Tivoli Day Trip: Villa D’Este & Cooking Class
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Rome, Italy
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Overview
Leave the bustle and chaos of Rome behind for the day and experience the best of Tivoli’s culture and cuisine on this private tour. Travel to Tivoli in comfortable, private transport from your hotel to avoid the stress of public transport. Explore the ornate Villa d’Este gardens at your own pace plus connect with a local chef for a hands-on pasta cooking class and traditional lunch.
- A relaxing day in Tivoli, away from the crowds and heat of Rome
- Pre-booked tickets to the famed gardens at Villa d’Este
- Prepare pasta from scratch with a chef-led cooking class
- A 4-course lunch featuring the dishes you’ve created
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Cook fresh-picked ingredients in a farmhouse kitchen and visit a UNESCO-listed villa—all in one magical day.
Sample Menu
Starter
Burrata
Burrata cheese paired with a selection of oilve oils
Starter
Four (4) Mini Local Farm to Table appetizers
Main
Fettucine Amatriciana or Fettucine Tomato and Lemon Zest
Fresh pasta with a meat Roman sauce or a summery tomato sauce
Main
Fresh Ravioli
Fresh Ravioli with cream sauce
Dessert
Dessert
What's Included
- Alcoholic BeveragesWine or Beer for Adults
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Villa D' Este Tickets
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
IMPORTANT: You will be contacted via SMS/WhatsApp for further pickup details. If your hotel/BnB is not listed among the options, please select a random address. You will be contacted for further confirmation.
What To Expect
1
Villa d'Este
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
mikesuedemeo
Chef Davide n sous chef Elana were wonderful. They worked in perfect harmony and were patient teachers. We prepared from scratch our own ravioli and fettuccine and enjoyed a delicious luncheon accompanied by Davides creations. To top off the day we enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Villa de Este. The gardens and fountains were exquisite and should be a must see on any trip to Rome.
Reviews
5.0
based on 95 reviews
Peter_L, Jun 2026
Our day with Chef Davide and Elena at their beautiful home in Tivoli was a true high point of our trip to Rome.
We brought our three kids, aged 9 to 15, who all had a ton of fun. Davide and Elena were great with the kids. Every step of the visit was well organized and easy to navigate.
I’m not new to cooking and I’m not new to Italy, but I still managed to learn quite a bit from our hosts. It was really quite a good time.
Oh, and of course, the food was top notch.
Many thanks and best wishes to our wonderful hosts!
Rick_V, May 2026
Davide and Elena entertain you as well as instruct how to make genuine Italian dishes. Tivoli gardens are amazing and transport to and from Rome was seamless,
Cindy_C, May 2026
The gardens at Villa d’Estes was on my bucket list. I want to see the top 10 gardens in the world (according to National Geographic) and these gardens were rated number 5. They were beautiful and I have never seen so many fountains! But even better than the gardens was the cooking class with Chef Davide. He was absolutely wonderful. We met his mother and his wife and they were very nice too. The two puppies were so cute and very well behaved! They made a charming addition to the visit. Chef Davide taught us how to make pasta and then we cut our pasta into fettuccine noodles and also made ravioli. They served different appetizers and lots of wonderful wine. Then we had an awesome dessert. This was an awesome tour and I suggest you book it!
apomima, May 2026
This is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The sommelier and the chef go above and beyond to give you a personalized treatment while feeding you amazing food and providing amazing wine. I would do this a 1000 times.
Maria_A, May 2026
Davide is a perfectionist starting with all the communication preceding the tour including advising us of the weather and recommending that we bring umbrellas and rain jackets. He and his wife, Elena, make a great team and treated us wonderfully. We learned to make two types of pasta and were treated to a delicious lunch which included two appetizers, two pasta dishes, dessert, and wine. At the end of lunch they drove us to the city center where we strolled on our own through the Tivoli Gardens which were stunning. Finally, the drive to Tivoli and back was very comfortable in a large Mercedes Benz van.
