Cooking in Tuscany

The Cooking in Tuscany trip was terrific! Our host, Christina was amazing. She kept everyone happy and engaged. Chef Gianluca was incredible. He and his kitchen staff were patient, efficient, and knew how to have fun in the kitchen. I learned so much from him - tips and tricks that I can use at home in my own kitchen. The food we prepared under his guidance was amazing! I look forward to hosting a dinner party and serving some of those same recipes. Elena, our guide, has an incredible depth of knowledge of the area, history, and art and architecture. She is a treasure trove of information! I enjoyed all of the day trips - a private villa with an olive grove, a small family cheese-making shop, a winery, and a Carrera marble mine. Best of all was the trip to Pietrasanta. I wish we could've spent more time there exploring the area. Since we were only a few kilometers away from the coast, I wish we could've gone to the seaside. Otherwise, the trip was everything I hoped for and more! Thank you!!!

This was the most incredible travel experience in Italy. It centered around cooking classes in Luca. Each of our cooking sessions was filled with laughter, learning and delicious foods. Our chef was delightful and very knowledgeable teaching us traditional recipes using fresh, local ingredients.The highlight was sharing our creations with a lovely group, sharing stories and toasting new friends.This trip was well balanced with other historic visits around Luca. It was a trip I will cherish forever.

Learning to cook authentic Italian dishes with a charming professional chef with the best of local ingredients was our primary goal, but the day trips to nearby organic wineries, marble quarries, small cheese makers were icing on the cake! I am ready to go again!

If you're looking for a slow, leisurely vacation, this is not the program for you. But if you're interested in Italian food and are able to be on your feet for a chunk of the day then I highly recommend cooking in Lucca! The town itself is very walkable, and you'll be doing a lot of that. You will also NEVER be hungry. The exclusions are fascinating, and you'll appreciate a bit of time sitting on the bus enroute to and from. Keep the Pace is exactly what it means, but it's not too extreme and both our hiking pole users were able to keep up without too much difficulty. You'll be glad to gave this program a whirl.

I have been on planned excursions with other tour companies in different locations, but I have never had as wonderful an experience as I had with this trip. Each place that we visited and each experience we had brought the culture and cuisine of Tuscany to life- everything we did made sense if you wanted to really learn about how the people of Tuscany celebrate the richness of the climate, the soil, the animals , the olives and the grapes. From the beginning, our tour leader Alessandra mapped out how our experience was designed to help us understand Tuscany and to embrace the culture and eventually immerse ourselves in it. She was attentive, proactive, humorous and caring. "Free time" and "dinner on your own" is often a conflict when you are in an unfamiliar environment. Alessandra was always ready with suggestions and guidance. She even helped arrange our "dinners on your own" so that we all dined as a group, which was just perfect for us. We were blessed with a very convivial, smart, and open minded party of ten and Alessandra built on that by helping us plan our days to get the most out of them. She was also very sensitive to our varied physical abilities and made sure we knew exactly what we would be dealing with at each experience. Then when one of our group developed Covid, Alessandra was clear about our options while helping our friend rework her trip. The cooking part of it was amazing! Chef was patient and knowledgeable and I know I learned a lot from him which actually surprised me! Who knew that frying potatoes was best when you leave them all alone! Alessandra's two associates who guided us in Lucca and in Pietrosanto were wonderful! Both were knowledgeable, informative and possessed a sharp sense of humor. What a wonderful way to present a culture- through facts, history and humor! I don't know if Road Scholar has a rating system, but if you do use the 1 to 10 it's easy. Alessandra and her associates a 20 (that's not a typo). The itinerary a 12! A+!!

This cooking lesson oriented program was all we had hoped for and more. The Master Chef (Gianluca Pardini) focused on recipes that we would prepare again and again for family and friends at home. Balanced with memorable side trips for history, scenery, the arts and samples of regional cuisine; this made for a wonderful experience!

Totally surpassed my expectations. Group leaders were very knowledgeable and provided a comfortable environment. The culinary aspect, which is what first drew me to the program, provided an easy and relatable "in-kitchen" experience for the entire group regardless of ability. I really enjoyed seeing the various wineries, the tastings, and the food and wine were exceptional! I'm ready for my next Road Scholar adventure!

