Italy
Cooking in Tuscany
Program No. 19672RJ
Tuscany: The word conjures images of golden vineyards, nodding sunflowers and artfully prepared meals. Come learn the art of Tuscan cooking on this culinary adventure of a lifetime.
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 8 - Apr 17, 2025
Starting at
4,349Apr 22 - May 1, 2025
Starting at
4,349May 4 - May 13, 2025
Starting at
4,349Jun 3 - Jun 12, 2025
Starting at
4,349Sep 24 - Oct 3, 2025
Starting at
4,349DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 8 - Apr 17, 2025
Starting at
5,199Apr 22 - May 1, 2025
Starting at
5,199May 4 - May 13, 2025
Starting at
5,199Jun 3 - Jun 12, 2025
Starting at
5,199Sep 24 - Oct 3, 2025
Starting at
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10 days
9 nights
19 meals
8B 6L 5D
At a Glance
Experience the best of Tuscan culinary traditions during intimate cooking classes at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine and visits to local markets where you gather ingredients for your lessons, then enjoy the results. Get a firsthand look at artisanal food production as you learn the centuries-old traditions of Lardo di Colonnata and sample wines with a sommelier.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two and a half miles at a time and stand for at least an hour and a half; field trips will involve walking on uneven surfaces, some hills, and some stairs without railings. Streets are cobblestones but there are also paved sidewalks.
Micro Group
These adventures feature our smallest group size, with 12 participants or fewer.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Participate in four hands-on cooking lessons featuring seasonal ingredients.
- Visit local markets with your chef-instructor to shop for the freshest produce, meat and fish.
- Travel the region to visit producers of traditional Tuscan staples: olive oil, pasta, wine and cheese.
General Notes
This is a Micro Group program, with 12 or fewer participants. Please note, the schedule of the cooking classes may vary by date.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Gianluca Pardini
Gianluca was born in Italy and began his culinary career at a very young age. By the time he turned 21, he was working in the only Italian restaurant in Orléans, France. Gianluca worked as a gastronomic consultant in Japan before returning to Italy to open his own restaurant in Lucca. Since 1998 Pardini has dedicated himself to teaching the art of Italian cooking at his "International Academy of Italian Cuisine." In 2004, the Italian Cooking Federation awarded Gianluca "Master of Cooking and Executive Chef."
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Gianluca Pardini
View biography
Gianluca was born in Italy and began his culinary career at a very young age. By the time he turned 21, he was working in the only Italian restaurant in Orléans, France. Gianluca worked as a gastronomic consultant in Japan before returning to Italy to open his own restaurant in Lucca. Since 1998 Pardini has dedicated himself to teaching the art of Italian cooking at his "International Academy of Italian Cuisine." In 2004, the Italian Cooking Federation awarded Gianluca "Master of Cooking and Executive Chef."
Belinda Marcucci
View biography
Belinda Marcucci got a diploma as “Tourist Operator and Tour Leader” and she’s been working in the travel industry all her life. Since she worked as travel agent and group organizer for a long time. She has had opportunities to travel both for business and leisure, getting in touch with different cultures and improving her problem-solving skills. Belinda is a licensed tour leader and guide of Lucca, her hometown, and its province. She provides customized expert-led explorations in Italian, English, and Spanish.
Cristina Viti
View biography
Cristina Viti earned a degree in Modern Literature and Foreign Languages from the University of Pisa. She has been a group leader for Road Scholar programs since 2010. Previously, she served as an event organizer, a travel agent, a professional conference organizer, a press agent, an enograstronomic (wine and food) program manager, and a teacher of marketing. Cristina’s passions include art and history, reading and theater, traveling, meeting people, and cooking.
