culinary tours of tuscany

Cook In Tuscany

Cook, Eat, Play, Travel

Indulge yourself in the Tuscan lifestyle and discover the region’s passion for food and fun.

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With a love of food and travel, Linda & George found their calling in Tuscany. Click to learn more.

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Culinary Vacation Testimonials

After sharing time in the kitchen with new friends and your new “Nonna,” we get to eat. We will sit around the table on patios, in gardens and sometimes in the kitchen and share the fruits of our labor. We will dine on homemade gnocchi, tagliatelli, bruschetta, herb chicken, stuffed flowers and original to Montefollonico–the thick ribbons of handmade eggless pasta–pici. And of course, no meal is complete in Tuscany without a few good bottles of vino. Did we mention we drink over 32 different wines (and that doesn’t include wine tastings) during the week? We will also travel to neighboring villages and dine at renowned restaurants each day.

After all the food and vino we are ready to play the Tuscan Way. Walk the cobblestone streets of villages, shop at local markets, visit wineries and cheese makers, see historical sights, stop for a cappuccino and locally made pastries and let us treat you to the best gelato in Tuscany. Leave all of your worries to us. We are with you every day–from morning to evening. Let George make you a morning cappuccino and walk the streets with Linda as she shows you all of the great shops and shares the history of the local villages. You are our personal guest. You will learn by being immersed in the relaxing Italian culture as we introduce you to our friends–the local people of Tuscany.

Local Classes Taught By Tuscan Women

If you’re looking for professional chefs, you won’t find them here. Our classes are taught by local Tuscan women; they immerse you in the local culture where you will experience a true Tuscan culinary “occasion” like no other.

We Love Tuscany!

We love Italian food so much we started our own cooking school in Italy! And while we realize not everyone can come to cook with us in Tuscany, we love sharing our life and experiences. 

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The ultimate foodie tour of Tuscany

Mar 30, 2016 • 5 min read

Tuscany combines delicious fresh flavours with breathtaking landscapes

If Italy can claim Europe’s most tempting cuisine, Tuscany is both its larder and its inspiration. This sun-drenched, vine-lined region is rich in slices of culinary heaven. Which makes it ripe for self-guided gourmet explorations. We’ve cherry-picked the best food and drink experiences so you can cook up your very own Tuscan foodie road trip.

Hunt for truffles near San Miniato

Throughout the year the medieval hill town of San Miniato between Pisa and Florence  is a fantastic destination for Slow Food fans. Delicious produce to sample includes the tangy local goat's cheese known as  formaggio di capra delle colline di San Miniato,  meltingly tender Chianina beef and platters piled-high with  cinta senese (indigenous Tuscan pork). But come mid-October, the townspeople have just one thing on their minds – white truffles. The truffle hunting season sees skillful locals deploying even more skillful dogs to snuffle and sniff out fragrant knobs of fungus from amid the roots of gnarled oak trees.

Get on the scent yourself on a truffle-hunting trip at Barbialla Nuova , a 500-hectare biodynamic farmstay 20km south of San Miniato. Stride beside the dogs, examine just-dug-out dirt and delight in the thrill of the hunt. Then leave with your very own-found pungent nugget of delight, to be shaved over other locally sourced treats.

Aperitivi and steak in Florence

Head east to food-obsessed Florence where aperitivi (pre-dinner drinks) are akin to a sacrosanct ritual. In fact, the complementary snacks that come with your tipple have become so copious that some smart locals are feasting on them instead of a main meal. The aperitivi scene is thriving and changeable, but spots to sip and graze in style include understated  Le Volpi e l’Uva , hipster  Volume  and plush  Noir .

If you don’t like beef bloody and blue, look away now. As that, really, is the only way to savour Florence’s iconic, chargrilled, T-boned steak: bistecca alla fiorentina . These immense slabs of prime Chianina-breed loin have a legendary status, thanks to a centuries-old tradition and a reputation as a former rebel (beef-on-the-bone was banned temporarily by the European Union in the 2000s). The best place in Florence to eat it? The bustling, shared tables of Trattoria Mario .

Chianti wineries, innovative and ancient

Chianti – the name alone conjures a glass of rich red and a horizon full of vines. Thankfully, the reality echoes the dream, as you’ll discover driving the picturesque Via Chiantigiana south from Florence. Here countless wineries shelter amid rounded hills and people talk solemnly of wine having a soul. No wonder: wine has shaped the region’s heritage, landscape and identity.

But in Chianti, past tradition also meets present innovation. Explore this duality with the Antinori family – they've been wine-making since 1385, but more recently created the uber-high-tech Antinori winery. Guided tours lead into a stunningly sculptural architectural masterpiece, past cutting-edge oenological equipment and dimly lit, barrel-filled rooms. They finish with a tutored tasting of three Antinori wines – often a citrusy Castello della Sala, a chocolatey Peppoli Chianti Classico and the intense, fruity Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva.

Farmhouse cooking lessons near Volterra

Tuscany’s bucolic back-roads wind south past outstanding restaurants delivering dishes piled high with local produce; expect cinghiale (wild boar), fragrant finocchiona (fennel-spiced sausage), sweet oven-baked red onions, modern takes on the rich miniestra di pane (bread and bean soup) and hundreds of types of pecorino (sheep’s milk cheese), ranging from fresh and mild to flavourful and aged; with pecorino di tartufo (cheese infused with black-truffle shavings) perhaps the cream of that crop.

Dining highlights include elegant  Osteria di Passignano  near Greve in Chianti, classy Ristorante Albergaccio , near Castellina in Chianti, and Panzano in Chianti’s bustling, innovative Dario DOC , with its uber-modern take on Tuscan cuisine.

Next, perfect your cooking skills at the Podere San Lorenzo , a tranquil farmhouse near Volterra. Top home-chef Mariana will guide you through making olive oil, creating pasta and perfecting Tuscan-style desserts and vegetables (picked fresh from the garden). Then sit down with your coursemates to eat your creations in the farms’ converted 12th-century chapel.

Take the Etruscan coastal road of wine and olive oil

Cooking lesson done, continue southwest towards the Etruscan coast, stopping off en route at Bolgheri . This tiny walled medieval town punches way above its culinary weight thanks to the locally produced Super Tuscan Sassicaia. One of Italy’s most highly regarded red wines, you may detect notes of liquorice, cassis and exotic fruits amid its ruby depths. Sample it, plus feasts of fennel-flecked salami, tangy cheese and tomato-topped bruschetta at  Enotica Tognoni . If you’d like to linger, check into the nearby Castello di Bolgheri to chill out in apartments beside olive groves – and get a free tour of their olive oil farm and winery.

Next take La Strada del Vino e dell’Olio ( lastradadelvino.com ), via more hill towns and extraordinary views, to the idyllic island of Elba . Agriturismo Due Palme , an enchanting farm presided over by the equally charming Fabrizio, makes the only olive oil on Elba that has been awarded the prestigious IGP stamp. Taste it for yourself, as you lounge beside your own converted farm workers’ cottage, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and orange and lemon groves.

Fine wine in Montalcino, Montepulciano and Sorano

Back on the mainland, one of Italy’s premier wine regions beckons. The hills around the walled town of Montalcino produce the mighty Brunello. Check into the sumptuous  Il Palazzo  then sip this hefty, world famous red at inviting Osticcio – perhaps while eating a creamy risotto studded with hazelnuts, red chicory and taleggio cheese.

Next it’s east to another classic Tuscan wine town: Montepulciano whose steep, cobbled streets snake up to age-old wine cellars where vaulted brick walls frame towering barrels, and staff are itching to swap tasting notes. Two of the most evocative are Cantina del Redi  and Cantine Contucci .

End your road trip still further south near Sorano at Sant’Egle , one of Tuscany’s finest organic agriturismi (farmhouses). Along with rustic-chic rooms, an utterly peaceful location and a pint-sized pool, you’ll get engaging cooking instruction on cheese and bread making, and a wealth of time-honoured Tuscan recipes using golden-yoked organic eggs, hand-rolled pasta and field-fresh veg. The best bit? Eating your creations, clustered around a farmhouse kitchen table dotted with bottles, to the sound of laughter, along-side your new-found friends.

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BOLGHERI FOOD & WINE TOURS

Bolgheri & castagneto carducci, discover our unique medieval villages, local products, culinary excellence and world-class wines on our tuscan food tours. we’ll walk with you through our charming towns and introduce you to great food specialties while telling you stories about their history and culture. we’ll take you away from the crowds, sharing with you a delicious and memorable experience in two of the best towns in tuscany, join one of our tours.

Discover the enchanting village of Bolgheri. Stroll in its old historical center through narrow alleys with their typical stone and brick houses. Visit its 17th century winery located inside the castle with vaulted brick ceilings storing fine wines. You’ll learn about ancient history and wine culture while tasting traditional recipes from our favorite small restaurants and taverns, sipping amazing Super Tuscan wines and finally indulging in an authentic homemade gelato.

Where:  Bolgheri, Tuscany When : 7 days a week Duration: 4 hours Language spoken: English Cost: Starts from 160 € per person

CASTAGNETO FOOD & DRINK TOURS

Savor your way through the narrow streets and squares of Castagneto Carducci, a small Tuscan village, while learning about the history of this thousand-year-old hilltop hamlet as well as its authentic culinary and wine traditions. We’ll stroll through this unique village, home to the famous Italian poet Carducci, peek into its ancient castle and explore secret passages known only to locals. We’ll pop into specialty shops to meet artisans and taste a variety of delicious authentic food and drinks.

Where:  Castagneto Carducci, Tuscany When : 7 days a week Duration: 4 hours Language spoken: English Cost: Starts from 160 € per person

PRIVATE FOOD & WINE TOURS

Our food-cultural-wine experiences are perfect for celebrating a special day out: corporate team building, networking with clients or a special occasion with your family and friends. We can design a tour just for you!

Where : Bolgheri or Castagneto Carducci, Tuscany When : 7 days a week. Tour can begin at the time that works best for the group. Duration: We can customize your tour length, according to the tour requested. Language spoken: English, French & Italian Cost : Customized private tours are quoted based on the number of people and the chosen tour.

BOLGHERI FOOD & WINE + VINEYARD TOURS

Join us for a complete food & wine experience: start on The Wine Road with a visit to a stunning winery to taste 5 top wines and meet the producers. Continue your tour in Bolgheri to savor traditional Tuscan cuisine, discover its 17th century winery located inside the castle and taste its wines along with locally produced extra-virgin olive oil. We’ll make several stops for delicious food, drinks and a delicious homemade gelato.

