Villa La Fauci Italy

Villa la Fauci is a traditional 19th century Tuscan farmhouse with a unique design, converted into a luxury holiday rental in one of the lesser known areas of Tuscany, away from all the crowds. Instead, you are surrounded by nothing but olive groves, vineyards and golden fields of wheat that patchwork the landscape, where wild boar, foxes and deer roam freely.
This loving restoration has stayed loyal to the buildings past, maintaining the original terracotta tiles, gorgeous chestnut wood beams and interior stone walls, whilst adding lavish modern furnishings and the large infinity pool to create the perfect marriage of old and new.
This region has forever been a place of rest, and was where the Knights Templar would come to soothe mind, body and soul during the time of the Crusades. Come follow this tradition with friends or family, and experience this timeless area of peace and relaxation, steeped in ancient history. Situated where the provinces of Pisa, Siena and Florence meet, the villa is just a short distance from the well preserved historical towns of Volterra and San Gimignano.
The village of Montelopio, about 1 km from the Villa, boasts an ancient history. The Etruscans, Longobards, the seafaring Republic of Pisa, the Templars and the noble families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany have all left their traces as they passed through or settled, attracted by this “prosperous hill”.
The location of the villa is ideal for visiting the most important cultural and artistic centers of Tuscany.
Distances to the following places :
– Volterra 20 km- San Gimignano  29 km- San Miniato 29 km- Certaldo 35 km- Livorno 45 km- Pisa 48 km- Vinci 48 km- Lucca 49 km- Viareggio 65 km- Pistoia 65 km- Siena 68 km- Florence 73 km- Carrara 93 km- Montalcino 106 km- Pienza 119 km- Arezzo 120 km- Grosseto 120 km- Montepulciano 125 km- The sea 48 km- Spa (Casciana Terme) 25 km
Enjoy typically Tuscan dishes, experience an informative cookery class with an helpful assistant and learn the recipes as they are created. The perfect way to enjoy Tuscan food the way mamma intended it!
One of the most interesting and fascinating experiences in Tuscany is taking part in a cooking class. Tuscan cuisine is based on simple but tasty recipes rooted in tradition and wise agricultural practice. The cook at Villa la Fauci prepares exactly the meals that Tuscans eat at home, using the same fresh and genuine ingredients with the help of very useful tricks. All courses are ideal also for families with young children.
The atmosphere is relaxed, cosy and authentic. The experience is hands-on. The duration of the classes ranges from 2 to 3 hours and they can be arranged in the morning or in the evening, before you sit at a table and enjoy all the delicacies you have prepared. The traditional Tuscan meal is made of appetizers, first course, second course and dessert.
Here are just some menu suggestions, but feel free to ask if you have other preferences. Choose one option for each course (appetizer, primo, secondo, dessert):
Dinner in villa with chef and assistant (from EUR 40 to EUR 60 per person)
STARTERS/ANTIPASTI- Antipasto 1Mixed battered vegetables. (onions, artichokes or zucchini flowers and sage)- Antipasto 2Bruschette with different topings: tomatoes and basil, sausage and stracchino cheese, rucola salad and parmesan- Antipasto 3Bread ‘salad’ with cucumber and tomatoes – very typical in  Tuscany- Antipasto 4Spelt salad with fresh vegetables- Antipasto 5Grilled vegetables with hot chili peppers- Antipasto 6Typical bread and tomato ‘mush’  – very typical in  Tuscany- Antipasto 7Crostini with porcini mushrooms and other mushrooms prepared in different ways and crostini with chicken lever.- Antipasto 8Selection of cheeses and hams of Tuscany
FIRST COURSES – Chickpea soup- Farro (‘spelt’, typical local type of barley) soup- Leek and sausage risotto- Seafood risotto- Hand-made Tagliatelle or risotto (please specify your preference) with Mushroom or courgette or artichoke or asparagus- Ravioli with butter and sage- Hand made Ravioli or tagliatelle with the farmer sauce (vegetarian)- Hand made Ravioli or tagliatelle with Tuscan meat sauce- Traditional or vegetable lasagna
MEAT OR FISH SECOND COURSES- Escalopes in “pizza” (tomato, mozzarella and capers)- Thinly sliced beef in breadcrumbs and with a tomato sauce- Chicken cooked in a vegetable sauce with black olives- Pork fillet with mushrooms- Pork fillet baked in bread crust case- Pork or Beef or veal in Chianti sauce- Beans in tomato sauce with sausages- Grilled meat (chicken, pork, beef..)- Oven baked cuttlefish or Seabass and vegetables
Note: All secondi are served with some roasted potatoes or a salad
ALTERNATIVE TO SECOND COURSE: VEGETERIAN COURSES- Aubergine/Eggplants oven baked with cheese and tomato- Green beans ‘in umido’ (tomato-based gravy)- Aubergine/Eggplants pizza style
DESSERT – Type of custard tart with pinenuts- Fruit tart- Chestnut pancakes with ricotta filling- Traditional Tiramisu- Strawberry Tiramisu (only when it’s season)- “Salami”,-shaped dessert made of chocolate- Typical almond biscuits- Fruit salad with icecream
Note: Cost of wine € 5 per person