Elena Benvenuti
View biography
Elena Benvenuti was born and raised in Lucca, Puccini’s hometown. She is a graduate of the Tourism School of Lucca and has a passion for music and a deep pride in and knowledge of Lucca’s history and culture. With more than 25 years of experience, she is recognized as a leading expert at organizing personalized and customized explorations of the city and province of Lucca. Her knowledge of Tuscan gastronomy, wine, olive oil, cooking techniques, history, and culture combine to make every visit memorable.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Cooking in Tuscany
Program Number: 19672
In Tuscany
Blue Guide Tuscany (5th edition)
Tuscany: The beautiful cookbook
Cinque Terre
The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Tuscany (Most Beautiful Villages Series)
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
19 meals (
8B, 6L, 5D
)
1 expert-led lecture
8 expert-led field trips
4 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Lucca, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking-in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Accommodations will be in the pedestrian-only historical center of Lucca. Pick-ups and drop-offs will be at the bus stop, a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Streets are mostly cobblestones. Typical Italian food courses include l’antipasto — literally “before the meal” — a hot or cold appetizer; il primo piatto, the first course, often soup or pasta; il secondo piatto, the second course or main dish; il contorno piatto, a side dish such as vegetables or salad; and il dolce, dessert. Breakfasts will be at the hotel; most lunches and some other meals will be two courses featuring local dishes. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will gather before dinner for a welcome drink together.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Lucca, Cooking Class, Academy of Italian Cuisine
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our learning adventure with an expert-led walking field trip through Lucca, taking in the atmosphere and seeing architectural legacies predating the Roman Empire all the way to the Renaissance at the Domus Romana, an archaeological site in the center of Lucca. We’ll delve into the lengthy history of this area through informative museum exhibits and excavation sites. Lucca is a city that exudes charm and history and where the people are particularly pleasant and ready to help visitors with their Italian. The charm of Lucca consists in a beautiful mix of eras, stories, characters, and architecture. The charm of this small-large city of art, lies also in the fact that it is not yet inflated by mass tourism, and for this reason it is full of possibilities for a visitor who wants to capture the most authentic spirit of life in Italy, in a provincial city where the rhythms are still natural. Lucca is a still hidden jewel, a treasure to be revealed, and whoever discovers it cannot help but be enchanted. It has pre-Roman origins; therefore, it is very ancient and retains evident traces of its entire past. What makes it unique, are its Walls: four kilometers of history, which surround the entire ancient center and can be entirely explored on foot or by bicycle, constituting the city park. A walk on the Walls is a unique experience to live.
Lunch:
At the Domus Romana, we’ll experience a Roman-style “convivium.”
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will walk to the hotel to freshen up before we will walk to the cooking school for our first cooking class with a professional chef at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine. The comprehensive, hands-on curriculum is designed to teach us how to make four-course lunches through cooking techniques applicable to pasta, pastries, and everything in between. The International School of Italian Cooking is located in the historic center of Lucca. Its premises offer a kitchen divided into 3 areas: the kitchen room, where classes are held; the dining room, where meals are eaten after class, and the outdoor garden. The beginnings of the Italian Cuisine school date back to 1985 when Professor Nobuo Nishimura, owner of the Japanese publishing house, Bunryu, began to spread Italian traditions in Japan. Nishimura, who had met the young Chef Gianluca Pardini a few years earlier in Tokyo, decided to entrust him with the task of training Japanese Chefs in Italy. After many years in the hills of Siena, the school was moved to Lucca in 2004, opening its doors to aspiring Chefs from Italy and from all over the world. Director and Chef Gianluca Pardini, together with his close-knit team carries on the business, teaching the beauty and challenge of confronting the stove every day and being constantly up to date. The School’s values are dedication, passion, willingness, internationality, and professionalism, values that distinguish its daily work and make the school for over 30 years train Chefs from all over the world.
Dinner:
At the cooking school, we will enjoy the results of our cooking lesson along with other dishes prepared by the chef.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day
4
Lucca, Cooking Class
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; cobblestone streets. At Palazzo Pfanner, several flights of stairs with handrail (no elevator).
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out on an expert-led walking field trip in Lucca with emphasis on the progression from the Renaissance to the Modern Age.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll walk to the hotel from the restaurant to freshen up before we will walk to the Cooking School for our hands-on cooking class.
