Italy - Comments from our guests

“This trip was the best one EVER! The cooking lessons, the hotel, the meals, and most especially, the people we met who were with The International Kitchen were incredibly special! We were expecting one notch above mundane; instead, what we got was superb — couldn’t have been more perfect.”

The comments posted are our clients’ own words and opinions. Content may be edited slightly for length, spelling or relevance.

Abruzzo

Sapori d'Abruzzo

I have just completed a cooking vacation to Abruzzo, Italy. It was much, much more than I expected. Our host, Massimo, was incredible. He seemed to anticipate our every need. He was so knowledgeable and all of his tours were not only fun, but very informative. We got to know Read More...

Amalfi Coast

Cooking Under A Golden Sunset

Everything was perfect! There really was nothing that i would have changed. The staff at Hotel Tramonto d'Oro were amazing. The hotel itself was perfect. The cooking classes were great. (I have cooked with friends since I've been home!), the sight-seeing was great. It was just the "right" amount for Read More...

Mediterranean Cooking Experience

What a wonderful time our group of seven had. The entire staff was warm, helpful and a joy to be with. Our rooms were very comfortable and the views were spectacular. The weather could not have been better. Since this was our first cooking course experience we were not sure Read More...

Ravello Lesson With Chef Vincenzino

We very much enjoyed our experience with Chef Vincenzino in Ravello. It was one of the highlights of our trip! We had a wonderful morning with him at the market and then preparing a delicious meal of all fresh ingredients from his garden as well as the shops. He was Read More...

Ravello Lesson With Mamma Agata

Pretty amazing experience - phenomenal setting, Chiara was an excellent "ambassador" for her class and she is obviously experienced and comfortable doing this. The food was tremendous - as were the beverages. I would highly recommend this class. Michael R. Read More...

Villa Romana Authentic Amalfi Cuisine

Well, now that we are home, I can tell you it was very simple to get cash in Minori...there was a bank with a 24 hour machine just a short walk away, as was everything else. What a wonderful learning vacation we had...We can't say enough. And anyone who thinks Read More...

Emilia Romagna

A Food Lover's Adventure in Bologna

Where do I begin to express my gratitude to you? So often a long awaited trip cannot live up to expectations when you finally get to take it. Not the case for me. Because of the two of you, it far surpassed anything I could have anticipated. From the day Read More...

Parma Culinary Vacation

The staff was wonderful, only exceeded by the wonderful food. The quality of the food and wines were first class. The chef was delightful, our driver was most accomendating and great company. The location of the cooking school could not have been better. The Magnani Rocca grounds were lovely - Read More...

Parma Lesson With Chef Micaela

We liked that it was just us for the cooking class. It was also interesting and enjoyable to be taught in Micaela's own home. We enjoyed eating our creations with Micaela. It felt like having a meal with friends. Micaela made the lesson special because she was so welcoming and Read More...

Liguria

Rapallo Lesson With Chef Fausto

Our group of 3 had a wonderful morning w/Chef Fausto and his staff and visitors followed by an enchanting dinner that evening. It was truly one of the high points of our trip to Italy. Things we loved? The setting up a long & winding road; beautiful gardens; warm & Read More...

The Italian Riviera And Cinque Terre

We did four different cooking classes while traveling through Europe and The International Kitchen's was by far the best one. Chef Roberto was fantastic. We learned so much about technique, presentation and history of Italian cooking. Roberto eagerly answered our questions -- he is a wonderful teacher. Monte Rosa is Read More...

Lombardia/Lakes Region

Lake Garda Grandeur

Everything was wonderful. The accomodations and the lady who ran Villa were great. The Chefs were very nice and did a great job getting the information across to you. Glenn & Mary, ME Read More...

Lake Garda Lesson With Chef Andrea

Our experience was wonderful in all respects! The setting was beautiful; the cooking class was hands on, the recipes choices were perfect. Chef Andrea and his wife were wonderful. They were so knowledgeable. We enjoyed both the cooking class and the conversation. After the class, they took us to a Read More...

Retreat at L'Albereta

Just to let you know: the trip to L'Albereta worked out great. Enjoyed the spa on the premises as well as the cooking lesson, a visit to the countryside and the winery. We both did go to their restaurant for lunch on Sunday, before they closed and were well impressed. Read More...

Villa Deste Italian Cooking Holiday

Amazing. Intimate. Glorious food. Five-star hotel with staff to match. The trip was above and beyond my expectations. Lovely people with diverse backgrounds. Lena C., Belleville, NJ Read More...

Piedmont

Interlude On Lake Orta

We were treated very well. The instructors (chefs) at the Villa Crespi were especially charming and made every effort to make our experience a memorable one. Learning to plate food was for me a high point as it was something not covered very well in previous classes I had taken Read More...

Sicily

Amore Siciliano

Katia & Ronald are excellent coordinators and provided language interpretation whenever needed. The excursions they arranged were likewise interesting and worthwhile. We cooked with different chefs at various locations, which was different from our experience last year when we were with Carmen Mazzola the entire time at Oasi Olimpia. There Read More...

