Aolmaia Tuscany Society is a small group of Italians who organize cultural holidays for foreign tourists. They live in the heart of Tuscany, near San Miniato, within easy reach of Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra. They have designed tours and courses which are true experiences in touch with culture, traditions, life and the friendly people of Tuscany.
They love their region, they know "the real things" and like to share them with you within pleasing and unforgettable vacations.
What their guests have to say about them:
- We had a terrific time. Thanks again,
Karen Rosenbluth CA, USA < harry.rosenbluth@robecoinvest.com > - Thanks for the great time!
Ashley and Jason GA, USA < jgross77@gmail.com > - Elizabeth and I wanted to thank you again for our lovely day in the Tuscan Hills. We enjoyed
our cooking class and our winery tour. We also appreciate the time that you
took to show us the olive pressing factory and your favorite gelato shoppe!
Debby < peck@nbnet.nb.ca > Canada - Tuscany is a very beautiful place and very relaxing. We had a great time on our brief trip. I
can't think of anything that was lacking. We stayed busy between cooking and
meeting people and the wonderful excursions we went on. Jason and I learned
so much just by spending time with people. You are a wonderful tour guide
and a very nice person and we wish you luck in everything you do.
Susan < sueitri@cox.net > USA - Dear Pi: I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful trip!!! I have been telling
everyone of the trip that I had with you and how good it was...you are
fantastic. Can you please place this quote on your website for me. "Without
question my truffle trip to Tuscany was a great success due to the great
assistance that I received by you. I used their services
to collect information about the White truffle. I highly recommend them to
anyone interested in truffles.
Dr. Massimo Marcone" < mmarcone@uoguelph.ca > Canada - Pi, thank you. The cooking classes have been a fantastic experience. The people into their
homes were very friendly. The tours were wonderful. We had the opportunity
to see many sites that if traveling on our own would not have ever seen. I
will highly recommend this trip!
Terry < tms@pulsarco.com > U.S.A. - My wife and I, with the help of Pi from Aolmaia Tuscany Society, booked three nights at Le
Boscarecce as part of an 11-day honeymoon. We spent every day engaged in
such activities as exploring charming nearby towns, visiting fabulous
vineyards, an olive oil mill, and hunting for truffles with the regional
champion and her amazing dog.
Pi, Jessica and I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful weekend. Your company provides a great value and we will recommend it. You are a fantastic host and tour guide.
Paul < Paulberliner@aol.com > N.Y. Usa - "We took Aolmaia's 'Spring Cooking Break' in May 2005. This tour turned out to be one of the
highlights of our six week holiday in UK and Europe. We had an absolutely
amazing time. A lot was packed into two and half days, making it well worth
the money. Our accommodation (Le Boscarecce) blew us away - the rooms were
beautifully presented, the views were stunning, the owners were lovely, and
the food was some of the best food we've ever had. The cooking lessons were
informative and hands on enough to feel like you could come away and repeat
the recipes at home. Our hosts for the home cooking lesson just outside of
San Gimignano were particularly lovely - they made us feel like part of the
family rather than tourists on a paid cooking tour. What really made this
tour were all the little extras - the tour of San Gimignano and San Minato,
the wine tasting and the olive oil tasting. Our guides for these activities
(Luciana and Riccardo) were fantastic - both friendly and informative. We
would absolutely recommend this tour. It not only fulfilled our passion for
cooking, it showed us a part of Italy we probably wouldn't have seen
otherwise."
Bronwyn and Andrew < andrewspencer@clear.net.nz > New Zealand - Pi, thank you so much for everything you did to make my trip enjoyable and stress free! I
must admit I was a little anxious about the whole experience but I had a
wonderful time. The only thing I would do differently is stay longer! I could
truly get accustomed to having great meals, great wine, and beautiful
surroundings on a daily basis. The classes were fun, the families we met
were very hospitable, and the excursions to the different towns were an
unexpected pleasure.
Mary Jo, < denmjb@aol.com > Usa - Dear Pi, ... From the moment we stepped off the train in San Miniato to be greeted by you to
our departure we felt all our wants were being taken care of by a
knowledgeable proud Tuscan. Our days were filled with information, fun and
so, so very much food and wine. Our holiday in Tuscany is an experience we
will relive many times over especially when we look at our photos. All three
of us want to return and of course we would be booking with you Pi as we
think you are absolutely the most professional, reliable and knowledgeable
person we could have to accompany us. ...
Marguerita < gretasmith@shaw.ca > Canada - ... I really thank you all the things you did for me, It was a wonderful experience and will be
a beautiful memory of my life.
