Italy

This is probably the most thrilling, exciting and wonderful event I have organised in the history of being Fat Gay Vegan. I am beyond proud to announce Cucina Abruzzo, a week-long vegan cooking adventure in the stunning Italian countryside.

Join vegan chef Sara Mittersteiner (Facebook and Twitter) for an entire week of exquisite plant-based cooking instruction, sumptuous communal eating and fascinating day trips through Abruzzo, one of the most beautiful regions in Italy.

Cucina Abruzzo runs between 14 and 21 June, 2015 and guests will be left wanting for nothing. The price for the week-long vacation includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in gorgeous villa or converted barn
• 100% vegan meals crafted by Chef Sara
• Daily cooking classes (Monday to Friday – see below for more info)
• Day trip to nearby Abruzzo landmarks
• Wine sampling from local producers
• On site swimming pool
• Airport transfer to and from Pescara airport (Ryanair flies daily to/from Stansted) – flights not included

Our stunning accommodation is set on a 1000 tree olive grove, home to Mirabilia Organic Olive Leaf Tea. Mirabilia owners Bimbi and Spencer will be on hand, ensuring all guests have a truly unparalleled experience. They will escort our group on a tour of their olive grove and afford us a behind the scenes look at the fascinating process employed to create their organic olive leaf tea. You can follow Mirabilia on Twitter.

Situated on the plateau ‘Piano La Roma’ in the middle of the important archaeological site of ‘Cluviae’ between the hilltop towns of Guardiagrele and Casoli, the property has panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Being situated on the edge of an escarpment affords guests views to the south over the village of Palombaro, the lake and 12th century tower of Casoli, and on to the mountains of Roccaraso. To the east, a sea view, to the west, the majestic Maiella mountain and the Parco Nazionale, and behind the house, its own grove of olive trees. It is in a tiny hamlet of farm dwellings and barns, and the immediate area is completely agricultural and unspoilt.

This is the Italy many tourists have never experienced. Simply beautiful.

About the cooking classes:

A week in the Italian natural kitchen with Sara

Experience Italian food in its pure essence with Sara, a native Italian foodie who moved to London a few years ago to share her passion and love for the genuine comfort Italian food of her homeland.

Sara will transport you to the culinary beauty of Abruzzo where you’ll use the freshest seasonal herbs and ingredients to cook the tastiest Italian dishes. You will learn to make very simple (but mouthwatering) Italian recipes without using any animal ingredients, only what nature seasonally offers. This will include handcrafted pastas, freshly baked goods, vegetable main dishes and irresistible staples such as dips, sauces and sides to enjoy with your favourite dishes. Desserts are never missing when Sara’s wearing her apron and you’ll get your hands covered in flour between tales of her new London adventures and the funniest anecdotes from growing up in an Italian family.

About Abruzzo:

The unknown ‘green heart of Italy’ where one can still live the genuine Italian lifestyle

Abruzzo is one of the most historically fascinating areas of Italy, with much archaeological evidence dating back to pre-Roman times. Its earliest inhabitants were the Picenians, who along with the Sanitti, the Vestinians, the Marsians, Equians and Praetutions were ruthlessly overcome by the might of the Roman invaders and forced into submission in 90BC. Their hilltop settlements are still to be seen in Abruzzo’s many villages and towns, from L’Aquila and Sulmona in the Abruzzan uplands to Guardiagrele, Casoli and Roccascalegna facing the Adriatic sea over the littoral plains. The poet Ovid and Historian Sallust were both Abruzzan, as was, much later, Gabriele d’Annunzio, poet, playwright and hero of the Italian Risorgimento.

The countryside is stunning in its magnificence – on the west the Apennines and the huge National Parks of the Gran Sasso, the Maiella and the Sirente Velino. Here are vast tracts of forest (oak, beech and chestnut) populated with golden eagles, chamois, lynxes, deer and wild boar. There are wolves and even bears to be found in these silent glades. Above them the mountains, almost lunar in their bare splendour. There is much here for the keen hiker or climber, with huts and refuges for overnight use. Skiing has also developed into a major sport, with over 22 resorts round Aquila in the north alone, and also Roccaraso, the southernmost resort of the Apennines, much favoured by Neapolitans and Romans alike. To the east, miles of fabulous beaches on the Adriatic, ranging from the sophistication of Pescara to the untamed Vasto peninsula, reminiscent of the wilder reaches of the North Cornish coast.

Cucina Abruzzo is set to be a vegan adventure like no other. Food, sunshine, fresh air and stunning countryside.

Be quick to secure your place.

Email sean@fgvpr.co.uk to reserve one of the following options:

Main villa

• Room 1: reserved for your hosts Bimbi and Spencer
• Room 2: double bed, en suite shower room, access to balcony with views to the south and mountains £1665
• Room 3: two single antique beds, en suite shower room, direct access to massive balcony with view over olive groves £1640
• Room 4: double four poster bed, shared (with room 5) bathroom with tub and shower, view over balcony and olive groves £1440
• Room 5: two single beds, shared (with room 4) bathroom with tub and shower, view of mountains £1440

Adjoining barn

• Room 6: double bed, shared (with room 7) bathroom with large shower, ground floor with swimming pool view £1440
• Room 7: two single beds, shared (with room 6) bathroom with large shower, ground floor with swimming pool view £1440
• Room 8: double bed, copper bath with hand held shower in bedroom, upstairs with balcony £1590

All prices are per-room for the entire week regardless of one- or two-person occupancy.

Extra notes:

• You have the option of being collected from the airport, but we strongly recommend you hire your own vehicle from the airport to take full advantage of the stunning surroundings during your stay. The accommodation is extremely close to the breathtaking national park and glistening coastal beaches are just half an hour away. The cooking classes will be structured to allow you plenty of time to explore the countryside. A suggestion could be to team up with people in another room to share a car.
• Of course weather is unpredictable. We encourage you to bring clothing suitable for sunshine and rain, however our experience shows we should experience mostly sunshine with temperatures in the low to mid 20s during the day.
• The nearest airport is Pescara (40 minutes by car), but it is also possible to drive from Rome in just over two hours. Ryanair has the best prices with daily flights from the UK.
• Once you book, we require a £150 non-refundable deposit to hold your choice of room. The remaining fee needs to be paid in full by the end of April 2015 via bank transfer. Any booking not settled by April 30, 2015 will result in cancellation and loss of deposit.

Email Sean at sean@fgvpr.co.uk if you have any questions.