One of my favorite agriturismi (farmhouse B&Bs) in Tuscany is Cretaiole, where Isabella and Carlo host about 15 visitors at a time for week-long stays (doubles for around $1,200 per week). They put together a fun-loving cultural boot camp where guests choose from classic Tuscan activities lined up for them every day. We stayed here as a base while we did our filming. And we joined them one night for the pici pasta-making party. With Isabella’s guidance, we kneaded it, rolled it, and then ate it. Young and old alike, for a few memorable minutes, we were all pasta-making machines. Cooking classes are so popular in Europe these days. What is your favorite such experience?
This is Day 15 of my 100 Days in Europe series. As I research my guidebooks and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences and lessons learned in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and beyond. Find more at blog.ricksteves.com.
When in Romania try to make it to Count Kalnoky’s guest houses in Miklosovar, in the Carpathian foothills. Amazing place. Also consider contacting Colin Shaw of Roaming Romania for ideas, great guide, British, but has lived in Romania for years,
Thanks for all of your wonderful guidebooks and podcasts. Had the pleasure of meeting your best friend Gene O. up on the summit above Gimmelwald a few years ago so we’re able to thank him in person for turning us onto the Irish Dance club in Vaughns pub in Ireland , your book was the only one that had mentioned it. So much fun, it was a highlight of our trip. And yes, we stayed with Ollie and Marie in Gimmelwald, did not want to leave.
This year’s trip will be hiking in your neighborhood, Mt. Rainier and the Paradise Inn, Lake Quinault and Lake Crescent Lodges in Olympic National Park, and Stehekin Lodge in Northern Cascades National Park. Hate missing Europe, next year torn between Austria/Southern Germany or Norway and the Faroe Islands.
Aloha from Paauilo Mauka on the Big Island!
I would love the link to Isabella and Carlos inn. Maybe an October vacation for me.
Hi Debbie, this is Evelynn in Rick’s office. Here it is: http://www.cretaiole.it/index.php/en/
Rick’s co-author, Cameron, visited for Thanksgiving last year and wrote about it on his blog. Here’s a good post about the family that runs this agriturismo: http://blog.ricksteves.com/cameron/2015/12/cretaiole/
Keep on travelin’!