Dinner:
At the Cooking School, we will enjoy the meal we helped to prepare.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day
5
Pietrasanta, Free Time
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 48 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 2 miles; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Pietrasanta with our Group Leader for a walking field trip in this medieval town. Pietrasanta is a diamond set in the heart of Versilia, an enchanting town of medieval origin. It has become a very important center of attraction for Italian and foreign tourists who, throughout the year, crowd the streets of the historic center to enjoy its beauty, its many works of art and the culture of which it is imbued. Pietrasanta is a reality that was capable of seducing countless poets, writers, artists and above all renowned sculptors from all over the world of the caliber of Michelangelo, Vasari, Miro', Botero. This excellence in the creations in marble & bronze, has led to the creation of small artisan workshops whose presence create a particular atmosphere that immediately captures and enchants the visitor. The atmosphere visitors breathe has an almost bohemian flavor; the small clubs that overlook the narrow streets of the center and the main square have heard many stories. Right there, between a coffee or a glass of wine, ideas and inspirations were born, debates among artists or men of culture, great projects and great initiatives have been realized. It is no coincidence that Pietrasanta is called "Little Athens" because its history has been closely linked to art for centuries. Pietrasanta is also called an "open-air museum" because in every street, alley, square or roundabout it is possible to admire world-famous sculptures. In addition to the numerous art galleries abound, among one of the finest, visited year-round, such as "Giannoni & Santoni Artistic Collaborations" in Via Sauro. Last and not least, art in Pietrasanta also goes hand in hand with the tradition of excellent food and wine tradition, evidenced by famous restaurants featured in prestigious guides such as the Michelin, Gambero Rosso, and SLOW FOOD Guides.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Pietrasanta.
Afternoon:
Free time in Pietrasanta. This period has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. We will return to the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Local Market in Lucca, Cooking Class, Free Time
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 2.5 miles, 1/4 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to a local market with our Group Leader for an authentic experience of how people from Lucca go food shopping in preparation for cooking. We’ll then ride to the Cooking School for our hands-on cooking class.
Lunch:
At the cooking school.
Afternoon:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Fabbrica San Martino, Cooking Class
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 12 miles throughout the day, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain. At Villa Sardi, several flights of stairs with handrail (no elevator).
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In the late morning, we will board the motorcoach for a short ride to Fabbrica di San Martino, a farm producing “biodynamic” wine and oil. The owner will give us a presentation on what “biodynamic” farming means and how it works, through a holistic view of nature as an interconnected whole where every element plays its specific role. Next, we will walk to nearby Villa Sardi in Fabbrica di San Martino. This historical noble residence datds from the 17th century, and is now a winery. We will learn more about the production of wine, cheese, and olive oil including tastings.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like at Villa Sardi.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll ride to the International Academy of Italian Cuisine for our hands-on cooking class.
Dinner:
At the cooking school, we’ll enjoy the meal we helped prepare.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is free.
Day
8
Carrara, Colonnata, Free Time
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 74 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; uneven terrain. A deep hill terrain to reach the cava in Carrara.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to Carrara to visit a private marble quarry. Carrara merges with the Alps in a succession of changing and fascinating landscapes, dominated by the white mountain profiles and the marble extracted from the quarries, which has made the history and fortune of this place. An ancient Roman colony, Carrara, due to the importance of its quarries, was a land of conquest. But the centuries of domination have never quelled the rebellious character of its people who boast a strong working-class tradition told by the thousand stories of anarchist quarrymen, who were able to preserve different dialects and cultures, bringing them together in a single tradition. Frequented by artists such as Michelangelo and Canova, the Carrara marble quarries are an open-air museum. The dazzling charm of her white treasure.We will visit a private marble quarry and learn by a local expert the technique for extracting marble from the mountain and how it is worked. We will ride to a local factory producing lardo in Colonnata.
Lunch:
At a lardo factory in Colonnata.
Afternoon:
We will visit the factory. The lardo of Colonnata, a real delicacy, is a type of salumi made by curing strips of the pigs back fat with rosemary and other herbs and spices. What makes it so special is the processor of production and curing (in a marble basin). Its unique taste compatibility makes it one of the best ingredients to prepare a “bruschetta”. We will return to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Montecarlo-Lucca, Borgo Antico, Winery, Free Time
Location:
Lucca
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Palazzo Alexander
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain, hilly sections.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach and ride to the medieval town of Montecarlo where a local expert will lead our exploration of the “borgo antico” — old village. The fortified medieval village of Montecarlo is the proud holder of an Orange Flag, the prestigious eco-tourism award presented by the Italian Touring Club. It was founded in the fourteenth century by Charles IV of Bohemia around the Cerruglio fortress, and it was named Montecarlo in his honor. In the fourteenth century, during the wars between Lucca, Pisa and Florence it has been a very important strategic garrison. The history of Montecarlo is strictly connected with viticulture, hence the meaning of its original name Vivinaia, which means passing along the wine road which gets across the hill of Montecarlo. Until late Medieval times this area was characterized by the production of quality wines organized by religious orders. This activity is testified by the Abbey founded in 1200 in San Martino in Colle by the Benedictine order which was stating very positive judgments on the wine of Montecarlo. Today, the village is famous all over the world for the production PDO Montecarlo wines and CDO Lucca extra-virgin olive oil. From Montecarlo, we’ll ride to a local winery.
