Wimco Announces Private Cooking Classes in your Vacation Villa in Tuscany

PRIVATE COOKING CLASSES IN YOUR OWN TUSCAN VILLA
AVAILABLE THROUGH DESTINATION SPECIALIST WIMCO

NEWPORT, R.I., February 2003 - The stone walls of an ancient villa's kitchen exude the possibilities of exquisite regional cuisine - fatto a mano by the villa guests themselves. Private cooking classes in a vacation Tuscan villa are now available through Italian destination specialist Wimco, the luxury vacation villa and hotel reservations company.

"Whether our clients are first or fourth time visitors to Italy, they are always interested in the cuisine of the region where their villa is located," says Janis Gordon, Wimco's Vice President Sales & Marketing. "This year we are pleased to offer a selection of 20 Tuscan villas where guests can enjoy private cooking lessons in their own villa kitchen. Programs are especially popular in the shoulder seasons of April/May and September/October."

The program features 10 featured specialty chefs, each with a particular culinary flair and all experts on Tuscan cuisine. The program, exclusive of accommodation, is $1,140 for up to eight people ($90 per person additional), inclusive of groceries and wine. Customized programs include private lessons in three 3-hour sessions that reveal the secrets and history of Tuscan cuisine and wines. A 5-course dinner that guests help prepare follows in-villa demonstrations.

The culinary programs are hosted in 3- to 6-bedroom villas with rates from $6,000 a week for a 3-bedroom villa in April, May or October (slightly higher from June through September). Information on Wimco's Italian programs and some of the participating villas -- Sassaia, Cappella, Greggianello, Palazzetto, Casello, Monticchia and Aiola -- is available on www.wimco.com or by calling 800-932-3222. Programs offering other enhancements are featured on the web's 'Specials Page.'

Wimco offers over 1,000 luxury villas and distinctive hotels and resorts internationally in such select areas as Italy's Tuscany and Umbria regions, France's Provence and St. Tropez and in the Caribbean (680 villas on 12 islands including St. Barts, St. Martin, Mustique, Nevis, Anguilla, Barbados and others). For information, write Wimco, PO Box 14671, Newport, RI 02840.

PRESS CONTACT: Widness Public Relations International
802-234-9096
sara@widnesspr.com