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Overview

Luxury Tuscany Food & Wine Tours

View of the residence during your cooking vacation in TuscanyThe hillside village of Pergo, home for our Tuscan Splendor cooking vacations, is enchanting. While the village is situated just four miles from the Etruscan city walls of Cortona, it feels like a world away. Surrounded by rolling green hills – and even some mountains in the distance – this is a place where nature, history, art, and gastronomic traditions have fused to create a breathtaking and relaxing getaway for some of our best cooking vacations in Tuscany.

Learn the ways of traditional Tuscan food during hands-on Tuscany cooking classes, including local pasta varieties like pici pasta, plus delicious meat dishes, and desserts. Delight in the picturesque setting populated by olive groves and vineyards, and explore the “terroir” during authentic Tuscany wine tours and tastings.

Nestled in the scenic region is a family-owned estate that will be your home during your Tuscany cooking vacation, with its lovingly restored 18th-century historic dwelling. The owner, David, and his family respected the structure’s past in its renovation, as they used antique materials in the restoration and conserved original elements, including vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and terracotta floors. Many of the rooms for your Tuscany culinary tour feature a magnificent view of not only the garden but also the rolling hills of the region. David and his mother will welcome you like family and show you the Tuscany of your dreams.

Since the hotel is only a short ride away from other charming towns such as Arezzo, Pienza, Perugia, Deruta, and Assisi, as well as from Montepulciano, you will have ample chance to explore the amazing gastronomy of Tuscany through Tuscany wine tours and and tastings, as well as cultural tours and gastronomic excursions to taste the local products.

Come to southern Tuscany on your Italy food tour and experience the best cooking vacations in Tuscany!


Latest Review

I gave this trip 5 stars
elizabeth
nc
Trip taken June 2022
Tuscan Splendor Cooking Tour in Tuscany, Italy was the highlight of our vacation!! The International Kitchen did a fabulous job creating our itinerary, and Richard was great to work with and kept in touch with us throughout our trip. Our stay at La Corte Dei Papi, outside Cortona was relaxing and beautiful. David, the owner of this family estate, made sure our stay was everything we could hope for. A special shout out to Chef Ryan, our cooking class instructor, who taught us how to cook a four-course Tuscan meal. Our time in his home and kitchen was fun, instructional, and DELICIOUS! Thank you to everyone that made this time special for us! Ciao!

Tuscan Splendor Cooking Vacation Details

Our best cooking vacations in Tuscany include plenty of amazing Italian food and wine, including regional Tuscan pastas like pici pasta and tagliatelle, ribolita soup, Florence-style beef, and desserts. Your amazing 6-night Tuscan culinary vacation will also feature:

  • deluxe accommodations at a boutique, family-owned hotel
  • hands-on cooking classes
  • visits of Cortona and Pienza
  • a Tuscany wine tasting tour in Montepulciano and visit of a cheese producer
  • excursion to Assisi
  • meals as indicated
  • and more!

Luxury Tuscany Resort Vacations Itinerary

Double bedroomPlease note that the order of activities each day can be flipped – with an excursion in the morning and the class in the afternoon for dinner. Our cooking vacations in Tuscany can be customized to include additional nights and excursions. Contact us to start planning!

Day One

  • Transfer from Terontola Train Station.
  • Arrive at Hotel Corte Dei Papi, home for your amazing Tuscany wine tour and cooking vacation.
  • 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.

Pasta dish in ItalyDay Two

  • Breakfast.
  • Morning: First hands-on Tuscan 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. Depending on the specific week, the Tuscan cooking classes are held either at the property with one of the hotel’s chefs or at a nearby property with another wonderful chef instructor (transfers included).
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
  • Afternoon: a guided tour of Cortona with an English-speaking 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 and dinner on your own. (Return transfer back to the hotel must be paid locally).
  • Overnight.

