I am interested in attending a brief cooking class (2-4 days) in Italy, France or Greece next summer, WITH my husband. We're in our 30's and hope to make that a part of our vacation experience, all within a 2-week max. time frame. We're in our early 30's and not in a super high-end buedget either. Any suggestions?

Hi S,

You are going to visit France, Italy and Greece for 14 days, and you want to take cooking classes as well?

Please reconsider your itinerary.

My wife has taken a class in Italy, so we have done some research.

http://cookforfun.shawguides.com/

This one is in Florence:

http://www.divinacucina.com/code/florence.html

Now there are may others on the net, not necessarily easy to find -- you have to go beyond search engines, many escaped simple searchs.

- 4 days out of 2 wks can be arranged, PROVIDED that you make your travel bookings AROUND the cooking school, not the other way. Most schools run on limited schedule, not everyday, not everyweek.

- Many schools do not have much up to date web based info; they are small operations visited by small number of people. You need to do lots of email correspondances.

- They can also get cancelled at the minutes. Have a backup plan if you have made all the transport and hotel bookings and there is no cooking class -- what are you going to do instead? A big city like Florence has many other options. If you have to substitute other city, can you just replace your cooking portion without having to redo other part of your itinerary?

- They roughly come in two varieties: expensive all inclusive deluxe class with hotel, tours, and restaurant visits, but taught in English; others cooking only; you make all other arrangements, but the instructor probably does not speak English.

Ira: Do you know or know someone who knows. Of cooking class in Rome for Cookies....you know the kind that fill all the plates at Italian Weddings? my friend wants to see if there is 1/2 day or day class in Rome. Thanks in advance...........

I've been saving this just for you:

http://www.cookingschools.com/

And this one too:

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/arti...825382,00.html

Remembered one more:

http://www.atelierdeschefs.com/cours.php?lang=EN

Here's a good one in Sicily: http://www.cucinadelsole.it/idgtweb/...eWWW)/ChiSiamo I took a half-day class with her, but I know that she offers week-long classes, and people can also stay in an apartment in her home (private, but opens into the common garden shared with her house).

I would steer clear of courses taught by Americans and other foreigners living in Italy. Actually I'd avoid classes not taught by someone who is actually from the region whose cooking is the subject of the class.

If you will be near Naples, the cooking school at the agriturismo in Seliano near Paestum gets very good marks. It is run by a local noblewoman on a water buffalo farm where they make their own mozzarella.

Here is the translated page:

http://translate.google.com/translat...lr%3D%26sa%3DG

I'd love to take a cooking class at the Sorrento Cooking School.
http://www.sorrentocookingschool.com...sh/courses.asp

Shaw Guides is a good place to start.

Hi J,

Sorry, can't help.

Thanks all--have a lot to look at and consider!
Ira: The post says Italy, France OR Greece, not all 3. I'm a bit more intelligent than to try and do all 3 in 14 days with a class.

Susan-My family of 5 booked Divina Cucina in Florence for a one day cooking class. She is an American Expat from California who has been there a long time. Not highly technical, but we loved it. You start in her simple apartment kitchen talking about what you want to learn to make. Then the VERY BEST PART is you set out to the Central Market and shop for ingredients and wine, meeting all her buddies and tasting all sorts of good stuff. Great for a foodie. Back to her apartment to cook-again very casual and then feast on your meal. Easy one day experience to slip into your Florence experience.