We had an absolutely incredible experience at this pasta class just outside of Florence. Everything…read morewas so well organized from start to finish, and the entire experience was the perfect mix of fun, humor, and hands-on learning. The location itself was beautiful, especially dining outside under the stunning wisteria vine-covered table. It truly felt like something out of a movie. Not only was the class informative and interactive, but it was also beyond worth the value. Honestly, it ended up being our favorite experience during our time in Italy. We would recommend this class to absolutely anyone visiting Tuscany!

I am so happy that this was the cooking class I settled on going to during my trip to Italy!!…read more Lorenzo and Luca are just the absolute best hosts you could possibly ask for. We started the day by meeting Lorenzo at the train station in Florence where we boarded a train and went just two stops away. At the train station, Luca met us and we split the group up - taking their car and van back to their beautiful restored farm house in the hills. Here we started the class with Luca learning how to make tiramisu with sweet Italian dessert wine and biscotti with almonds. This was the first task so it had plenty of time to work it's magic. From here, we moved into the dining room where Lorenzo showed us how to make pasta dough from scratch. This was where the well timed dance of alternating between Lorenzo and Luca unfolded. The way they bounce off each other while keeping the class flowing, focused, and very FUN with such ease was amazing. Over the course of the day - we cooked, we shared snacks and laughs and plenty of wine, and eventually an amazing meal in the most beautiful setting - on what turned out to be a beautiful spring day. If I get back to Florence - I would definitely take another class with them. Heck - I wish I could spend a whole month here! If you are looking to take a cooking class while in Italy - take this one!! You won't regret it!

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.

The best day we had in Italy was the day spent with Veronica, in her home, making the most…read moredelicious homemade Italian classics. My husband and I were on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy with our 10 year old and 17 year old nieces, and all ages were engaged in the process. We started the day seeing Veronica in town selecting fresh ingredients for our culinary adventure. We followed her from the center of town to her home, which is breathtaking on acres and acres of olive groves and other gorgeous landscaping. We had tasty homemade pastries and then got started. We did a roast, homemade pasta with both a meat and marina sauces, focaccia, salad of pole beans, feta cheese and a champagne vinaigrette, tiramisu and lots of fun and love! She sent us home with leftovers and olive oil from the property, which is sublime! We all agree it was our favorite day of the trip, and one day I hope to return and stay on the property and take another amazing class. Veronica is so knowledgable and warm, and she can teach any age and any personality. So blessed to have found her and spent the memorable day with her.

Veronica is an incredible chef and teacher. Her cooking class was the highlight of our trip to…read moreItaly. The food was delicious but the opportunity to spend an real Tuscan afternoon is something we will treasure always. Our kids were spellbound for the whole time!

Studied abroad this past summer and had the honor of taking a class from Chef Mauro! He is truly…read moregifted in bringing people together to enjoy an authentic homemade meal. The views from his place were spectacular and made us feel at home despite us just meeting the chef. We learned new techniques and perspectives in the short hours we were there. Our class learned to make bolognese, ravioli, and a fruit tart pie which is bar far one of the best meals we had in the month we spent there. We had difficulty trying to get to chefs place as it was a dirt road incline but he was so kind and drove our whole class up! Made the experience more intimate and fun! The will forever be a core memory and one of my favorite days in Italy that I will cherish forever!

Absolutely loved every minute of our cooking experience…read more Mauro is an amazing teacher , chief and host. We learned a lot, had the one of the best meals we've ever had and topped off by great other guests with us. If we were ever in the area again, I would love to do this again. We have traveled a lot and my husband and and I said it is one of most favorite , rewarding experiences. We loved it so much that We even ordered a pasta making machine. Just got ba k from trip and was so excited to see it had arrived we. And it brings back memories of our amazing experience.

Getting to Opera in the Kitchen from Florence was simple and smooth, and I'm so glad we made the…read morequick trip--it was the best experience we had in Italy. The setting is an old Italian home in a vineyard with gorgeous views. It immediately felt welcoming and authentic. The host was very fun and helpful with people of all ages (young and very old). We started with a glass of Prosecco and later enjoyed Chianti wine, both of which were fantastic and family-made. The host even gave us a little history on the family wines, the ingredients we used, and the traditional Italian dishes we were preparing. It added so much depth to the experience. The food was fantastic and something that can be easily replicated. You get all the recipes at the end. You have an appetizer, pasta dish, meat dish, and then dessert. The opera singer was fantastic! I've been to many operas myself, but you will never get as great of an experience like this! Nosebleed seats at operas are usually $300, but for this experience you get to be "on stage" with the singer with fantastic wine, good company, and delicious food for much less! The singer was engaging and gave an introduction to each of the songs. It was the best part of our time in Italy, and absolutely worth the trip.

We had so much fun with Lucrezia and Maurizio in our home in California. We invited friends to our…read morehome for a cooking class and live opera and they did not disappoint. The food was delicious. Lucrezia miraculously supervised with grace and charm as we prepared 4 different dishes simultaneously. Then she served one course at a time, beautifully plated, while we relaxed and enjoyed with our friends. Maurizio entertained us with his soul moving voice between courses. The whole event was spectacular. They made it so easy for us. They brought everything from the wine to the cocoa powder to coat the tiramisu. We look forward to doing this again next time they are in California.

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.

Absolutely LOVED everything about this experience. Anna was very lovely and welcomed us into her…read morebeautiful home. She taught us how to make two pastas: Spaghetti and ravioli. Under her guidance, I was amazed that even I, an unskilled cook, was able to help create a delicious meal. I'd like to thank Anna for sharing her experience and passion for cooking with me and my family. Her class was one of the highlights of my trip to Italy and has given me a newfound respect and love for pasta making!! If you are looking for an authentic cooking class that captures the spark of Italian cuisine and culture, book this class. You will not regret it.

Enjoying my wonderful trip in Italy, the highlight has been cooking with Anna at her home. She is…read morean experienced Cook taught us so much. Making homemade pasta and sauces. The setting here is beautiful her home, the Vista her herb garden etc. if you are looking for a cooking class and the umbra area, go here!!!!

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.

I attended the course in 2010 with a friend and a nonparticipant (didn't cook, but did eat) and it…read morewas a wonderful first leg of our Italian adventure. Tuscany is absolutely gorgeous. The local agriturismo with the bee farm was lovely. Best honey ( castagna, acacia, girasole) in Tuscany. The sidetrips to Siena and Florence with great tour guides ( loved Elisabetta!) and the free time to explore San Gimignano and Volterra were great. Saving the best for last--the beautiful organic produce we used to cook with and the time we spent with Manuela, Riccardo, Tina and Shilpa were incredible..the dishes we created were simple but flavorful. I use Riccardo's ragu di carne recipe to this day. The desserts were wonderful, too! The course is a perfect mix of cooking and free time to explore the area. I have recommended this course to anyone who wants to learn some great recipes and still have the time to sightsee.

From the owner: Organic Tuscany offers week-long organic cooking courses in the Tuscan hills. Our cooking classes…read moreare very hands-on. Our wonderful local chefs will guide you through the preparation of a variety of simple but delicious Italian recipes (from Tuscany and from other Italian regions) and reveal some of their culinary secrets. The classes are taught in English, but if you like, we can teach you some simple "foodie Italian" to help you order in restaurants and be polite to the locals. Activities include visits to local organic farms, meeting the owners, and taste their wines and olive oil. Accommodation is in a beautiful villa with a panoramic view, in the grounds of the farm where the cooking classes are held. three of the cooking courses are 100% vegetarian and the others are vegetarian friendly.

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.