Cindy_B, May 2026
David and Elena are welcoming, wonderful hosts. We made pasta and ravioli, drank delicious wine and had the best time! You will never want to leave their beautiful property. We felt like we were in a movie while being there. Villa d'Este is also gorgeous and it was great to explore and stroll through the gardens after our meal. This was our favorite experience while visiting Rome. Eight thumbs up from us!
lmperlini, May 2026
This is a great escape from the city. Not only do you learn to make and enjoy wonderful food, Davide abd Elans couldn’t be more welcoming.
Whitney_M, Apr 2026
The best experience! Chef David was wonderful. Professional, knowledgeable, and patient. Welcomed us into his home and made us feel like family.
Response from Host, May 2026
Ciao Whitney :)
bellissimo!
Stefanie_S, Apr 2026
I cannot say enough great things about this experience. This was our favorite experience while visiting Rome. Chef Davide and his wife Elena invite you into their beautiful home to learn how to cook pasta. You are served different types of local wine while cooking. Chef Davide and Elena were great teachers and really worked well together. None of us had any experience making pasta yet this was the best meal we had while on vacation. The ingredients were fresh. We picked herbs from his backyard garden. When we were done, we ate on their back porch and enjoyed the views. After our cooking class, Davide and Elena drove us to the gardens at Tivoli where we walked around for about 2 hours. It was plenty of time to take it all in. Truly an amazing experience you will never forget.
Response from Host, May 2026
Ciao Stefanie :)
We are very happy you had a good time with us in Tivoli
Chef Davide
mikesuedemeo, Apr 2026
Chef Davide n sous chef Elana were wonderful. They worked in perfect harmony and were patient teachers. We prepared from scratch our own ravioli and fettuccine and enjoyed a delicious luncheon accompanied by Davides creations. To top off the day we enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Villa de Este. The gardens and fountains were exquisite and should be a must see on any trip to Rome.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Ciao Mike :)
The fountains are exquisite
Chef Davide
Hema_P, Mar 2026
Our Tivoli Day Trip to Villa D’Este & Cooking Class was a true highlight, hosted by the wonderful Chef Davide and his beautiful wife Elena. Though the class is typically outdoors, the windy and cold weather that day prompted them to graciously open their home instead, making us all feel like part of their family. My husband and daughters absolutely loved this unique experience and we highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Ciao Hema :)
We loved having you in our home
Ivonne_R, Mar 2026
Everything was incredible! Chef Davide and Elena were great hosts. Their home was incredible and they explained everything so well. The food we cooked was amazing! We were traveling with a 2 year old and they were so understanding and helpful. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Ciao Ivonne :)
We loved playing with the chickens with you and your beautiful family!
Jonathan_B, Mar 2026
We decided to do this tour for our last day in Italy to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This was a perfect way to finish the trip with David and his amazing family. They were very welcoming and made us feel like we were part of their family. The experience of cooking homemade pasta and enjoying the afternoon drinking great wine and eating great food was unforgettable!!! I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone looking for a relaxing and beautiful day in the Tivoli countryside. We finished our afternoon with a beautiful walk-through the Villa D’Este. This beautiful garden is amazing and breathtaking overlooking the valley. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Ciao John!
We love our relaxing and beautiful days in the Tivoli!
Grazie
Erika_M, Mar 2026
This is a must do experience! Our hosts welcomed us into their home for the cooking class in the countryside. We immediately felt welcome and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon drinking, cooking and learning with great company.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Ciao Erika!
We must thank you for your kind words!
Fiona_B, Mar 2026
This was an amazing day out and possibly undersold in the information in Viator. Davide and Elena were extremely welcoming and knowledgeable both about the local area as well as food preparation and wine pairing.
The hotel pick up was arranged for us as part of the experience and our driver gave us information about the local region en route, and told us how the local stone is used as we passed the quarry. The drive was only 40 minutes from the hotel.
We were welcomed into Davide and Elena's lovely home for the cooking experience.
From the start we were greeted with a glass of Prosecco and Fragolino (local red sparkling wine with a strawberry flavour) and the recommended wines were offered freely during the time of our stay. We helped create two of the five courses that we were served. Great fun as I've never made pasta from scratch before.
The trip to Villa D'Este was a spectacular finish to the day. Although there is a lot of art to see in the house, the gardens were the highlight with a myriad of fountains as you traverse up the down the levels, plus glorious views over the local countryside.