Cooking in Tuscany, lead by Cristina, was the equivalent of a college level course on Tuscany, condensed into 10 days. This experience was far superior to what I had expected it would be. I feel I gained a close relationship with the region and its food origins. Simply excellent!

This program was great! Better than expected mostly because our host Cristina and Elena were fabulous! Everyone was friendly and the Chef was amazing! What a perfect experience...Thanks Road Scholar!!!!

This was an extremely enjoyable, well-constructed trip that exposes you to the wonderful cuisine of Tuscany and the various wine districts within the region. I really appreciated the many extras in this program that are not available to the general public, such as a Roman style "convivium" featuring period-correct foods, and private access to villas, palaces, and other locations. Our guide, Cristina, was extremely organized and a wealth of information. I loved our time at the cooking school with Chef Gianluca, as well as the related field trips that helped tie everything together. We prepared numerous recipes together as a group, and were provided with the recipes to make again at home. Be prepared with sturdy shoes for all the walking you will do over rough cobblestone streets-- heels are not practical here.

The Cooking in Tuscany program lived up to all my hopes and expectations and more! It was an incredibly fun and interesting trip!

Cooking in Tuscany is a wonderful culinary experience! Tuscany is a beautiful place to explore art, history, music and great food. A must see and do!

Cooking in Tuscany was a superior program with not only time for cooking, but also for learning about the history and culture of beautiful Tuscany.

This trip combines cooking classes, history, great field trips from Lucca and of Lucca itself. I particularly liked the trip to Pietrasanta and how art is a keynote of that visit. Our leader, Cristina, and local guide, Elena are so connected to this part of Tuscany and have an incredible depth of relationships that I have not experienced on my other Road Scholar trips. Our small group got along famously and the cooking courses were both instructive and fun. I have loved all of my Road Scholar trips but this was our best by far.

Outstanding experience. Setting, group Leader, local guide, chef made this an unforgettable adventure!

I had the time of my life on this tour. The guides Belinda, and Elena were very knowledgeable and personable! The tours were very informative. Our group members were lovely and we gelled well together. I was a solo traveler and never felt alone or lonely. The cooking school experience and Chef Pardini were just awesome. Road Scholar really planned this tour well and made sure all needs were addressed. Thank you RS for making my life's dream so easy to enjoy!

A delightful experience with lots of things to see and do. Even if you're not a huge fan of cooking, our chef made it a very fun time. Belinda was superb, making sure all we all had a wonderful time.

I am generally not a person who enjoys group tours, but this one hit every mark. From start to finish, a delightful way to experience Tuscany!

This is definitely a 5-star program. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although she is the cook/baker, and I am not, it was always fun and interesting for both of us. The leaders, Cristina and Elena, work together as a perfect team, full of information and enthusiasm. Our chef, Gianluca Pardini, is an absolute joy. He has the skills, charm, and personality to teach anyone, and become friends at the same time. The itinerary is very well-conceived, with a mix of history, culture, food, and humor. The city of Lucca is the perfect European town to spend time in, and the countryside is full of beauty and surprises. The hotel has a great location, comfortable rooms, and the family which runs it aims to please. You will not regret signing up for this program.

What an extraordinary experience, our first Road Scholar adventure! From the accommodations to the group leader Belinda to the cooking classes, we were treated so well; people were gracious, knowledgeable, and fun to be with! Belinda was simply amazing!! She took such great care of us and saw to our every need. She is so pleasant to interact with and her love for Lucca comes through with every adventure we took with her. She is to be applauded! Our chef made cooking a special event every single time. The staff at Hotel Alexander topped it all off; friendly, accommodating, and easy to speak with in English. My husband and I enjoyed every excursion, every class, every moment of the trip. THANK YOU for creating an unforgettable experience. We will book again!

We've been on many trips to Italy over the years. This exploration of culture, food/wine in Tuscany was the best and most immersive experience we've ever had. The group leader, guides, chef, hotel staff are such incredible people who care, personalize and make you feel part of their extended families for this very special week in Lucca. Add this to your bucket list for sure!

