Hello, I am interested in doing a cooking holiday in Tuscany. I realized that this would not be a budget holiday but some of the prices I am seeing are very high. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for an affordable experience. We would like it to be min of 3-7 days and include accommodation. I was hoping for something around the 2000$/person mark. Does this even exist? Any help or suggestions would be welcome.

Does it have to be Tuscany?

Kwren, Lowcountryislander and myself have all gone on a culinary holiday in Abruzzo. kwren and I went back for a 2nd time this year and tentative plans are in the works to go back next year. It is/was a fabulous time. Everything is included, accomadations, food, wine, excursions.

Here are kwrens trip reports

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...chool-rome.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-florence.cfm

http://www.abruzzocibus.com/index.php

You can also check out trip advisor for reviews.

We have stayed at a farmhouse in Le Marche 3 times in the past 1.5 years and done cooking lessons and lived it! Very affordable www.latavolamarche.com

I'll dig out our trip reports and photos...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-dolomites.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rche-lucca.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-do-italy.cfm

Two suggestions, located in southern Tuscany-

A great place to stay in a fantastic location. Lots of activities offered, including cooking lessons-
http://www.cretaiole.it/index.en.php

Cooking lessons-
http://www.organictuscany.org/prices...-holidays.html

Take a good look at the detailed description of the one week course here: http://www.tuscany-cooking-class.com/

While you could do a 3 day course within your $2000 limit, for a bit more the week long course gives you so much more.