Where:  Bolgheri, Tuscany When: 7 days a week Duration: 5 hours Language spoken: English Cost: Starts from 190 € per person

BOLGHERI WINE TOURS

Drink your day with a visit of two of our best wineries. Drive along one of the most scenic country roads, ‘La Strada del Vino,’ The Wine Road en route to the wineries. We’ll tour vineyards and cellars, meet the producers and learn about the prestigious Bolgheri DOC region. We’ll enjoy six superb Bolgheri wines along with some traditional cheese and charcuterie.

Where : Bolgheri, Tuscany When: 7 days a week Duration: 3 hours Language spoken: English Cost: Starts from 150 € per person

Quick Tour Facts

DO YOU ACCOMODATE DIETARY PREFERENCES?  Yes, provide substitutions ONLY for vegetarian diets. We do not provide for gluten-free or other types of food allergy. WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY? You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the tour. We do not accept cancellations by phone, they must be in writing for our mutual records. However, no refunds are granted for cancellations within 24 hours from tour start time as your space is guaranteed at the tour.

DO YOU OFFER PRIVATE TOURS? Yes, we offer private tours with a minimum of 6 and maximum of 30 people. To request a private tour, please CONTACT US

CAN I BRING A CHILD? Children not eating can attend free of charge. You are welcome to bring a baby stroller. Please note we are touring medieval villages and the streets may not be evenly paved. Also, you might have to climb some steps.

DO YOU SEND PARKING INSTRUCTIONS? Yes, once you purchase your ticket, we will send you an email with directions, parking details and meet-up location. In certain places you will be responsible fo paying fo parking of your car.

IS THERE ENOUGH FOOD ON THE TOURS? We’ll do several food stops in each tour and you will be able to taste many different dishes and drinks. Food tour tastings make up a substantial lunch portion. It’s a food tour, you will not go home hungry!

GIFT CARDS To purchase gift cards, please visit the GIFT CARD page.

HOW DO I BUY TICKETS? Tickets can be purchased on line at the BOOK NOW page.

WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT? Payment is online, all major credit cards are accepted. Your credit card will be processed by Eztix that accepts secure online payments.

HOW LONG ARE THE TOURS? All of our tours are between 4 and 5 hours depending on the type of tour and the size of the group.

HOW MUCH WALKING IS INVOLVED? We walk about half a mile or 1 mile at all of our tours. We make plenty of resting stops in between. We walk at a slow pace.

ARE THE TOURS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?  As we walk through medieval villages, please email us for further information and we will be happy to assist you.

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Articles , Cooking Tour , Tuscany , What To See And Do In Italy

Looking For A Tuscan Cooking Tour? Here’s Our Top 7

This article has been written,  reviewed, and fact-checked  by Rick and I.  We live in Italy  and travel throughout the country to help you make the best choices for your trip. We wrote this piece  to help you have the best trip possible on your next trip to Italy.  Portions of this article have been written using assistive AI tools to help with tasks like research, spell-checking, grammar, and translation.

In this article, you'll learn how:

• These tours provide opportunities to learn how to make traditional Tuscan dishes like pasta, truffle dishes, and other regional specialties, appealing to both novice and experienced cooks.
• Visits to historic landmarks, charming towns, and stunning scenery are often part of the itinerary, offering a holistic Tuscan experience.
• Participants get the chance to learn from and cook alongside local chefs. This hands-on experience is invaluable for understanding authentic Italian cooking techniques and recipes.

Are you passionate about Italian cuisine, if so, taking a cooking trip to Tuscany can be a perfect way to indulge in your culinary curiosity. Tuscany is not just the location of Florence and the birthplace of the Renaissance; it is also a culinary powerhouse. In fact, there are nearly 200 restaurants in Tuscany, some of which are Michelin Restaurants !

Rick and I live in Italy and have indulged in plenty of aperitivos while touring Tuscany , enjoying crostini, cured meats, fresh local cheeses, and Chianti. As such, we want to share our love of these delicious delicacies so you can bring a little of it home.

In this article, we’ve chosen the best Tuscany cooking tours that regional chefs conduct. A cooking holiday in Tuscany can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to the rolling Chianti vineyards, craft visits, and cultural excursions. With any/all of these tours, you’ll be preparing meals in the provinces of Tuscany.

Cooking With An Italian Chef In Italy: 10-Day Tour From Bologna

On this 10-day Tuscany cooking vacation, you’ll travel to Northern Italy, experience authentic Italian cuisine first-hand, and learn how to prepare it yourself.

Your adventure begins with chef Stefano Corvucci, who introduces you to the regions where classic Italian recipes originated. He will prepare and eat meals with you that include fresh vegetables, local meats, fish, salumi, cheeses from the area, white truffles, porcini, chanterelle mushrooms, and homemade pasta.

You might be curious about the Tuscan style of cooking. Let me tell you, Tuscan cuisine is often characterized by simpler dishes that do not typically use thick or heavy sauces.

Guests over 18 will taste the best Italian wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco, Valpolicella and Amarone, Sangiovese, Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Super Tuscans. He’ll show you how to prepare Pellegrino Artusi’s classic recipes in his kitchen and take you on a guided tour of Bologna’s well-known food markets! Tip, try one of the famous drinks in Tuscany, the desert wine Vin Santo.

Exploring The Art In Tuscany

You will undoubtedly fall in love with Tuscany’s historical landmarks, breathtaking countryside, and delectable cuisine when you visit. However, another aspect of this Italian region makes it so unique: the art. 

The Sanctuary of La Verna is a great place to visit if you want to see Tuscany. St. Francis of Assisi established this magnificent sanctuary, home to some of Andrea Della Robbia’s most exquisite works of lead-glazed terracotta. You should also go to Borgo San Sepolcro in Tuscany, the home of Piero della Francesca, who created the famous murals The Resurrection of Christ and The Polyptych of the Misericordia while residing there.

If you want to see even more artwork from this area, visit Monterchi and see Madonna del Parto, one of Piero della Francesca’s most well-known pieces. Consider traveling to Montefeltro, the home of Federico Duke of Urbino, a Renaissance king, if you’re daring. There are numerous warm towns and villages where art blends with cuisine, the outdoors, and history, creating a unique charm for tourists.

7-Day Lost Flavor’s Bologna & Tuscany Cooking Vacations

There is probably no better way to see Bologna than in these cooking classes in Tuscany. You can immediately check into your hotel or apartment when you get to the city. After meeting the chef and taking a brief stroll through Bologna’s historic district, you can go out for an aperitivo and dinner at a typical trattoria.

You will meet the chef at CIBO Cooking School at 8:30 AM after breakfast and depart on a historical tour of the city shortly after. Then it’s over to the market area, where you can shop at the stalls while deciding what to cook in the kitchen. Discover how to make two delectable lunch and dinner dishes, including homemade pasta. Choose between 3.5 hours of cookery instruction at the school or a guided walking tour of Bologna City Center in the afternoons. Then, you will return to the school at 6 o’clock to prepare dinner.

Tuscany Wine Tours And Handcrafted Ravioli

On day 4, you’ll embark on a tour of the Fiorentini Vineyards in Castrocaro. After snacking and tasting great Romagna wines like Sangiovese, Albana, and Famoso, stop to enjoy a lunch of piadina romagnola and handmade ravioli in a local trattoria.

And, in case you’re wondering, here’s the scoop about Italy’s drinking age !

In the afternoon, continue to the mountain retreat on Mount Fumaiolo. After check-in, you can take a short walk in the mountains. You can prepare dinner in the mountain house in the evening using regionally-sourced, seasonal ingredients.

Visiting The Sanctuary Of La Verna, Monterchi & Piero Della Francesca’s

On day five, you can go to the Sanctuary of La Verna, which St. Francis of Assisi founded. Before going home to prepare lunch, take through Andrea Della Robbia’s exquisite lead-glazed ceramic creations. It’s lovely to stroll up to the Eremo of Saint Alberico on Mount Fumaiolo. After that, you can prepare delicious local food and have dinner there. Head to Piero della Francesca’s Tuscan villa of Borgo San Sepolcro the following morning. Visit the lovely local museum to behold the Polyptych of the Misericordia and the Resurrection of Christ frescoes. After lunch at a traditional Tuscan Osteria, visit Monterchi to admire Piero’s Madonna del Parto. Wander up to Mount Fumaiolo’s Sorgenti del Tevere in the late afternoon. More delicious local food is available for you to prepare and eat at home. Before returning to Bologna on day 7, spend the morning exploring Ravenna .

A Private Full-Day Bolgheri Wine Tasting Tour Excursion From Florence

It is lovely to be lost in the lush surroundings of the rolling hills, vineyards, and olive orchards. Take a full-day excursion from Florence, and your tour guide will bring you to the Tuscan coast.

Upon being picked up from your accommodation, proceed to the quaint town of Bolgheri. The most well-known Tuscan wines are produced here, including Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Macchiole, and Argentieri.

Like Florence, Pisa, or San Gimignano, the Bolgheri region is never crowded, allowing you to experience the authentic flavor of Tuscany away from the masses. Explore contemporary and historic Tuscany along the shore as your driver-guide points out the Etruscan remnants.

The actual inhabitants of this area were the Etruscans, who lived between the Arno and the Tiber rivers from 800 BCE to 1000 CE . There are still signs of their mining enterprises, agricultural, and transportation infrastructure. You can find out more information on the Etruscans. It is a fantastic approach to contextualize many of the Florence Renaissance landmarks.

Discover the contemporary culture in this region now while learning about the past. You might have a nice lunch in the Mediterranean or one of the hill towns. Enjoy the well-known aromas of traditional Italian cuisine while unwinding in the fresh Tuscan air.

Experience San Gimignano: Wellness Trip

Seize the opportunity to unwind entirely on this exclusive tour. Learn how to search for truffles in a truffle forest while being accompanied by trained dogs and staff members. All ages are welcome on this tour.

Learn to locate, identify, and clean priceless truffles like an expert on this trip. You will gain first-hand knowledge of the methods for handling truffles and preparing delectable truffle-based dishes during the truffle hunt and cooking classes. And if curious, truffle prices generally range from €1,000 to €1,800 . For small truffles weighing 20-100 grams, prices often fall between €1,800 and €2,500 .

Drink wines produced by their winery for more than 13 generations after lunch with the Giachi family. Visit San Gimignano, a medieval city, to complete the itinerary and learn about its history and top shopping areas.

Truffle Cooking Class With Wine Tasting In San Gimignano

We recommend you join this tour if you wish to learn the techniques for making authentic Tuscan cuisine from a skilled Italian chef.