Catania Lesson With Chef Eleonora

Meeting Eleanora was wonderful, as well as her kitchen. The only complaint was that I thought the class would have been more hands on. You can see that she is getting on in years and is not quite up to her full potential. She offered such great cooking tips to Read More...

Gourmet Sicily

The trip exceeded our expectations in all respects, but the cooking lessons were the most special aspect of the trip, along with the conscientious and caring attention we received from Angela, the Sicilian tour operator. You can have total confidence when you put your clients in Angela's care. In more Read More...

Palermo Lesson With Chef Vincenzo

We returned from our trip to Sicily this past weekend, and I wanted to let you know that the cooking class with Vincenzo in Palermo was absolutely fantastic! My friend and I had so much fun with him at the market, and I have to say that the meal we Read More...

Tuscany

A Classic Tuscan Table With Chef Claudio

I'm embarrased that it's taken me this long to send you a letter telling you what a wonderful cooking school adventure we had with Claudio at his B&B outside Florence. As far as cooking vacations go, this was top of my list. Claudio was a charming, attentive host at his Read More...

A Luxury Lifestyle At Villa Mangiacane

Great time at Villa Mangiacane. Chef Massimo was wonderful - great tips, demonstrations, and great food. The Villa is lovely and staff is most gracious and helpful. Would have possibly preferred being in the actual villa building but our room was beautiful and very modern. [Note from TIK: the Villa Read More...

A Week With The Tuscan Chef At The Villas Of Vorno

I definitely give the Villages of Vorno 5 stars. From day one we were made to feel like old friends by Chef Valter Roman, his wife Julia and staff. The villa was 1st class, comfortable,tastefully decorated and scenic. I have cooked Italian food for years , but the cooking lessons Read More...

A Weekend In Chianti

Claudio (cooking class chef) was wonderful. Above and beyond expectations. One recommendation: Tell people to bring bug spray, b/c you eat outside by the pool and the mosquitos are aggressive... Vignamaggio is a great spot. Very worthwhile part of the trip. Dario's meat restaurant is a truly unique experience. If Read More...

An Intensive Tuscan Cooking Stage With Chef Claudio

First was the people. Claudio, Sabrina, Laura, Miguel, Ahmed, and Joe the dishwasher all received us with open arms as if we were friends for years. The 10 participants in the other program became close friends in a mater of minutes. They ALL were great to work with, eat with, Read More...

Authentic Southern Tuscany

I cannot find any faults with this wonderful trip. The hotel was well located, the staff extremely helpful and friendly and very knowledgeable. The cooking classes were fun and instructive. The tours to other Tuscan centers were interesting and great for photographers. The wonderful trip to visit a vineyard of Read More...

Chianti Retreat In A Medieval Castle

Very satisfied with European partners. Took care of us and made sure we had all of our accommodations, travel arrangements, etc. Very much enjoyed the cooking classes. We were fortunate to have only myself and my wife, so we were hands on all the time. We loved ending our otherwise Read More...

Cooking With Giulietta

My husband and I booked a weekend in October 2006 of Cooking with Giulietta in Panzano-in-Chianti and we had a wonderful time. The grounds are beautiful, the driver from Florence and our weekend guide were wonderful! I learned so much more from Giulietta than I thought I would and met Read More...

Florentine Retreat

Two cooking classes: 1st at hotel (B&B) — small class, four participants (all family) more personable as host providing the class was very nice and interesting to talk with. She was very competent in kitchen. Recipes/instructions not too demanding — plenty of time to talk and drink wine:) and learn Read More...

Heart Of Chianti At Villa Bordoni

The vacation was amazing fro the care in picking me up at the airport by extremely nice and qualified drivers to the Villa Bordoni Villa and David and his wife who were fantastic. The cooking course was great and well presented and hands on while being informal was very, very Read More...

In Terre Di Toscana

From the very beginning, our trip was wonderful. The people at International Kitchen were extremely helpful assisting with our travel plans. We called often before we left and they were always willing to help in anyway they could. In addition, the information we received in the mail was invaluable. We Read More...

Italian Cooking At Torre Del Tartufo And Casa Ombuto

Torre del Tartuffo was a wonderful place. The location was beautiful and the people there were great. The cooking classes were fun and interesting. i think the group of people you happen to be with has a big impact on how much you enjoy the trip and lucky for us Read More...

Tastes Of Tuscany

We were very satisfied. This was awesome!!! We loved being at a farm in the country. Pat and Paolo were wonderful hosts, chefs, teachers and guides!!! We loved the excursions to small villages that we might not have experienced otherwise and I have already been cooking the food that I Read More...

Walking And Cooking In Tuscany

We liked it a lot. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot. We could influence the menus and everyone was involved. The guide for our walking tours was great too. However the walking tours could have been a little more demanding, so we added distance. But the Read More...

Umbria

All About Umbria

I am a travel agent and this is the sixth trip our group of women have taken with The International Kitchen, and each one is better than the last. This was our first time in Umbria, and it was wonderful! The hotel is lovely and Filippo and Mama Giovanna really Read More...

