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Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany

Highlights

  • Stay in the charming town of Barga overlooking stunning scenery.
  • Visit beautiful medieval market towns in the surrounding area.
  • Includes all meals, wine, accommodation & return airport transfers from Pisa.
from £1697 pp
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7 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Promising to be not only a cooking experience but also a cultural one, this family-run 7 night Italian cooking and wine holiday near Lucca has hands-on lessons to learn delicious rustic Italian meals and recipes while visiting culinary highlights such as local markets and vineyards!

2026 dates:
2nd - 9th May
12th - 19th May
23rd - 30th May
6th - 13th June
20th - 27th June
5th - 12th July
18th - 25th July
1st - 8th September
12th - 19th September
20th - 27th September
3rd - 10th October
13th - 20th October
24th - 31st October

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Promising to be not only a cooking experience but also a cultural one, this family-run 7 night Italian cooking and wine holiday near Lucca has hands-on lessons to learn delicious rustic Italian meals and recipes while visiting culinary highlights such as local markets and vineyards!

2026 dates:
2nd - 9th May
12th - 19th May
23rd - 30th May
6th - 13th June
20th - 27th June
5th - 12th July
18th - 25th July
1st - 8th September
12th - 19th September
20th - 27th September
3rd - 10th October
13th - 20th October
24th - 31st October

Come immerse yourself in the life of a true Italian chef in one of the most beautiful parts of northern Tuscany. Learn all the basics of Italian cooking techniques from seasoned chef Rita while enjoying the local wines and traditions this area of ​​”La Garfagnana” has to offer.

During your time here, you’ll visit local markets and wander the unique streets of Barga, known as one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. Together you’ll work to prepare traditional, regional meals, then sit as family to enjoy them along with wine, music and song.

Relax the evenings away as you immerse yourself in the Tuscan lifestyle. This is not one of those bus tour holidays where you are expected to follow a rigid group schedule, on this Italian cooking holiday Rita is accommodating to her guests’ interests and whims. Better yet, Rita is fluent in both English and Italian, so you can relax into the Italian culture wherever she takes you. 

If you like the look of Rita’s holiday but cannot stay for 7 night please see the 4 night itinerary by clicking here .

*From price is based on two people sharing a room.

Arrival and welcome dinner

Get your first glimpse of Italy as you arrive at the Pisa airport, then travel to your beautiful family owned B&B (1 hour 15 minutes), where you will enjoy a glass of wine and meet your Italian host and chef, Rita Lucherini, to talk about the weeks activities.

Then, settle and relax in your home-away-from-home, and in the evening, enjoy some wine tasting and dinner.

Visit to Barga and afternoon cooking lesson

After breakfast, you will head to the medieval village of Barga, where you can admire its ancient streets and its 11th-century Cathedral. Barga offers picturesque views of the Serchio Valley.

We shall head back to La Mezzaluna to make gnocchi for lunch.

After a couple of hours to relax, we will head back to the kitchen, where you will have your first cooking lesson. Put on your La Mezzaluna apron and prepare for today’s lesson; the art of making pasta! We will spend 3 hours creating our pasta from scratch, then cook it up with the delicious Italian sauces you prepare. Perhaps we’ll even have time to make a dessert of tiramisu or flan.

Relax on the veranda as we savor the delicious meal that we prepared together.

Free time in Lucca, Pisa & BBQ dinner

After breakfast, we will head to Pisa to admire the ancient Piazza Miracoli with the cathedral and famous leaning tower. We shall stop at Ponte del Diavolo for a visit on our way.

Enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant in Lucca.

In the afternoon you can wander the unique shops in Lucca and admire the historic cathedrals and squares.

In the evening, we will head back to La Mezzaluna to enjoy a BBQ dinner together.

Market, afternoon cooking & live music

After breakfast, we will travel to Castelnuovo Garfagnana, another pretty Medieval Village.

We will head back to La Mezzaluna to make risotto for lunch.

Back at La Mezzaluna, it’s time to get your apron on for second cooking lesson – today’s lesson is dedicated to the fine art of making pizza and focaccia cooked in our wood-fired brick oven.

Hot from the oven, you will savor your meal as Alex entertains us all with his beautiful singing and live music on the veranda.

