Course Overview - Pilates and Culinary Experiences
Our farmhouse offers guests the possibility of taking both Pilates and Italian cooking courses in a unique double activity vacation. Guests can elect on a daily basis to take one, or both activities, or skip a session and just chill out and enjoy the great facilities.

The property has been remodelled around an old Piemontese farmhouse set within its own certified organic vineyard and kitchen gardens in the most stunning 'eagles nest' location overlooking hilltop villages and vineyard covered hills and valleys in Southern Piedmonte, North West Italy.

For programme activities, the teaching kitchen and Pilates studio are equipped to the highest professional standards.

Pilates: This is aimed at people of all ages and ability. The Pilates Method can help you to become flexible, increase mobility, tones the body and helps you unwind. Our studio offers both Classical and Mat based Pilates. Experienced and highly qualified Pilates teachers are recruited from the UK and USA, and after a consultation etc, the resident Pilates teacher will be able to offer you a fun, safe and effective training programme. Guests who are experienced in Pilates can use the studio equipment at any time of their stay without supervision. Studio re-equipped for the 2008 season with Balanced Body equipment.

Cooking: Limited to 8 hands on students, you will be under the guidance of chef Gino Minacapilli. Gino who has extensive knowledge both as a top class chef and in hotel management. Gino and will guide you through the selection, preparation, cooking and finally the eating of what you have jointly created.

Guests can also cook with the owner Robyn who prepares most lunches, learning from her extensive repertoire of dishes and her healthy cooking techniques taking maximum advantage of seasonal vegetables and herbs from the our organic vegetable gardens or local markets.

Wine & gourmet events: Tartufo, wine & Slow Food festivals are a way of life in Piemonte; there are just so many fabulous wine, ristorante and food festivals to visit throughout the year that you could visit a number of these events virtually every week. These make ideal activities for your partner while you are slaving away in the kitchen or gym.  Alternatively, you could miss the class for the day and participate! We provide the information on what's happening locally each week.

Pricing
Week - 7 nights, Monday to Monday	€1,600 to €1,950
Start of the week - Monday to Thursday	€800 to €1,000
Long Weekend - Thursday to Monday	€1,050 to €1,350
Each week the first 2 solo travelers visiting for the 7 night programme can occupy a bedroom at the standard rate. With only 5 guest bedrooms available, a supplement of 20% will be charged for the remaining bedrooms with solo occupancy. Please contact us to check this availability. Each year we also offer a number of Solo Traveller only weeks. Please enquire for the dates if this is of interest to you.

Accommodation
This exclusive property has just 5 luxuriously appointed guest bedrooms, all en suite with flat screen satellite TV and WiFi. Every bedroom and bathroom has amazing panoramic views and from some you can see the Alps on a clear day. We have extensive facilities for your relaxation and enjoyment including a swimming pool, sauna, & steam rooms, a large south-facing terrace, a home cinema and a library. Throughout the property you can always find a secluded area for a siesta or quiet read.

or programme activities, the teaching kitchen and Pilates studio are equipped to the highest professional standards.

Cascina Papaveri offers fully inclusive vacations

What does 'all inclusive' really mean?
The intention is for guests not to worry about the 'final bill' with all the extras that hotels dream up. It is easier to list the items not included.

• Airfares and airport transfers. (Transfers from Asti rail station at no cost).
• Internet low cost telephone calls charged at actual cost.
• Travel and health insurance.
• Go Truffle hunting in season; black truffles can be found most of the year, and white from early October through to January. Cost per person Euro 35.
• Everything including all taxes and tips is included.

Tutor
Experienced and highly qualified Pilates teachers are recruited from the UK and USA. to teach in the Pilates Studio. The resident Pilates teacher will be able to offer fun, safe and effective training programmes for those who are new to Pilates and those who are experienced.

Location
Located in Piemonte, we are in an area not over run by tourists. The people are genuinely pleased to see you and prices in bars and ristorante are not inflated. From here you can be in the Alps, at the beach, or on the northern lakes within 2 hours drive. Hosting the winter 2006 Olympics has transformed Turino and the Alpine winter sports facilities into a world class destination.

Turino the capital of Piemonte is an elegent French influenced city of wide boulevards and famous museums and of course the shroud. South East Piemonte centred around Asti, Alba, Bra and Cortemilia is the wine and gastronomic powerhouse of Italy.

Virtually every weekend throughout the year, villages hold events and festivals re enacting historical events or celebrating local food and wine.

How to Get to Us

• By Air: Airports of Milano, Turino, and Genoa are all within 1.5-2 hours drive serving low cost European flights with International flights from Malpensa, Milano.
• By Train: Asti station has excellent rail connections to the whole of Italy and continental Europe.
• Driving distances: Turino 1.25 hours Milano and Genoa 1.75 hours Olympic standard ski fields 2 hours as are the lakes and Aosta. The beaches of the Italian Riviera will be less then 1.5hours drive following the opening of the new Asti to Cuneo motorway in 2006. Cinque Terre the fabulous hill top fishing villages 2.5 hours. Serravalle, the large designer store outlet near Genova is 1.5 hours. Nice, Zurich and Geneva are a 4 hour drive. Calais on the English Channel is a 13 hour drive.
• Full directions are available for both car and rail travel.