Cooking homemade pasta and a range of specialty sauces, meat dishes, and desserts calls for using the freshest, locally available ingredients. Handpick your ingredients from a garden on the winery’s premises. You can learn the step-by-step procedure to chop, braise, boil your chosen ingredients, and cook and roast the ideal Tuscan supper.

Sharing fine, traditional Italian food and wine with friends and family is lovely. You can make dishes that will stay with you forever in a relaxed, fun setting. Allow yourself to indulge in a lot of freshly baked bread with extra virgin olive oil drizzled over it. In case you’re curious, the key difference between Tuscan cooking and other Italian regional cuisines is that Tuscan food primarily uses olive oil for cooking rather than butter.

Chianti Wine Tasting And Cooking Class In Panzano

On a private day excursion from Florence to Panzano in Chianti, you can immerse yourself in Italian culture with Tuscan cooking instructions and wine sampling. On a guided tour of the vineyards, cook your appetizers and treats. After your meal, partake in a wine tasting to sample some of the estate’s specialties.

You can meet your amiable guide for the day after being taken up from your Florence lodging. As you enter Panzano after traveling through rural Italy, you will be able to see the gorgeous Chianti Hills.

You’ll enter a family-run winery on the slopes and tour the estate. And then, explore the Chianti wines stored in the cellar while strolling among the vines.

Get ready for your cooking classes by rolling up your sleeves and going to the kitchen with a view of the hills. With the help of a skilled chef, prepare antipasti, a first and second course, and dessert. Learn how to prepare a complete Tuscan feast using local ingredients by cutting, braising, boiling, and roasting.

After the lesson, sit down to enjoy your food and the results of your labor. Before returning to Florence, indulge in a Chianti wine and wine tasting.

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Factory Tour In Emilia Romagna

Learn about the production of Parmigiano Reggiano, Modena balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto ham on this tour from Florence. See the local companies and estates and sample the Emilia-Romagna region’s goods. Enjoy a classic traditional lunch that uses only fresh, non-transported foods.

Take a step back to begin your journey and discover how Parmigiano Reggiano is made at a biological caseificio (cheese factory). Learn why only Parma, Modena, and Reggio Emilia regions can produce genuine Parmigiano Reggiano.

As they raise the Parmigiano Reggiano and heat the milk to separate the whey, observe the cheesemakers as they are at work. After that, they move to the aging room. Admire the endless rows of cheese wheels and breathe in their enticing aroma. Try ricotta and several varieties of Parmesan cheese with regional goods.

A Lunch & Vinegar Tour of Balsamic Vinegars

On arrival, you will be served a multi-course lunch typical of the Emilia-Romagna area at an acetaia (balsamic vinegar factory). You will discover the best foods to mix with balsamic vinegar. A variety of balsamic vinegar is thoughtfully combined with each dish offered.

Join a private tour of the estate’s cellars following lunch. Get a thorough introduction to the production of balsamic vinegar, from the pressing of the grapes to the boiling of the wort to the filtration and blending steps.

Try “Tradizionale” and “Extravecchio” balsamic vinegar, among other varieties. Go to a prosciuttificio next (prosciutto factory). You will take a tour of the facility, view the manufacturing areas, and gain an understanding of how ham is processed.

Finish your visit with a sample of their products, which include raw and cooked hams such culatta, lardo, salami, prosciutto cotto, and prosciutto al tartufo. The cold cuts will be served with crescentine or tigelle, a traditional Emilia-Romagna bread. After that, you’ll return to Florence.

Are you prepared to travel to Tuscany for a culinary vacation?

A Tuscany culinary trip is exactly what you need if you enjoy fine food, wine, and the stunning Italian landscape. You’ll learn how to prepare traditional Italian dishes that the Tuscan people have been developing for hundreds of years. You’ll discover how to pair Tuscan food with regional wines and receive instructions for every word you cook!

Tuscany offers practical cooking classes as part of its culinary vacation. This implies that everyone can take part, regardless of prior cooking experience!

So why are you still waiting? Visit Tuscany if you’re ever in Italy for a memorable experience!

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6 Best Tuscany Cooking Vacations 2024: A Taste of Tuscany

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Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with these Tuscany cooking vacations, where foodies, avid travelers, and culture enthusiasts come together to savor the authentic flavors of Italy’s most enchanting region. 

Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Tuscany as you learn traditional cooking methods from talented local chefs, indulge in mouthwatering regional delicacies, and explore the picturesque countryside dotted with world-renowned wineries. 

As you journey through this beautiful land, you’ll experience the true essence of Italian culture and discover the timeless beauty that has inspired countless artists, writers, and dreamers throughout history. 

Take advantage of the opportunity to create unforgettable memories while honing your cooking skills and awakening your senses in the heart of Tuscany.

Further Reading: 10 Best Italian Cooking Vacations: Buon Appetito

Cooking in Tuscany: 6 Best Cooking Vacations to Try

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Experience the ultimate blend of beauty and flavor on this incredible Tuscany cooking vacation.

Located at the La Mezzaluna Bed and Breakfast, just 4 kilometers from Barga, an enchanting and beautiful medieval village with many tourist attractions.

The cooking vacation includes four days of cooking lessons, with each class lasting 3 to 4 hours, where you will learn to make basic meals and sauces such as ragu, as well as homemade pasta making, ravioli, gnocchi pie, fish dishes, pizza, and a delicious array of desserts.

Indulge in this Tuscany food and wine-tasting journey for an Italian cooking vacation you’ll never forget.

Highlights:

• Visit a local market to buy fresh ingredients.
• Visit a local Tuscan vineyard.
• 4 traditional hands-on cooking classes
• Tours of beautiful local villages
• Excursion to Pisa to visit “Piazza Miracoli” with its cathedrals and leaning tower.
• Live entertainment show

Price From: $1,844

Closest Airport: Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei Airport)

Airport Transfers: Yes

Skill Set: Beginner to Intermediate

Further Reading: 10 Best Cooking Classes in Rome for Italian Cuisine Lovers

Join one of the best all-inclusive cooking vacations in the stunning northern region of Tuscany, where you can have fun while learning about Italian cooking techniques and Italian food traditions.

You will take in the local culture while exploring the local markets, where you can stroll through the charming streets of Barga, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval villages.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in wine tasting and live entertainment while combining it all with cooking lessons.

A perfect location to enjoy one of the gourmet Tuscany Culinary vacations.

• Wine tasting
• Visit local markets
• 2 hands-on cooking classes
• Wine and soft drinks included.
• 2 visits to Barga and Lucca
• 4 nights accommodation
• Daily meals (all the food is included)
• Gluten-free and vegetarian available

Price From: $1,090

Tuscany cooking vacations have become increasingly popular in recent years, but did you know that seafood isn’t typically considered a specialty of the region?

This Tuscany cooking vacation will amaze you with the wide range of seafood dishes using only the freshest ingredients.

Learn to cook spaghetti with clams, ravioli with chickpeas and squid sauce, seafood linguine, and cod-crusted Tuscany style, among many others.

Indulge in the finest wines and uncover the hidden gems of Arezzo, located in the picturesque heartland of Tuscany, midway between Florence and Siena.

• Custom-made, organic menu
• Cooking certificate and recipes book
• 3 hands-on seafood cooking classes
• Wine tour and historical village excursions plus dinner at a local restaurant
• City break excursion plus lunch at a local restaurant
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner with drinks
• 5 nights accommodation

Price From: $1,559 (1 Person)

Closest Airport: Perugia Airport (80 kilometers – 1.5 hours) 

Airport Transfers: Yes, at additional cost.

Skill Set: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Indulge in a culinary vacation that will blow your taste buds away! You’ll cook fabulous gourmet dishes with top-quality ingredients like truffles, mushrooms, chestnuts, and honey.

You will experience a breathtaking gastronomic adventure where you’ll explore the historical attractions of the Tiberina Valley and tour the most picturesque locations in Arezzo.

Your guide will give you the background history of every Tuscan location and ample time to take photos.

Don’t miss the chance to create unforgettable memories with this unbeatable experience without breaking the bank!

• Cooking classes
• A truffle hunting expedition
• Experienced chefs and guides in English
• A visit to a Unesco world heritage site
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Train station transfers

Price From: $2,561 (2 persons)

Closest Airport: Florence Airport, Peretola (Amerigo Vespucci Airport)

Airport Transfers: Yes.

Discover the real Tuscany with this 6-day cooking vacation. Immerse yourself in regional culinary traditions and learn how to prepare authentic local cuisine with a contemporary twist using fresh, local ingredients.

The chef’s passion for reviving historic recipes will take you on a journey through Tuscany’s rich culinary history and natural beauty.

Take advantage of this unique and rare opportunity to experience the true essence of Tuscany.

• Welcome aperitif 
• Vineyard visit with a tasting tour
• Cooking classes at Villa Restaurant Point
• Meals with drinks (1 bottle for each meal)
• Excursion to the historical site

Price From: $3,117 (2 persons)

Closest Airport: Perugia airport

Airport Transfers: Yes (additional fee)

Indulge in the pleasures of the classic Tuscany cooking vacation by preparing Tuscan vegetarian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.

In each cooking class, you will prepare vegetarian meals from the beginning. Enjoy discovering the local area with excursions, including lunch at a local restaurant.

• 3 hands-on Italian cooking classes
• Wine tour and historical village excursion
• Organic ingredients from MangiarDivino’s production
• City excursion with lunch at a local restaurant
• 3 nights accommodation

Price From: $1,003 (1 person)

Closest Airport: Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)

Tuscany cooking vacations, or cooking holidays, are a unique way to experience the region’s culinary delights. You’ll learn how to prepare traditional Tuscan dishes and explore Italian culture while indulging in wine tastings, excursions, and some of the best food around.

Summary – Tuscany Cooking Vacations

Tuscany cooking vacations are among the best ways to immerse yourself in the fantastic local cuisine and culture. If you are still deciding on the location of your cooking vacation, you might be interested in one of these posts:

• 10 Best Italian Cooking Vacations: Buon Appetito
• 50 Interesting Facts About Italian Food
• Food Travel: My Top 10 Tips for Planning a Food Trip
• 25 Inexpensive Gifts for Wine Lovers

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Food & Culinary Tours & Trips in Tuscany

• Choose from 15 Tuscany tours
• 100+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
• 24/7 customer support

10 best food & culinary Tuscany tours

Compiled by

Melissa Tuscany travel expert at TourRadar

Tuscany Wine Trails

Private gourmet wine tour in tuscany, italy, gourmet tuscany, siena & wine, geluxe: italy: tuscany and umbria vineyard walks, relaxing getaway in chianti + florence, the best wines of tuscany in 5 exclusive days from florence, 3 day highlights florence & tuscany tour, 5 day tuscan food & wine tour package, tuscany wine tour -3 days with the locals.

