Top Europe Cooking Classes

Try something different during your time in Istanbul with this hands-on Turkish rug weaving workshop. Rather than simply admiring traditional carpets, learn about the history and techniques behind this world-renowned Turkish craft. Then, enjoy the rare opportunity to sit at a loom and try weaving a piece of carpet yourself, with guidance to help you learn the basics of this centuries-old tradition.

On this half-day pasta and tiramisu-making workshop, head to the Piazza Mattei—home to the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe)—for a class on how to prepare and cook authentic Roman pasta in a nearby artisan workshop. Learn how to craft a traditional ravioli dish before starting on a tiramisu for dessert.

Skip a restaurant lunch or dinner out on your Rome vacation, and opt for a classic Italian cooking class instead at a location near the Colosseum. During this small-group activity, you’ll create two types of pasta from scratch and also a tiramisu before sitting down to eat them with your chef and group. Wine and local tips complement the experience.

Immerse yourself in Rome’s food culture by trying your hand at making traditional Italian pizza, *suppli* risotto balls, and creamy gelato from scratch. Perfect for practicing your cookery skills while enjoying well-selected Italian wine. Suitable for novice cooks and confident chefs alike, this hands-on masterclass offers plenty of delightful surprises and is ideal for those who enjoy interactive experiences on vacation.

This experience does not take place in a tourist kitchen, but in my private home in Palermo. It is not a show: it is real cuisine, with authentic recipes of Sicilian cuisine, local ingredients and the atmosphere of a royal family. For thirty years I worked in haute cuisine in different parts of the world, passing through the most prestigious starred restaurants. I was the Chef of National TV Shows (Rai 1) and author of two cookbooks. I chose to go back to the roots and open the doors of my home to those who want to experience Sicily, not just taste it. Every dish tells a story, every gesture has a value: here you cook, eat, talk, laugh. It is an experience that also nourishes memory. You will not find scripts or fiction, but spontaneity and warmth, just like at the home of a Sicilian friend. I'll teach you what you don't find in books: perfumes, slow tempos, dialect words, hands stained with dough. For a few hours, you will really immerse yourself in Sicilian culture.

Apulia is known for its top-notch gastronomy and stunning views, but it takes insider knowledge to ditch the tourist traps and find where locals eat. On this half-day vineyard visit and family-cooked culinary experience, indulge in the best of Apulian cuisine during a multi-course meal—from hand-prepared orecchiette pasta to decadent meat rolls (bombette)—while taking in sweeping vineyard and Itria Valley views.

Try your hand at pizza making in a small-group cooking class in the heart of Rome. Escape the bustle of the city for a hands-on experience with local chefs at a real Italian restaurant and learn the secrets to making the perfect pizza. Finish by savoring your own creations along with a bruschetta starter, glass of wine or beer, and top it off with a traditional limoncello.

If you’ve ever been curious about how to make the perfect glass of sangria, then this is the experience for you. Find out the secrets on how to craft the perfect blend—with fruits, spices, and local wine. The small-group experience explains the history of this famous Spanish drink, and best of all—you can taste the sangrias you prepare, as well as a selection of delicious local cheeses.

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, but is packed with tourists most of the year. Escape the crowds and experience the quiet Tuscan countryside with this villa cooking class just outside the city. Prepare classic Florentine dishes with a local chef, and then relax over a four-course lunch with wine on the villa’s panoramic terrace. With transportation included, you skip the hassle of navigating in and out of Florence yourself.

Take a break from sightseeing and avoid crowded restaurants with this small-group pizza and gelato cooking class. Learn how to roll out and top authentic Italian pizza, then create two gelato flavors with seasonal ingredients for a sweet treat. Cap off your class with a delicious meal to sample your creations alongside your fellow classmates and instructor.

In a familiar and comfortable environment I will guide you step by step to the creation of an entire 3-course Sicilian menu from starter to dessert. You will be greeted by a welcome drink and immediately afterwards you will tie on your apron to start cooking! We will begin by preparing a starter that varies with the season. Then I will reveal the tricks for making the best fresh pasta at home, starting with the dough made of water and flour, which will be topped with a great seasonal sauce that I will teach you how to prepare. We will also make together a traditional dessert according to the season such as water melon jelly or a cassatella with ricotta cheese. At the end of the preparation we will taste the dishes together with some excellent local wine.

It is said the best way to get the measure of a place is to spend time with local people, but meeting and greeting strangers on foreign shores isn’t always easy. During this afternoon or evening Valencian cooking experience, you will be warmly welcomed by your host Jose, a passionate Valencian chef trained at Michelin-starred restaurants into his home. After a refreshing sangria, learn to cook an authentic Valencian meal that includes tapas, a main and and dessert. Savor the home-cooked meal of traditional Valencian dishes as you learn about Valencian culture and food traditions from your host.

