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Exclusive 15% off limited time offer. Use code TUSCANY15. Book by 31 July 2026
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From £648 pp*
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Tuscan 3 Night Cooking Experience

Stay in a beautifully restored Italian Palazzo and truly immerse yourself in Italian cuisine! Learn to prepare home-cooked, traditional dishes from hand made pasta and fresh sauces to incredible Tuscan soups, and delicious Italian desserts in the authentic setting of an old Italian 'palazzo' run by Mirella and her husband Francesco.

Highlights

  • Stay in an authentic 17th-century Italian palace with a swimming pool
  • Learn to cook traditional Italian and Tuscan dishes
  • Really get to know Italian cuisine, from the ingredients to the skills used in cooking
From £648 pp*
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3 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

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Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Lunigiana region of rural Tuscany, you will find the restored 400-year-old palazzo which is home to this wonderful Italian cooking break.

Once you have arrived and settled in for your 3 night/4 day holiday, it’s time to enjoy the fun and relaxed atmosphere will have you cooking up a storm in one of the house kitchens. Here, you will create a wide range of authentic Italian dishes, from antipasti to dessert, with your local Italian chef.

Francesco is a qualified sommelier, passionate and knowledgeable about Italian wines, Mirella is a strong believer in the slow food movement, and will enthuse you with her passion for the finest, locally sourced, fresh ingredients.

Accommodation is set in an impressive 17th-century palazzo, that used to belong to an Italian noble family and has now been lovingly renovated to provide 5 self-contained apartments. Each apartment has its own individual style, a well-equipped kitchen, and bedrooms with private ensuite bathrooms.

The grounds include a swimming pool, beautiful garden lawns and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rural landscape – an ideal setting to relax and sample delicious local produce on a local cooking holiday in Italy.

If you like this tour and would like a wine tour included at the end please click here.

*pp price is based on two people sharing a twin / double room

Arrival and Welcome Aperitifs

On arrival day you will check into your room any time after 3pm and enjoy a welcome drink and chance to taste some of the regions local dishes by the pool (weather permitting) before taking your time to explore the house, gardens, and local area.

Whilst enjoying aperitifs by the pool there will be a chance to talk to your hosts and learn about the format of the course, the dishes you will create and about the local area.

 

Free Morning & Cooking Class

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the palazzo and spend some free time getting to know the area or relaxing.

In the afternoon, it’s time for your first cookery lesson with the chef, which will last 4 hours.

Your dinner will consist of the delicious meal you will have prepared.

Dishes will vary,  as locally sourced in season ingredients are our focus, some examples are :
– Handmade ravioli stuffed with fresh cheese butter and sage
– Tuscan soup with beans and sausage
– Tiramisu
– Panna cotta with fruit sauce
– Cantucini (local speciality -dried biscuits with almonds)
– Bruschetta al pomodoro
– Tagliatelle al ragù alla bolognese
– Arrosto di maiale con patate al rosmarino (Roasted pork with potatoes and rosemary)

 

 

Free Morning & Cooking Class

After breakfast at the palazzo, you will have free time to enjoy the pool or explore the surrounding areas.

In the afternoon, time for your second hands-on cooking class. Mirella will take you through some more authentic Tuscan dishes that define the area and their culture. Pick fresh herbs from the garden and enjoy some delicious food sourced from the local region.

Your dinner will consist of the wonderful meal you will have prepared earlier and will be perfectly paired with some amazing wine, thanks to Francesco’s expertise in both wine making and as an experienced sommelier! 

 

 

Departure

After a leisurely breakfast, guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 10am ready for departure, taking home with them new cooking skills, recipes and an insight into Tuscan culinary life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over.

 

What's included

Included

  • 3 nights accommodation
  • Welcome drinks and tasting of local produce on arrival on day 1
  • Italian cookery lessons on day 2 and 3
  • Cookery lessons are in the afternoons and last around 4 hours
  • Self-catering breakfast each morning at the palazzo with ingredients provided by our hosts
  • All cooking materials and ingredients
  • The delicious meals you’ve learnt to cook are served with wine in the evening of days 2 and 3.

Accommodation

The Palace

You will be staying in a magnificent 400 year old Tuscan palazzo nestled in the medieval village of Tavernelle (Province of Massa and Carrara), overlooking a National Park in the countryside of Northern Tuscany. Set in a relatively undiscovered area of Tuscany, away from the tourist crowds.

The property is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, featuring a swimming pool and sun loungers in the garden to relax.

There are five beautifully restored apartments each with their own entrances and kitchen, the kitchens are fully equipped to prepare meals on days when lunch and dinner aren’t provided. There is also a local restaurant serving authentic local dishes.

It is just 2 hour’s drive from Florence and just over an hour away from Pisa and Genova by car. Car hire is strongly recommended for this holiday to explore the local area as the nearest village with shops and other facilities is around 6km away - the property has secure off-road parking.

Your local host

Mirella and Francesco

Mirella and Francesco are the hosts and the teachers of their Tuscan cooking break.