Lunch:
At the winery in Montecarlo.
Afternoon:
Returning to Lucca, the remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. We'll share some of our favorite experiences from the program with fellow Road Scholars.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
10
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Travel Information” regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure times. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
19 Meals
8 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
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Participant Reviews
Based on 60 Reviews
Sort By:
I loved this experience! I learned so much from our guides and even from my traveling companions. The hotel was lovely and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Lucca is an amazing place to visit. The cooking experience was beyond expectations. This was a great trip!
— Review left December 11, 2024
I went to "Cooking in Tuscany" and it was an amazing experience, full of fabulous food, historical learning and helping create and experience Italian cooking with a wonderful chef! Field trips to take you outside the Lucca walls gave me an appreciation for the beauty and productivity of Tuscany! What a joy!
— Review left November 28, 2024
This experience was a complete JOY. The cooking portion was well thought out and very participatory, the rest of the culinary and historical exposure was very insightful and allowed me to experience people and places I would never had the opportunity to be involved with on my own.
— Review left November 24, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this program! The cooking classes were not only fun but also a fantastic way to connect with my fellow travelers in our small group of 12. Lucca, with its fascinating history and charming atmosphere, provided the perfect backdrop for our adventure. I especially appreciated the well-planned field trips and the chance to delve into the principles of the Slow Food Movement and Biodynamic Farming. Cristina, our group leader, and Elena, our tour guide, were both incredibly knowledgeable and personable, which greatly enhanced the overall experience.
— Review left November 21, 2024
This was a wonderful trip! Cristina and Elena were very knowledgeable about the history of Lucca and the other cities that we visited. They made a meaningful connection with all of us and I was sad to say goodbye. The cooking was fun and I learned quite a few things to help with my cooking back home. Chef Gianluca was a patient instructor who also made meaningful connections with each participant. The field trips were amazing! Were were taken to places (like the marble mine in Carrara) which would have been very difficult to get to on our own. The private visits to taste wine and olive oil were lovely, with beautiful settings. Cristina also helped some of us organize a side trip to Pisa during our free time. This was my first Road Scholar trip and I will definitely look to Road Scholar for future trips.
— Review left November 20, 2024
Cooking in Tuscany is an amazing program offered by Road Scholar. It fulfilled a lifelong dream!
— Review left November 8, 2024
Cooking in Tuscany was the trip of a lifetime! I learned so much about cooking, art, history and more. I met some truly wonderful people.
— Review left November 2, 2024
They were the best two tour guides ever! They were fabulous, welcoming, informative, punctual, attentive to illness/discomfort/problems with the group. One went to the store late at night to get what was needed for one of the women who contracted covid. Really excellent!
— Review left November 2, 2024
If you want to learn about the food and food movement in Tuscany-this class is for you!! The cooking class combined with a farmers market and meeting with olive oil and wine makers is something you will not learn from any guide. The team guides in this program are top notch and I would recommend them hands down.
— Review left October 31, 2024
The Cooking in Tuscany trip was terrific! Our host, Christina was amazing. She kept everyone happy and engaged. Chef Gianluca was incredible. He and his kitchen staff were patient, efficient, and knew how to have fun in the kitchen. I learned so much from him - tips and tricks that I can use at home in my own kitchen. The food we prepared under his guidance was amazing! I look forward to hosting a dinner party and serving some of those same recipes. Elena, our guide, has an incredible depth of knowledge of the area, history, and art and architecture. She is a treasure trove of information! I enjoyed all of the day trips - a private villa with an olive grove, a small family cheese-making shop, a winery, and a Carrera marble mine. Best of all was the trip to Pietrasanta. I wish we could've spent more time there exploring the area. Since we were only a few kilometers away from the coast, I wish we could've gone to the seaside. Otherwise, the trip was everything I hoped for and more! Thank you!!!
