Cooking Schools & Organized Tours
Travel is great fun, but it can be nice to have someone else take care of organizing it all.
Tuscany Cooking Class
"That easygoing Italian way of life that visitors find so alluring and desirable, la dolce vita, is indisputably linked to the Italians' instinctive knowledge of how to drink and eat well..." write Meaghan and Elizabeth, who run Tuscany Cooking Class from Villa Pandolfini, and do all sorts of things, from food to wine to tours.
"That easygoing Italian way of life that visitors find so alluring and desirable, la dolce vita, is indisputably linked to the Italians' instinctive knowledge of how to drink and eat well..." write Meaghan and Elizabeth, who run Tuscany Cooking Class from Villa Pandolfini, and do all sorts of things, from food to wine to tours.
Organic Tuscany
Riccardo and Shilpa lived and worked all over before returning to Tuscany, where they now teach cooking, leading people from the vegetable patch to the table, via the kitchen of course. Some of the courses are vegetarian, and all are vegetarian friendly. Looks like fun!
Riccardo and Shilpa lived and worked all over before returning to Tuscany, where they now teach cooking, leading people from the vegetable patch to the table, via the kitchen of course. Some of the courses are vegetarian, and all are vegetarian friendly. Looks like fun!
Artisans of Leisure
There is trave, and then there is... Travel. This is of the latter sort, all sorts of extraordinary trips to beautiful places. The kind of site that makes me which I had gone into banking.
There is trave, and then there is... Travel. This is of the latter sort, all sorts of extraordinary trips to beautiful places. The kind of site that makes me which I had gone into banking.
Cantalupo Tours To Italy does Sicily
Michael San Filippo has a drive of the sort I can only admire, and in addition to handling About's Italian language site has put together Cantalupo Tours to help others discover the beauties of the Peninsula. In this case, he has enlisted the aid of Michele Scicolone to cover Sicily's culinary roots, and a fine trip it looks to be.
Michael San Filippo has a drive of the sort I can only admire, and in addition to handling About's Italian language site has put together Cantalupo Tours to help others discover the beauties of the Peninsula. In this case, he has enlisted the aid of Michele Scicolone to cover Sicily's culinary roots, and a fine trip it looks to be.
Authentic Southern Tuscany
A delightful week exploring Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, and other towns in Southern Tuscany, which is a little wilder, but just as nice as Chianti.
A delightful week exploring Montepulciano, Montalcino, Pienza, and other towns in Southern Tuscany, which is a little wilder, but just as nice as Chianti.
Capezzana
Capezzana is a centuries-old winery in Carmignano, and you can see Brunelleschi's dome in the distance from the gate. But it's much more than a view: Delightful people, very fine wines, and an excellent cooking school.
Capezzana is a centuries-old winery in Carmignano, and you can see Brunelleschi's dome in the distance from the gate. But it's much more than a view: Delightful people, very fine wines, and an excellent cooking school.
Il Melograno:
Colors and Flavors of the Mediterranean with Diane Seed. Cooking lessons in Puglia. From Cuisine International.
Colors and Flavors of the Mediterranean with Diane Seed. Cooking lessons in Puglia. From Cuisine International.
Cook In Italy.Org
Federico Crova is a Jack of All Trades: He runs a B&B on the Island of Elba, is a tour guide, and above all (at least for us) is a trained chef who wants to share his knowledge. He offers classes in mainland Tuscany, on Elba (which would be nice indeed), and will be adding other venues soon. His food commentary is also interesting.
Federico Crova is a Jack of All Trades: He runs a B&B on the Island of Elba, is a tour guide, and above all (at least for us) is a trained chef who wants to share his knowledge. He offers classes in mainland Tuscany, on Elba (which would be nice indeed), and will be adding other venues soon. His food commentary is also interesting.
Cooking in Italy
Peggy Markel is delightful (we're friends) and her cooking holidays, in Tuscany and Liguria, would be high on my list if I didn't already live in Italy and write about food & wine.
