Not only is Spannocchia located in the heart of Tuscany, our on-site activities and tours offer you an insider’s view of life on a Tuscan farm. Guests can enjoy hiking through the estate, touring the gardens, and visiting our rare heritage-breed farm animals. Foodies, history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and families will all find plenty to do on the estate and touring the region.
For more than fifty years, Spannocchia has been working with educational institutions, artistic programs and environmental groups to offer unique customized tours to visitors from around the world. We invite you to join a group and explore your passion in Italian culture, cuisine, history, art, music or many other enriching programs offered throughout the year.
A TAVOLA! Discovering Food & Wine in Tuscany
Time: April 16, 2020 @ – April 23, 2020 @
Contact us for more information! Program Description: We are excited to offer our popular A Tavola program for the fourth time! In Italian a tavola! means “at the table” or a command “to the table!” – this concept is fundamental in Italian culture because the table is where everyone meets to break bread, share laughter and stories, and deepen connections. It is as ...
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A TAVOLA! Discovering Food & Wine in Tuscany
Contact us for more information! Program Description: We are excited to offer our popular A Tavola program for the fourth time! In Italian a tavola! means “at the table” or a command “to the table!” – this concept is fundamental in Italian culture because the table is where everyone meets to break bread, share laughter and stories, and deepen connections. It is as much about feeding your body as about feeding your soul. The Discovering Food and Wine in Tuscany program combines a…
Walk, Wine & Dine through Tuscany
Discover the best of Tuscany! This small group tour of Tuscany will explore picturesque Tuscan towns, while enjoying the world-renowned food and wine of the area. Taylored Tours’ Walk, Wine, & Dine through Tuscany includes a 6 night stay at an agricultural estate that dates back to the 12th century. It is surrounded by a beautiful nature reserve on 1100 acres (perfect for hiking and exploring). Daily breakfasts and four-course family style traditional Italian dinners are included with your Tuscan…
ENVR E-143 Sustainable Food Enterprises in Rural Areas: Evaluating American versus European Practices in Tuscany
https://vimeo.com/167057640 Mark Leighton, PhD Associate Director and Senior Research Advisor, Sustainability, Harvard Extension School Course Link Globally, metropolitan areas have prospered economically while rural areas have been left behind. The course focuses on sustainability opportunities and enterprises in these rural landscapes. Emphasis is on the benefits of small-scale organic farm enterprises, typically with diverse production systems, common historically and now resurgent in the farm to table and local food movement as alternatives to industrial agriculture. Although of global relevance, the…
A Taste of Tuscany Creatives Retreat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyTP_HcPzb4&feature=youtu.be Join Angela Powers and Traveling Painters as we return to Spannocchia for an unforgettable adventure for creatives at a magical working farm in Tuscany. There is something to excite everyone: hiking paths, farm animals, verdant gardens, a swimming pool, cooking classes, beautiful vistas, centuries of rural history, great wine and fantastic food. We will experience a taste of Tuscany and farm life at Spannocchia, all while documenting/journaling our fabulous adventure. Paints, journals and art instruction are included. Soak in…
Drawing to See
Observe the world more deeply by drawing what you see. Learn the skills and devices to draw what you see in the natural and built environment. Discuss the roots of drawing and its changing and enduring function while viewing historical examples. Consider the broad definition of what a drawing can be. In response to the observation of the visual material presented, work with a variety of early techniques and materials as well as experimental materials and processes. Each material…
Stone and Sky – Painting workshop with David Skinner
Many years ago, as an undergraduate studying fine art at the University of California at Santa Barbara, I spent a semester in Europe as part of a study abroad program that focused on art. Twenty students along with two professors took over a pensione in Florence for a month, immersing ourselves in the art and culture of the Rennaisance. It was a life-changing trip and the beginning of my love of all things Italian. So it is with great excitement…
Visual Explorations with Jerrod Partridge
You have never really seen something until you have tried to draw or paint it. We invite you to join fellow artists for a week long visual exploration to “really see” the splendid Tuscan region of Italy based at the medieval castle and organic agricultural estate of Spannocchia. In addition to your own exploration you will have the opportunity to learn various drawing and painting techniques from professional artist Jerrod Partridge. The beautiful and luscious spaces of the estate will…
Music Adventure
Music Adventure Chamber Music for Young Artists Music Adventure is an intensive chamber music program for motivated high school students set in the heart of Tuscany, birthplace of the Renaissance. In residence at Tenuta di Spannocchia, nurtured and nourished by the caring faculty and Spannocchia staff, students are introduced to the culture, history and cuisine of the region. Intensive chamber music sessions, individual practice, private lessons, string orchestra, master classes and concerts are mixed with travel, sightseeing, hikes, Italian and T’ai Chi…
Tuscany Wellness Retreat with Suzanne Lynch
Step into a world of possibility, exquisite food, Italian culture, and deep relaxation. Italy is a country of incredible beauty and we’ll be staying in one of its most gorgeous regions. On this trip we’ll explore medieval hilltop towns, sun drenched vineyards, Renaissance art and architecture, and stunning landscapes. We’ll support your body, mind and heart with optional daily morning yoga classes, meditation, as well as sessions of relaxing yoga in the late afternoon. For most of our trip our…
Plein Air Tuscany with Christine Lashley
This will be the 3rd time I've visited this amazing location and it is truly special. We visit hill towns, including Siena, and have an art studio at the farm estate. Fly in and out of Florence. Price is for shared room and includes all meals (except one dinner), art instruction, lodging, ground transportation to/from the Tuscan estate from Florence and 2 day-trips to historic hill-towns for shopping, painting and sight-seeing. Upgrades available for private bath and single room. This…
Plan A Customized Travel Program in the Heart of Tuscany
Bring a group and explore Castello di Spannocchia, an organic working farm and education center located in the heart of Tuscany, near Siena! With hundreds of acres of natural preserve, the Spannocchia property is an idyllic setting to soak in the beauty of the Italian landscape, inspire creativity and learn about the protection and conservation of Italian culture, cuisine and nature.
Using Spannocchia as a base for housing and meals, student and adult program groups conduct intensive artistic or instructional workshops in the Castello’s studio space, explore the rich history and culture of the region through day trips to nearby Siena and Florence, or use the land and its organic products to learn about Tuscan cooking and organic farming and sustainability.
We are honored to have been chosen to host accredited academic programs from many institutions of higher learning.
