Apart from the cookery school, there's Florence with its beauty and culture. Cucina con Vista organizes activities which are coupled with the cookery classes.For those who stay even for only few days in Florence, Elena offers the chance to live the typical atmosphere of Florentine life complementing cooking activities with the cookery classes: guided tour of the Sant'Ambrogio market, promenade through the marvellous hills surrounding Florence or wine tours through Chianti.

1) VISIT OF ST. AMBROGIO MARKET IN FLORENCE Elena will guide you through the most Florentine market in Florence: the Sant'Ambrogio Market is the heart of Santa Croce, still one of the most popular neighborhoods in Florence.The market square is like walking into a small village. No cars are allowed around the entire area and everyone knows everyone else. Visiting the Sant'Ambrogio open market is definitely a true cultural experience in Florentine living. You will hear the vendors and the customers laughing, making jokes, yelling out their wares, arguing prices, all in pure Florentine.Towards the end of the market, some of the local farmers have stands where you can find fresh flowers in the spring. When you buy a bunch of flowers, don't be surprised if you also get three carrots and a head of garlic to round off the price. *One of the rarest Florentine culinary specialties is found in this market- a sandwich with "lampredotto", the pancreas. For just a few Euro your taste buds can enjoy real Florentine culinary culture. You can also buy tripe which is easily found in other parts of Italy as well, but you will be able to delight in the taste of lampredotto only in Florence. 2) PROMENADES Relaxing walks that convey the Florentine atmosphere of yesterday. The beauty of the Villas and Churches is blended with Tuscan nature that afford breathtaking views of the city. Experience Florence from another perspective! Just an example of our relaxing promenade: Time: 2,5 hours Starting from: Monte alle Croci Arriving: San Niccolò Walking through: Piazzale Michelangelo-San Miniato Curch-Via Torre del Gallo-Pian de' Giullari. 3) WINE TOUR From magnificent estates and cellars down to family winemakers, in collaboration with a specialized Agency, Cucina con Vista organizes custom-made tasting tours to introduce you to the special world of Tuscan wine culture, both past and present thanks to our collaboration with best sommeliers. Staying in exclusive, breathtaking locations, you will meet and can converse with the owners on the ever increasing interest on wine and its production, enjoying the extraordinarily friendly atmosphere that only we provide for our clients. All of our wine tours are personalized according to our clients desires, should they wish to visit a particular vineyard or taste a specific wine.The tours will take you to on a discovery of wines and wineries from Chianti, the hills of Lucca, the ‘super Tuscans’ of the Tirrenica area down south of Tuscany and the ‘nobili’ wines of Montepulciano and the ‘brunelli’ of Montalcino. The wine tastings are always accompanied by delicious appetizers and guided by sommelier. When it is possible we always try to organize lunch at the winery enabling you to get to know the owners and wine-makers who will express their culture and passion for wine!After lunch and a short break in which you are able to admire the Tuscan landscapes or perhaps visit a particular place of interest (a small nearby town or church for example) we will move on to the second winery. . We seek to uncover the truths of a wide variety of winemaking to give you complete panorama and to highlight the varieties and differences that characterize the world of wine. 4)PERSONAL SHOPPING IN FLORENCE Florence is a unique shopping paradise that offers products of ancient handcrafted tradition and modern fashion talent. For over 400 years and since the days of the Medici, Florentine artisans have been renowned masters of many materials, such as gold, ceramics, iron, wood, bronze, marble and textiles. This historical artisan tradition is still alive today in the workshops (botteghe) in the center and Oltrarno district of Florence. Your native Florentine guide will open these workshop doors for you and reveal a world of craftsmanship and preciousness that most believe had long since disappeared. In addition to these ancient treasures, Florence shopping includes an exciting and modern variety of the most famous Italian designer’s boutiques and showrooms. You will be enchanted by their sophisticated displays of luxurious, contemporary clothing, accessories, leather garments, shoes, bags, and jewelry. All are made with extraordinary care, illustrating the creativity and talent of Italian fashion designers. Each tour is personalized according to the client’s requirements. Before your tour your guide will contact you to discuss your interests and objectives. Then a time-efficient itinerary will be carefully planned. Of course, help will be offered with all of your tax-free documents and shipping needs. Services not available on Sundays.