Compare th Top Italy Cooking Vacations
Compare The Top Cooking Vacations in Italy
Those looking for cooking, food and wine vacations in Italy have quite a few choices, and it is often hard to tell the difference. We know that each company offers something unique, and no one company is right for everyone, so we have provided this page to help people choose. The reality is, that our goal is that people find the right match for them, and it often is not us. We would rather lose a guest to another company than to have an unhappy guest. So while there is surely some bias, as we are one of the companies listed here, we are also providing this page to help people that are not a right fit for what we offer to find the best possible experience for their cooking vacation.
Cooking Vacations in this Page:
- Culture Discovery Vacations (CDV)
- Book Culinary Vacations (BCV)
- Tuscan Women Cook (TWK)
- Cook in Tuscany (CIT)
- The International Kitchen (TIK)
- Tuscookany (TC)
- Cooking Vacations Italy (CVI)
- Summary
Culture Discovery Vacations (CDV)
| Operation Type: | Local Operator, 100% Operated by company staff. |
| In Business Since: | 2006 |
| Tours Per Year: | ~35 |
| Locations: | Multiple, throughout Italy and Portugal |
| Group Size: | Small |
| Travel Style: | Mostly casual, fostering a family-style immersive experience |
| Cooking Style: | Most classes are home-cooking by locals, some classes by Michelin Starred chefs |
| Transportation: | All included (Motor coach, Minivan or Boat, depending on location and activity) |
| Inclusions: | All-Inclusive from the moment of pick-up to the moment of departure |
| Exclusions: | Airfare or any travel expenses before or after vacation. |
| Average Cost Per Day: | $500 |
| Based In: | Italy and USA |
| Reputation: | Excellent: Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence9 years straight, Hall of Fame. |
CDV was the first company (and to date one of the only ones) to take the concept of cooking vacations in Italy, and combine with an immersive local living experience that was all-inclusive. The company's primary focus is to help guests feel like they are visiting family abroad, and getting a truly authentic taste of local culture. Its All-inclusive policy originated out of this goal, with the mindset that the CDV staff could not be seen as people that sold a tour, but rather as part of the group... as the hosts of their visiting friends. As such, CDV cannot ask for extra money or leave guests to figure things out on their own, as the authentic family experience is in the company DNA.
In keeping with that concept, CDV makes sure its classes are not academic, but casual family home cooking experiences. When sightseeing, the company focuses more on the relationship, that the place or product. For example, a winery is not chosen for its convenience or wine selection, but rather for the wine maker, and their relationship with CDV and their guests.
Book Culinary Vacations (BCV)
| Operation Type: | Agency. Reseller of tours operated by companies listed on this page and others. |
| In Business Since: | 2013 |
| Tours Per Year: | Varies by Vendor |
| Locations: | Multiple, Global |
| Group Size: | Varies by Tour |
| Travel Style: | Varies by Tour |
| Cooking Style: | Varies by Tour |
| Transportation: | Varies by Tour |
| Inclusions: | Varies by Tour |
| Exclusions: | Varies by Tour |
| Average Cost Per Day: | Varies by Tour/Vendor |
| Based In: | Amsterdam |
| Reputation: | Varies by Vendor |
BCV is a website owned by Tripaneer. and is an agency website similar to Expedia and Booking.com, but for tours. Some of the companies listed here are also in BCV's listings. While the website provides a huge selection of cooking vacations, guests do not have direct contact with the provider, and limited information is available about the actual company providing the service, or the tour itself.
Tuscan Women Cook (TWK)
| Operation Type: | Local Operator, Mostly Operated by company staff |
| In Business Since: | 2000 |
| Tours Per Year: | 13 |
| Locations: | Montefollonico, Tuscany |
| Group Size: | Small |
| Travel Style: | More Upscale |
| Cooking Style: | More Upscale |
| Transportation: | Minibus |
| Inclusions: | All-Inclusive |
| Exclusions: | Airfare or any travel arrangements to and from local train station. |
| Average Cost Per Day: | $795 |
| Based In: | USA |
| Reputation: | Excellent |
TWK is a top notch company that has run its program for years. Their weeks are similar to some of CDV's weeks, but are 6 days instead of 7, and significantly more expensive. They focus more on an upscale experience with nice cooking classes and excursions, and less on a the family feeling and immersive experience.
