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Short Cooking and Wine-Tasting Break

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 £907 pp
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4 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

This Italian cooking and wine short break makes the most of your time in Tuscany, near Lucca; make delicious rustic Italian meals and other Italian classics while visiting culinary highlights such as local markets & vineyards on this family-run 4 night Italian cooking and wine break!

2025 dates
1st – 5th February
22nd – 26th February
4th – 8th March
22nd – 26th March
1st – 5th April
12th – 16th April
3rd – 7th May
13th – 17th May
3rd – 7th June
14th – 18th June
24th – 28th June
5th – 9th July
15th – 19th July
27th – 31st July
5th – 9th August
23rd – 27th August
2nd – 6th September
14th – 18th September
23rd – 27th September
4th – 8th October
25th – 29th October
8th – 12th November
6th – 10th December

Come immerse yourself in the life of a true Italian chef in one of the most beautiful part 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 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 vacations where you are expected to follow a rigid group schedule, 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, on a cooking holiday in Italy you will never forget.

If you like the look of Rita’s holiday but want a longer stay please see the 7 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, head to the medieval village of Barga, where you can wander its ancient streets and admire the 11th century Cathedral. Barga also offers picturesque views of the Serchio valley, and is a wonderful place to soak up the Tuscan atmosphere.

Head back to the B&B to make some authentic gnocchi for lunch, then enjoy some time to relax.

Back in the kitchen, you will have your first cooking lesson. Don your La apron and get ready, today’s lesson is the art of pasta making!

Spend 3 hours creating our pasta from scratch, then cook it up with some delicious Italian sauces that you will also prepare. Perhaps you’ll even have time to make a tiramisu…

Relax on the veranda as you savour the delicious meal that you have prepared together.

Free time in Lucca, Pisa & BBQ dinner

After breakfast, visit il Ponte del Diavolo (Devils bridge), then head to Pisa to admire the ancient Piazza Miracoli with its cathedral and famous leaning tower. Lunch is in Lucca in a local cafe.

Then, take some time to explore Lucca, where you can wander the unique shops and admire the historic cathedrals and squares.

In the evening we will head back to your Tuscan home to enjoy a delicious BBQ.

Tour and lunch in Castelnuovo Garfagnana & pizza lesson

After breakfast, travel to Castelnuovo Garfagnana, another stunning little medieval village, before heading back to the B&B to make risotto for lunch.

At about 4.30, it’s time to get your apron on for lesson #2! Today’s lesson is dedicated to the fine art of making pizza and focaccia, all cooked in our wood fired brick oven.

Hot from the oven, savour your meal as Alex entertains the group with his beautiful singing and live music on the veranda.

Departure

Unfortunately, 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 cookery skills.

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights accommodation at the B&B with a private ensuite room
  • 2 x 3-4 hours hands-on Italian cookery lessons including wine
  • Transfers to and from Pisa International Airport (on first and last course days only)
  • Each breakfast, lunch and dinner (Day 1 dinner only, Day 5 breakfast only)
  • Wine and soft drinks included at all meals
  • WiFi access
  • Trips to Barga, Lucca and Pisa local markets
  • Endless local wines to taste and enjoy from the local wine store
  • All transport during the excursions
  • Free time to relax and explore the area
  • You can check in any time after 12pm on day 1 and check-out by 11am on day 5

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, 30 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 determined nearer the time by the host based on all guests’ arrival time. 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.

 

What our travellers are saying...

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 didnt 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 of L

Robert Moore

The few days spent with Rita and Alex were amazing. Such hospitality, nothing was too much . Wine was overflowing. Great balance of cooking and sightseeing. Wish I vould have stayed longer but I will be back in the future.

Ursula

It was a really great holiday. Rita was a great host and went out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. The mixture of sightseeing, cookery and wine tasting was perfect. The cookery lessons were really fun, and the food very tasty! Would definitely recommend this holiday.

A Lewis

We've had the most amazing time with Rita and Alex! The atmosphere is fantastic and you feel like a part of the family; they really look after you. This holiday is suitable for both solo and group travellers, as you will all bond together as a group anyway. We would love to come back in the future!

Agata & Curtis

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Italian cookery short breaks 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 throughout the year
- It may be possible to arrange cookery holidays on alternative dates, to check availability, email h@nitgb.com with your preferred date
- Cooking short breaks are for 4 nights/5 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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