A day of fresh seafood

After breakfast, we shall visit Sommocolonia, an ancient hill town with incredible views! It was my parents’ home before they emigrated to Scotland, and I have such fond memories that I would like to share with you.

Today is our seafood day – we shall make “spaghetti alle vongole” spaghetti with clams for our lunch.

A short time to relax, then we shall continue our lesson in the afternoon.

Our menu tonight includes fish soup, fried calamari, calamari salad, a sauce for crostini, octopus and potato salad (optional) for our evening dinner.

Tour and lunch in Castelnuovo Garfagnana & vegetarian classics

After breakfast, we shall visit a vineyard in Montecarlo, Lucca with a light lunch.

We shall have an afternoon lesson, mainly vegetarian making savoury pies like “sformato di patate”, Zuppa di farro and perhaps melanzane alla parmigiana.

Village and Vineyard visit

After Breakfast, we shall visit another vineyard for some wine tasting and lunch.

We shall decide together our final farewell dinner for the last evening.

Departure day

This will be your last breakfast together before Rita and Alex see you off to the airport where you will fly back home with amazing memories, experiences and new cooking skills.

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation at the B&B with a private ensuite room
  • 4 x 3-4 hour hands-on Italian cookery lessons
  • Transfers to and from Pisa International Airport (on first and last course days only)
  • Each breakfast, lunch and dinner (Day 1 dinner only, Day 8 breakfast only)
  • Wine and soft drinks included at all meals
  • WiFi access
  • Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca to visit historic sites with time to enjoy the shops, markets and cafes
  • Wine tasting and lunch at local Vineyard, along with a local cheese tasting
  • Free time to relax and explore the area
  • All transport during the excursions
  • You can check in any time after 12pm on day 1 and check-out by 11am on day 8

Accommodation

La Mezzaluna

This establishment offers self-catering apartments and hotel rooms in the historic Garfagnana area of Northern Tuscany. Located just 36 km north of Lucca and a mere 4 km from Barga, a charming medieval village renowned as one of the most beautiful "borghi d'Italia," La Mezzaluna is a family-run business featuring self-contained apartments and double en-suite rooms. Situated just 250 yards from the local railway station, La Mezzaluna serves as an ideal base for those wishing to visit nearby cities such as Barga, Lucca, Florence, Pisa, and the famous Versilia Coast.

Your local host

Rita Lucherini

Chef Rita was born and raised in Scotland but her grandparents and parents originated from the Tuscan town of Barga.  Rita has studied the ancient secrets and techniques of traditional Tuscan cooking all her life and keeps alive certain recipes that have lost popularity in the fast food era.

In 1986, Rita returned to Barga to set up her restaurant and B&B. In recent years, Rita’s restaurant has changed direction and now gives cooking lessons and holidays to the locals and visitors to the area. Rita’s aim is to teach her guests the foundations of good Italian cooking, as well as sharing the secrets of true Tuscan cuisine.

Cook together, share stories, swap ideas – all over a glass (or two!) of deliciou... Read All

Chef Rita was born and raised in Scotland but her grandparents and parents originated from the Tuscan town of Barga.  Rita has studied the ancient secrets and techniques of traditional Tuscan cooking all her life and keeps alive certain recipes that have lost popularity in the fast food era.

In 1986, Rita returned to Barga to set up her restaurant and B&B. In recent years, Rita’s restaurant has changed direction and now gives cooking lessons and holidays to the locals and visitors to the area. Rita’s aim is to teach her guests the foundations of good Italian cooking, as well as sharing the secrets of true Tuscan cuisine.

Cook together, share stories, swap ideas – all over a glass (or two!) of delicious local wine.

Rita Lucherini image

Location

Join in our Italian cookery and wine tasting holiday in this amazing, lush part of Northern Tuscany. Come learn all of the Italian cooking techniques and traditions that la bella “Garfagnana and Serchio Valley” has to offer.

The area is alive with concerts, folk festivals, outdoor food festivals (where you can savour local products), theatre, Barga Jazz and the Opera Barga, all that run throughout the year.

Nearest airport:
Pisa International (1 hour, 15 minutes away)

Complimentary return transfers:
Return transfers from Pisa Airport to the cookery school are included in the price.

