Location:
Barga
Duration: 4 or 7 nights
Available: All year
Tour Name: Cooking Holiday in Italy – Learn to Cook Traditional Italian Cuisine in Tuscany TourCode: 64
Learn to cook authentic Italian cuisine with Rita, your host during your stay in this beautiful part of Tuscany. The courses are fun and informal and Rita will help you cook traditional Italian food from pasta to pizza and more. Combine cooking and wine tasting and learn all the basic Italian cooking techniques and traditions. Visit the local market, wander the streets of Barga, one of the prettiest villages in Italy and take a day trip to Pisa and Lucca. From € 998 pp for 4 nights, € 1,750 pp for 7 nights (based on 2 people sharing a double/twin room). Contact us for availability
*Learn to cook authentic Italian meals with Rita – your fantastic host for the week
*Try some of the local wines at a wine tasting
*Visit Pisa, Lucca and some lovely Tuscan villages
*4 or 7 nights’ accommodation at La Mezzaluna guest house
*Full board basis, including wine and soft drinks at meals and lessons
*2 x 4 hour cooking lessons for 4 night stay, or 4 lessons for 7 night stay
*Return Pisa airport transfers
*Transfers to all locations on the itinerary
*Live music from Alex
*Wine tasting at Alex’s winery
*Flights
*Any drinks not stated above
*Local taxes where applicable
*Anything not specified above
N.B. This is a sample itinerary, timings and activities may change.
Day one
Transfer to residence La Mezzaluna (1 hour 15 mins) where you can enjoy a glass of wine and can talk about the weeks activities with Rita, your host. Visit Alex’s nearby wine cellar for wine tasting and dinner.
Day two
After breakfast, take a morning visit to the lovely medieval village of Barga. Eat a light lunch at a local cafe then head back to La Mezzaluna for your first cookery lesson. Learn to make pasta by hand, as well as some delicious sauces; if there is time you might also make a tiramisu or flan. Spend the evening relaxing on the veranda and enjoying the food you prepared in the afternoon.
Day three
Head to Pisa to visit Piazza Miracoli, then on to Lucca for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by an afternoon wandering around the shops, admiring the various cathedrals and squares. Enjoy a BBQ dinner at La Mezzaluna.
Day four
Travel to Castelnuovo Garfagnana to visit the huge food market and stop for lunch at a local enoteca. Back at the mezzaluna it’s time for your second lesson, dedicated to making pizza and focaccia in a wood fired oven. Enjoy the fruits of your labours hot from the oven as Alex entertains you with live music on the veranda.
End of the 4 night holiday
Day 5
After breakfast head to Fornaci di Barga to buy fresh vegetables and fish. Make some seafood salad and ‘crostini di mare’ for lunch, then enjoy a short siesta before continuing the lesson in the afternoon and dinner.
Day 6
In the morning take in the sights of the Garfagnana area, including an 18th century monastery. Eat a light lunch at La Mezzaluna followed by a lesson in making lots of good, mainly vegetarian, dishes like sformatini, farro soup, and maybe even baked aubergines.
Day 7
Visit the village of Sommacolonia, an ancient hilltop town with incredible views where Rita’s parents were from, followed by a trip to the Concori vineyard to learn about the wine making process, wine tasting and lunch. After lunch you can relax or take a 2 hour basic Italian language lesson with Alessia, followed by dinner.
About Rita:
Rita’s background is a fairly typical one – her parents and grandparents, originally from the Barga area, emigrated to Scotland where, like many other Italian emigrants, they opened their own catering business. Over the years, she gradually immersed herself in the culture, customs and traditions of her parents and grandparents and in particular their culinary expertise, studying the age-old secrets and techniques of traditional Tuscan cooking.
Rita has now been in Barga for almost 30 years running her B&B and apartments together with her children, and opening her own cookery school in the process. Her partner Alex, a professional singer, has a winery very close to La Mezzaluna. The couple are wonderful hosts, and will make you feel very welcome, so you can relax and enjoy the food, wine and music!
Barga, a charming medieval village in Tuscany, is the perfect destination for a relaxed yet immersive culinary experience. Surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards, this hidden gem offers hands-on cookery courses, where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Tuscan dishes like handmade pasta, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, and cantucci. After class, explore the scenic Serchio Valley, visit local markets, or take a leisurely walk through the village’s historic streets. With its blend of authentic cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and rich culture, Barga is an ideal retreat for food lovers. Book your Tuscan cookery holiday today!
Italy offers an incredible mix of adventure, nature, and culture, making it the perfect destination for an active holiday. In winter, hit the slopes of the Dolomites and Alps for skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings hiking and cycling through breathtaking landscapes like Tuscany, Lake Garda, and the Amalfi Coast. Explore watersports such as windsurfing, sailing, and kayaking along Italy’s stunning lakes and coastlines. Horseback ride through rolling vineyards and historic countryside, or combine a city break with a hotel + concert package for an unforgettable musical experience. Dive into Italy’s world-famous gastronomy with cookery lessons, learning to prepare authentic dishes. Whether you’re seeking adventure or cultural immersion, Italy has something for every traveler. Start planning your Italian getaway today!
La Mezzaluna This charming, friendly little hotel offers small self-catering apartments and rooms as well as a restaurant. It is located just 4km from the historic medieval town of Barga but is also conveniently located near the railway station to travel to the nearby cities of Pisa, Florence and Lucca. Rooms are spacious with an en-suite bathroom, T.V., and free WiFi access. There is also a veranda open to all guests with a spectacular view overlooking the Apuan Mountains. This is linked to the restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. There is also a bar area.
Nearest Airport: Pisa Airport (approx. 1hr 10mins) By Private Transfer Return airport transfers are included in the package, contact us after booking with your flight details
4 night break available for first 4 nights of course only.
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