— Review left October 26, 2024
If you're looking for a slow, leisurely vacation, this is not the program for you. But if you're interested in Italian food and are able to be on your feet for a chunk of the day then I highly recommend cooking in Lucca! The town itself is very walkable, and you'll be doing a lot of that. You will also NEVER be hungry. The exclusions are fascinating, and you'll appreciate a bit of time sitting on the bus enroute to and from. Keep the Pace is exactly what it means, but it's not too extreme and both our hiking pole users were able to keep up without too much difficulty. You'll be glad to gave this program a whirl.
— Review left September 20, 2024
This was the most incredible travel experience in Italy. It centered around cooking classes in Luca. Each of our cooking sessions was filled with laughter, learning and delicious foods. Our chef was delightful and very knowledgeable teaching us traditional recipes using fresh, local ingredients.The highlight was sharing our creations with a lovely group, sharing stories and toasting new friends.This trip was well balanced with other historic visits around Luca. It was a trip I will cherish forever.
— Review left September 20, 2024
Learning to cook authentic Italian dishes with a charming professional chef with the best of local ingredients was our primary goal, but the day trips to nearby organic wineries, marble quarries, small cheese makers were icing on the cake! I am ready to go again!
— Review left September 20, 2024
I have been on planned excursions with other tour companies in different locations, but I have never had as wonderful an experience as I had with this trip. Each place that we visited and each experience we had brought the culture and cuisine of Tuscany to life- everything we did made sense if you wanted to really learn about how the people of Tuscany celebrate the richness of the climate, the soil, the animals , the olives and the grapes. From the beginning, our tour leader Alessandra mapped out how our experience was designed to help us understand Tuscany and to embrace the culture and eventually immerse ourselves in it. She was attentive, proactive, humorous and caring. "Free time" and "dinner on your own" is often a conflict when you are in an unfamiliar environment. Alessandra was always ready with suggestions and guidance. She even helped arrange our "dinners on your own" so that we all dined as a group, which was just perfect for us. We were blessed with a very convivial, smart, and open minded party of ten and Alessandra built on that by helping us plan our days to get the most out of them. She was also very sensitive to our varied physical abilities and made sure we knew exactly what we would be dealing with at each experience. Then when one of our group developed Covid, Alessandra was clear about our options while helping our friend rework her trip.
The cooking part of it was amazing! Chef was patient and knowledgeable and I know I learned a lot from him which actually surprised me! Who knew that frying potatoes was best when you leave them all alone! Alessandra's two associates who guided us in Lucca and in Pietrosanto were wonderful! Both were knowledgeable, informative and possessed a sharp sense of humor. What a wonderful way to present a culture- through facts, history and humor!
I don't know if Road Scholar has a rating system, but if you do use the 1 to 10 it's easy. Alessandra and her associates a 20 (that's not a typo). The itinerary a 12! A+!!
— Review left September 19, 2024
This cooking lesson oriented program was all we had hoped for and more. The Master Chef (Gianluca Pardini) focused on recipes that we would prepare again and again for family and friends at home. Balanced with memorable side trips for history, scenery, the arts and samples of regional cuisine; this made for a wonderful experience!
— Review left September 15, 2024
Totally surpassed my expectations. Group leaders were very knowledgeable and provided a comfortable environment. The culinary aspect, which is what first drew me to the program, provided an easy and relatable "in-kitchen" experience for the entire group regardless of ability. I really enjoyed seeing the various wineries, the tastings, and the food and wine were exceptional! I'm ready for my next Road Scholar adventure!
— Review left May 30, 2024
Cooking in Tuscany, lead by Cristina, was the equivalent of a college level course on Tuscany, condensed into 10 days. This experience was far superior to what I had expected it would be. I feel I gained a close relationship with the region and its food origins. Simply excellent!
— Review left May 27, 2024
This program was great! Better than expected mostly because our host Cristina and Elena were fabulous! Everyone was friendly and the Chef was amazing! What a perfect experience...Thanks Road Scholar!!!!
