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

We really enjoyed the class in Abruzzo. The region was different from the others we have visited. Massimo was a great host, having grown up and lived in the area. The palace was great, a wonderful place to relax while not cooking or out on trips. Cheryle and Dino were Read More...

Amalfi Coast

Blue Sky And Sea Of Amalfi

Bob Christoph the chef couldn't have been more gracious, entertaining and accommodating. I have had four dinner parties since our trip... rave reviews from my guests. Everything was first class: rooms, food, staff, and of course the views. Gregg H., IL Read More...

Cooking Under A Golden Sunset

First, the entire adventure was very well organized from pick up at Naples train station to side trip to Pompeii and back to Naples. I was glad not to have to be driving the Amalfi coast road! Next, the Hotel Tramonto D'Oro was wonderful -- pleasant sea-view rooms that allowed Read More...

Mediterranean Cooking Experience

Carmen was the best part - her depth of knowledge, commitment to every detail of our experience, and her marvelous personality. I would recommend this vacation to anyone interested in cooking. The 'day at the farm' with Rosa and Antonio was fabulous although the Pompeii excursion was important in my Read More...

Ravello Lesson With Chef Vincenzino

We absolutely loved our cooking class with Vincenzino. He taught us so much, and was so warm and accomodating. We haven't stopped talking about what a great experience it was. The meal we made was so delicious, and Vincenzino captured everything on our camera for us. The views were spectacular Read More...

Relais Chateau And Michelin Star Cooking At Don Alfonso

Don Alfonso 1890 was an experience of a lifetime...The people at Don Alfonso 1890 made you feel like part of their family. The young chef, Andrea, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable and a terrific teacher. The food was unbelievable. The cooking school is not for beginners. This is a Read More...

Sorrento Lesson With Zia Angela

Our cooking lesson with Zia Angela in Sorrento was a highlight of our vacation. There were some logistic issues in getting to the lesson from Naples but once that was settled the rest of the day was simply amazing. The authenticity of the experience was what made it so great. Read More...

Villa Romana Authentic Amalfi Cuisine

Villa Romana was beautiful; Chef Juliano was wonderful. Classes were informative and fun. Translator could not have done a better job. Every side tour was on time and very interesting. Can not pinpoint any one special moment as the entire vacation was special, from the hotel personnel, the chef and Read More...

Emilia Romagna

A Food Lover's Adventure in Bologna

The variety of activities and experiences made this trip. I was interested in cooking and food but have no interest in spending every day, all day in a kitchen when I'm in fabulous Italy. Marcello and Raffaella Tori are marvelous hosts. They've have established relationships with wonderful, interesting people such Read More...

Parma Lesson With Chef Micaela

Micaela was knowledgeable, skilled, friendly, and fun. Our day spent at the Parmesan Reggiano factory and cooking with Micaela was one of our favorites during all our time spent in Italy. Clinton H., KS Read More...

Lazio (Rome)

Roman Countryside Discovery

We loved Lazio and Casa Gregorio. We had a conference in Rome so went to Lazio and Casa Gregorio first thank goodness because we had a chance to relax, eat good food, and be shown a wonderful time before the chaos of Rome. This is a great trip because there Read More...

Rome Chef Daniela

We booked a cooking class with Daniela in Rome and could not have been more pleased. She was very friendly and welcoming and put us at ease right away. It was wonderful to be shown around a great market area by a local Roman and then to be welcomed into Read More...

Rome Cooking Lesson And Walking Tour With Chef Fabio

The lesson and walking "tour" with Fabio set a very high bar for the rest of our vacation. It was very neat seeing a different side of Rome through their food stores, etc. and even briefly visiting his restaurant. What made our experience even greater is that it was only Read More...

Rome Lesson With Chef Stefano

Chef Stefano Cirillo and his assistants were wonderful. We had been caught in a torrential rainstorm on our way to the cooking class, and they met us with dry socks, slippers, towels, and dry sweatpants to wear (and we definitely needed them!). The class was well-paced, informative, and the food Read More...

Rome Mazzano Romano Lesson With Chef Fabio

My husband and I were picked up at our Rome hotel by Chef Fabio. We drove to his holiday home in Mazzano Romano. It was absolutely lovely! We went to the market and picked up a few items, said hello to the locals as we walked the cobble stone streets. 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...