I highly recommend this trip if visiting Rome for a few days.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Ciao Fiona :)
We are super happy you enjoyed our cooking class in Tivoli! Villa d'Este is a cherry on top of our day trip!
Nicole_W, Nov 2025
If you can only choose one activity while in Rome, I highly recommend this cooking class with Chef Davide. This was an experience unlike anything else — cooking with a renowned chef in his beautiful home in the Italian countryside felt truly special. Not only did we learn to make classic Italian dishes from scratch, but we also learned about the history and artistry behind each one. Chef Davide’s hospitality and attention to detail were unmatched — even the appetizers looked like pieces of art. I can’t wait to return with family and friends to share this remarkable experience. Grazie mille, Chef Davide!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Ciao Nicole
Thank you for the renowned chef!
Chef Davide
Chloe_F, Oct 2025
This was definitely the highlight of our trip. I would recommend anyone that is traveling in the area to do this. We had a wonderful time being in the countryside and learning how to make pasta from scratch. The food was delicious and they were so welcoming. To top it off, we got to walk through the gardens which was the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen! I highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Ciao Chole :)
Thank you for your beautiful words,
Tivoli Gardens hits different!
Alexandra_M, Sep 2025
Chef Davide and Elena treat you like family welcoming us into their home for such a fun class. They made sure we understood how to make pasta so we could repeat at home and they sent us all of the recipes! They are both so talented, the food was delicious and beautifully presented and Elena paired wine with each course so we had the perfect bites. They are both so kind and passionate about what they do and make you feel right at home . After cooking and lunch we explored Villa D’este which Is absolutely beautiful. It truly was a perfect day and we would highly recommend the whole experience !!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Ciao Alex!
Such a perfect day! - with Lou Reed playing underneath.
Grazie
Jerry_W, Sep 2025
My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of taking a cooking class with Chef Davide and his wife Elena at their beautiful countryside home in Tivoli during our honeymoon, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Italy.
From the start, everything was seamless—transportation was arranged and extremely comfortable, and after the class we even had admission to the stunning gardens at Villa D’Este included. The experience itself was unforgettable. Chef Davide welcomed us into his home and kitchen with warmth and enthusiasm, and Elena made us feel like old friends. Together, they created such an inviting, relaxed atmosphere where we learned, laughed, and indulged.
We made fresh ravioli and fettuccini from scratch, with plenty of guidance and encouragement, while enjoying delicious wine and small bites that Davide had prepared. Every moment felt authentic and personal, and it was clear how much passion and love they both put into sharing their craft.
The setting was picturesque, the food was incredible, and the hospitality was unmatched. This wasn’t just a cooking class—it was a memory we’ll carry with us forever. If you’re visiting Rome and want an experience that combines food, culture, and genuine connection, I can’t recommend Chef Davide and Elena enough.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Ciao Jerry :)
You make us cry like this!
Grazie
Michael_K, Jul 2025
Davide and his wife were wonderful hosts. The class is in their farmhouse in Tivoli and the food and wine were excellent. Their instruction in pasta making was perfect and even better was their ability to talk about the history, culture, food and wine of the region. Great experience!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Ciao Michael!
We love to talk about food history!
Chef Davide & Elena
Christopher_R, Jul 2025
Our visit with David and Elena was one of the highlights of our entire time in and around Rome! It was a very professional and fun experience from start to finish, and delicious to boot. David is a local with over a decade of professional cooking experience and Elena was fantastic.Highly recommend to get away from the normal touristy sights in Rome and get a little more authentic experience!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Ciao Christofer :)
Grazie mille! This is our little spot in heven
Chef Davide & Elena
David_D, Jun 2025
If you only had one thing to do while visiting Rome, this would be it! What a wonderful day we had - getting picked up by Fabrizio in his sharp Mercedes van at our Rome hotel, then we were greeted by Elena who got us started on a tour of the beautiful Villa d’Este for about 2 hours. The gardens and fountains were so peaceful. Chef Davide then picked us up at the Villa and we took a short drive in his classic 1964 Fiat to their wonderful farmhouse. We enjoyed a brief tour, met the adorable dogs and some farm animals and got started into our class. Both Chef Davide and Elena (a trained sommelier) were so personable and made the cooking class so much fun. We enjoyed making ravioli and fettuccini, and then sat back and enjoyed a 7 course meal prepared by them and paired with local wines. It was so refreshing to see how they use local, fresh ingredients for their menus. Next time we are in Rome we will certainly return.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao David!