Akiko < ako771121@poem.ocn.ne.jp > Japan - ... Thank you so much for the wonderful cooking and culture tour in Tuscany! What a wonderful
experience - I will never forget it! What a beautiful place and delicious
food! The people were all so nice and I just LOVED the cooking lessons in
people's homes and in the beautiful restaurant with chef Bartolo! So much
fun and I learned so much! Such wonderful fresh foods and herbs they used!
The wine tour with the sommelier Ricardo was wonderful too and I learned so
much!! I loved staying at Vallachi Farmhouse so much too - gosh, Loredana is
such a wonderful cook and such a sweet hostess! I appreciated so much how
you took care of us all so well too! A perfect host! I will always cherish
this wonderful memory! ...
Kathy < Kldierker@cs.com > Usa - ... Thought I'd drop you a line and let you know that we had a fantastic time on our cooking
tour!! Everything went better than we could have imagined. We had a
fantastic time and were well pleased with everything that you planned out
for the tour. It was great!! ...
Jo Ann and Richard Schiltz, < richsch1@cox.net > Usa - ... We had a wonderful holiday and are missing Italy already. We absolutely loved Cinque
Terre - it was a real highlight. Our thanks once again to Micol for being
such a good guide. ...
Eliz and Richard < epizzinato@sympatico.ca > Canada - Dear Pi, Our visit to San Miniato is full of good memories. We loved the early morning truffle hunt with
Angelica and tasting the different olive oils. Dino and his crazy truffled
chicken broth was fantastic. So, thank you for putting together such a
lovely week-end for us, especially on my birthday.
Charles and Inger Eisenhour < inger.holland@riviera.fr > - Dear Pi, we really enjoyed our tour with you (September 23-26, 2004) and our stay at Le
Boscarecce. We have been telling all of our friends about it and would like
to do it again someday, especially the truffle hunt. We think you will enjoy
the attached article about the record truffle from San Miniato.
Best Regards, DENNIS & GLADYS < dennisgoschka@yahoo.com > - Buona Sera Pierpauolo, Fran Walker e-mailing you, wanted to thank you for a GREAT 4
days in Tuscany. I loved all the nice people I've met there; it was so much
fun. I will come back to visit again, and cook. Mille Grazie, Ciao,
Fran < WALKERBASEBALL@MSN.COM > Usa - We are still talking about how great a trip it was. We have such fond memories of the cooking tour...
Vicky < msfit45@cox.net > Usa - We had a truly wonderful weekend in Tuscany with Riccardo. He was a great guide of Tuscan
wine and also of the area and taught us so much about both, and we had a lot
of fun also. We cannot find one fault with the weekend - well, just one - it
passed too quickly. The accommodation and food was excellent and the
highlight was lunch with the lovely family in San Gimignano as one doesn't
often get the chance as a tourist to visit and eat in a family home.It is
sometimes a bit of a worry when you book a holiday on the internet as you
don't really know what you are going to get but we will certainly recommend
your tours to everyone we think would be interested as excellent value for money.
Isobel and Dennis < TheAspens@aol.com > Scotland - I had a fantastic time and learnt a lot about many aspects of wine production. Thanks so much
for selecting varied wine producers for us to visit, and also great food
(the lunch in the vineyards at Casa Emma was a highlight). We loved Le
Boscarecce too, and may be back there at some point in the future!
< kylie_biddle@hotmail.com > Australia - Thank you for a wonderful time in Tuscany, Glen and I had the most fabulous trip. All the
cooking was fantastic and very personal. The people we met were just
amazing, including yourself, we know that we've seen the real Tuscany,
spending time with families in their homes - its really inspiring - we
cannot wait to cook our first meal (next week!) Thank you also for the
history, we eaqually enjoyed visiting San Gimignano, the Olive Oil plant and
the vineyard as well as beautiful San Miniato. Thank you again Ciao
Jacqui and Glen < jacqui.burrows@ntlworld.com > USA - Dear Pi, we enjoyed our trip to Tuscany immensely! You made the trip very special by showing us
the real Italy plus local culture. We enjoyed learning from the passionate
chefs in your program. Ciao
Clara and Vina < clara@san.rr.com > USA - We did a BIG Italian dinner the other night. OH, it was soooo good. We did ravioli and ragu,
different cheeses and mitchell made the crackers, zucchini custard and the
guinea fowl with fig. oh my, it was all so delicious and all our friends
were quite impressed with our skills. I have GOT to find me some boar to
make that dish too one of these days soon. We will be doing a show off of
our culinary talents again over the holidays when my daughter and her
boyfriend are here. can't wait to impress them too. and other friends are
going "when are we going to be invited over for Italian?" So money well
spent, time well spent, good vacation. Thanks again. Will see you next year.
Amber < amber_mitchell@peterson.net > UK - I had a great time - thanks for organizing everything and showing us around.