— Review left May 21, 2024
This was an extremely enjoyable, well-constructed trip that exposes you to the wonderful cuisine of Tuscany and the various wine districts within the region. I really appreciated the many extras in this program that are not available to the general public, such as a Roman style "convivium" featuring period-correct foods, and private access to villas, palaces, and other locations. Our guide, Cristina, was extremely organized and a wealth of information. I loved our time at the cooking school with Chef Gianluca, as well as the related field trips that helped tie everything together. We prepared numerous recipes together as a group, and were provided with the recipes to make again at home. Be prepared with sturdy shoes for all the walking you will do over rough cobblestone streets-- heels are not practical here.
— Review left May 15, 2024
The Cooking in Tuscany program lived up to all my hopes and expectations and more! It was an incredibly fun and interesting trip!
— Review left May 13, 2024
Cooking in Tuscany is a wonderful culinary experience! Tuscany is a beautiful place to explore art, history, music and great food. A must see and do!
— Review left May 6, 2024
Cooking in Tuscany was a superior program with not only time for cooking, but also for learning about the history and culture of beautiful Tuscany.
— Review left April 24, 2024
This trip combines cooking classes, history, great field trips from Lucca and of Lucca itself. I particularly liked the trip to Pietrasanta and how art is a keynote of that visit.
Our leader, Cristina, and local guide, Elena are so connected to this part of Tuscany and have an incredible depth of relationships that I have not experienced on my other Road Scholar trips.
Our small group got along famously and the cooking courses were both instructive and fun.
I have loved all of my Road Scholar trips but this was our best by far.
— Review left April 20, 2024
Outstanding experience. Setting, group Leader, local guide, chef made this an unforgettable adventure!
— Review left April 12, 2024
I had the time of my life on this tour. The guides Belinda, and Elena were very knowledgeable and personable! The tours were very informative. Our group members were lovely and we gelled well together. I was a solo traveler and never felt alone or lonely. The cooking school experience and Chef Pardini were just awesome. Road Scholar really planned this tour well and made sure all needs were addressed. Thank you RS for making my life's dream so easy to enjoy!
— Review left March 29, 2024
A delightful experience with lots of things to see and do. Even if you're not a huge fan of cooking, our chef made it a very fun time. Belinda was superb, making sure all we all had a wonderful time.
— Review left March 22, 2024
I am generally not a person who enjoys group tours, but this one hit every mark. From start to finish, a delightful way to experience Tuscany!
— Review left January 26, 2024
This is definitely a 5-star program. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although she is the cook/baker, and I am not, it was always fun and interesting for both of us. The leaders, Cristina and Elena, work together as a perfect team, full of information and enthusiasm. Our chef, Gianluca Pardini, is an absolute joy. He has the skills, charm, and personality to teach anyone, and become friends at the same time. The itinerary is very well-conceived, with a mix of history, culture, food, and humor. The city of Lucca is the perfect European town to spend time in, and the countryside is full of beauty and surprises. The hotel has a great location, comfortable rooms, and the family which runs it aims to please. You will not regret signing up for this program.
— Review left January 21, 2024
What an extraordinary experience, our first Road Scholar adventure! From the accommodations to the group leader Belinda to the cooking classes, we were treated so well; people were gracious, knowledgeable, and fun to be with! Belinda was simply amazing!! She took such great care of us and saw to our every need. She is so pleasant to interact with and her love for Lucca comes through with every adventure we took with her. She is to be applauded! Our chef made cooking a special event every single time. The staff at Hotel Alexander topped it all off; friendly, accommodating, and easy to speak with in English. My husband and I enjoyed every excursion, every class, every moment of the trip. THANK YOU for creating an unforgettable experience. We will book again!
— Review left December 28, 2023
We've been on many trips to Italy over the years. This exploration of culture, food/wine in Tuscany was the best and most immersive experience we've ever had. The group leader, guides, chef, hotel staff are such incredible people who care, personalize and make you feel part of their extended families for this very special week in Lucca. Add this to your bucket list for sure!
— Review left December 12, 2023
Cooking in Tuscany was my first experience with Road Scholar and will not be my last. Everything from start to finish was well thought through and professioanl. I Loved Lucca and all of the experiences we had in this program. The entire staff that helped us and guided us throughout the week was beyond my expections. Based on this first experience, I would highly recommned Road Scholar to any one who loves to travel and learn.