• Food & Culinary
• Wine tasting
• Taste Chianti wines and local delicacies
• Explore Montalcino and savor Brunello wines
• Discover the diverse landscapes of Maremma

• Sip the Brunello of Montalcino and the Chianti Doc
• Enjoy a blend of culture and gastronomic delicacies
• Sample the best pesto sauce in Cinque Terre

“Great accommodations! Fabulous wines and tours. This is a trip well worth it.”

• Sample Chianti wines in historic Tuscan estate
• Cook Italian delicacies in a rustic farmhouse
• Explore Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo

“The food and wine experience was top notch. Seeing the gardens of locals.”

• Dine at an organic farm in San Gimignano
• Visit Chianti estates and taste classics
• Taste classic wines in a Tuscan class

• Walking Adventure
• Taste Pecorino cheese in historic Pienza
• Walk through Tuscan villages and vineyards
• Learn Italian cooking in Città della Pieve

“I will be talking about this trip for years to anyone who will listen. Could not be happier!”

• Tour a certified organic winery and taste local products
• Explore San Gimignano and hunt for truffles
• Enjoy a market tour and cooking class in Florence

• Start with a guided wine tour in Chianti
• Explore San Gimignano and Siena
• Visit biodynamic wineries and Borgos

• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year
• Explore Florence's iconic landmarks from outside
• Sip aperitivos on a rooftop at sunset in Florence
• Taste local flavors at Storico Mercato Centrale

• Tour a coffee factory and olive oil farm
• Explore Florence's Storico Mercato Centrale
• Sip wine in a scenic Tuscan vineyard

• Discover medieval towers and views
• Learn about Brunello di Montalcino wine
• Taste top Tuscan wines in San Gimignano

“The villa was very comfortable and relaxing. The wine tours were great and served delicious wine and food.”

Travel Styles

Discover TourRadar

Tuscan Splendor - Luxury Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

Journey to Italy on one of our best cooking vacations in Tuscany and stay at a deluxe family-owned estate.

• Trip Details

Accommodation Information

• Pricing & Tour Dates
• Culinary Vacations
• Cooking Vacations
• Best Cooking Vacations in Tuscany, Italy: Tuscan Splendor

Luxury Tuscany Food & Wine Tours

Learn the ways of traditional Tuscan food during hands-on Tuscany cooking classes, including local pasta varieties like pici pasta, plus delicious meat dishes, and desserts. Delight in the picturesque setting populated by olive groves and vineyards, and explore the “terroir” during authentic Tuscany wine tours and tastings.

Nestled in the scenic region is a family-owned estate that will be your home during your Tuscany cooking vacation, with its lovingly restored 18th-century historic dwelling. The owner, David, and his family respected the structure’s past in its renovation, as they used antique materials in the restoration and conserved original elements, including vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and terracotta floors. Many of the rooms for your Tuscany culinary tour feature a magnificent view of not only the garden but also the rolling hills of the region. David and his mother will welcome you like family and show you the Tuscany of your dreams.

Since the hotel is only a short ride away from other charming towns such as Arezzo, Pienza, Perugia, Deruta, and Assisi, as well as from Montepulciano, you will have ample chance to explore the amazing gastronomy of Tuscany through Tuscany wine tours and and tastings, as well as cultural tours and gastronomic excursions to taste the local products.

Come to southern Tuscany on your Italy food tour and experience the best cooking vacations in Tuscany!

Latest Review

Tuscan splendor cooking vacation details.

Our best cooking vacations in Tuscany include plenty of amazing Italian food and wine, including regional Tuscan pastas like pici pasta and tagliatelle, ribolita soup, Florence-style beef, and desserts. Your amazing 6-night Tuscan culinary vacation will also feature:

• deluxe accommodations at a boutique, family-owned hotel
• hands-on cooking classes
• visits of Cortona and Pienza
• a Tuscany wine tasting tour in Montepulciano and visit of a cheese producer
• excursion to Assisi
• meals as indicated

Luxury Tuscany Resort Vacations Itinerary

• Tuscany Cooking Vacation 6-Night Itinerary
• Tuscany Cooking Vacation 4-Night Itinerary

• Transfer from Terontola Train Station.
• Arrive at Hotel Corte Dei Papi, home for your amazing Tuscany wine tour and cooking vacation.
• Rest until the evening and then enjoy a welcome aperitif, followed by a welcome a la carte dinner — which includes three courses — accompanied by a good house wine.
• Morning: First hands-on Tuscan cooking class, where you will learn to create a traditional Tuscan four-course meal, which might include such dishes as: ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza. Depending on the specific week, the Tuscan cooking classes are held either at the property with one of the hotel’s chefs or at a nearby property with another wonderful chef instructor (transfers included).
• Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
• Afternoon: a guided tour of Cortona with an English-speaking guide. Visit the Etruscan Museum, which includes a rich collection of objects found during excavations in the area. Then, a visit to the Le Celle Monastery, just outside Cortona, where Saint Francis spent part of his monastic life.
• Time on your own to explore the town and dinner on your own. (Return transfer back to the hotel must be paid locally).
• In the second cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, learn how to prepare traditional dishes, which may include bruschetta, pici hand-made Tuscan pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef entree, and mascarpone.
• Afternoon on your own. Perhaps visit Trasimeno lake, or shop at the nearby Valdichiana Outlet, where most famous Italian fashion brands can be found, or schedule additional Tuscany wine tours and tastings. (Transfers can be arranged locally).
• Dinner on your own.
• After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion including cultural visits and Tuscany wine tours.
• In the morning, experience a wine tasting in the ancient cellars located underneath the town of Montepulciano.
• Light lunch in the winery.
• In the afternoon, head to Pienza for free time to explore on your own.
• Next, stop in Val d’Orcia to see a cheese factory, followed by a delicious cheese tasting. At certain times of the year, it may be possible to experience a cheese making demonstration.
• Return to the hotel for an a la carte dinner accompanied by good house wine.
• Begin your third and final hands-on cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, which will be based on a seasonal menu.
• Lunch to follow based on your efforts with local wine included.
• Afternoon on your own. Perhaps relax by the pool, or visit Arezzo or Cortona on your own. (Transportation can be arranged locally).
• Breakfast followed by a full-day excursion to Assisi. You will have a chance to explore this beautiful city on your own, including St. Frances’ Cathedral, a World Heritage Site decorated in frescos by Cimabue and Giotto, as well as other attractions, including St. Mary the Greater Church, the earliest religious building in Assisi. (Lunch on your own in Assisi). (If you would like to schedule a guided tour with a licensed guide, this can be added for an additional cost.)
• In the evening, return to the hotel restaurant for a farewell a la carte dinner, including three courses, accompanied by good house wine.
• Your culinary vacation in Tuscany has ended, but the memories will last a lifetime! Check out and transfer to Terontola train station.

Optional additions:

Your Tuscany cooking vacation can easily be customized, whether you want additional nights or tours. Some options that we can include are:

• full-day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
• full-day excursion to Bagno Vignoni and San Quirico d’Orcia
• half-day excursion to Arezzo or Perugia,
• half-day tour to Montalcino for Brunello wine tasting or other activities like truffle hunting or a bike tour

Please contact us for details and pricing for these optional excursions.

Luxury Tuscany Resort Experience Details

• 6 Night Details
• 4 Night Details

Included in our 6-Night First-Class Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

Accommodations.

6 nights accommodation at in double or double twin room

Food & Beverages

• Daily breakfast
• Local wine included with all included meals

Classes & Instructors

Your 3 hands-on cooking lessons will focus on Tuscan dishes and may include:

• ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza
• bruschetta, Tuscan pici pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef, and mascarpone
• a complete 4-course seasonal menu

Depending on the specific week, the Tuscan cooking classes are held either at the property with one of the hotel’s chefs or at a nearby property with another wonderful chef instructor. The classes can happen in the morning followed by lunch or in the afternoon followed by dinner.

• Guided tour of Cortona, including Etruscan Museum and Le Celle Monastery
• Full-day excursion to Montepulciano with Tuscany wine tour and wine tasting, Pienza, and the Val d’Orcia to visit a cheese producer
• Full-day excursion to Assisi with time to explore on your own

Transfer Details

• Round trip transfers from/to Terontola-Cortona train station

Not Included

• Meals not indicated
• Taxi back from Cortona on Day 2
• Local occupancy tax (a few euros per person per night)

Included in our 4-Night Five-Star Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

4 nights accommodation at in double or double twin room

Depending on the specific week, your 2 hands-on cooking lessons can take place either in the restaurant kitchen, at a nearby cooking atelier, or at a private home. The classes will focus on Tuscan dishes including:

• Full-day excursion to Montepulciano with wine tasting, Pienza, and the Val d’Orcia to visit a cheese producer

Average Rating

Tour Dates:

Available any dates March to December for a minimum of two people. Please review our complete pricing details .

Starting at

Just outside Cortona lies the gorgeous 5-star relais hotel, La Corte dei Papi. This charming hotel went under extensive restoration while still retaining some of the villa’s history, including terra-cotta floors and vaulted ceilings. The elegant rooms and suites offer modern comforts, including en-suite bathroom, minibar, satellite TV, adjustable air conditioning, hair dryers, and more. Super-luxurious spa suites are also available including sitting room, a Turkish bath equipped with four multi-sensory showers with aromatherapy, chromotherapy and music therapy, and a large Jacuzzi that can accommodate two people. The property also features a beautiful swimming pool and outdoor dining area.

Deluxe Tuscany Cooking Vacations 2024: Pricing & Dates

Find pricing and dates for some of our best cooking vacations in Tuscany below, and contact us for availability or to organize your trip.

• 6 Night Pricing
• 4 Night Pricing

Tuscan Splendor Culinary Tours in Tuscany 6-Night Pricing:

6-Night Tuscany Cooking Vacation Pricing

US$4675 per person based on double occupancy

• Add US$1050 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
• Add US$300 per person to upgrade to deluxe room or deluxe cottage
• Add US$650 per person to upgrade to classic junior suite
• Add US$1520 per person to upgrade to deluxe spa suite
• Add US$1900 per person to upgrade to executive spa suite

30% deposit due to confirm booking.

Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!