Lombardia/Lakes Region

Bellagio Lesson With Chef Gandola

It was fabulous to experience a real cooking class from a master chef like Luigi. We learned cooking techniques that will complement my dishes from years to come. The food, spirits, and company were superb! Mark W., NC Read More...

Cooking In The Valtellina Valley

We were treated like VIP family. The hotel was exceptional, the excursions were very special and the service was memorable. Every person we encountered was professional, personal, and polite. The food took Italian cuisine to a whole new level. The classes were customized to our preferences. This experience was a Read More...

Lake Garda Grandeur

This was probably one of the best..out of a 10, Garda was a 12. The villa was beyond our expectations. Chef Walter was the best and all the girls wanted to take him home. The food was excellent and the entire staff could not have made us more comfortable...Perfect vacation Read More...

Lake Garda Lesson With Chef Andrea

I don't think I have enough superlatives in my vocabulary to describe what a wonderful experience we had at Le Gemme. Our experience with Chef Andrea and his wife Lara was fantastic! My sister and I had booked a half-day cooking class as a birthday present to my mother for Read More...

Milan Lesson With Chef Nicoleta And Fabio

We had a wonderful experience with Nicolette and Fabio. We felt as though we really were able to experience a part of Italian life. We enjoyed our cooking class with Chef Nicolette along with a side excursion to the local market not to mention a few shops along the way. Read More...

Piedmont

Bountiful Piedmont

Brico dei Cogni was wonderful.  The place is very nice and the hosts Livio and Claudia cared for all our needs and were very friendly. Its location in the middle of vineyards on rolling hills is very scenic.  We had a room with doors that opened out onto a balcony that overlooked the vineyards. In Read More...

Puglia

Discovering Puglia

Rita, the chef in Puglia, is absolutely wonderful, very talented, and tries to please her guests in every way. Her tours around Puglia are awesome. Her Villa/kitchen/facilites are very nice. Food cooked was great. Especially loved the wine tasting she scheduled for us. Constance M., TX 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...

Baroque Sicily

Sicily was an educational experience culturally and historically. Good tours. Cooking was with non-English speaking chef, but an interpreter was there. Can't say it was something I would do again. If clients want an experience of a lifetime, I recommend Don Alfonso. Maybe that spoiled me. I will use International 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...

Taormina Lesson At Ristorante Licchios

The class was laid back, with lots of encouragement to participate. The meal, with wine afterwards, was really delightful. Cheryl R., MS Read More...

Tuscany

A Classic Tuscan Table With Chef Claudio

Cooking with Claudio was an incredible experience. Claudio was the most amazing teacher. He taught us to cook all of our favorite dishes and some exciting new dishes. When Claudio cooked dinner for us, it was fabulous! We also enjoyed the side trips. We got to see some very special Read More...

A Luxury Lifestyle At Villa Mangiacane

We loved the cooking classes and wished there were more each day, i.e. 2 per day. Antonio was fabulous! We had another chef for one session. He was not nearly as good. He primarily spoke, so there were no hands-on opportunities for us. The villa was fabulous!! Beyond our expectations!! Read More...

A Week With The Tuscan Chef At The Villas Of Vorno

First of all, the Villa was fabulous! Chef Valter Roman was superb. We could not have asked for a better chef. We spent considerable time researching Tuscan Cooking schools and settled on this one solely because of the chef. He exceeded all of our expectations and then some. He is Read More...

An Intensive Tuscan Cooking Stage With Chef Claudio

Chef Claudio is superb! Let's face it, a vacation in which you're spending all day, every day, one-on-one in a kitchen, the personality of the chef will make or break your experience and they simply don't come better than Chef Claudio. His love for cooking, humor, and easy way with Read More...

Colle Val D Elsa Lesson With Chef Elisabetta

Chef Elisabetta was so welcoming. We loved everything about our class, most of all getting to know more about the Italian culture that surrounds food. All the dishes we learned to make were easy and delicious and we've made the ravioli at home with good results. She selected fresh, in-season Read More...

Cook Under The Tuscan Sun

Our stay was great! The staff very friendly. Very upscale. The cooking classes were terrific. Ambiance was gracious and relaxing. We signed up for the 3 day tour. The first class was perfect -- 6 people and all great fun. The second class had twelve people and was not ideal Read More...

Cortona Lesson At Lodanda Del Molino

We took a half-day cooking class at Lacando dei Molino outside of Cortona, Italy. We being myself, my husband, two grown daughters, two 13-year old-granddaughters and one significant other. It was WONDERFUL. Simone was not the chef. The chef was from El Falconiere, owned by the same couple who own Read More...

