Tuscan Way offers early booking discount on Italian cooking trips

Tuscan Way is offering a 10 percent price reduction for all guests booking any 2008 departure by Jan. 15. The discount applies to the seven-day cooking course and wine vacations, now offered by eight locations throughout Tuscany from a picturesque medieval five-story home in the small village of Arcidosso to a luxurious Italian villa nestled amongst organic olive groves, Sangiovese vineyards and medieval forests. Normal prices range from $2,217 to $4,315 per person, double discounted fares are $1,995 to $3,884. Stay in ancient splendor Settings include the 1,000-year-old Casa Innocenti and the quaint La Locanda del Prete in Arcidosso; Villa Gaia, in the rolling hills of Monte Amiata; Villa Pogiarello in the elegant Maremma countryside; Villa Castelletti, an estate in Northern Tuscany; Bagni Vignoni in the Val d'Orcia; Cortona-Rose Winds, a beautifully restored 18th century farm estate in Cortona; and Villa Torremozza, a perfect country hideaway just outside Florence. And come home a chef! All courses include accommodations, meals, wine, transfers and local transportation for scheduled excursions. There are up to five hands-on cooking courses during the seven-day package, wine-tasting sessions and escorted visits through the local markets, restaurants and vineyards. Reservations, brochures and information can be obtained from Tuscan Way, 2829 Bird Ave., PMB 242, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; (800) 766-2390 or (305) 598-8368; www.tuscanway.com.