Cooking Vacations in Tuscany, Italy: Cortona Cooking School

Cooking and Vineyards of Southern Tuscany - NEW
Pergo, Tuscany (Cortona)

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About the location: The hillside village of Pergo enchants. While the village is situated just four miles from the Etruscan city walls of Cortona, it feels like a world away, and not only because the town consists of a handful of medieval streets. Surrounded by rolling green hills — and even some mountains in the distance — Pergo is a place where nature, history, art, and gastronomic traditions have fused to create a breathtaking and relaxing getaway. When not learning the ways of traditional Tuscan food, delight in the picturesque setting populated by olive groves and vineyards. Pergo is only a short ride away from other charming towns such as Arezzo, Pienza, Perugia, Deruta, and Assisi.

About the accommodations: Your home will be a lovingly restored 18th-century historic dwelling. The owners respected La Corte dei Papi’s past, as they used antique materials in the restoration and conserved original elements, including vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and terracotta floors. Many of the hotel accommodation rooms feature a magnificent view of not only the garden but also the rolling hills of the region; all rooms also include adjustable air conditioning and satellite TV. The property also features a stunning swimming pool and outdoor dining area, the perfect place to relax after your cooking class.

About the cooking lessons: In the heart of Italy, you will prepare Tuscan dishes, including everything from 4-course meals to a tasting dish of bruschetta. Of course a cooking class in Tuscany would not be complete without learning how to make hand-made pasta. All classes are hands-on as you learn creative and modern approaches to traditional recipes of the region. These classes are perfect for people who not only love to cook, but are also passionate about wine; every wine pairing is hand-picked to match the seasonal menus.

Cooking and Vineyards of Southern Tuscany - NEW Itinerary

Day 1

  • Transfer from Terontola Train Station.
  • Arrive at Hotel Corte Dei Papi. (Please note: Three-night program begins the same day as the scheduled 6-night program and ends after breakfast on Day 4.)
  • Rest until the evening and then enjoy a welcome aperitif, followed by a welcome a la carte dinner — which includes three courses — accompanied by a good house wine.
  • Overnight.

Day 2

  • Breakfast.
  • Morning: First hands-on cooking class, where you will learn to create a traditional Tuscan four-course meal, which might include such dishes as: ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
  • Afternoon: a guided tour of Cortona with an English-speaking driver/guide. Visit the Etruscan Museum, which includes a rich collection of objects found during excavations in the area. Then, a visit to the Le Celle Monastery, just outside Cortona, where Saint Francis spent part of his monastic life.
  • Time on your own to explore the town.
  • Dinner on your own with suggestions from the driver.
  • Return transfer to the hotel, and overnight.

Day 3

  • Breakfast.
  • Morning: Meet your English-speaking driver/guide to take you to the cellar for your second hands-on cooking class. Before starting your class in the cellar, take a brief tour of the vineyard and cellar to see how Sangiovese wine changes from green grapes to a splendid wine. Enjoy a glass of that wine before getting to work.
  • In your cooking class, learn how to prepare traditional dishes, which may include bruschetta, pici hand-made Tuscan pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef coke entree, and mascarpone, while enjoying a glass of Chianti wine.
  • After setting up the lunch table, enjoy lunch based on your efforts with a glass of wine.
  • While in the cellar also learn about the wine aging process and enjoy a taste of some of the region’s great wines, including a Montepulciano, paired with aged pecorino cheeses from Pienza.
  • Depart for a tour of Pienza, complete with a cheese factory tour in Val d’Orcia. Witness the way cheese is prepared, and enjoy a bite of cheese on the property’s garden.
  • Return transfer to the hotel.
  • For those on the three-night program, enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant.
  • For those on the six-night program, dinner on your own.
  • Overnight.

Day 4

  • Morning: After breakfast, check out if you are on the 3-night program, and transfer back to the Terontola train station.
  • For those completing the 6-night program, depart for a full-day excursion to Assisi.
  • Return to the hotel for an a la carte dinner — which includes three courses — accompanied by good house wine.
  • Overnight.

Day 5

  • Breakfast.
  • Begin your third hands-on cooking class, which will be based on a seasonal menu.
  • Lunch to follow of your efforts. Wine included.
  • In the afternoon, take a guided wine tour of Montepulciano followed by a wine tasting in an ancient cellar located underneath the old town.
  • Time and dinner on your own.
  • Overnight.

Day 6

  • Breakfast.
  • Your fourth hands-on cooking class will focus on a seasonal four-course menu.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts. Wine included.
  • Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps spend time relaxing at the pool, or head out for individual activities. (Le Corte dei Papi can book a taxi or driver to go to Outlets).
  • In the evening, return to the hotel restaurant for a farewell a la carte dinner, including three courses, accompanied by good house wine.
  • Overnight.

Day 7

  • Breakfast.
  • Departure transfer to Terontola Train Station.

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