Accommodations
The 5 star villa property is in the historical centre of Peschiera.  Recently renovated, this is a skillfully modern hotel that has retained and beautified the building’s ancient characteristics while keeping its   time honored charm, and is now a one-of-kind property that offers a series of elegantly appointed rooms overlooking the lake. State-of-the-art amenities and luxury furnishings deck the 17 Suite boutique hotel. Each suite is dedicated to a famous composer and is decorated with precious frescos dating back to the 1500s. It is a property for the sophisticated traveler.  All the suites have modern comforts including ‘on demand’ TV, internet, voice mail, and a multi-media system.  Refined furnishing, linens, and drapes decorate each room.  The hotel also houses the  “Verdelli” Boutique, synonymous with quality and style and selling the best Italian and International fashion clothes.  The Wellness Club, a “Daniela Steiner” creation, is an oasis of calm and relaxation.  The hotel’s gourmet restaurant, under the direction of Executive Chef Giorgio, is an absolute must.  Sporting activities, excursions on the property’s boat “Mae West”, shopping at the boutiques, rounds of golf and private helicopter, jet & limousine service make this cooking program truly fit for a king.

Location and History
Lake Garda is surrounded by small beaches and winding roads that allow you to take in the beautiful scenery with its perfumed flowers and captivating colors.  Our 5 star property and cooking class program could not be in a more beautiful or better loved location.

The climate is sweet and temperate with luxurious vegetation that is reminiscent of exuberant, verdant Mediterranean coasts. Numerous pretty tourist towns surround the lake with their little harbors, tiny colorful houses, gorgeous mansions and gardens.

Peschiera del Garda is one of the most strategic and panoramic positions of the lake. Peschiera was an important place during the Roman Empire. The Byzantines, the Longobards, Carlo Magno and Berengario, built castles here. In the 12th century it obtained complete autonomy and became a free commune, but it could not defend itself from the siege of Federico Barbarossa. In the following centuries it passed through the Visconti and Venetian supremacies and later, through the Napoleonic and Austrian dominions. With the unity of Italy, the tormented period of political and economical fights and disputes finally ended for Peschiera as well.  Its historical center preserves the city with fortification walls, dating back to 1553, and is set inside a huge star-shaped fortress completely surrounded by a moat.

In the narrow streets of the town’s center there are an abundance of attractive shops and bars. Monday is market day~ wander through this traditional Italian market with its street traders  and venders and all the alluring scents of fresh market produce. The wines produced in this area include the very famous Lugana, an excellent white wine.  Legend has it that in Lugana, wine flowed from a fountain built in Peschiera in celebration of the first stay of king Charles V, coming back from his coronation in Bologna in 1530. 

The Islands
Lake Garda has a surface area spanning 370 kmq, and a depth reaching 346 mt.  The lake’s islands are: Garda island, near Portese and San Felice; Trimellone island, near Cassone; Olive island, opposite Malcesine hospital; Dream island; and San Biagio island, near the Rocca di Manerba.  The “Benaco” is crossed, from Punta San Vigilio to visit the Sirmione caves. 

The “Falstaff” is an 11 mt. long boat, holding up to 10 passengers and includes a stereo, full kitchen, indoor shower, and sleeps up to 6 people.  Our guests are invited on board.

Spa The 5 star spa is refined, elegant and comfortable, perfect for offering an unforgettable pampering experience. Whether it’s a full day service or a facial, pedicure and manicure, you will feel (and look!) beautiful. 

Soft leather lounge sofas in large candle-lit rooms is the setting for the ultimate body treatment, facial, manicure or pedicure All the spa treatments are of high quality using organic plant origins. Each spa treatment is paired with relaxing music to help both body and mind unwind.

Sunday

• Arrival and check-in.
• Morning at your leisure to enjoy Lake Garda and its surroundings.  Staff is at your disposal to suggest some brief excursions or a relaxing treatment at the spa. 
• In the afternoon, at 6.00 pm, you will have your first cooking lesson.  You will learn how to make and garnish both warm and cold and spicy canapés.
• After the lesson, a complete tasting follows, with the foods made in class,  aperitivo included. 
• Dinner follows at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant “Il Ramo”.

Monday

• Full American breakfast
• Morning: visit at your leisure to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet.
• Transfer to and from Verona included.
• Alternatively: opt for an exceptional wine tasting tour in the wine cellars of the Valpolicella Valley, discovering the king of the red wines: “Amarone”.
• Break for lunch.  Lunch is on your own.
• An afternoon class at 4:00 pm features “ home made pasta and pizza”. Our chef Giorgio Lecchi will take you through the secrets of making the perfect pasta dough and pizza crust, including the technique for making the yeast, then working and baking the dough.
• Dinner followed at our “Locanda ai Capitani” tasting the dishes prepared in class.

Tuesday 

• Full American breakfast
• The morning starts out with a 10 am cooking class, and features “The Italian Masterpiece~ Il Gelato – Ice Cream”. Lunch on your own. 
• Afternoon: all aboard the hotel’s lobster boat where our captain will take you on a trip of the  most fascinating places on the lake. Ice cream tasting on the boat at sunset as you sit abck and relax, gently rocked by the waves.
• Gala Dinner at hotel’s gourmet restaurant “Il Ramo”.  Diplomas delivered to all the guests attending cooking classes.

Wednesday

• Full American breakfast.
• Check-out e partenza. Arrivederci!