Rooftops in TuscanyDay Three

  • Breakfast.
  • In the second cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, learn how to prepare traditional dishes, which may include bruschetta, pici hand-made Tuscan pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef entree, and mascarpone.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
  • Afternoon on your own. Perhaps visit Trasimeno lake, or shop at the nearby Valdichiana Outlet, where most famous Italian fashion brands can be found, or schedule additional Tuscany wine tours and tastings. (Transfers can be arranged locally).
  • Dinner on your own.
  • Overnight.

Visiting Pienza during your Tuscan villa culinary vacation.Day Four

  • After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion including cultural visits and Tuscany wine tours.
  • In the morning, experience a wine tasting in the ancient cellars located underneath the town of Montepulciano.
  • Light lunch in the winery.
  • In the afternoon, head to Pienza for free time to explore on your own.
  • Next, stop in Val d’Orcia to see a cheese factory, followed by a delicious cheese tasting. At certain times of the year, it may be possible to experience a cheese making demonstration.
  • Return to the hotel for an a la carte dinner accompanied by good house wine.
  • Overnight.

A Tuscan vineyard on a food and wine tour of ItalyDay Five

  • Breakfast.
  • Begin your third and final hands-on cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, which will be based on a seasonal menu.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts with local wine included.
  • Afternoon on your own. Perhaps relax by the pool, or visit Arezzo or Cortona on your own. (Transportation can be arranged locally).
  • Dinner on your own.
  • Overnight.

A view of Assisi visited during a culinary tour of ItalyDay Six

  • Breakfast followed by a full-day excursion to Assisi. You will have a chance to explore this beautiful city on your own, including St. Frances’ Cathedral, a World Heritage Site decorated in frescos by Cimabue and Giotto, as well as other attractions, including St. Mary the Greater Church, the earliest religious building in Assisi. (Lunch on your own in Assisi). (If you would like to schedule a guided tour with a licensed guide, this can be added for an additional cost.)
  • In the evening, return to the hotel restaurant for a farewell a la carte dinner, including three courses, accompanied by good house wine.
  • Overnight.

View of the residence during your cooking vacation in TuscanyDay Seven

  • Breakfast.
  • Your culinary vacation in Tuscany has ended, but the memories will last a lifetime! Check out and transfer to Terontola train station.

A tasty plate of fresh maccheroni with truffles during a cooking vacation in Italy.Optional additions:

Your Tuscany cooking vacation can easily be customized, whether you want additional nights or tours. Some options that we can include are:

  • full-day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
  • full-day excursion to Bagno Vignoni and San Quirico d’Orcia
  • half-day excursion to Arezzo or Perugia,
  • half-day tour to Montalcino for Brunello wine tasting or other activities like truffle hunting or a bike tour

Please contact us for details and pricing for these optional excursions.

Plated dinner in ItalyPlease note that the order of activities each day can be flipped – with an excursion in the morning and the class in the afternoon for dinner. Our cooking vacations in Tuscany can be customized to include additional nights and excursions. Contact us to start planning!

Day One

  • Transfer from Terontola Train Station.
  • Arrive at Hotel Corte Dei Papi, home for your amazing Tuscany wine tour and cooking vacation.
  • 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.

Swimming pool at the estateDay Two

  • Breakfast.
  • Morning: First hands-on Tuscan 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. Depending on the specific week, the Tuscan cooking classes are held either at the property with one of the hotel’s chefs or at a nearby property with another wonderful chef instructor (transfers included).
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
  • Afternoon: a guided tour of Cortona with an English-speaking 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 and dinner on your own. (Return transfer back to the hotel must be paid locally).
  • Overnight.

The Papi familyDay Three

  • Breakfast.
  • In the second cooking class of your cooking in Tuscany tour, learn how to prepare traditional dishes, which may include bruschetta, pici hand-made Tuscan pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef entree, and mascarpone.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
  • Afternoon on your own. Perhaps visit Trasimeno lake, or shop at the nearby Valdichiana Outlet, where most famous Italian fashion brands can be found, or schedule additional Tuscany wine tours and tastings. (Transfers can be arranged locally).
  • Dinner on your own.
  • Overnight.