— Review left December 7, 2023
Cooking in Tuscany was a wonderful experience. If you are a “chef” or not, like me, you will enjoy the classes presented by Chef John Luca. They were fun and educational. Lucca is a beautiful city and you will enjoy wandering the narrow streets, the wonderful architecture and its long history. The presenters are very knowledgeable, kind and funny. Enjoy!
— Review left November 23, 2023
Cooking In Tuscany was a wonderful experience. The cooking classes were hands on and everyone helped prepare the meals. The chief was always there to demonstrate techniques and get everyone involved. The field trips were interesting and varied every thing from olive oil, wine and cheese tastings to cheese making and marble mines.
— Review left October 22, 2023
This course was incredible both in the location and the absolutely amazing experience in the cooking school in Lucca! We saw amazing countryside and experienced so many different activities from wine and olive oil tasting to how cheese is made and on and on. If you love to travel to beautiful places and learn so much in such a fun and informative fashion - DO come on the Cooking in Tuscany course!!
— Review left September 28, 2023
This is a great program if you'd like to cook, eat, and experience traveling in Italy with a small group, a fabulous tour guide, and an amazing chef. Lucca is not as crowed as other more well known cities in Tuscany and is beautiful.
— Review left September 28, 2023
This was the perfect introduction into Italian cooking! The location was picturesque and I loved the day trips to nearby farms, wineries and cheese producers. If you like cooking, art and history and want to see Italy on a more personal basis then this trip might be just what you're looking for!
— Review left September 25, 2023
Cooking in Tuscany was a trip of a lifetime! The guides, Christina and Gianluca were so knowledgable and caring. They shared their love of their community, its history and culture in a meaningful and memorable way. I came away with more than recipes for the kitchen, I came away with a new found love of this place!
— Review left September 21, 2023
One of the great things about this program is that it is based in the wonderful walled city of Lucca, a great place to stay and explore. The cooking classes are fun, but there is also plenty of time for exploring Lucca and the surrounding area.
— Review left June 19, 2023
This was an amazing experience that no cook, food lover, or wine enthusiast should miss. If you love Italian cuisine, art, and culture this ai a must-have experience, I want to do it again and again!
— Review left May 31, 2023
Such a wonderful program!!! I loved this trip and cooking with other fun loving group members. The tours were great md the meals were so good!!!
— Review left May 27, 2023
I loved it! This was great fun and a very enjoyable learning and participating experience. I am not much of a cook, but I enjoyed participating in the preparation as well as eating what we made. The leaders were great, and I enjoyed getting to know the other participants. I loved exploring Luca and several wonderful nearby places.
— Review left May 16, 2023
Great program! All of the group leaders were knowledgeable, friendly, and communicated effectively. They made it fun. With some of my physical limitations, Christina was able to guide me to adjust to my capabilities. The number of cooking lessons was just right and was well balanced with the touring portion of the program. The hotel and the staff were excellent—friendly and helpful. I had a great time!
— Review left May 12, 2023
This was a great program to experience the beauty of Tuscany. It provided a wide variety of activities in addition to our 4 cooking classes. Our leader, Cristina, did a great job of coordinating all of our day excursions and eating experiences. Tuscany is a beautiful and relaxing place to explore. Our Chef was very personable and made our hands on cooking experience a lot of fun, besides being educational. Our accommodations were very comfortable and located right inside the old town of Lucca. Plenty of places within Lucca to explore and the wall around the city provides a safe and beautiful place to stroll. I particularly liked the Puccini concert we attended one evening.
— Review left May 11, 2023
Really enjoyed this small program to learn Italian cooking. The engaging chef included everyone in aspects of the meal prep. The cooking classes are balanced by regional exploration and exposure to the Slow Food movement, historical tours, and wine tasting. Good balance of classes, tours and free time. I will treasure what I learned and the friendships I made.
— Review left April 26, 2023
This was my first RS trip and my first trip to Italy. It was a memorable trip in the best way!
Since it was a cooking tour, we spent several evenings/afternoon at a cooking school in Lucca. We prepared meals together guided by two wonderful chefs. Our tour guide, Belinda Marcucci was fantastic! So enthusiastic and knowledgeable!