Cook in Tuscany (CIT)
| Operation Type: | Local Operator, Mostly Operated by company staff |
| In Business Since: | 2014 |
| Tours Per Year: | 13 |
| Locations: | Montefollonico, Tuscany |
| Group Size: | Small |
| Travel Style: | More Upscale |
| Cooking Style: | More Upscale |
| Transportation: | Minibus |
| Inclusions: | All-Inclusive |
| Exclusions: | Airfare or any travel arrangements to and from local train station. |
| Average Cost Per Day: | $650 |
| Based In: | USA |
| Reputation: | Unknown* |
CIT is a relative newcomer, and lacks 3rd party reviews from sites such as Google or Tripadvisor, so it is hard to determine their reputation. They are very similar to Tuscan Women Cook, based in the same town, with some of the same 3rd party providers for cooking classes.
The International Kitchen (TIK)
| Operation Type: | Agency. Some tours are partially managed, and some are completely outsourced. |
| In Business Since: | 1994 |
| Tours Per Year: | Varies by Vendor |
| Locations: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Group Size: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Travel Style: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Cooking Style: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Transportation: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Inclusions: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Exclusions: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Average Cost Per Day: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Based In: | USA |
| Reputation: | Good |
TIK is the longest running company to specialize in the offering of cooking vacations. Over the years they have gone from being more focused in Italy, to expanding as more of an agency role internationally, and have had changes in ownership.
Tuscookany (TC)
| Operation Type: | A Group that organizes cooking vacations out of three Hotels/Villas in Tuscany |
| In Business Since: | 2009 |
| Tours Per Year: | ~65 |
| Locations: | Tuscany |
| Group Size: | Small |
| Travel Style: | More Upscale |
| Cooking Style: | More Upscale |
| Transportation: | Minibus on ONE day. |
| Inclusions: | Accommodations, Cooking Classes (and resulting meals), Meals on the 1 excursion day, light lunch offered on days people day at hotel/villa. |
| Exclusions: | All expenses off-property except for one excursion day. |
| Average Cost Per Day: | $530 (if paying by credit card) - $513 by check. |
| Based In: | Italy |
| Reputation: | Excellent |
Tuscookany is a great choice for those that are looking to have a very relaxing "do little" cooking vacation. Their properties are beautiful, including Bellorcia, Casa Ombuto, and Torre del Tartufo They offer only one excursion during the week, and the rest of the time you are on your own, with the exception of the cooking classes they offer. Given that you are in remote areas, it is best to have a car if you ever plan on leaving the property. The company does, however, offer transportation and tours at an extra cost.
Cooking Vacations Italy (CVI)
| Operation Type: | Agency. Some tours are company managed, and some are completely outsourced. |
| In Business Since: | 2000 |
| Tours Per Year: | Varies by Vendor |
| Locations: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Group Size: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Travel Style: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Cooking Style: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Transportation: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Inclusions: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Exclusions: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Average Cost Per Day: | Varies by Vendor/Tour |
| Based In: | USA |
| Reputation: | Good |
Cooking Vacations Italy is mostly based out of the Amalfi Coast, but they have offerings throughout Italy. Their tours are somewhat mix and matched to provide various options. For example, you may have a private group with some cooking classes, or be part of a group, but stay in different hotels. Rather than a "family" atmosphere, it tends to be about the places and activities more than anything.
Summary
While it is impossible to know what an individual's preferences are, we believe it is all about balance. For example, if you are looking for an extremely relaxing week with little excursions, Tuscookany is a fantastic choice. However, Culture Discovery Vacations offers a very feature packed itinerary for about the same money and guests can always stay back whenever they want and do nothing. In other words, CDV offers the same relaxation, but the optional "extras" are included if you want them. If you are looking for a more upscale experience, Tuscan Women Cook is fantastic, but as you browse. Culture Discovery Vacations offerings, you will find many equally upscale offerings for significantly less. It is not that CDV cuts corners, but rather that CDV owns and operates most of the services it offers, and can operate on smaller margins.
One of the many things that really separates CDV from the pack is the powerful sense of family that it conveys, both before the trip, and long after. CDV has an almost cult-like following in its huge family that grows year after year, which is why so many people speak in terms of "this being their 9th CDV trip."