A street in the beautiful town of Cortona, Tuscany.Day Four

  • After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion including cultural visits and Tuscany wine tours.
  • In the morning, experience a wine tasting in the ancient cellars located underneath the town of Montepulciano.
  • Light lunch in the winery.
  • In the afternoon, head to Pienza for free time to explore on your own.
  • Next, stop in Val d’Orcia to see a cheese factory, followed by a delicious cheese tasting. At certain times of the year, it may be possible to experience a cheese making demonstration.
  • Return to the hotel for an a la carte dinner accompanied by good house wine.
  • Overnight.

Main square of the medieval town of Cortona, Tuscany.Day Five

  • Breakfast.
  • Your culinary vacation in Tuscany has ended, but the memories will last a lifetime! Check out and transfer to Terontola train station.

Visiting San Gimignano during our Tuscan villa culinary vacations.Optional additions:

Your Tuscany cooking vacation can easily be customized, whether you want additional nights or tours. Some options that we can include are:

  • full-day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano
  • full-day excursion to Bagno Vignoni and San Quirico d’Orcia
  • half-day excursion to Arezzo or Perugia,
  • half-day tour to Montalcino for Brunello wine tasting or other activities like truffle hunting or a bike tour

Please contact us for details and pricing for these optional excursions.


Luxury Tuscany Resort Experience Details

Included in our 6-Night First-Class Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

Accommodations

6 nights accommodation at in double or double twin room

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 4 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • Local wine included with all included meals

Classes & Instructors

Your 3 hands-on cooking lessons will focus on Tuscan dishes and may include:

  • ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza
  • bruschetta, Tuscan pici pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef, and mascarpone
  • a complete 4-course seasonal menu

Depending on the specific week, the Tuscan cooking classes are held either at the property with one of the hotel’s chefs or at a nearby property with another wonderful chef instructor. The classes can happen in the morning followed by lunch or in the afternoon followed by dinner.

Excursions

  • Guided tour of Cortona, including Etruscan Museum and Le Celle Monastery
  • Full-day excursion to Montepulciano with Tuscany wine tour and wine tasting, Pienza, and the Val d’Orcia to visit a cheese producer
  • Full-day excursion to Assisi with time to explore on your own

Transfer Details

  • Round trip transfers from/to Terontola-Cortona train station

Not Included

  • Meals not indicated
  • Taxi back from Cortona on Day 2
  • Local occupancy tax (a few euros per person per night)

Included in our 4-Night Five-Star Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

Accommodations

4 nights accommodation at in double or double twin room

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 3 lunches
  • 2 dinners
  • Local wine included with all included meals

Classes & Instructors

Depending on the specific week, your 2 hands-on cooking lessons can take place either in the restaurant kitchen, at a nearby cooking atelier, or at a private home. The classes will focus on Tuscan dishes including:

  • ravioli, pappardelle, gnocchi, and pizza
  • bruschetta, Tuscan pici pasta with a red sauce, bread soup, Florentine beef, and mascarpone

Excursions

  • Guided tour of Cortona, including Etruscan Museum and Le Celle Monastery
  • Full-day excursion to Montepulciano with wine tasting, Pienza, and the Val d’Orcia to visit a cheese producer

Transfer Details

  • Round trip transfers from/to Terontola-Cortona train station

Not Included

  • Meals not indicated
  • Taxi back from Cortona on Day 2
  • Local occupancy tax (a few euros per person per night)

Accommodation Information

Just outside Cortona lies the gorgeous 5-star relais hotel, La Corte dei Papi. This charming hotel went under extensive restoration while still retaining some of the villa’s history, including terra-cotta floors and vaulted ceilings. The elegant rooms and suites offer modern comforts, including en-suite bathroom, minibar, satellite TV, adjustable air conditioning, hair dryers, and more. Super-luxurious spa suites are also available including sitting room, a Turkish bath equipped with four multi-sensory showers with aromatherapy, chromotherapy and music therapy, and a large Jacuzzi that can accommodate two people. The property also features a beautiful swimming pool and outdoor dining area.

