meals at tables outside restaurants on cobblestoned roads. Frizzante was the drink of choice and gallons were consumed -- only in Italy can sparkling water sound like a passionate song!
Students painted hundred year old doors with knockers, windows with geraniums in terra cotta plant pots and vineyards with cypress trees, while village cooks catered a 5 course meal at the restored 18th century country house. Aroma from fresh lavender accented the tables under the moonlight and they cooked with basil, rosemary and sage from the garden, decorating dishes with mint and flowers. From antipasto to pane cotta for desert, guests slept well after another cooling swim before bed.