2010 Extra-Curricular Activities at Spannocchia
Below you will find a list of optional activities available during your stay at Castello di Spannocchia. If you are interested in any of the activities, please contact Daniela Casarin at castello@spannocchia.org no later than 12 weeks before the start date of your program. When making a request, please be as specific as possible, including number of participants in each activity and desired time and date. All activities must be paid in Euro cash at the time of service to either Daniela or directly to the provider of the service.
Historical Tour *highly recommended for all groups on the first day after arrival*
As a host guides you through the numerous areas of the Castello including the Villa, Tower and Fattoria you will learn about the architecture of the Castello, the histories of the Cinelli and Spannocchi families, the mezzadria sharecropping system, by which Spannocchia operated for centuries, and past and present agricultural activities in the property. The tour will also visit Spannocchia’s own Catholic Chapel which was once used as the community church for the estate and the museum, which houses ancient Etruscan archaeological artifacts from multiple Tuscan sites. Lastly, climb Spannocchia’s medieval tower for a breath-taking view of the 1100 acres of rolling hills and farmland surrounding the Castello. All of the sites and information presented throughout the tour will help Spannocchia guests to better understand the history of the area, the importance of preservation and our passion for Spannocchia past, present and future!
Time: Usually the morning after arrival of the group, except on weekends
Price: FREE
Traditional Tuscan Cooking Class
The cooking class begins at 9 am with a tour through the vegetable garden at Spannocchia with the garden manager, who will describe the cycle of the various crops through the year and her methods for providing the kitchen with fresh, flavorful products. Then to the kitchen, where with Loredana we will prepare a three course Tuscan meal utilizing food products from the estate. The first course might be handmade pasta such as tagliatelle, ravioli, or gnocchi, or perhaps the typical “ribollita” Tuscan soup, or in summer a simple but delicious bread salad called “panzanella.” For our second course we may choose between our own farm-raised pork, beef, lamb, or chicken, or perhaps even wild game, and this will be accompanied by fresh vegetables direct from the garden. We finish with a traditional dessert such as cantucci cookies with Spannocchia vin santo, pinenut cake, tiramisu, or our renowned chocolate salame.
A vegetarian menu is also available, and we will try to fill requests for specific recipes as long as they fall within the traditions of this local region. Each lesson concludes with lunch, tasting all the dishes created during the morning class, accompanied by Spannocchia wine and spring water.
Loredana Betti grew up on Spannocchia in the 1950’s when her family was tenant farmers here. As a young girl she learned how to prepare the traditional fare of the region and eventually developed a talent notable even in this area where every housewife seems capable of culinary magic. For nearly twenty years, Loredana cooked for the Cinelli family and Spannocchia’s students and guests, until her retirement five years ago to spend more time with her three grandchildren. She still loves to produce wonderful meals for friends and family, and enjoys staying involved at Spannocchia with her weekly classes in the kitchen she knows so well.
Time: 9:00-2:30 pm weekdays, includes lunch
Price: 50 Euro per person - Student Group rate (minimum of 8 students)
60 Euro per person - Program Group rate (minimum of 6 people)
80 Euro per person Ð Regular rate (and for any group of less than 6 people)
Bees & Honey
Agronomist Andrea Battino introduces participants to the wonderful world of bees! Andrea explains bee dances, bee keeping history and honey production. He concludes by leading the group through a honey tasting of several different varieties. The class lasts approximately 2 hours.
Time: Weekdays, flexible
Price: 75 Euro per group
Olives and Olive Oil
Have you ever wanted to know the whole story about olive oil and why it is such a prized product? Did you know olive oil is like wine, with different blends, and that there is a correct way of tasting it (and it isn’t on bread!)? Spannocchia Education Director Carrie talks about the history of olives, and explains how olive oil is produced, complete with a slide show of Spannocchia’s olive harvest and trip to the olive press. The class concludes with a guided tasting of several Tuscan oils Ð including our own award winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Optional walk to see some of our 700 olive trees available upon request. Last approximately 2 hours.
Time: Weekdays, flexible
Price: 50 Euro per group
Cinta Senese Tour & Tasting
Do you know what a Cinta Senese is? Do you know how prosciutto is made? Spannocchia Education Director Carrie offers a close up look at our Noah’s Ark rare breed animals, our organic artisan meat production and the typical salumi (salt-cured meats) that we create. The tour includes a walk up Pig Hill to see our pigs (and maybe even some piglets if you’re lucky) a glimpse into our seasoning/curing room, and finishes with a guided tasting of our salumi products such as salame, prosciutto, capocollo, guancia, etc. The tour and tasting lasts around 2 hours.
Time: 10-12am weekdays
Price: 5 Euro per person (minimum 50 Euro)
Nature Walk
Discover the native Tuscan flora and fauna through a self-guided nature walk on the Spannocchia grounds. The walk starts at our newly completed interactive museum Casetta del Bosco and continues through the Secret Garden, with examples of nearly every type of tree present in our surrounding forests. There is a good chance you will see or at least hear many birds on your walk, so bring binoculars if you have them!
Price: FREE
Vegetable Garden Tour
Spannocchia’s Garden Manager introduces participants to Spannocchia’s organic vegetable gardens. She explains why we choose to be organic and the different aspects of organic gardening including: crop rotation, cover crops, the creation and use of compost, and our two greenhouses. As she guides participants through the different areas of the garden, she explains the different seasonal crops growing, pointing out heirloom varieties and typical Tuscan crops grown only in this area. She also includes details about crop storage and transformation into secondary products like tomato sauce and pesto.
Time: 9am weekdays
Price: 30 Euro per group (when not done as part of cooking class)
Italian Language Lessons
Learn the basics of the Italian language during your stay at Spannocchia! Instructor Valeria is available for private or group lessons. Lessons usually focus on basic grammar and vocabulary, and Valeria always encourages conversation in class! Learn how to order at restaurants, ask about bus schedules, and find out where the nearest bathroom might be. Valeria’s teaching style is flexible and she can accommodate all levels of proficiency and can tailor the class to your particular interest (art, cooking, history, farming, etc). Each class lasts one hour and Valeria will provide lesson materials.
Time: Monday through Friday, Flexible
Price: 25 Euro per hour
T’ai Chi
We can arrange for a local T’ai chi teacher to come to Spannocchia in the mornings before or after breakfast to lead participants through a series of stimulating and invigorating poses to get creative juices flowing. To arrange classes for your group, please send us the dates, times and number of participants.
Time: morning
Price: 25 Euro per lesson for a group of 3-6 people
Reflexology Treatment
The reflexologist works on pressure points on your feet or hands. Treatment sessions last between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your body's needs. For your convenience, the Reflexologist speaks English. Please let us know the date, time and number of people in your group who are requesting this service.
Time: Flexible
Price: 35 Euro per treatment
Massage
Offer your participants a break from work or study - we can arrange a Shiatsu full-body massage to massage away your travel pains and provide a moment of pure relaxation. The message is done by a certified massage therapist and typically lasts one hour. Please let us know the date, time and number of people in your group who are requesting this service.
Time: Flexible
Price: 45 Euro per hour