So nice having you and your daughter here.
You remembered the exact age of the Old Fiat 500, impressive!
See you next time
Chef Davide & Elena
Jordan_S, Jun 2025
Both Davide and Elena were more than gracious hosts. They are both so warm and friendly and were happy to share what they know with us. Bianca (the sheep) was a highlight along with Rho and Lucy (dogs). We didn’t get to meet the chickens personally but if the rest of the family is any indication, we’re sure they’re lovely as well. The home and surrounding area is beautiful beyond words and if heaven were a place on earth, it may just may be Tivoli.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao Jordan :)
We are so glad you enjoy the company of Bianca (the sheep) as well. She can be needy sometimes.
I hope to meet you again, guys!
Chef Davide & Elena
skydive100, Jun 2025
My family and I have had the privilege and pleasure of doing several cooking experiences as we have traveled abroad, and this has hands down been the most incredible time we have had. If you are looking for an experience you and your family will remember for years, this is it. Davide and family made us feel like we were long lost relatives and we could have not have asked for a more fun, and unique way to spend time together with amazing food, friends, and family!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao :)
We love to know we left a little piece of our place in your family memories.
Grazie
Chef Davide & Elena
Victoria_V, Jun 2025
We loved our day with Davide and Elena. It was so much fun for both the adults and the kids. The food was outstanding. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao Victoria :)
Grazie!
Chef Davide
Jean_A, Jun 2025
This was the most amazing part of our Italy trip! Chef Davide and Elena will give you a Michelin star experience in their beautifully charming home. The experience began as soon as their driver Fabrizio picked us up (such a nice gentleman), meeting Davide and Elena, learning the art of making pasta, the wines, small bites, the meal and dessert, and the explosion of flavors. Then you will get to spend time at the Tivoli gardens, which are beyond beautiful. On our way back to Rome Fabrizio took us to the waterfalls in Tivoli. What a way to end the day!! I will never forget this day. As a foodie and someone who is passionate about cooking and gardening, I highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao Jean :)
Thank you for the Michelin star experience comparison, so kind!
Chef Davide
Mary_S, May 2025
Fantastic day spent learning about regional foods and cooking. Lunch was phenomenal, property was a relaxing place to spend the morning with hosts Elena and Davide making you feel right at home. Then we spent the afternoon in Tivoli walking the gardens and enjoying the views. Perfect day trip to escape the crowds in Rome!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Caio Mary :)
We are so happy you enjoyed this little escape from Rome!
Chef Davide
Elisa_E, Apr 2025
I don’t usually write reviews, but with such an amazing experience like this one I had to. From start to finish, everything was extremely organized and so personable! Chef Davide and Elena were absolutely incredible - I can’t recommend this experience enough!!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao Elisa :)
Thank you for taking the time to write this wonderful review
Chef Davide & Elena
Leslie_R, Apr 2025
If you want an amazing cooking experience in a beautiful villa, do not miss this!!!! You will make two kinds of pasta, eat lovely chef created small bites, and feel like a cherished guest with the beautiful couple who own this home. To top it off, you’ll see the gorgeous gardens in Tivoli- away from all the hub bub of Rome. The driver was on time and very safe. Get off the beaten path and treat yourself to this one!!!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Ciao Leslie :)
Thank you for your wonderful words!
See you next time
Chef Davide
Scott_C, Apr 2025
Worth every penny! Sometimes you just need to spend more than you want to and this is one of those times. This was hands down our favorite tour in our week long trip to Italy. Our very gracious hosts Davide and Elena are fantastic! They make you feel at home, provided excellent instruction, and of course awesome food & drink. The Villa D’Este were beautiful as was the Tivoli city center. What an enjoyable day that I would highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Ciao Scott :)
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're truly happy that our tour was your favorite experience during your trip to Italy!😊
It was such a pleasure to share the beauty of Tivoli, Villa d’Este, and, of course, some delicious food and wine with you
From $200.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Tivoli Day Trip: Villa D’Este & Cooking Class
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