The transfer may be in private car or shared minibus, depending on amount of people.

The exact transfer time will be arranged shortly before arrival as this is based on how many people are arriving and everyone’s flight times.

There is only one transfer on the arrival day and one on the departure day.

Please note, this complimentary service can only be offered on the first and last day of the holiday. For transfers on other days, there will be a charge of €50 each way.

What our travellers are saying...

I went to Mezzaluna in Tuscany on the cooking retreat and it was amazing. Rita was so welcoming and I came away feeling part of the family. I was on my own for the trip but that just meant I got more attention and we got to go on many excursions. My highlight was the cooking courses, I especially loved making the pasta from scratch and I cannot wait to make the recipes again! Thank you to Rita and her family who were the best hosts

Charlotte

Just returned from a wonderful week of Tuscan cooking and wine tasting at Rita's cooking classes at 'La Messa Luna' in Barga, Italy. Worth every €. Can't praise Rita enough for her warm humorous welcome and generosity throughout the week.

Elizabeth P

It was a wonderful wine tasting and Italian cookery holiday . Rita was a wonderful host, she went over and beyond to make sure her guests were happy and enjoying their experience . Her recipes were clearly explained and delicious.

SR

Great Tuscan cooking holiday with Rita, easy to book and such fun to experience. Rita is the most easy going host and so very hospitable. Cooking level as stated from beginners through to experienced, everyone learnt something, also the history of Barga and surrounding villages. Great wine on tap too!

Maddie A

Excellent Tuscan cookery holiday with the family and their boyfriends near Barga. Mixed levels of cooking skills from 18-year old beginners about to head off to university, to experienced cooks, but we all learnt something. And all the recipes are things that we will do at home.

Tanya H

I have to recommend the Italian cooking course in Tuscany with Rita. This was a fabulous way to unwind and Rita's hospitality knew no bounds. Perfect for the single traveller as you will meet like minded people who love food, good company, and plentiful wine. The wine was locally made and didn’t give you a hangover which for me is no bad thing. In between cooking lessons we went on day trips to the local villages and the more impressive towns o

Robert M

Just returned from a Cooking and Wine tasting holiday in Tuscany. Due to Covid and cancelled flights changed the dates from last year. Not a problem for Not In The Guidebooks. Went as a solo traveller. Host Rita was waiting for me at Pisa airport and my reception was warm and friendly. Stayed at Rita’s home La Mezzaluna along with six other guests. It’s a bit rural, rustic and traditional but Rita in between cooking lessons took us out and

Sylvia Harris

I had a wonderful week with everyone. It was my first solo holiday and Rita put me right at ease and made it feel like a home from home. The week was really relaxed but we still managed to cram a lot in! We learnt so much in the cookery lessons and I think the fact that most of the people in my group started to cook the recipes in the same week as arriving back home sells the course itself. Rita took us to some wonderful places and hearing about

R Filby

Real home from home. Loved Rita. Made us feel like one of the family. Girls loved making pasta and pizza. A wonderful week x

J Seymour
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FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Italian cookery holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced cooks but are probably more suited to those who wish to learn the foundations of Italian cuisine
- Minimum age 18 (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
- Your hosts are Italian but also fluent in English and French
- Cooking classes are taught in English

When can I start?

- All arrivals are on set dates between April and October
- It may be possible to arrange cookery holidays in the winter months, to check availability, email hello@nitgb.com with your preferred date
- Cooking holidays are for 7 nights/8 days
- If you wish to stay for extra nights, please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you

Where will I be staying?

- You will stay in either the hotel rooms or small apartments each with a private bathroom
- The rooms are spacious and some have a magnificent view overlooking the Apuan Mountains
- All rooms have a traditional Italian sized double bed
- There is 1 double room with an ensuite bathroom & 4 single rooms with ensuite bathrooms
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in anytime after 12pm on day 1 and check out by 11am on day 8

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help
- Accommodation is available on the ground floor with a walk-in shower
- There is a ramp to get into the restaurant
- There are many cobbled streets in Barga, so the Cathedral can be challenging; however there are plenty of other charming areas in Barga to explore

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