Assisi Cooking At Madonna Del Piatto

Our experience was wonderful. The agriturismo was lovely and our hosts very gracious. Visiting the market and tasting various items was helpful interesting and helpful. The cooking classes were very well organized with lots of hands-on. Letizia's English is excellent and she is a very good teacher. We made two Read More...

Assisi Lesson With Chef Letizia

We enjoyed the course very much. Letizia was wonderful!!! She made us feel right at home. We started out tasting oil, various cheeses and other local products in a store. Then the drive to her bed and breakfast outside of Assisi was beautiful. We learned to make homemade ravioli and Read More...

Cook And Walk In Umbria And Tuscany

We had a fabulous Umbrian trip. We were treated like royalty in Piegaro. Our hotel really is a palace and decorated with amazing antiques and beautiful faux paintings on the walls and ceilings. We were certain our accommodations would be nice, but truly felt like we had been dropped into Read More...

Perugia Lesson With Chef Christine

On June 22, 2008 a good friend and I took one of Christine's one day classes and it was superb. My husband and I traveled to Italy this summer for a five week stay in Perugia. My husband had signed up for Italian language classes and I was seeking out Read More...

Spoleto Lesson With Mamma Giovanna

Dear Filippo and "Mamma" Giovanna, Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my cooking school experience with you and your delightful family in Spoleto... It really was a very special vacation, what a wonderful way to live in a smaller Italian town for a week, have personalized cooking Read More...

Venice Lesson With Chef Patrizia

We really enoyed the class. Patrizia was a wonderful hostess, and with the help of Silvia, our translator, we were able to understand everything. We enjoyed preparing the gnocchi and the chicken, and had a wonderful meal on the beautiful rooftop deck. Our day was very memorable; not only did we Read More...

Lazio (Rome)

Rome Cooking Lesson And Walking Tour With Chef Fabio

We spent a wonderful day with Fabio, which felt like we had a personal contact in Rome! It was awesome to hook up with a native, hear about like in Rome on such an informal basis. And then the cooking class in his private home! Our children (11 & 12 Read More...

Rome Lesson With Chef Stefano

A very interesting visit to the market where the ingedients had been purchased. Stephano is a very sincere "foodie"" and much emphasis was placed on healthy methods of cooking, as well as the traditional. The menu was excellent, and the class was very personal...in Stephano's home kitchen, with the asistance Read More...

Rome Mazzano Romano Lesson With Chef Fabio

Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed Chef Fabio's Mazzano Romano class last week. The day was the highlight of our Italian vacation, from the cooking lesson itself to the tour of the nearby medieval village and winery. I came home excited to try out the techniques Read More...

Rome Tours

We booked through you the anient walking tour of Rome. That was amazing and very informative. It was the best way to see Rome in my opinion, and very reasonable. We passed up all of the lines, asked what questions we wanted, and saw everything that interested us, not just Read More...

Tuscany (Florence)

Chianciano Lesson With Chef Luciano

[Note from TIK: These clients did both a cooking class in Ravello as well as the class with Chef Luciano.] This was different, in some ways more realistic. The setting, in Tuscany, was more authentic, the need for a translator was understandable. Regardless, he was a lively, friendly and knowledgeable Read More...

Figline Valdarno Lesson With Chef Claudio

We've never done a cooking class abroad, but it was one of the best memories. Partially because of the cooking, but mostly because of Chef Claudio and his personal touch that made this a great time. He was an amazing teacher and very comfortable to be around. Everything was perfect. Adam Read More...

Florence Lesson With Chef Barbara

Barbara was fantastic, she took great time, detail and pride to explain all the aspects of Tuscan cooking and ingredients. We weren't supposed to make pasta from scratch but I wanted to so badly. She accommodated and now I can make it in less than 30 minutes!! Anthony H., IL Read More...

Florence Lesson With Chef Jacopo

We had the most fabulous day from beginning to end. Our teachers were great. Barbara, NJ Read More...

Siena Lesson With Chef Elisabetta

We were thrilled with our class. It turned out that it was just me and my friend and the instructor so we were lucky to have a more personalized experience. We particularly enjoyed that the instructor selected approachable selections that would be easily replicated when we went home. Also, we Read More...

Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa Lesson With Chefs Cecilia And Massimo

We had a wonderful class and visit. The class was informative, personal, and very interactive. We loved every minute of it and will do it again, when possible. Carol W., IL Read More...

Tuscany Tours

Our car tour of Chianti was fun and informative. Tour guide was very well spoken. The hotels and property that was recommended was outstanding, far surpassed our expectations, each one better than the next. All three had breathtaking views. Maura T., IL Read More...

Veneto

Venice Lesson With Chef Patrizia

We really enoyed the class. Patrizia was a wonderful hostess, and with the help of Silvia, our translator, we were able to understand everything. We enjoyed preparing the gnocchi and the chicken, and had a wonderful meal on the beautiful rooftop deck. Our day was very memorable; not only did we Read More...