Cooking and Painting Holidays

Not Your Usual Holiday: Authentic Experiences Await

Escape the ordinary this summer with authentic local experiences. At Not in the guidebooks we  believe in enriching holidays through genuine local experiences, creating lifelong memories, and supporting local communities. Immerse yourself in our cooking and painting holidays across Europe, including France, Spain, Greece, Italy, and more. Each experience is carefully curated to help you truly connect with new cultures and destinations.

  • Jewellery Making and Cooking Holiday image

    Jewellery Making and Cooking Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France
    • Full board (3 course gourmet dinners) & refreshments (including wine)
    • 2 x jewellery making workshops 2 x cookery lessons
    • 2 x culinary excursions and 1 x day excursion
    • Vineyard and Armagnac distillery visit

    Price from

    £1890 pp*
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  • Italian Cooking and Gastronomy in Tuscany image

    Italian Cooking and Gastronomy in Tuscany

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon Italy

    So much more than your average Italian cookery holiday, this 6 night gastronomic adventure takes you on a journey from f..

    Price from

    £1647 pp
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  • Painting and Drawing Holiday in the South of France image

    Painting and Drawing Holiday in the South of France

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France

    Operating Dates 2024 17 - 24 August - NEW DATE The experience runs with a minimum of 4 people. (Re)discover the j..

    Price from

    £1000 pp
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  • Portrait Painting Week In France image

    Portrait Painting Week In France

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
    • Available in May, June, July and September 2025
    • All inclusive Oil portrait painting week
    • Stay in a beautiful french village
    • 5 days expert tuition

    Price from

    £1500 pp
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  • Painting Holiday in Emilia Romagna image

    Painting Holiday in Emilia Romagna

    calendar/duration icon 7 nights location icon Italy
    • Dates in May, June , July, September and October 2025
    • All of your meals with wine and beverages
    • Daily morning and evening art sessions and personalized tuition
    • All art supplies needed during your holiday

    Price from

    £1500 pp
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  • Astro Art Course in France image

    Astro Art Course in France

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France

    On this 6 Night course, you learn about astrology and your personal chart. Express it as a work of art with help from y..

    Price from

    £1500 pp
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  • Paint the South of France image

    Paint the South of France

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France

    Indulge in delicious food, local wines, delightful sights and individual art tuition on this 6 night painting holiday in..

    Price from

    £1200 pp*
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  • Macrame Masterclass  Holiday in the South of France image

    Macrame Masterclass Holiday in the South of France

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon

    Macramé: anyone can do it! Discover the art of macrame in a small group on this amazing experience in the beautiful Fre..

    Price from

    £1000 pp
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  • Jewellery Making Holiday image

    Jewellery Making Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France
    • Full board (3 course gourmet dinners) & refreshments (including wine)
    • 4 x Jewellery making workshops
    • 2 x culinary excursions to local villages or towns
    • All materials and equipment for jewellery making

    Price from

    £1635 pp*
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  • Tuscan Crochet Retreat image

    Tuscan Crochet Retreat

    calendar/duration icon 5 Nights location icon

    Enjoy this 5 night crochet retreat in Tuscany. All inclusive stay in a luxury villa with amazing views of the tuscan cou..

    Price from

    £3499 pp
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  • French Cookery and Gastronomy Holiday image

    French Cookery and Gastronomy Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Night location icon France
    • Full board (3 course gourmet dinners) & refreshments (including wine)
    • 4 x cooking classes & Cheese and wine pairing
    • Vineyard and Armagnac distillery visit
    • Champagne and Methode Traditionelle tasting

    Price from

    £1890 pp*
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  • 8 Days Intensive French Cooking Course image

    8 Days Intensive French Cooking Course

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France
    • All meals incl 3 course gourmet dinners with wine
    • All tuition from a Michelin star trained Chef
    • Armagnac distillery visit
    • Local village markets tour with foodie stops

    Price from

    £3591 pp*
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  • Gourmet Cookery Course In Rural France image

    Gourmet Cookery Course In Rural France

    calendar/duration icon 5 Nights location icon France
    • Available from March to October
    • Luxury Farmhouse Accommodation all meals included
    • Lessons from a professional masterchef with 35 years experience

    Price from

    £3825 pp
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  • Fantastic French Cookery Course in Brittany image

    Fantastic French Cookery Course in Brittany

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
    • Maximum 8 people per class
    • Classes taught by a Michelin Trained Chef
    • Visit to a local french market

    Price from

    £2785 pp
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  • French Dessert and Pastry Making Holiday image

    French Dessert and Pastry Making Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France

    Calling all baking & French patisserie enthusiasts! Learn to master classic French desserts and pastry on this 7 night c..

    Price from

    £2864 pp
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  • French Culinary Adventure in the Loire Valley image

    French Culinary Adventure in the Loire Valley

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France

    Learn to master French cuisine on this 6 night culinary adventure in a quiet hamlet with not one but two qualified and a..

    Price from

    £2705 pp
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  • Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany image

    Cooking and Wine-Tasting in Tuscany

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon Italy
    • Course dates available year round
    • Hands-on Italian cookery tuition
    • Day trips to Barga Castelnuovo, Pisa, and Lucca
    • Wine tasting and lunches at local Vineyards

    Price from

    £1591 pp
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  • Greek Island Cooking Holiday image

    Greek Island Cooking Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon Greece
    • Available from mid-April to the end of October
    • Airport transfers plus accommodation located near the beach with breakfast, 5 lunches & 7 dinners included
    • 4 cooking lessons and 4 day experiences included

    Price from

    £2538 pp*
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  • French Tennis and Culinary Holiday image

    French Tennis and Culinary Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France
    • Full board (3 course gourmet dinners) & refreshments (including wine)
    • 4 x (2hr) tennis lessons with pro
    • Culinary excursions and Day excursions
    • Vineyard and Armagnac distillery visit

    Price from

    £1890 pp
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  • Terms & Conditions

    **£100 off Cooking and Painting Holidays. Book by June 20 2024

    Why Choose Not In The Guidebooks

    We source the best authentic, local experiences

    • Explore the country and places that most tourists don’t see
    • Find hidden gems & activities that really interest you

    We are a global cooperative of the best local operators

    • Our local partners have a share in the success of our business
    • All our experiences support local communities, wildlife and environment

    Private modular experiences to build your own itinerary

    • Create your own itinerary with as much or as little activity and relaxation as you want
    • There are some options for you to join a group for part of your trip

    Book with complete confidence from start to finish

    • Fully ABTA bonded
    • Secure payment system & 24/7 emergency support

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    Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.

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