The Chef's Villa - Perugia, Assisi, Trevi & Montefalco™

Join Chef Elena and Massimo, her husband, at their historical family palazzo in the heart of Trevi. You’ll be sipping the famous Montefalco wine and immersing yourself in the culture of Italy’s green heart while cooking delicious Umbrian cuisine.  During your stay, discover Trevi in a Food Lovers’ Walk with Chef Elena that delves into the artisan way of local ingredients and the food culture and history of this region.  You’ll discover Montefalco, Perugia, Deruta and Assisi along with Umbria food and wine!

Our chef welcome you into the kitchen, where you will participate in hands-on cooking classes with warm Umbrian hospitality.  Traditional cooking classes of Umbria, guided tours and extraordinary wine tastings are the perfect ingredients for this delicious culinary tour.   

Trevi, Perugia and Assisi conjure up images of Saint Francesco, Perugia chocolate and emerald green olive oil.  Umbria is a land brimming with verdant landscapes, peaceful Medieval villages and ancient art.  Perugia, Umbria’s capital, is known for its hazelnut-dipped chocolate Baci wrapped in silver paper with a poetic note inside. There’s also the international jazz festival, Deruta ceramics and tesuti Montefalco, handmade linens – all part of a tradition you’ll experience during your week in Umbria!!!

Between your cooking classes in Umbria and visits to famous landmarks in Perugia, Assisi and Deruta you’ll see the Museo della Civilita’ dell’Olive, the extra virgin olive oil museum, where you’ll deepen your appreciation for olive oil.  In season, add on a truffle hunt or a visit to Todi.  Check into this beautiful property and relax because we have a fun-filled and delicious week planned for you!!!

Umbrian Cooking Classes

Chef Elena and Massimo your hosts welcome you to the historical palazzo and kitchen in Trevi for your Cooking Vacations hands-on cooking classes featuring traditional Umbrian fare.  Their philosophy respects tradition of the territory and cooking in the rhythm of the seasons.  You will mix and roll out such specialities such as stringozzi or strangozzi – a thick pasta type served with wild asparagus; handmade tagliatelle; chestnut soup; creamy risotto with asparagus.  Both meat and fish reign in this part of the world where products from the green hills and local lakes are staples – from fresh farm-to-table fruits and vegetables to naturally-raised meat and game.  Think roasted rabbit, boar, venison, goose or duck served with braised fennel, grilled pumpkin and stuffed eggplant. Fresh water shrimp, trout and perch are also prepared in our hands-on classes for those who like fish.  Black and white truffles are shaved on risotto and fresh pasta.  Creamy butter, farm fresh eggs, sugar and flour transform into delicious desserts like biscotti, panna cotta, cakes, fruit tarts, and semifreddo, a creamy half-frozen gelato. Following each cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of local wine.

Trevi & The Olive Oil Museum

Trevi is a charming Medieval borgo located on the top of a hill in Umbria, with incredible views over Assisi and Spoleto. Rich in art and history, Trevi was constructed in concentric circles, and resembles a spiral-shaped shell that preserves intact its ancient heart. Trevi is also surrounded by two sets of ancient walls: the interior wall is the mura romane, the Roman walls, which have protected this fortified town in its strategic position on the hill since the first century BC. Little remains of the Roman walls today; however, the outer walls, the mura medievali, dating from 1264 AD, still enclose the historic center of Trevi.  It is also known for extra virgin olive oil and the Museo della Civilita’ dell’Olivo, a museum dedicated to local olives and olive oil.  The museum celebrates the rich heritage in olive oil making in Trevi and Umbria, and traces the history of this art form.  Not far from Trevi stands a 1700 year-old olive tree named after Saint Emiliano, the patron saint of the town, that is one of the oldest olive trees in Italy. You won’t have trouble finding it, as it is the only olive tree with one of the largest trunks you’ll see.

Umbria Accommodations

Set in the heart of Trevi, the historical stone palazzo dates back to 1480, and is one of the most exclusive properties with a charming history.  Privately owned and with our hostesses on site, you are welcomed like family in the deluxe three star property.  Check in, relax and sip a wine under stone vaulted arches; there’s also an outdoor caffe and breakfast room.  Each room is elegantly decorated in Umbrian decor with Italian linens, comfortable beds and artisan furniture.  Wooden beam ceilings and frescoes dazzle, permeating an old world charm.  Each room offers views over the ancient city or the valley.  Each bedroom has a private ensuite bathroom and beautiful Italian ceramics.  Complete with all the amenities one can ask for, including Italian breakfast served daily with artisan bread, toast, yogurt, granola, pastry and cakes, coffee, tea and fruit juices included.

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Itinerary~ 7 Days, 6 Nights

*Note: This schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saint days or festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the program.