We enjoyed several tours around different locations in Tuscany including wine and olive oil tastings.
A trip I will never forget!
— Review left April 6, 2023
A wonderful tour of Tuscany with a knowledgeable and friendly guide, Cristina Viti, which covers the region's art, food, wine, landscape and customs. Cristina has selected excursions in Tuscany that add another layer of interest to the theme of food and wine and give the tourist a very complete experience in the regiion. Highly recommended. Elaine Alexander, Scottsdale, AZ
— Review left April 3, 2023
This was my second RS trip and as per usual it was fabulous. RS does a wonderful job of taking care of everything so that the traveler enjoys the experiences of the region. If you enjoy eating you will love this trip.
Not only did we eat what we learned to cook from 2 fabulous chefs at the Italian School of Cooking in Lucca; but the food everywhere was fantastic.
Our group leader Belinda M. was also a treasure. As a local Lucchesian she was very knowledgeable of everything Lucca with informative and educational tours and refined recommendations for shopping, restaurants, other points of interest that were not on the original tours. Never a dull moment if you are so inclined.
— Review left November 27, 2022
Cooking in Tuscany was amazing, we learned so many things. A trip I will never forget
— Review left November 15, 2022
Christine was fantastic! This trip was beautiful and interesting and lots of fun! The cooking classes were wonderful and the city of Lucca is gorgeous, filled with history, beauty and charm. Everyone we met knew and loved Christine giving us a unique opportunity to have special tastings and treats that otherwise would not have been available. The wineries were set in historic villages within castles that we were able to explore. Add to the history and charm was the fashion and style in the downtown areas. If you love to walk there's a mile long raised wall around the whole city that you can walk on each morning. The views from the wall are breathtaking and this was a perfect way to start a day of eating great foods and tasting fabulous Italian wines.
— Review left November 6, 2022
This program is delightful, informative and very "hands-on," It is well organized, led by informed and friendly guides, includes a terrific cooking experience and gives a broad overview of Tuscany and its treasures!
— Review left November 3, 2022
What a wonderful program! I enjoyed the setting, the tour leaders' expertise and good humor, and of course the good food. I feel confident that I can re-create some of the dishes at home. I enjoyed experiencing a less crowded area of Italy.
— Review left November 2, 2022
This was a wonder program. Words cannot explain how much I learned. I am already looking for a new program to attend because I did not have to worry about any details. Everything was already arranged including the fun!
— Review left October 1, 2022
Cooking in Tuscany is a gem of an experience combining hands on cooking classes with valuable field trips on the sourcing of the very ingredients we used. Learning about the Slow Food movement was an added bonus. This Road Scholar trip was a powerful combination of history and culture that blended well with the cooking. Our guides and instructors were very knowledgeable and compassionate. I was well fed with food and knowledge!!
— Review left May 19, 2022
My 'Cooking in Tuscany' trip exceeded all my expectations. The city of Lucca is an incredible jewel in Tuscany and the trip was a remarkable combination of rich history, incredible scenery, along with the opportunity to cook and eat amazing food.
— Review left May 15, 2022
I thought the program was fabulous! Christina was so smart, enthusiastic, energetic, caring and knowledgeable. All the tours were great and so were the cooking classes. I would highly recommend this trip! Karen
— Review left November 2, 2021
Fun cooking classes with the very personable Chef Gianluca who was welcoming of all abilities, plus great local excursions with our awesome guides Cristina and Elena. A wonderful week in Lucca. Great to be traveling again and feeling very safe in Italy.
— Review left October 24, 2021
If you like Italian food, this is the program for you!
— Review left October 6, 2021
Totally enjoyable experience with an excellent mix of history, interesting “slow food” oriented excursions and enjoyable cooking lessons. Excellent tour leader and perfect group size.
— Review left May 25, 2019
This was the best vacation/trip my wife and I have ever been on. We learned new things about Italian food and cooking, explored interesting regions with expert guides and found new friends we would seek out to travel with again!
Kevin J. Sherry
— Review left April 5, 2019
This program was an excellent opportunity to learn about the "slow food" movement. Kristina Viti was a charming program leader who brought her love of Tuscany to life. Her knowledge of the area was outstanding. I was very impressed with everything I did and learned on this adventure.
— Review left April 4, 2019