Tuscan Splendor Culinary Tours in Tuscany 6-Night Dates 2024

Our Tuscan Splendor tour, one of our best cooking vacations in Tuscany, is available on request for a minimum of 2 people. Sample dates for our Tuscany cooking vacations follow, but other start dates are also possible, please inquire. 

January 8 – March 12 – CLOSED

2024 Sample weeks follow. Please inquire for availability. March 17-23 March 24-30 March 31-April 6 April 7-13 April 14-20 April 21-27 April 28-May 4 May 5-11 May 12-18 May 19-25 May 26-June 1 June 2-8 June 9-15 June 16-22 June 23-29 June 30-July 6 July 7-13 July 14-20 July 21-27 July 28-August 3 August 4-10 August 11-17 August 18-24 August 25-31 September 1-7 September 8-14 September 15-21 September 22-28 September 29-October 5 October 6-12 October 13-19 October 20-26 October 27-November 2 November 3-9 November 10-16 November 17-23 November 24-30 December 1-7 December 8-14 December 15-21

4-Night Top-Class Tuscany Food Tours Pricing:

4-Night Tuscany Cooking Vacation Pricing

US$2990 per person based on double occupancy

• Add US$760 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
• Add US$240 per person to upgrade to deluxe room or deluxe cottage
• Add US$460 per person to upgrade to classic junior suite
• Add US$1000 per person to upgrade to deluxe spa suite
• Add US$1300 per person to upgrade to exclusive spa suite

4-Night Top-Class Tuscany Food Tours Dates 2024

Our Tuscan Splendor tours, among our best cooking vacations in Tuscany, are available all year for a minimum of 2 people, with some winter months excluded. Sample dates for our Tuscany culinary vacations follow, but other start dates are also possible, please inquire. 

January 7 – March 12 – CLOSED

2024 Samples dates follow. Please contact us for availability. March 17-21 March 24-28 March 31-April 4 April 7-11 April 14-18 April 21-25 April 28-May 2 May 5-9 May 12-16 May 19-23 May 26-30 June 2-6 June 9-13 June 16-20 June 23-27 June 30-July 4 July 7-11 July 14-18 July 21-25 July 28-August 1 August 4-8 August 11-15 August 18-22 August 25-29 September 1-5 September 8-12 September 15-19 September 22-26 September 29-October 3 October 6-10 October 13-17 October 20-24 October 27-31 November 3-7 November 10-14 November 17-21 November 24-28 December 1-5 December 8-12 December 15-19

We Can Help Plan The Best Gourmet Cooking Vacations in Tuscany!

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Select Your Trip Details

6 Night Vacation starting at $4675 per person OR 4 Night Vacation starting at $2990 per person

Price is determined by season. Please specify your program start date to see your cost per person.

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Trip End Date

Number of Travelers*

Number of Rooms

I am sharing a twin/double room with my travel companion, who will book separately

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Optional Upgrades

Upgrades are calculated per person based on double occupancy. For single occupancy upgrade costs please inquire.

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Optional Excursions

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• Trip length and Itineraries
• Hotels and Tours
• Transfers and Airfare

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Tuscany Food & Wine

Tuscany food and wine week, experience tuscan food and wine like a local.

In many ways, Tuscany offers the best of Italy in one beautifully wrapped package. History, scenic vistas, small-town tradition, hearty cuisine, and fabulous local wine are all here for the taking. No matter when you visit, the seasons unfold in vibrant hues. From green hills, polka-dotted with poppies in springtime, to dancing sunflower fields in summer, to vines heavy with grapes in autumn, you can’t go wrong. Stroll through art-filled hill towns, soak in the picturesque views, and relish farm-to-table dining. Then unwind in your rustic apartment, where your stay promises to be tranquil and extraordinary.   Stay in a restored farmhouse, on a working farm, or a vineyard near Buonconvento or Montalcino, in the heart of wine country.

Day trip options include Siena, San Gimignano, the Chianti Valley, Montepulciano, Pienza, Volterra, Cortona, Florence, and more!

In this seven day experience – similar to our traditional UnTours, but with some additional food & wine-focused activities curated specifically for this special week – we will be able to walk through the history of the Tuscan cuisine, while enjoying some of the most important landmarks, through the eyes of our local UnGuides, who will make this tour a once in a lifetime experience.

What's included

Airport arrival and drive to tuscany.

Arriving at Florence Airport, you step off the plane and into a wave of sun-kissed autumn air, carrying with it the promise of Tuscany’s rolling hills. The airport itself is modern yet modest, a manageable size that quickly guides you through passport control and to the baggage claim area. Luggage in hand, you follow the signs for car rentals, weaving through the airport’s clean, minimalist design.

As you start the engine and drive out of the airport, the city of Florence sprawls out before you, a mix of Renaissance architecture and modern vibrancy. The GPS guides you through the outskirts of the city, where urban life begins to fade into the serene countryside.

The road to Tuscany is picturesque, with each turn revealing a new postcard-worthy scene. The landscape transforms from the city’s bustle to the gentle sway of cypress trees, olive groves, and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. The sun casts a golden hue over the fields, and you can’t help but lower the windows to let in the fragrant air, filled with the scent of wildflowers and earth.

As you drive deeper into Tuscany, the roads become narrower and more winding, taking you past charming villages with their terracotta rooftops and stone houses. The pace of life seems to slow, matching the rhythm of the landscape, inviting you to relax and take in the beauty of your surroundings. Eventually, you reach your destination, a well-kept, historic home-away-from-home in the heart of Tuscany. Benvenuto.

Truffle hunt through the Tuscan countryside

Join Geno and his beloved truffle-hunting dog, Willy, on a trek through the countryside to hunt the elusive Italian delicacy. This intimate and unique cultural experience is something that you’ll never forget.

The experience typically begins early in the morning when the scent of the truffles is strongest. Geno, Willy, and your group will move quietly through the forest, with the dog sniffing the ground intently. When the dog detects a truffle, it begins to dig. You’ll then carefully uncovers the truffle, ensuring it is not damaged in the process. This can be a patient and meticulous process, as truffles are delicate and can be easily bruised.

In Tuscany, the most prized truffle is the white truffle (Tuber magnatum pico), which is highly aromatic and sought after by chefs worldwide. The season for white truffles is typically from late September to December. Black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) are also found in Tuscany and have a longer season, from November to March.

Truffle hunting is not just about finding a valuable culinary ingredient; it is also about preserving a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

Traditional cooking class and wine tasting

The class begins with an introduction to the ingredients laid out on the wooden table: fresh vegetables, handmade pasta, local cheeses, and olive oil pressed from nearby groves. You’ll learn the secrets of Tuscan cooking knead dough, chop vegetables, and stir pots, all while the chef shares stories about Tuscan culinary traditions. The atmosphere is relaxed and interactive, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and enjoy the process. As the dishes come together, the kitchen fills with mouthwatering aromas, and you start to anticipate the feast to come.

Vineyard tour and tasting

Enjoy a private wine tour with your fellow UnTourists and maybe take a few bottles home to share with your friends and family at home.

A wine tasting in Tuscany is a truly enchanting experience that immerses you in the rich history and vibrant culture of one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions. Picture yourself in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with cypress trees and rustic farmhouses.

The experience begins with a warm welcome at a family-run winery, where you’re greeted by the owners or knowledgeable staff who are passionate about their craft. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, allowing you to feel at ease as you embark on your tasting journey.

You’ll start a tour of the vineyard, where you learn about the different grape varieties grown in the region. The guide will explain the vineyard’s history, the winemaking process, and the importance of the terroir – the unique combination of soil, climate, and topography that gives Tuscan wines their distinctive character.

As you move into the cellar, the cool, earthy scent of aging wine surrounds you. Here, you’ll see rows of oak barrels and perhaps some ancient, dusty bottles resting in the dim light. The guide might explain how the wines are aged, the role of oak in developing flavors, and the art of blending different wines to achieve the perfect balance.

The tasting itself is a sensory delight. Seated at a table with a breathtaking view of the countryside, you’re presented with a selection of wines, each poured into elegant glasses. The experience is not just about the wine but also about the connection to the land and the people who craft these wines with such care and tradition. As the tasting concludes, allow yourself linger a while, enjoying the serene landscape, perhaps purchasing a bottle or two to bring a piece of Tuscany back home with you.

Departure day

It will be the departure day, and your UnGuide will assist with anything that you need for the check out and the return of the rental car for you to have a smooth return to your next destination!

See you soon, and safe travels!

Available Accommodations

Attractive 2-bedroom apartment on Montalcino's main piazza

Lovely 2-bedroom in typical Tuscan style

Lovely 2-bedroom apartment with a patio and access to a swimming pool

Lovely 1-bedroom apartment with swimming pool

Charming 1-bedroom apartment

Well-decorated 2-bedroom apartment

Studio apartment on a vineyard farm

Charming two bedroom in the beautiful Val D'Orcia

2-bedroom apartment with swimming pool

2-bedroom apartment with country views

Montalcino, Italy - Tuscany

Montalcino is a beautiful hill town, sporadically populated in Etruscan times and permanently settled around 1000 AD. The town was important in medieval times and its thirteenth-century walls are still largely intact. Today Montalcino is known for the Brunello wine made in its surrounding farmlands. Its center is pedestrian-friendly and walkable. Its narrow streets are lined with shops, good restaurants, lively cafés and wine bars. It hosts an open-air market on Fridays and offers a museum of sacred art. Visitors to the town’s fourteenth-century fortress can climb its tower for a spectacular view of the countryside or sample local wines in its basement cantina. The town offers banks, ATMs, coffee bars, a grocery store and a good bakery.

Staying in the countryside outside Montalcino puts you in the heart of the Tuscan wine belt, in the shadow of countless wineries and an easy drive to Chianti country. Traditional farm life continues in Montalcino and the many beautiful hill towns that surround it. Here, artisans sell pottery, small restaurants create traditional Tuscan meals, and old parish churches hide stunning frescoes.

Montalcino is about 40 minutes south of Siena and an 90 minutes south of Florence. Other day trips include the historic hill towns of San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano, and San Galgano; the Etruscan sites of Volterra, Chiusi, and Cortona; the natural beauty of Mt. Amiata and the coast; and the monasteries of Monte Oliveto and Sant’Antimo.

Danny is a very accommodating host. He's happy to share tips about the town of La Fortuna area. He is easy to reach for urgent needs, as well.

Property details

Here's some important details about this property.

