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
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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
Ivonne_R
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.
Reviews
5.0
based on 84 reviews
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Sara_C, Nov 2024
What an absolutely incredible and unforgettable experience! This was the best thing we did in Italy while on our honeymoon. If you’re wondering if it’s worth the money and time- YES! BOOK IT! Davide and Elena are so hospitable and make you feel like family. They are excellent teachers and so knowledgeable. What we learned was so valuable and will stay with us for years to come.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Ciao Sara <3
You make us cry! Thank you for your wonderful words. Happy honeymoon guys!
Chef Davide & Elena
Perry_V, Nov 2024
We enjoyed David and Elena. The personal interaction was very nice. We thought the instruction was very good and well as the finished product. After completing the cuisine portion we were amazed by the Villa D’este garden and fountains.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Ciao Perry :)
We are very pleased you liked everything! Villa D'Este is a MUST-visit place in Italy.
Chef Davide & Elena
Paula_S, Nov 2024
From the hosts to the food & drink to the surroundings, everything was amazing and such a wonderful change from the hustle & crowds of Rome. Be sure to include this in your Italian holiday. You won’t be disappointed.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Ciao Paula :)
We are delighted you enjoyed our peaceful place!
Chef Davide & Elena
Courtney_S, Nov 2024
We had the most amazing time with Chef David and Elena! The pasta-making was very fun and they helped us along the entire way, and the end product was delicious. I would highly recommend this excursion for anyone regardless of confidence/experience in the kitchen. It was the perfect balance of fun and learning (with great wine!).
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Ciao Courtney :)
Thank you so much, it is always super fun cooking with you guys!
Chef Davide & Elena
Candance_G, Oct 2024
This was so much fun. The wine, the process, the food, the property, the dogs…shall I go on? What a way to start out our Italian adventure. Definitely do not miss this opportunity!
carol_a, Sep 2024
Sharing our stories with Davide and his brother and enjoying their home as we learned about Italian food and pasta making!
Dean_G, Sep 2024
Chef Davide is not only an accomplished chef, but a gracious host, and full of cultural insight. This by far has been one of our highlights of our trip to Italia and is sure to be for you as well. From the authentic food preparation, to the romance of the local wine and history, along with his beautiful home- you will be pleased you scheduled this tour!
Richard_T, Sep 2024
Davide is a warm, fun and entertaining man! It was lovely to spend some time in his very quaint home and just relax, with nice food! A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Rome and well worth the visit. It could t have been nicer! Many thanks Davide!
Lindsey_H, Aug 2024
What a wonderful experience! My family and I (three generations) recently visited Chef Davide’s lovely home to take a cooking class. Davide and his brothers were so friendly and welcoming and the entire experience was as authentic as it comes. The class was so fun and enjoyable for all and super tasty too! He is such a professional and was very accommodating to meet our various dietary needs. We can’t wait to try and recreate some of the scrumptious dishes we made once we get home. This personal experience was amazing memories for my family.
andrewbarnes666, Jul 2024
Chef Davide has created the most incredible experience. His friendly, funny, and relaxed style is only exceeded by his obvious knowledge and passion for food.
I love the way that he weaves in his knowledge of the historic area of Tivoli into his family history, as he welcomes you into his beautiful home
Using only locally sourced ingredients, he teaches you how to make pasta just like his Nonna and then treats you to a dégustation menu including your pasta, paired perfectly with local wines
Thank you Chef Davide, this truly experience was a dream come true and I cannot recommend it enough
From $185.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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