Our family of 4 absolutely loved everything about this cooking class. We picked vegetables and…read moreherbs in Giulia's garden. We made an amazing meal in her lovely kitchen studio with only the freshest ingredients. Giulia and Tommaso were so welcoming and the whole experience felt relaxed and personalized. We not only learned to make a beautiful Italian meal, but we learned about the source of our ingredients and traditional Italian cooking. Would highly recommend this class!

Life is too short to eat bad food, and even worse to make it. Thanks to Giulia, no hope of that…read morewill happen (hopefully) in the future. I had the pleasure of recently trying one of her cooking classes. We started at the vibrant market in her home town, picking vegetables after sipping a cappuccino meet & greet in the center. Giulia decides what she will make depending on what is seasonally available, and she caters to vegetarians, gluten-free allergies and anything, just ask! We headed to her charming house, a bit like its own private borgo, and commenced our adventure in Tuscan cooking. I have done my fair share of classes in Italy, as a travel writer, but this one stood out because of her. She is kind, warm, patient and really strives to share her love for local food and help you make it your own. Because it was quite hot, we grilled eggplant, made salads and panzanella and a beautiful fried chickpea dish that I am still drooling over. Dessert was zuppa inglese, which all of the class participants got to personalize. We shared our meal on the long, living room table, set beautifully (her house is impeccable) over wine, water and conversation. Giulia is also an accomplished food blogger and writer and I use her site like a personal Tuscan bible. I could not think of a better cooking experience.

The food was delicious! The cooking tips were priceless! We had the best time cooking with Nonna…read more We felt like we were being taught our very own Italian Nonna! We so enjoyed the fruits of our labor dining at the big wooden table with our fellow chefs.

Cannot say enough good things about our experience with Nonna and Paolo. We attended a lunch…read morecooking class in mid-April, along with 2 other visitors to Tuscany. The menu included 3 types of bruschetta, tagliatelle with asparagus, chicken with a vin santo reduction, and zabaglione for dessert. This was one of our best meals in all of Tuscany. Not only because of the quality of the food (many of the ingredients came fresh from neighboring farms), but also because of the warmth and hospitality shown by Nonna and Paolo. They were both incredibly kind, genuine, and knowledgeable about the cooking techniques and ingredients, but perhaps the most enjoyable part was their lovely relationship and the way they made everyone in the class comfortable with one another. By the end, we were all laughing and joking together. Please go visit Nonna; you won't regret it!

This is a 5 star experience through and through! Everything about this 1/2 day class is…read moreunbelievable. Host and cooking lead, Manuela is a gem. She is friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable but most of all knows how to take your trip to Italy to another level! She immerses you in a full on sensory experience to cooking. Smelling ingredients, touching and understanding textures, seeing the freshness of ingredients and the rich colors, and finally tasting the fruits of your labor. Mmmmm. We opted for a regional class that featured Sicilian recipes and it was fantastic! We made a four course meal. One of the freshest meals I've ever had. Our food was down right mouth watering! You must must must go here when visiting Florence for a truly rich cultural and culinary experience. Loved this day more than I can capture in a review.

OMG!! This review is long overdue!! We had the best time with Manuela and Simon. Was definitely…read moreone of the highlights of our trip!! Manuela was patient, informative, and humorous. Everything we made was explained very well, and best of all was delicious. I will forever remember this time, and look forward to utilizing the recipes back home. Highly recommend taking a class with them!!

Lorna was incredible. First of all, she was super accommodating to our group and came to us at our…read moreAirbnb in Lucca. She gave us a bunch of options of things to learn. We have small children 2.5 years old, 9 and 10 and she worked with them in such a caring way. She brought all the things we needed for an incredible dinner. We made pasta, panzanella, artichoke bake, and meatballs as well as mascarpone snow with chocolate sauce. We laughed and had a blast. Would 1000% reccomend!

Cooking with Lorna was an amazing experience. It is my first time in Tuscany, and I wanted to taste…read moreas many Tuscan dishes/ flavors as possible. So she came up with awesome tasting menu. Everything she instructed me to make came out absolutely delicious . I'm so happy to have met her and learned from her. Thank you.