This property sleeps 4-12 people

4 bedrooms. Bedroom 1 with king size bed, bedroom 2 with a queen size bed, bedroom 3 with a matrimonial bed and bedroom 4 with a matrimonial bed and a bunk bed

3 bathrooms

Well-equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, oven, stovetop, microwave, coffeemaker, rice cooker, blender, and toaster

Washer and dryer

Only one level

Accessibility

Transportation.

Access to highways. Good access to taxis

15-minute drive from La Fortuna

Private pool. Hot tub jacuzzi. Fire pit

Special Features

Birdwatching deck and yoga platform

Our staff have inspected this property and the above description and photographs reflect what they saw at that time. It is possible that the owner has made changes to the property without our knowledge. While we do our best to keep up with any changes or improvements made to our properties, we cannot guarantee that everything in the above description will be accurate.

Also in Tuscany

See these nearby UnTours

Ada Teresa: Lovely, well-decorated 2-bedroom on a vineyard farm

Orfeo: Lovely 2-bedroom apartment with a patio and access to a swimming pool

Serenella: 2-bedroom apartment with swimming pool

• Cultural event
• Digital Guidebook
• Local support

The money we pay for your accommodation will benefit the local economy where you will be staying.

Oct 9, 2024 to Oct 16, 2024

Tuscany UnGuide - Italy

• Rooms are ventilated thoroughly.
• All high-touch surfaces are cleaned and sanitized with disinfectant.
• Soft, porous surfaces like sofas and rugs are cleaned before each arrival.
• Linens are washed at the highest heat setting recommended by the manufacturer.

+39 33 34 23 42 17

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UPCOMING DATES & PRICES 2024

€‎ 3695 (Euro) per participant

Spring dates April 23-27 May 8-12

Fall dates October 9-13 October 23-27

Price is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy available upon request with additional fee.

Alternative dates may be available upon request. Please contact us if you would like to join us at a different time or coordinate a customized, private tour for your group. 

Registration is now open to claim spots on Spring-Fall 2024 trips, join us!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are the small group vacations for.

Our small group tours are for adults who love food and travel and want an intimate, “insider” experience with Italian culture. Every day, we’ll enjoy excursions and meals together as a group but also have some time to relax on your own.

How many people will be on the tour?

This trip will be made up of 4 to 12 participants, plus your hosts, Chicca, Arnaud, Jedd and Michelle. We will also be joined on occasion by some local friends, food and wine producers, and guides.

Should I book a small group tour or custom tour?

• Hoping to travel with just your family or friends rather than strangers?
• Want a different trip length or different dates?
• Have a specific focus you want for your trip?

If you answered YES to any of the above, please contact us about scheduling a custom tour. We’ll work with you to craft an itinerary of experiences you’ll love within your timeframe.

The full team will be available October of 2023. Outside of this time period, Chicca and Arnaud can host groups as well.

What is the tour cost? What does the price include and exclude?

Price per person:

• For 2023 the cost is   €‎ 3495 per participant (double occupancy)

The price includes:

• Planning : All trip logistics, including pre-trip negotiations with all hotels and vendors, onsite coordination, useful information leading up to your trip, etc.
• Personalized service: Daily on-site guidance and support from Chicca, her team, and friends throughout the region.
• Accommodations : 4 nights boutique accommodation overlooking the Mediterranean, based on two people sharing a room.
• Meals :4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners, including 3 meals at fine dining restaurants.
• Transport : Ground transportation, including transfers from Castagneto Carducci-Donoratico train station and hired ground transportation for excursions, are included.
• Activities : Daily excursions to the stunning medieval towns of Volterra, Bolgheri, Populonia, Castagneto, and others. All other activities are included. The order of the excursions may be changed due to the availability of the providers for the different days of the week and to weather conditions

The following expenses are not included in the total trip price:

• Round-trip airfare: this gives you flexibility in using airline reward miles or to extend your trip as you wish. Each guest is responsible for organizing their own airfare and transportation to Castagneto Carducci. We can provide airport transfers for an additional fee, if needed. You will be asked to share flight details at least 8 weeks before the trip commences.
• Proof of travel insurance : is required (covering emergency medical, evacuation, COVID-19, and trip cancellation).
• One dinner on your own : during one of our visits to a small town, you’ll have the opportunity to explore on your own. We’ll provide restaurant recommendations.
• Any COVID-19 tests or vaccines : required for entry into the country.
• Additional wine/beverage purchases: Each meal will be planned with great care and paired with a special selection of Bolgheri wines, defined in a certain amount.  You’re welcome to purchase extra wine or other alcoholic beverages but you will be responsible for the additional cost.
• Any additional activities : you want to book along the way or outside of the coordinated group trip: spa visits, private tours, etc.
• Spending money: there’s a good chance you’ll want to purchase souvenirs or bring back wine or olive oil.
• Additional tips for the Trip Hosts

Custom Tour Price Quotes : Will vary based on your chosen activities, number of days, and level of accommodations. Please email us to request a quote.

Do you offer short 1-day food & wine tours as well?

Yes, we offer 4-5 hour short food & wine tours in Tuscany where you will experience our medieval villages, culinary excellence, and world-class wines. We’ll walk you through our charming towns, stunning vineyards and introduce you to great food specialties while telling stories about Tuscan history and culture. Here you can learn more about our food & wine tours .

Is airfare included in the cost cost of the trip?

Round-trip airfare is not included. This gives you flexibility in using airline reward miles or to extend your trip as you wish. Each guest is responsible for organizing their own airfare and transportation to Castagneto Carducci. Nearby airports include Rome, Florence, and Pisa. We can provide airport transfers for an additional fee from these three airports, if needed. You will be asked to share flight details at least 8 weeks before the trip commences.

What type of travel insurance is required to participate?

We require that all participants purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans should include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and COVID-19 risks.

For emergency medical and Covid coverage see: Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing

Is there a payment plan?

You’ll pay for the trip in two payments (initial deposit and final payment):

• 
1st Payment estimated $900: $100 Non-refundable inscription fee + $800 Deposit 2nd Payment: remaining balance

Final payment due 90 days before your trip.

What if I need to cancel my trip? Is there a refund?

This global health crisis has impacted everyone, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe, and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our guests in the best way that we can.

As we’ve learned during this past year, what makes sense today may not make sense tomorrow. Please understand that we reserve the right to change these policies due to this very fluid and unpredictable situation.

CANCELATION BY YOU

If you decide you need to cancel your trip, the following refund schedule applies upon written notice of your cancellation:

• Cancelations made on or before 90 days prior to arrival: •Your $100 inscription fee is nonrefundable. •Full refund minus unrecoverable costs.
• Cancelations made 89 days to 60 days prior to arrival: •Your $100 inscription fee is nonrefundable. •You will be reimbursed 50% of what you have paid to date, less the nonrefundable fee.
• Cancelations made 59 days to 30 days prior to arrival: •You will be reimbursed 40% of what you have paid to date, less the nonrefundable fee.
• Cancelations made 29 days prior to arrival: •All payments are nonrefundable.

Cancelations must be received in writing by email to [email protected].

Unrecoverable costs may include credit card fees or any deposits required by our vendors.

You are required to take out trip cancelation insurance . If you leave a tour for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made.

What if the trip gets canceled or it’s not possible to travel to Italy?

CANCELATION BY US:

If our tours cannot operate due to COVID travel restrictions or other Force Majeure Event, we’ll give you a full refund minus unrecoverable costs. If, after the start of the tour, significant elements of the itinerary cannot be provided as agreed, suitable alternative arrangements will be offered.

To ensure a trip is safe for guests and the local community, we will consider:

• Government safety and travel advice
• COVID-safe requirements and protocols
• Entry and exit requirements for travelers to Italy, including testing and quarantine
• Current medical facility and healthcare availability in Italy
• Flight and airline accessibility in and out of a Tuscany
• Ability for our travelers to get travel insurance protection for, and regularly scheduled, reasonably priced flights to Italy
• Accessibility to everyday services, such as restaurants, public transport, cultural sites, etc.

Due to the ever-changing nature of travel restrictions, we will continue to evaluate the ability to run our tours between one and two months before the scheduled tour dates. This is in order to keep the possibility of traveling viable for any guests who may be in a position to do so. All travelers will be notified of their options at least one month before they are scheduled to depart, to allow them time to make any changes to their current arrangements. However, at times it may be necessary to cancel a trip at late notice should the factors listed above change.

Our tours require a minimum number of participants (6) in order to take place at the stated price, since it takes into account group discounts, shared accommodations and other factors that create cost efficiencies. If a trip does not have enough participants, or if someone unexpectedly cancels, we will contact you with possible options.

In addition, we reserve the right to cancel your spot if we have not received your balance payment within one week of your balance due date.

Trip hosts are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip, including air tickets, gear, medical equipment or travelers insurance. You are strongly advised to take out trip cancellation insurance at the time of booking.

What kind of accommodations are we staying in?

Accommodations will be at a modern, locally-owned boutique hotel within walking distance to Castagneto Carducci village. The family-run hotel/bed and breakfast sits atop a hillside with stunning views of the valley below and the Mediterranean. Daily breakfast will be provided on site.

Each room in the hotel is unique. Rooms will include a private bathroom with hot water. WiFi, heat, and air conditioning will be available. You’ll be able to unpack and make yourself at home in the same room for the duration of the tour.

What are the health and physical requirements to join the trip?

Physical ability: Guests should take personal responsibility to ensure they are physically able and healthy to participate in all group activities, such as:

• walking on uneven surfaces for up to 3 hours over the course of a day,
• climbing up and down up to stairs during excursions,
• riding in and getting on/off buses or vans.

Trip activities are not strenuous, however some days we will be out and about for long periods of time. Accommodations are located in the medieval village which is located on a hill. You will encounter some steep walks uphill as well as many stairs when exploring the town.

Dietary restrictions: Consult with your Trip Hosts to discuss dietary restrictions, or preferences, that would need to be accommodated in order for you to enjoy this experience. We can generally accommodate vegetarian diets, but we cannot accommodate other restrictions (gluten-free, vegan, lactose intolerance).

Prescriptions and medical issues: If you have a condition which may require professional attention, special equipment, or prescriptions during the trip, you must bring and be fully responsible for all necessary items related to your condition. Please consult with us prior to booking to determine if our tour is a good fit for you. Failure to advise us shall release the hosts and all professional personnel from any liability related to such condition or its treatment. We cannot accommodate women past their sixth month of pregnancy. We also cannot accommodate passengers requiring wheelchair assistance, as most features of our trips are not wheelchair-accessible – please contact us directly for more information.

You should consult with a medical doctor to determine if you are healthy and physically able to participate.

