To paraphrase Chef Paola - if you want a recipe and instructions for a dish, look on the internet; if you want to learn how to apply Tuscan passion to fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods, then go on a course at Tuscookany.

The kitchen is amazingly well-equipped and Chef Paola is supported by a great team who made us all feel so welcome and looked after us to the highest standards. Paola's passion and enthusiasm and humour are infectious and whatever standard of cook you are, you will definitely learn new insights and a different way of thinking about cooking.

Learning about food extends beyond the four half-day cooking lessons. The excursion day took us to the local producers listed by Inin in a separate review. There is also a free day to recover and choose your own activities for sightseeing or just enjoying the beautiful grounds and well-kept gardens of Casa Ombuto.

I travelled alone and without a car. Our host, Alex, could not have been more helpful, driving me to and from the local town, Poppi, to catch buses/trains. The house and setting are beautiful and rooms are comfortable with lovely bathrooms. There is plenty to do at the villa during the free mornings - walks with incredible views across the valley, sitting by the pool, just enjoying the peace and beauty of the area on one of the terraces. A great place to recharge your batteries.

I found it easy and cheap to get to Poppi by bus (shuttle bus from Florence airport to Florence train station SMN E10 return, then go around the corner from SMN to the Sitabus station and take the bus towards Bibbiena, which goes direct to Poppi E10 return, takes two hours driving through the most beautiful countryside. I found this route more straightforward than the train which requires a change at Arezzo.)