Mary J Jay < pyke@clara.co.uk > - I would like to thank you again for my wonderful experience. I always recommend your
website when I tell people about the course. I speak about it often, with
great enthusiasm, to family, friends, and acquaintances. I hope one day to
return to Tuscany and San Miniato.
Donna Katan < dijtkp@mac.com > - Hello! missing the wonderful weather of Tuscany already. We had wonderful time. it was a
great vacation and we are so pleased with all of our new tuscany cooking
knowledge. i wish we could have spent more time there. guess we will just
have to come back.
McCauley Family < msf49erfan@attbi.com > - Hi Pi, Thanks for a lovely week in Tuscany. It was all that I had hoped for and more.
Richard < richtlee@hotmail.com > - - We have visited Aolmaia twice and both times we have had a wonderful vacation,
learning a lot about Italy's culture, food and people in the process. Pi is
a charming and attentive host and ensures you an enjoyable stay in Tuscany
with visits to beautiful towns both on and off the beaten track and
excellent yet unpretentious restaurants. I am grateful to Pi and his staff
for the fond memories I have of Tuscany and I hope to return there as soon
as my schedule allows.
Rafael Aponte, Jose, Sandi < Sandi77@kc.rr.com > - Thanks again Pi for making our trip fun and informative. We had such a wonderful time in
Italy...thanks to you and the people working with you. The cooking was
especially good, the classes were so interesting so conducted by local
people in their homes. The wine and olive oil tours were informative as well
as fun. All in all it was a great adventure and we hope to return sometime soon.
Carolyn Peace < cd2peace@aol.com > - The guys had a wonderful time on their winery tours that you set up and only have good
things to say about their experience with Aolmaia. They would highly
recommend your services to anyone! Riccardo the Sommelier was very
accommodating and extremely knowledgeable of the area and the wineries.
Since this trip was all about the "wine", he really made it a huge success!
They only wished that they had more time to spend in Tuscany, but plan on
visiting again (hopefully soon) and we would defiantly contact you to set up
the same type of tours at other wineries and also take advantage of other
area tours that you offer.
Sharon Fitzpatrick < sfitzpatrick@newcanaanfunding.com > - We had a wonderful time in Firenze, specially visiting the various vineyards with a
great Connoisseur like Ricardo. We learnt a lot and tasted some very good
wines. Best Regards
Tina Palmer < tina.palmer@going-places.tv > - Hello Ricardo, my wife and I are back home. We had a wonderful time in Firenze, specially
visiting the various vineyards with a great connoisseur like you. We learnt
a lot and tasted some very good wines. It was a great pleasure to have you
as our guide and we enjoyed your company. Hope you could visit Barbados some
day, we will be happy to have you. Best Regards
J. HO-KONG-KING < treetops@caribsurf.com > - ... I wish to be again in Tuscany with all the good food, good wine and wonderful people I
have met during your cooking course. It was really a great experience for me
and I hope to be able to do it again. Take care.
< desie.santos@sunrise.net > - Dear Pi, thank you for showing us your Tuscany! The friendly people, the wonderful food, the
beautiful countryside and your kind hospitality all made the week we spent
together a wonderful experience that Harry and I will always treasure. The
cooking classes were such fun! Tuscany and all of you will always have a
special place in my heart. I will keep in touch. Sincerely,
Carol Allen,< momcat57@hotmail.com > - Pi, thank you so much for such a great week. The hotel was great, the food was fabulous. I
only wish I could come back and finish all the dishes I was too full to eat.
You surprised us every day with new places to visit and a different teacher.
Each day was even better than the day before! Both Shari and I were happy to
have been a part of such a great group. The planning, the company, the
cooking, the tours, the drivers and you and Jacqui were wonderful. Thank you
again. Lynn and Shari.
Lynn and Shary Hanson, < duck99@gte.net > - Unbelievably joyous! Knowledgeable, warm staff, all of which were interested in my
learning and good time. Although this part of Tuscany was new to me, it felt
like I was "home.'' Exceptional value, hospitality and friendship. The staff
became immediate friends. I miss them and Tuscany and want to go back. I use
what I learned. I like wandering around Italian markets back home and
finding reminders of one of the best weeks of my life. I'd recommend this
experience to anyone. Personally, I know no one who would not have enjoyed
what I was able to do. It was an incredible value that continues to touch my
heart and soul.
Gregory Krzyminski, < gvk@wi.rr.com >
Useful links:
- Italian salami
- Visit Milano
- Visit Florence
- Visit Rome
- Visit Venice
- One day trips from Milan
- Travel in Italy
- Wine in Italy
- Cuisine in Italy
- Tango in Italy