COVID requirements: 

• All guests and trip hosts are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before the tour begins, in addition to any requirements that Italy has in place at the time of the tour.
• You will need to bring a COVID-19 vaccination card or photo copy to access venues on the trip.
• Mask use may be required according to the local regulations at the time of the trip.
• We will update you of any changes to health and safety protocols as the trip dates approach.

What kind of food will we be eating?

We will be eating regional Italian dishes and sampling many of the local wines. This will typically include wheat/gluten, dairy, and meat. We’ll dine at several fine restaurants as well as casual cafes and a pizzeria. Breakfast at the hotel tends to include baked goods, eggs, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, along with coffee, tea, or fruit juice options.

What will the weather be like?

Temperatures in Spring and Fall are pleasant in Tuscany, averaging 50°-70°F. It can be rainy on occasion, so be prepared with some rain gear. Also consider bringing layers like sweaters and jackets to keep warm.

Have any additional questions about Food and Wine Tours? Don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] .

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Ecco La Cucina Culinary Tours In Italy

Taste of Tuscany Food & Wine Culinary Tour

We are not offering the shorter week in 2024 or 2025. If you have a group of 8-10, please contact Mary for timing available.

Tuscany has so much to offer through its foods and wines! If you can spend only a short time in Tuscany, join us for our Taste of Tuscany – a short, 4 day culinary tour . We’ll help you explore Tuscany’s culinary heritage and some of its traditions. During our shorter food and wine tour we include much of the deeply rooted culture of Tuscany with a hands-on cooking class, food and wine tours to a nearby hill town that will include a visit to a winery and local food producer of cheese, all lunch/dinners at local trattorie and a guided visit to Siena one evening.

Accommodations are provided during this tour on a beautiful estate just a short drive from Siena in a carefully restored 18th Century farmhouse.

Reserve your spot now!

Overview and Highlights

• Four days all inclusive tour
• All meals during the tour -breakfast, lunches and dinners paired with wines.
• One hands-on cooking lesson preparing a four course lunch with regional wines
• Wine tour day in the Chianti Classico (or other famous region) to include tastings
• 4 nights private accommodations in restored Tuscan farmhouse
• Regional seasonal specialties highlighted: visits to vineyards with wine tastings; visit to Cinta Senese or pecorino cheese farms with tasting; olive oil tasting and visit to press during harvest, visit to saffron farm; truffle hunting during the fall.
• Visits to area hill towns – Siena, San Gimignano or Montepulciano, and renowned wine estates in Chianti.We do not have this shorter tour scheduled in 2022 / 2023. Please join our week regular tour!

Mary Stipo Potter

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  (+1) 972-342-8308 (CST - Dallas)

Ecco La Cucina, Localita' Brenna, Siena Province, Tuscany

PROGRAMS & TOURS

Cooking, castles, countryside & fun, tuscany culinary tour vacation.

We have created a single villa-based vacation to experience both luxurious comfort and convenience. This is a foodie’s dream vacation which combines food, cooking, culture, wine tastings, touring, shopping, picturesque excursions and adventure into an experience of a lifetime! Whether your cooking interests are hands-on with a Michelin Star Chef, observing and learning to make pasta with a local nonna, or simply enjoying delicious Italian food and great wines, we have created an exceptional experience you will love.

All-inclusive* Vacation Itinerary – 8 days/7 nights including lodging in an exclusive and luxurious Tuscan villa, food, wine, excursions, tours, guides, cooking lessons and demonstrations, plus ground transfers. La Cucina Sabina combines food, culture and fun into an experience of a lifetime!

SUNDAY – Cheese Making Lesson, Visit Pienza, Dinner at Farmhouse Restaurant

A day isn’t complete without the food culture of the area, so we have a fun and very interesting hands-on cheese making lesson with lunch at an artisanal cheese dairy. After lunch, we depart for one of the most beautiful hilltop towns in Italy, Pienza. It is perched on a high hilltop allowing unsurpassed views over the Tuscan countryside. We’ll have time for touring, exploration and shopping at the local artisanal shops or wine bars. To complete the Tuscan countryside experience, we’ll head to the hills surrounding Pienza for a local farm for a truly local’s Tuscan experience, a dinner in a farmhouse overlooking the beautiful Tuscan hills.

MONDAY – Bistecca Fiorentina Tour & Tasting, Truffle Hunt and Pici Pasta Making

Tuscany is world famous for their Bistecca (Beef) Fiorentina steaks. We visit one of their best butchers where we learn about the Chianina Beef and what makes it so special, then enjoy a lunch featuring a taste of the succulent Chianina steak and other meats. This is a Farm to Fork Experience! What could be a better pairing than a Truffle Hunt with a local truffle hunter and his dog and a Pici pasta making class in the evening with a local nonna cook at Villa Rocchi?

TUESDAY – Siena Tour, Pastry Tasting, Open Lunch + Free Time 

Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Siena, likely Italy’s loveliest medieval city, where you experience the glory of the Romanesque-Gothic architecture without the crowds of Florence. Along the tour you will see Il Campo, where they run the Palio, the famous horse race through the center of town, along with many of Siena’s other gems. We’ll also stop for a tasting of their renowned pastries. Because of the excellent and abundant ceramic, leather and other artisanal shops, we give you extra time for exploration and lunch on your own. Dinner will be back in Torrita di Siena, at villa Rocchi.

WEDNESDAY – Brunello Winery Tour in Montalcino, Organic Honey Tasting, Plus Pizza Making

When you say Tuscany, one of your first thoughts is fine Tuscan wines such as Brunello, so we start our tour visiting the family-owned organic Brunello winery I Cipressi, near Montalcino, with tastings (also an organic honey tasting). We then visit the small town of Montalcino for lunch and some free time for shopping and exploration. In the evening, we enjoy a Pizza Making experience at a local restaurant, Ristorante Piccolo, a short walk from the villa.

THURSDAY – Michelin Star Chef Cooking Lesson, Open Time in Cortona

What better place to learn authentic Tuscan cooking than in a hands-on lesson with Michelin-Star Chef Silvia Baracchi, at her renowned Il Falconiere restaurant and resort in Cortona. After the lunch lesson, we head to lovely Cortona’s center, the famous “Under The Tuscan Sun” town, for a visit. There’s a bit of open time for strolling the town before heading back to the Villa. Dinner will be at Villa Rocchi.

FRIDAY – Montepulciano Tour and Gelato Making, Arrivederci Dinner at Antinori Winery

We start the day heading to Montepulciano, one of Tuscany’s most famous wine making areas for a tour of the town first created by the Etruscans 3000 years ago. We’ll enjoy lunch in town as well as an artisanal gelato making lesson. We have time for exploring or shopping before heading back to Villa Rocchi for relaxation and packing before dinner. We have a special Arrivederci dinner planned at the famous Antinori winery and Estate.

The Chianti Masterpiece Siena™

Tuscan cooking tour all inclusive~5 day.

Join Signor Francesco, chef, wine maker and sommelier in his Tuscan kitchen for our deliciously tempting Tuscan cooking & wine weekend program in Chianti, Tuscany. Gently sweeping hills adorned with pristine vineyards and grey-green olive groves, pretty country churches and imposing stone castles provide the backdrop for your cooking school vacation. Take a tour of the property’s winery, visiting the vineyard, tasting wines and learning about the Chianti Classico; enjoy accompanying your dinners with a delicious selection of house reds and whites; and discover the wonderful healing properties of wine and grapes and reserve a wine therapy massage at the Estate’s spa. Signor Francesco also produces extra virgin first-cold pressed Tuscan olive oil at the property.

Chianti Cooking Classes in Tuscany

Chef Francesco’s philosophy is “see, smell and eat it” and each day.  He chooses the best fresh ingredients from the garden and the market for your hands-on cooking classes. The atmosphere in the kitchen is informal, encouraging you to ask questions, roll up your sleeves and get involved. Signor Francesco is a true Tuscan food lover – preparing homemade antipasto, pasta,  risotto –  main courses – and desserts!

Tuscan cuisine is unique and based on the simplicity of raw materials, cooked with skillful craftsmanship. Tuscan history speaks of agriculture and simple living, therefore dishes are based around the use of the ingredients of common people who could not afford luxuries in the kitchen – olive oil replacing lard, vegetables as a base for the soups instead of meat, chestnut flour, and so on.  Everyone will prepare genuine ingredients using ancient culinary traditions and methods, creating delicious Tuscan everything from panzanella, pappa al pomodoro, pici, lasagna, risotto,  roast pork loin, duck, tripe, to  cantuccini  and  tiramisù .

Each class is 2 to 3 hours long.  Following each cooking class, everyone dines together enjoying the foods that were prepared in the class with Signor Francesco’s Tuscan wine included.

Gaiole in Chianti

The village of Gaiole is located approximately 40 km southeast of Florence and 15 km northeast of Siena in the Chianti hills, the most famous region of Tuscany. Gaiole in Chianti, like the whole Chianti region, is famous for its wine, artisan food products, and the unique romantic beauty of its landscapes: beautifully tended vineyards and olive groves, gently rolling hills, restored Medieval villages and farmhouses and characteristic avenues of stately poplar trees. Once a market town on the road from Chianti to Valdarno, Gaiole is still a wonderful place to visit for its wine shops, osterias, and local artisan shops, and perhaps more than any other village, represents the divine Tuscan landscape visitors dream of.

Chianti Accommodations

Imagine a beautifully restored Tuscan villa nestled cozily in the Chianti hillside: this will be your home for the duration of your cooking program. Rooms and suites are marked by distinctive and charming elements; for example, one suite has a bed made completely from antique oak barrels. Floors are made of the traditional terracotta tiles, exposed stones and beams give character to the apartments and furnishings are carefully chosen to reflect the traditional Tuscan style and comfort. Each bedroom has a private bathroom (some equipped with hydromassage), mini bar, TV, air conditioning, some of which boast private living rooms, and others private terraces.

Suites and apartments available for groups and families of different sizes. Please call for more information on accommodation options.

Click for Property Photo Gallery

Itinerary: 5 Days, 4 Nights

Day 1: arrival, check in, chef’s welcome dinner and wine pairing.

• Transfer from Chianti Train Station Montevarchi to the estate.
• Check in, then take time to relax and settle in.
• Welcome Dinner with a full course Chef’s Tasting Menu featuring local fare and wine pairing included.

Day 2: Cooking Class 1 and Gourmet Tuscan Dinner with Wine Pairing

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet in the kitchen for Cooking Class 1. Tie on your aprons for your hands-on cooking class.  You will prepare a three course traditional Tuscan menu.  Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with wine included.  
• Relax in the afternoon at the property and enjoy tennis, swimming in the pool, archery, badminton, darts or biking.
• Gourmet Tuscan Dinner with full course menu, aperitivo and wine pairing, included.