A love and understanding of excellent quality dishes and produce has been engrained in Mirella, your chef for the week, from a young age. Her parents grow organic fruit and vegetables, produce extra virgin olive oil and wine in the Chianti region. Mirella is always cooking with excellent quality ingredients and the freshest produce from the region, with the majority of her herbs and spices coming straight from her own garden! She began cooking early on learning from her family and developing her passion for Italian cooking over the years, and is constantly experimenting with new innovative ideas. Her cooking classes will give you insights into Ital

Mirella and Francesco are the hosts and the teachers of their Tuscan cooking break.

A love and understanding of excellent quality dishes and produce has been engrained in Mirella, your chef for the week, from a young age. Her parents grow organic fruit and vegetables, produce extra virgin olive oil and wine in the Chianti region. Mirella is always cooking with excellent quality ingredients and the freshest produce from the region, with the majority of her herbs and spices coming straight from her own garden! She began cooking early on learning from her family and developing her passion for Italian cooking over the years, and is constantly experimenting with new innovative ideas. Her cooking classes will give you insights into Italian cuisine that only locals would know, which you can come home an impress your family and friends with.

Francesco is also Italian and your sommelier. He grew up surrounded by some of the world’s best wines in the world in the Chianti region where his father was a wine producer for over 50 years. Being surrounded by experts, Francesco developed his passion for good wine on his visits to his father’s cellar and has continue his working in this area. He is now a state qualified sommelier with many years of experience and even makes his own wines which you will be tasting during your experience. His expert knowledge enables Francesco to pick the perfect wines to pair with the menu drawn up by Mirella. Francesco’s favourite wine regions are Tuscany and Piedmont which he considers the jewels of his collection though he is always interested in discovering other regions and claims to be able to talk about wine all day long. His passion and extensive knowledge for wine will be shared with you throughout your stay through guided tastings and tours.

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Location

Getting there

Nearest airports:
Pisa (1 hour 10 mins away)
Genova (1 hour 30 mins away)
Florence (2 hours away)

Car hire:
It is ideal if you have a car to get to the palazzo. Your accommodation is set in a beautiful part of Tuscany and a car is recommended if you wish to enjoy the stunning countryside and charming villages in the area, as there is no public transport and taxis are very limited.

The drive from the airport is an easy one, the roads are very good, and you’ll see some of the best scenery that this rugged region of northern Tuscany has to offer along the way.

By train:
The nearest train station to the accommodation is: Aulla Lunigiana station
A taxi from Aulla Lunigiana station to the accommodation is approximately a 20 minute drive and costs approximately 30 Euros one way

What our travellers are saying...

Both of the hosts, Mirella and Francesco made the trip for me. They were both extremely hospitable and made me feel very welcome. I also learnt a lot which I’m grateful for!

Louis

Mirella and Francesco are amazing, they truly made us feel at home. Definitely recommend this experience!

Elisabetta

The most incredible, authentic Italian experience! I don’t even know where to begin… It was absolutely INCREDIBLE! Not only was the villa an absolute gem, but the little town surrounding the villa was beautiful. I loved the swimming pool and the real, authentic Italian vibe of it all. BUT, the main stars of the show were 100% the hosts.

Maisie

Amazing hosts, amazing food, amazing villa. Absolutely superb trip couldn’t fault it. Will 100% be back

Joseph Twyford
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FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

This cookery holiday welcomes all levels from complete beginners to experienced cooks but is more suitable for those looking to learn about the fundamental basics of Italian cuisine

There minimum age is 18

Your hosts are Italian but speak excellent English, all cooking classes are taught in English or Italian

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

This holiday requires a minimum of 2 people to run but singles are welcome to join an existing group

What can I do in my free time?

This Italian cookery and wine holiday is perfectly situated to explore this beautiful part of undiscovered northern Tuscany easily

You are within 2.5 hours of many Italian major cities; Florence, Genova, Pisa, and Milan

Beaches and the coast are just 30 minutes away by car, or you can take a train from Aulla Lunigiana station to La Spezia which is along the coast to visit the 5 villages that make up Cinque Terre

The nearest shops and grocery stores are about 6km away

The hamlet of Tavernelle is very small but there is a good family-run restaurant a short walk from the palazzo

Your hosts will give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area such as the local markets, restaurants, walking and more

We recommended you hire a car to fully explore the area as there are so many scenic drives throughout the region

Can the host organise airport transfers?

Yes our host can organise a taxi transfer at an extra cost - the costs vary depending on the airport location and time of day.

Please enquire at booking stage if you wish to add transfers.

The taxi cost will be payable locally.

Are meals included?

All breakfasts are included and are provided in a self-catering style; your hosts will leave plenty of food and equipment for you to prepare your own breakfast

Upon arrival you will enjoy a tasting of local produce

You will enjoy the food you’ve learnt to cook after your two cooking days on day 3 and day 3 accompanied by delicious wines

If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking

Lunches are not included in the price, however your hosts will be happy to recommend local restaurants nearby

What are the check-in/out times?

Check-in time is from 3:00 to 7:00pm
Check-out time is up to 10:00am

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