Peggy Markel is delightful (we're friends) and her cooking holidays, in Tuscany and Liguria, would be high on my list if I didn't already live in Italy and write about food & wine.
Crystal Tours
"The finest culinary and spa destinations," the say, and while there are dozens of both in Italy they have chosen quite well. Intersting places that many wouldn't think of, unusual activities (golf, for example), and much to see too.
"The finest culinary and spa destinations," the say, and while there are dozens of both in Italy they have chosen quite well. Intersting places that many wouldn't think of, unusual activities (golf, for example), and much to see too.
La Cucina al Focolare
A gastronomic extravaganza held in a beautiful 15th century villa overlooking the Arno. (I did this page for Peggy)
A gastronomic extravaganza held in a beautiful 15th century villa overlooking the Arno. (I did this page for Peggy)
Divina Cucina
Judy is a food writer and chef blessed with an encyclopedic knowledge of food; She also finds time to run a cooking school from out in Panzano (about a half hour from Florence, which is where she used to hold classes).
Judy is a food writer and chef blessed with an encyclopedic knowledge of food; She also finds time to run a cooking school from out in Panzano (about a half hour from Florence, which is where she used to hold classes).
Ex Pat -- Una Mano Per Te
Patricia Haskel organizes walking tours of Florence (day or half-day) and will show you pretty sites even Florentines don't know about. She'll also be happy to help you organize other aspects of your trip.
Patricia Haskel organizes walking tours of Florence (day or half-day) and will show you pretty sites even Florentines don't know about. She'll also be happy to help you organize other aspects of your trip.
La Federazione Italiana Cuochi
An elegant site put together by the Italian Federation of Chefs, with tasty recipes of the sort that will impress your guests, information on gastronomical meetings and conferences, and job information. All in Italian, and well worth visiting if you speak the language.
An elegant site put together by the Italian Federation of Chefs, with tasty recipes of the sort that will impress your guests, information on gastronomical meetings and conferences, and job information. All in Italian, and well worth visiting if you speak the language.
Grape Adventures
A wide range of tours dedicated to wines, castles and art. The daytrips in Tuscany are especially interesting, because Bill can get you into places few others can. (I weave this site.)
A wide range of tours dedicated to wines, castles and art. The daytrips in Tuscany are especially interesting, because Bill can get you into places few others can. (I weave this site.)
The Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners
A school aimed at professional chefs, with intensive 60 day course covering all aspects of Italian cuisine.
A school aimed at professional chefs, with intensive 60 day course covering all aspects of Italian cuisine.
Il Faé
A villa located half-way between Asolo and Conegliano (home to Prosecco, a nice sparkling wine). Simply stay, or learn to cook, or ride your bike, or discover art. A pretty place with lots to do.
A villa located half-way between Asolo and Conegliano (home to Prosecco, a nice sparkling wine). Simply stay, or learn to cook, or ride your bike, or discover art. A pretty place with lots to do.
Insiders Italy
I've known Marjorie Shaw for a number of years, and have occasionally wished I lived elsewhere so I could have her plan an Italian trip for me. Alas!
I've known Marjorie Shaw for a number of years, and have occasionally wished I lived elsewhere so I could have her plan an Italian trip for me. Alas!
Italy from the Inside
A neat tour of Central Italy, to parts of Abruzzo and Molise few see (with a detour to Capri thrown in); includes horseback excursions and exciting repasts. There's also a detailed itinerary, and a pretty picture gallery.
A neat tour of Central Italy, to parts of Abruzzo and Molise few see (with a detour to Capri thrown in); includes horseback excursions and exciting repasts. There's also a detailed itinerary, and a pretty picture gallery.
Italian Cookery Course
A "hands-on cooking course in a superb Tuscan villa." Does look nice!
A "hands-on cooking course in a superb Tuscan villa." Does look nice!
Italian Wines
An overview of the many regions of Italy that produce fine wines, and many bottles to taste. From the Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci.