Day 3: Cooking Class 2 and Traditional Tuscan Dinner with Wine Pairing

• Time free to relax or walk through the property and hills or relax by the pool.
• Traditional Tuscan dinner, with apertivo and and wine pairing included.

Day 4: Vineyard Tour and Vertical Wine Tour, and Wine Therapy Spa Relax

• Meet your host for a tour of the vineyard set in the hills of Chianti.  Tour the vineyard, learn about producing the grapes,  wine making, bottling.  Following the tour, you will enjoy a Vertical Wine Tasting, included
• Later in the afternoon, enjoy a Wine Therapy Spa Relax, a 50 minutes wine bath in private Jacuzzi.
• Enjoy dinner on your own at the property or suggestions provided nearby restaurant options.

Day 5: Departure

• Check out and transfer from the estate to the Chianti Train Station Montevarchi.

5 Days & 4 Nights

All-inclusive program includes:.

• 5 days, 4 nights accommodations with private bathroom, based on 2 guests.
• Daily Breakfast and maid service included.
• Chef’s Welcome Dinner featuring a full course Tuscan tasting menu with wine produced on the property.
• 2 hands-on cooking classes preparing Tuscan fare.  Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with wine included.  
• Traditional Tuscan Dinner with full course menu, apertivo  and and wine pairing included.
• Gourmet Tuscan Dinner full with course menu, aperitivo and wine pairing, included.
• Vineyard tour followed by a Vertical Wine Tasting.
• Arrival and departure transfers from Chianti Train Station Montevarchi to the estate.
• Wine Therapy Spa Relax, a 50 minutes wine bath in private Jacuzzi.
• Cooking Vacations Welcome Bag with chef’s apron, recipes and Prosecco.
• A copy of Lauren’s cookbook, It’s A Dream Place – Stories and Recipes of Food, Love & the Amalfi Coast.

Program Prices:

$1,895 per person, based on 2 guests.

For Single Guests: If you are traveling on your own, please call us for the best group price. We are happy to welcome you into an already scheduled group.  Round trip transfers from Florence can be added on.  Prices vary depending the size of your group.

Check Availability

2024 Dates: This program is available throughout the year. Check in and start your program on any day of the week. Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates. Airfare not included. Group transfers for any cooking tour or tours that include transfers, are for the group and are not private. Transfers before, after or to another destination outside of your cooking tour are not included in the program price. If you would like to add on a private transfer or transfers, let us know and we will send you pricing.

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Privacy Overview

Cooking Vacations in Tuscany with TN&M

At Tuscany Now & More, we believe that the best way to learn about any local culture when travelling is through their cuisine. Far beyond mere sustenance, food is a tale of a country's history and culture. 

To give you a feel (and taste) for Italy, we've created an enriching cooking vacation that transforms your villa holiday into a gastronomic adventure . Under the guidance of an in-house chef in some of the finest villas in Italy, you'll immerse yourself in Italian food culture through a series of hands-on cooking classes, food and wine tastings and culture tours . All of this (and more) included in the villa rental price and available exclusively through Tuscany Now & More. 

Gastronomes have the choice of picking one of three programmes: The Art of Pasta Making, Nonna's Traditional Italian Recipes, and Italian Classics for Vegetarians. Each programme is designed to introduce you to Italian ingredients and cooking techniques , leaving you with knowledge of the essential flavours and secrets that transform simple ingredients into mouth-watering Italian classics. You will learn to make some popular Italian dishes like Pappardelle al Ragù, Parmigiana di Melanzane, Pappa al Pomodoro and Tagliatelle ai Porcini, among other recipes. Behind each great recipe lies a great story waiting to be told.

Pick your programme:

The Art of Making Pasta

Learn to make authentic, fresh pasta from scratch and the secret to pairing pasta textures, fillings and sauces.

Nonna's Traditional Italian Recipes

Explore a collection of Italian recipes, traditions and anecdotes passed down through countless generations

Italian Classics for Vegetarians

Learn to make a collection of meat-free, plant-based recipes that stay true to the culinary heritage and cooking traditions of Italy

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Cooking Vacations & Culinary Tours in Italy, Portugal & Croatia

Culinary Vacations with the best hands-on cooking classes & cultural tours in Italy, Portugal & Croatia. Culinary Tours in Tuscany , The Amalfi Coast , Sicily Portugal and more. Learn to cook traditional Italian recipes with local Nonnas, famous chefs, pastry artisans & pizza masters. Our Italian culinary holidays are all inclusive, authentic, and include market, vineyard & cultural tours and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Make wine in Tuscany’s vineyards, go truffle hunting in Umbria, make limoncello on the Amalfi Coast, Cannoli in Sicily, Tortellini in Bologna, experience "local" Croatia, and exclusive Portuguese dishes in Portugal. You are Family in our Italian, Portuguese and Croatian Kitchens, and share our love for cooking and family on our culinary vacations in Italy , as well as our culinary vacations in Portugal and our experiential vacations in Croatia .

Featured Vacations:

• Sicily, The Motherland - Wine, Cooking, Culture & Adventure

NEW! - Small Group Sicily Coast to Coast Tour with Exclusive CDV Only experiences, Boutique Lodging, Cooking & More.

• 12 D / 11 N
• 4 Cooking Classes
• All Inclusive
• Learn More...

• Portugal – Family, Culture, Wine & Cooking

A week of true cultural immersion & local traditions with the wonderful people of Portugal. Discover Port wines in Porto, explore the Douro Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, breathtaking towns, & cook local dishes.

• 3 Cooking Classes

Wine, Cooking and Castles in Barolo & Roero

A week of cultural immersion and local experiences amidst the backdrop of one of the most pristine wine areas in all of Italy.

• Cooking & Adventure on the Islands of Sicily

Unfortunately, we are not operating this destination at this time. We are working on a new itinerary that we hope to re-launch in 2025! Stay tuned!

Pure Adventure on the Western Islands of Sicily. Cooking Classes, Salt Harvesting, Private Night Fishing & More.

All of Our Culinary Vacations

• Wine & Cooking Under the Tuscan & Umbrian Sun
• Cooking in Paradise on the Amalfi Coast
• Wine & Cooking in the Heart of Chianti and Florence, Tuscany
• Culinary Treasures of Bologna, Venice, Michelin Stars & Exotic Cars
• Wine, Cooking, Truffles & Chocolate: A Foodie's Paradise in Umbria and Tuscany
• Wine, Cooking, & The Olive Oil Harvest - Soriano
• Cities Lost in Time on the Road Less Traveled
• Medieval Chestnut Festival & Wine Harvest Season
• Authentic Croatia Revealed

Our Culinary Vacations in Italy, Portugal & Croatia

We promise you will fall in love with each of our all-inclusive italy cooking vacations , as well as our culinary vacations in Portugal and our immersive vacations in Croatia . They about much more than just sightseeing, food, and cooking. We create an experience of a lifetime, immersing you into the culture while giving you the sense of having found your home away from home. You will truly feel like family with us. We don’t do the traditional tour thing. When we cook, we are a group of friends doing hands on cooking classes based on traditional Italian family recipes. When we are on excursions, we are a group of friends exploring the beautiful hamlets and countryside together. It is a unique experience like none other, and time again our guests tell us it was the best vacation they had ever taken , and we had completely changed the way they will travel forever. Have a look at our hundreds of Italy Cooking Vacations reviews , and learn more about our:

• Tuscany Cooking Vacations
• Amalfi Coast Cooking Vacations
• Sicily Cooking Vacations
• Portugal Vacations
• Croatia Vacations
• Other Italy Cooking Vacations

A Truly Authentic Family Experience

It starts with location. There is nothing quite like small town hospitality when you get away from the areas infected with mass tourism. The people are warm and welcoming, and the more you eat their food and drink their wine, the more they fill with joy. That sense of Italian hospitality is our number one priority with every guest on our culinary holidays. Our goal with each guest is not to simply show you the sights and offer culinary experiences. It is to bring you into our family . Everything we do revolves around that premise. It is all so relaxed and fun. Our guests quickly find that we don’t treat them like customers. We treat them like visiting relatives (The kind we enjoy having, that is!). Of course, this sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo, but it simply isn’t. It is one of the reasons our guests so regularly tell us we far exceeded their expectations .

"Be" The View

Small & Intimate Groups

All-Inclusive Vacations

The CDV Difference

Truly exclusive experiences.

Experiences you could never have on your own or with any other tour company...

Most of our vacations are all-inclusive. We take care of everything except gifts you bring home...

Local Living & Boutique Hotels

We choose truly special and small locations that reflect the local living wherever we go...

Truly Unique Locations

Get to know the real Italy, Portugal & Croatia as you visit the places that excite the locals, as well as bucket list destinations...

Small Groups

Nobody wants to feel like cattle, and we want to know you! So our average group size is 16 to 18 guests...

No Shop-Steering

We will never "steer" you into tourist traps that give tour company incentives or kickbacks...

Live the Local Life

All personal with true local culture at the center of it all. A true sense of family and belonging...

Farm to Table Food

Experience Italian & Portuguese Food by Local Standards, where restaurants have their own farms...

No Surprise "Options"

Everything is included in our up-front pricing. When you are with us, we have nothing to sell you...

Guest Reviews & Testimonials

Letters & Reviews From Our Guests...

   I had a dream i went to Italy...   

   This was a truly outstanding experience. I won't say much more about the activities themselves - just check out the website - it's all true!   

   I will deflintely be booking another experience on Culture Discovery.   

   Words cannot describe all we shared this week.   

   This has been an experience we'll cherish for years to come!   

   This trip exceeded my expectations.   

   From our arrival in Palermo to our tearful departure in Catania, every day was a new adventure   

   Thank you so much for making this vacation a true birthday gift   

   Thank you for a wonderful week Grazie to you!   

   We moved from one extraordinary activity at a Manor to another BBQ at an olive oil factory....   

   Like you said on the website, I felt like I was with family all week   

   Loved all our new found Portuguese hosts and friends who became family! No surprise with CDV!!   

   Food, fun, wine and socializing in the best way.   

   We were in Sicily with CDV in September 2021. We booked the whole tour with friends. It was such a special trip with cooking classes, visiting many sights, drinking great wine and great food.   

   Many, many thanks from the bottom of my heart for creating an environment of beauty, joy, friendship and...full tummies!   

since we started the dream

have become family

served to happy tummies