Figline Valdarno Lesson With Chef Claudio

The experience was WONDERFUL! Claudio met us at the train station with no problems. We got served breakfast and it was just myself and my boyfriend in a private class. He asked us what we wanted to make and got to do 7 different dishes. Truly the best experience we Read More...

Florence Lesson With Chef Barbara

We absolutely loved our experience with Barbara! Our time at the market, learning the history of salt and the variety of tomatoes - that was just the beginning. We learned so much about Italy as well as about how to cook some great Italian food. We really couldn't have asked Read More...

Florence Lesson With Chef Jacopo

We came back October. 11, 2010, late Monday night. I've been talking to friends and family, and they all asked us was 'what was my favorite thing.' We traveled around for 3 weeks, and saw a lot of wonderful things. I did keep a diary, or daily journal. I thought Read More...

In Terre Di Toscana

The Torre Guelfa vacation/cooking school was superb. Chef Claudio and his sister Sabrina and staff were incredible. This place is like a little resort/spa nestled in a quiet town in Tuscany (30 mins from Florence). Very relaxing, and a perfect place to go in the middle of a European vacation Read More...

Italian Cooking At Torre Del Tartufo And Casa Ombuto

The Casa Ombuto accommodations, instructor Paola, organization, attention to detail, setting, food quality, variety, were exceptional. The final evening and the buffett was spectacular. I think that night blew me away. Totally satisfied. I would highly recommend the experience to everyone. The International Kitchen staff was excellent. Very helpful, they Read More...

Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa Lesson With Chefs Cecilia And Massimo

What we loved most about the course was the kindness from Cecilia and Mossimo as well as their love and passion for Tuscany. The additional wine and olive oil tasting was fantastic and really helped us get a sense for food and wine together. One critique I would have is Read More...

Toscana Saporita

Sandra Lotti and her assistant chefs were terrific! Plenty of clear, entertaining instruction and hands-on experience. We were all made to feel like family. The woman who led the afternoon excursions was warm, accommodating and knowledgeable. The site was lovely - particularly appreciated the swimming pool. Patricia T., CA Read More...

Tuscan Dream On A Chianti Wine Estate

We loved the cooking classes, and Laura -- our resident expert chef -- was helpful and nice. The excursion was really nice as well. Going to the little towns and the winery were treats. The place for dinner was spectacular as far as location and ambiance; the meal was nice, 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...

Umbria

A Culinary Adventure In Umbria

It's taken me quite a while to write about our experience at Palazzo Seneca. Not because it wasn't everything I dreamed of and more, but because it so exceeded all of my expectations that I wrote and re-wrote my experience trying to capture it all in the best way possible. Read More...

An Intensive Cooking Stage In Norcia

It was class for me. I choosed especially this program to be in the kitchen as much as possible. Flavio is a perfect chef. He explained the reasons clearly. So, he didn't show us only how to cook, he also told us why. It was wonderful being in the kitchen 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 Home Cooking With Chef Letizia

Loved the entire day. From the beginning and being in a store that sold all the many delicacies of Italy, learning about olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tasting of cheeses and meats..All terrific! Going to Letizia's home and learning new styles and recipes...Doing the actual cooking and of recipes that I Read More...

Citta Di Castello Truffle Hunt And Demonstration

We enjoyed every aspect of the event. Watching the dog and the truffle hunter work together was fascinating. The meal and camaraderie following the hunt was outstanding. Great experience despite the fact that Italy's drought has cut the truffle crop significantly. Greg H. Read More...

Discover the Umbrian Countryside

It was a fantastic week for me! I cook a lot at home, but what I learned from Gianluca during this week was really amazing! Tips and tricks, delicious dishes, honest cooking and natural products. For people who like to cook with the best products from Italy, it is really something 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...

Multiple Regions

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...

Liguria

Rapallo Lesson With Chef Fausto

Spent 16-days in Europe and our favorite day was cooking with Chef Fausto! Chef Fausto and his staff were fabulous! They made us feel welcome and part of the cooking staff at U Giancu. Despite what the description of the class said, we did not go to the local market. Read More...

Veneto

Venice Lesson With Chef Patrizia

Sylvia met us at the market at the time designated. She was great and much fun, we bought some of our cooking supplies and then went to the home of Chef Patrizia. We had the greatest afternoon, cooking and drinking spritzers and just enjoying the one on one with such Read More...