An overview of the many regions of Italy that produce fine wines, and many bottles to taste. From the Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci.
James Dominic & Lori Redmond's Personalized Travel Service
They'll plan your dream vacation in Italy, France or California. Knowing them, the trips should be quite good.
They'll plan your dream vacation in Italy, France or California. Knowing them, the trips should be quite good.
Leonardo da Vinci's Cooking Classes
Not the Master's, whose tastes may be rather different from ours (imagine life without tomatoes), but rather the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci's which will teach you to prepare home cooking Italian style.
Not the Master's, whose tastes may be rather different from ours (imagine life without tomatoes), but rather the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci's which will teach you to prepare home cooking Italian style.
Monti della Tolfa
Claudio and Assuntina offer all sorts of vacationing opportunities, from mountain biking to soaking in the hot springs, in a very pretty hilltop town north of Rome.
Claudio and Assuntina offer all sorts of vacationing opportunities, from mountain biking to soaking in the hot springs, in a very pretty hilltop town north of Rome.
More Travel Information
From your About.Com. Guide: Enogastronomic tourism, Italian (in Italy) restaurant reviews and suggestions...
From your About.Com. Guide: Enogastronomic tourism, Italian (in Italy) restaurant reviews and suggestions...
My Neapolitan Kitchen
Marjorie Mauriello Baker works with Italian chefs, but lives in LA and organizes classes for groups and individuals who want to learn how to prepare classic Neapolitan dishes.
Marjorie Mauriello Baker works with Italian chefs, but lives in LA and organizes classes for groups and individuals who want to learn how to prepare classic Neapolitan dishes.
Il Mulino dell'Opera
I don't usually single out Agriturismi, but Philip Henderson, a transplanted Englishman, has turned his mill into an extraordinary place, and has assembled a delightful collection of tips and suggestions for getting to know the area around Lucca.
I don't usually single out Agriturismi, but Philip Henderson, a transplanted Englishman, has turned his mill into an extraordinary place, and has assembled a delightful collection of tips and suggestions for getting to know the area around Lucca.
Tasty Tuscany: From the Frying Pan into the Fire
A cooking school/holiday organizer. Looks like it would be fun; in addition to the standard food and wine they offer archaeology, basket weaving (yes) and lounging for those who don't want to do anything.
A cooking school/holiday organizer. Looks like it would be fun; in addition to the standard food and wine they offer archaeology, basket weaving (yes) and lounging for those who don't want to do anything.
The Shaw Guides listing of Italian Cooking Holidays
An impressive collection of cooking holidays (more than 100) with email addresses, links to sites, and forms to fill out for more information. A good place to begin if you want an organized gastronomic vacation.
An impressive collection of cooking holidays (more than 100) with email addresses, links to sites, and forms to fill out for more information. A good place to begin if you want an organized gastronomic vacation.
Umberto Menghi
The noted cookbook author also holds classes in Italy.
The noted cookbook author also holds classes in Italy.
Venetian Cooking in a Venetian Palace
"Fulvia Sesani hosts an exclusive aristocratic cooking school in her Palazzo Morosini della Trezza, just a stones throw from Piazza San Marco..." From Cuisine International.
"Fulvia Sesani hosts an exclusive aristocratic cooking school in her Palazzo Morosini della Trezza, just a stones throw from Piazza San Marco..." From Cuisine International.
Palazetto Ardi
This is an agriturismo half way between Verona and Vicenza, in the Veneto -- an area people rarely think to visit, and they're missing out on a lot by doing so. The farm is organic, and they make their own wines and foods, in addition to providing cooking lessons, and doing their besto to help you discover the region.
This is an agriturismo half way between Verona and Vicenza, in the Veneto -- an area people rarely think to visit, and they're missing out on a lot by doing so. The farm is organic, and they make their own wines and foods, in addition to providing cooking lessons, and doing their besto to help you discover the region.