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Deluxe Tuscany Cooking Vacations 2024: Pricing & Dates

Find pricing and dates for some of our best cooking vacations in Tuscany below, and contact us for availability or to organize your trip.



Tuscan Splendor Culinary Tours in Tuscany 6-Night Pricing:

6-Night Tuscany Cooking Vacation Pricing

US$4675 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$1050 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
  • Add US$300 per person to upgrade to deluxe room or deluxe cottage
  • Add US$650 per person to upgrade to classic junior suite
  • Add US$1520 per person to upgrade to deluxe spa suite
  • Add US$1900 per person to upgrade to executive spa suite

30% deposit due to confirm booking.

Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!


Tuscan Splendor Culinary Tours in Tuscany 6-Night Dates 2024

Our Tuscan Splendor tour, one of our best cooking vacations in Tuscany, is available on request for a minimum of 2 people. Sample dates for our Tuscany cooking vacations follow, but other start dates are also possible, please inquire. 

January 8 – March 12 – CLOSED

2024
Sample weeks follow. Please inquire for availability.
March 17-23
March 24-30
March 31-April 6
April 7-13
April 14-20
April 21-27
April 28-May 4
May 5-11
May 12-18
May 19-25
May 26-June 1
June 2-8
June 9-15
June 16-22
June 23-29
June 30-July 6
July 7-13
July 14-20
July 21-27
July 28-August 3
August 4-10
August 11-17
August 18-24
August 25-31
September 1-7
September 8-14
September 15-21
September 22-28
September 29-October 5
October 6-12
October 13-19
October 20-26
October 27-November 2
November 3-9
November 10-16
November 17-23
November 24-30
December 1-7
December 8-14
December 15-21


4-Night Top-Class Tuscany Food Tours Pricing:

4-Night Tuscany Cooking Vacation Pricing

US$2990 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$760 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
  • Add US$240 per person to upgrade to deluxe room or deluxe cottage
  • Add US$460 per person to upgrade to classic junior suite
  • Add US$1000 per person to upgrade to deluxe spa suite
  • Add US$1300 per person to upgrade to exclusive spa suite

30% deposit due to confirm booking.

Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!


4-Night Top-Class Tuscany Food Tours Dates 2024

Our Tuscan Splendor tours, among our best cooking vacations in Tuscany, are available all year for a minimum of 2 people, with some winter months excluded. Sample dates for our Tuscany culinary vacations follow, but other start dates are also possible, please inquire. 

January 7 – March 12 – CLOSED

2024
Samples dates follow. Please contact us for availability.
March 17-21
March 24-28
March 31-April 4
April 7-11
April 14-18
April 21-25
April 28-May 2
May 5-9
May 12-16
May 19-23
May 26-30
June 2-6
June 9-13
June 16-20
June 23-27
June 30-July 4
July 7-11
July 14-18
July 21-25
July 28-August 1
August 4-8
August 11-15
August 18-22
August 25-29
September 1-5
September 8-12
September 15-19
September 22-26
September 29-October 3
October 6-10
October 13-17
October 20-24
October 27-31
November 3-7
November 10-14
November 17-21
November 24-28
December 1-5
December 8-12
December 15-19

Reviews

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We Can Help Plan The Best Gourmet Cooking Vacations in Tuscany!

Enjoying a wine tasting tour in Tuscany.
Let us assist you in planning the ultimate culinary vacation in Tuscany. From arranging flights and transportation to adding additional luxury tours, we're here to make your experience unforgettable. While we can't pack for you, our team is always available to provide more information and answer any questions you may have. Simply contact us, or indicate your interest during check-out and we'll follow up with you directly. Contact Us
 

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