Join this Basque cooking class and learn how to cook traditional pintxos and tapas of the Basque Country with a local Basque chef. Learn about local ingredients and spices, the story behind them, and how the locals enjoy these delicious bites. First, meet up with your instructor, who doubles as the chef for this class. Get introduced to the ingredients you'll be working with, and listen as you learn about each one's importance in traditional northern Spanish cooking. Then, get your hands into action as you mix, stir, chop, and begin to combine ingredients with the help of the chef, who will guide you through each step of preparation. As you begin to cook, sip on a glass of wine from the open bar. Finally, see the fruits of your labors come to life as 4 different pintxos are plated from your work. Try each one, and enjoy them alongside your wine, and a complimentary charcuterie and cheese board, and dessert prepared for you.

Step into the shoes of a Spanish chef and learn to make Valencia’s signature dish during a hands-on paella cooking lesson. Travel outside the city to a traditional farmhouse, where a gourmet instructor shows you the secrets behind this famous rice-and-seafood dish. Sit down to enjoy the home-cooked cuisine while surrounded by a landscape of orange trees and rice paddies for an authentic Valencian experience.

Enjoying the food when you’re on vacation is one of the best parts of traveling, but nothing compares to learning how to make the meals yourself. Learn to cook like a Palermo local from a Palermo local on this pasta and gelato-making class, and take home new skills that see you impressing your pals for years to come.

If there’s one souvenir you should take home from Rome, it’s the ability to cook fresh Italian cuisine. Stepping inside a local restaurant, you’ll try your hand (following your chef guide) at both pesto and fresh Fettuccine pasta—one of the few sauce-included experiences in the city. Of course, you’ll also dine on your creations, with appetizers and drinks for a full, only-in-Rome dining experience.

Each cooking class is private and followed by a PERSONAL Chef, furthermore a glass of Vinaccieri wine is provided at the beginning for motivational purposes! PESTO EXPERIENCE: Discover its history and anecdotes about it. With the use of a mortar you will produce your Genoese PESTO which you will taste and take away with you in a special container that will be provided to you. PASTA EXPERIENCE - I Corzetti, ancient Ligurian pasta made with wooden molds and Ligurian potato gnocchi. FOCACCIA & PANE EXPERIENCE - You will make the REAL Genoese Focaccia and our award-winning Pane Marinaro. FISH EXPERIENCE - The Chef will guide you in the creation of two fish recipes depending on the daily catch WINE EXPERIENCE - A Sommelier will guide you in a tasting of five wines from Vinaccieri Ballerini and products from our gastronomy If you wish, at a separate cost, you can create a lunch or dinner with the products you make yourself! We are in Sestri Levante (Genoa)

Florentine steak is one of Tuscany’s most iconic dishes, so ensure you sample the best version of this meat feast during a cooking class that offers a more immersive culinary experience than simply eating in a restaurant. Under the guidance of an expert chef, you’ll create a 3-course feast with steak as the main event and enjoy unlimited wine during the experience.

Learn all about French wine on this small-group, guided tour right in the heart of Paris. Sample around six to seven French wines in an unpretentious atmosphere with a charismatic guide. Discuss which are your favorites with your small group as your French sommelier guide explains each one. Plan on around two hours for this tour, leaving the rest of the day free for other activities.

The macaron is one of the most popular sweet treats in Paris—but this technical pastry can be challenging to make independently. Instead, learn every step of macaron making, and receive hands-on guidance from an experienced French pastry chef, during this small-group masterclass. By the end of the class, walk away with brand new culinary skills—plus a range of delicious macarons to take home with you.

Escape the crowds in Rome for a day and head to the nearby countryside to experience the authentic side of Roman cuisine. Travel from the city to the ancient village of Mazzano Romano, where your experience starts by shopping for ingredients at the local market. Then help to prepare and cook a traditional meal under the guidance of an instructor before sitting down to enjoy your creations with Italian wine. The class is limited to eight people to provide an intimate, small-group experience.

Take a break from sightseeing and gain hands-on insight into Italian cuisine with a chef-led cooking class in Rome. Rather than simply sampling local dishes, learn how to prepare pizza, supplì, and gelato yourself using traditional techniques. Enjoy wine and snacks as you cook, then savor your creations in a fun and interactive small-group setting.

Spend a delightful 1.5 hours relaxing on a cruise along the Garonne River, sipping prestigious Bordeaux wines and gazing at the fantastic scenery. Watch the attractions of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Bordeaux, including Place de la Bourse, give way to the vineyard-covered hills of the Aquitaine region as you learn about this area's wine-making history from your onboard guide. Choose from two starting points for the cruise, Quai Richelieu or Cité du Vin.

Discover the secrets to Tuscan cuisine during a small-group cooking class in Montepulciano. With the careful guidance of your host, learn how to prepare an appetizer, two types of fresh pasta with sauces, and an iconic dessert. Once everything is ready, sit down with your classmates and enjoy your handmade Italian feast. Afterward, you’re ready to impress your friends and family back home.