When my significant other told me we were going on a bus tour, I pictured a slow, simple, and quite…read morerelaxing ride through the Tuscan countryside -- maybe some wine, some photos, and lots of air-conditioned comfort....... Something I've done before, the standard issue bus ride. You can imagine my surprise, and moreso, confusion, when we arrived to find Luca, our friendly tour guide, peeking around the corner greeting us with a very excitable, "Are you ready for your Vespa tour?!?" My eyes immediately widened. Did I hear him correctly? Was something lost in translation? I paused to process.....instinctively went outside for some fresh air.....and came back in after momentarily catching my breath. Still visibly choked-up, I struggled to speak during my waterfall of emotions......."Who's cutting onions in here?" This had all hit me, fast, all at once. I was beyond moved and thoroughly excited. Now, I've been riding for nearly 34 years -- from dirt bikes to adventure bikes to the high-speed track, and as an instructor -- but this experience was something entirely different. What started as a "bus tour" magically transformed (with a twist of the wrist) into one of, if not, the most profound and unforgettable rides of my life. The awesome team at Arianna & Friends made everything seamless, and our private guide, Luca, was nothing short of exceptional -- professional, kind, and deeply passionate about sharing the hidden beauty of his piece of Tuscany. He led us through rolling hills, olive groves, and charming villages, while stopping at breathtaking viewpoints that perfectly captured the magic of the region. This was our ride, Luca included, not just mine. Even with all my years on two wheels, this day reminded me why I fell in love with riding in the first place -- the freedom, the connection, and the pure joy of the open road. I have seriously struggled to find the words (strong enough) to thank Arianna & Friends, Luca, and my significant other, for turning a "bus tour" into a bucket list experience checked off in the most meaningful way. This adventure was exhilarating, enriching for the soul, and unforgettable..... I found peace. Andiamo!

Prior to our visit to the Hilton Grand Vacation Club at Borgo Alle Vigne in rural Selvatelle south…read moreof Pisa, Italy, we contacted Arianna & Friends on line to arrange for a private cooking class for 4 at Rita's Farm in rural Tuscany. The five hour hands on 4-course food preparation session was the best and most rewarding experience of our trip to Italy. Massimo was an excellent guide and teacher. We were impressed by his vast knowledge of subjects which he presented in an interesting way. Silvia the cook was patient and supportive. Her warm, sweet personality showed through language barrier. We really had fun learning to cook and appreciate Italian food and wine.

Everything! We had a great time cooking with Margarita and Christian's and the food and wine was…read morevery good. The hospitality was wonderful and our time at the farm was well spent.

Prior to our visit to the Hilton Grand Vacation Club at Borgo Alle Vigne in rural Selvatelle south…read moreof Pisa, Italy, we contacted Arianna & Friends on line to arrange for a private cooking class for 4 at Rita's Farm in rural Tuscany. The farm house is rustic outside but the kitchen is modern and well equipped. The five hour hands on 4-course food preparation session (based on menu we selected)was the best and most rewarding experience of our trip to Italy. Massimo was an excellent guide and teacher. We were impressed by his vast knowledge of subjects which he presented in an interesting way. Silvia the cook was patient and supportive. Her sweet personality showed through language barrier. We really had fun learning to cook and appreciate Italian food and wine. We used wine and olive oil produced by this farm in our class.

Come for the cooking, stay for the show! Chef Monti is not only a great teacher, he's also…read morehysterical. His jokes are terrible, politically incorrect and laugh-out-loud funny! The classroom is very intimate and from the first minute you are working hands-on: measuring, weighing, slicing, chopping, kneading, etc. I took the pizza, focaccia and bread class, and although I've been making bread for 20 years, I learned many new tricks--including how to toss pizza dough and more importantly, how to catch it again! His approach is very easy to follow and his methods stress "how things should feel" rather than relying on slavish devotion to recipes. The school is attached to a working restaurant in the Carignano Hotel in the outskirts of Lucca. He offers six, four-hour courses and many people stay in the hotel and make these cooking classes a destination vacation. I was very entertained.

In a large and lovely kitchen I learned how to make several sauces, pasta, and a little dessert…read more The class was extremely planned and well put together. I was amazed at how easily Chef Paolo taught us- he is a natural chef and teacher. We will be back for more classes soon!

Amazing! Authentic Tuscan experience. Wine and food in a wonderful setting. Coleen, the owner, is…read morea super host.

Goodness! This luxury vacation was worth every penny. So great that I visited twice. Once in 2008…read moreand now in 2015. Cooking classes right in the village of Montefollonico taught by women whose families have lived here for generations. We got to cook with Dania at La Chiusa Ristorante and Hotel. To learn to stuff zucchini blossoms from a Michelin starred chef who is beautiful to boot, in Tuscany was a bucket list, lifetime experience. First class accommodations at her hotel and hands-on (and in the pasta) classes with women from all the village restaurants (13 Gobbi, La Costa, Belagaggio) is something that can't be taught in the US. I learned how to make amazing eggplant Parmigiana, pici pasta, pizza, handmade lasagna with béchamel...delish! (Note: be careful, I almost posted on another company's yelp because they sounded like Tuscan Women Cook but checked the websites and realized the other was a brand new company. I think the Sutherland's have been holding classes in Montefollonico since 1998 or 2000.) Check out pictures on their website. You will swoon. Patty and Bill Sutherland, save my place I'll probably return for a third time.

Excellent venue. Came here with tour group. Did a cooking class and enjoyed an excellent dinner…read more The staff was amazing and so friendly. So much history and delicious food and wine.