SWEET RETREAT Two Night Amedei Chocolate Break with Michelin Star Dining in Florence

Known for beautiful landscapes and boutique wineries, Tuscany offers more than just acres of vines. In an area dubbed ‘Chocolate Valley’ - between Pisa, Pistoia and Prato – chocophiles can discover the finest Italian chocolate makers.

In Pontedera, lies Amedei. Ranked among the best chocolate craftsmen in the world, Amedei was set up in 1990 by owner and maître chocolatier, Cecilia Tessieri. In a short time it has achieved critical acclaim for rich, creamy textures and full-bodied flavours. Amedei has won the Chocolate Academy of London’s prestigious “Golden Bean” award in the bean-to-bar category an incredible six times.

Using the extremely rare Venezuelan Porcelana cocoa beans, of which there is only enough to produce 3,000 kilos per year, Amedei produces just 20,000 50g chocolate bars annually, each of which are individually numbered on the back of the pack.

The chocolatiers are now opening their doors for the first time in their history, allowing visitors to discover the path that this exquisite chocolate takes from cocoa bean to the creation of Amedei bars. You will also learn the art of tasting chocolate, tasting both chocolates and pralines.

Next up on this gastronomic journey is a truffle tasting at Savini Truffles. Today, just as when it was founded in 1920, Savini’s gathers fresh truffles each season and are a Tuscan institution. Learn all about the truffle; Savini’s will teach you how to recognise, select and cook truffles. To end the day, enjoy the late afternoon sun over a wine tasting and tour of the vineyards at an organic farm in Chianti.

On the second evening, indulge with a tasting menu dinner at Michelin-starred Restaurant Borgo San Jacopo in Florence. The restaurant is located inside Hotel Lungarno and offers stunning views across the river Arno.

Experienced chef Peter Brunel, serves fresh, original and contemporary interpretations of Tuscan and Italian dishes. His selected tasting menu focuses on the richness and abundance of high quality local ingredients, with a balanced approach to experimentation in the kitchen. Feast on Tuscan meats, cheeses and fresh fish alongside an extraordinary wine list made up of over 500 prestigious labels.

Sample Chocolate Tasting

• Crema Toscana – hazelnut spreadable cream
• Toscano Brown – milk chocolate
• Toscano Black 70% – dark chocolate 70%
• Toscano Blond – dark chocolate 63% with peaches and apricots (summer)
• Toscano Red – dark chocolate 70% with strawberries, cherries and raspberries (summer)
• White Milk Chocolate with pistachios (winter)
• Milk Chocolate with hazelnuts (winter)
• Madagascar – dark chocolate mono-origin 70% from Madagascar
• Jamaica – dark chocolate mono-origin 70% from Jamaica
• “9” – dark chocolate 75% winning the Golden Bean in 2011
• Cold (summer) or hot (winter) drinking chocolate