Cooking in Tuscany was my first experience with Road Scholar and will not be my last. Everything from start to finish was well thought through and professioanl. I Loved Lucca and all of the experiences we had in this program. The entire staff that helped us and guided us throughout the week was beyond my expections. Based on this first experience, I would highly recommned Road Scholar to any one who loves to travel and learn.

Cooking in Tuscany was a wonderful experience. If you are a “chef” or not, like me, you will enjoy the classes presented by Chef John Luca. They were fun and educational. Lucca is a beautiful city and you will enjoy wandering the narrow streets, the wonderful architecture and its long history. The presenters are very knowledgeable, kind and funny. Enjoy!

Cooking In Tuscany was a wonderful experience. The cooking classes were hands on and everyone helped prepare the meals. The chief was always there to demonstrate techniques and get everyone involved. The field trips were interesting and varied every thing from olive oil, wine and cheese tastings to cheese making and marble mines.

This course was incredible both in the location and the absolutely amazing experience in the cooking school in Lucca! We saw amazing countryside and experienced so many different activities from wine and olive oil tasting to how cheese is made and on and on. If you love to travel to beautiful places and learn so much in such a fun and informative fashion - DO come on the Cooking in Tuscany course!!

This is a great program if you'd like to cook, eat, and experience traveling in Italy with a small group, a fabulous tour guide, and an amazing chef. Lucca is not as crowed as other more well known cities in Tuscany and is beautiful.

This was the perfect introduction into Italian cooking! The location was picturesque and I loved the day trips to nearby farms, wineries and cheese producers. If you like cooking, art and history and want to see Italy on a more personal basis then this trip might be just what you're looking for!

Cooking in Tuscany was a trip of a lifetime! The guides, Christina and Gianluca were so knowledgable and caring. They shared their love of their community, its history and culture in a meaningful and memorable way. I came away with more than recipes for the kitchen, I came away with a new found love of this place!

One of the great things about this program is that it is based in the wonderful walled city of Lucca, a great place to stay and explore. The cooking classes are fun, but there is also plenty of time for exploring Lucca and the surrounding area.

This was an amazing experience that no cook, food lover, or wine enthusiast should miss. If you love Italian cuisine, art, and culture this ai a must-have experience, I want to do it again and again!

Such a wonderful program!!! I loved this trip and cooking with other fun loving group members. The tours were great md the meals were so good!!!

I loved it! This was great fun and a very enjoyable learning and participating experience. I am not much of a cook, but I enjoyed participating in the preparation as well as eating what we made. The leaders were great, and I enjoyed getting to know the other participants. I loved exploring Luca and several wonderful nearby places.

Great program! All of the group leaders were knowledgeable, friendly, and communicated effectively. They made it fun. With some of my physical limitations, Christina was able to guide me to adjust to my capabilities. The number of cooking lessons was just right and was well balanced with the touring portion of the program. The hotel and the staff were excellent—friendly and helpful. I had a great time!

This was a great program to experience the beauty of Tuscany. It provided a wide variety of activities in addition to our 4 cooking classes. Our leader, Cristina, did a great job of coordinating all of our day excursions and eating experiences. Tuscany is a beautiful and relaxing place to explore. Our Chef was very personable and made our hands on cooking experience a lot of fun, besides being educational. Our accommodations were very comfortable and located right inside the old town of Lucca. Plenty of places within Lucca to explore and the wall around the city provides a safe and beautiful place to stroll. I particularly liked the Puccini concert we attended one evening.

Really enjoyed this small program to learn Italian cooking. The engaging chef included everyone in aspects of the meal prep. The cooking classes are balanced by regional exploration and exposure to the Slow Food movement, historical tours, and wine tasting. Good balance of classes, tours and free time. I will treasure what I learned and the friendships I made.

This was my first RS trip and my first trip to Italy. It was a memorable trip in the best way! Since it was a cooking tour, we spent several evenings/afternoon at a cooking school in Lucca. We prepared meals together guided by two wonderful chefs. Our tour guide, Belinda Marcucci was fantastic! So enthusiastic and knowledgeable! We enjoyed several tours around different locations in Tuscany including wine and olive oil tastings. A trip I will never forget!

A wonderful tour of Tuscany with a knowledgeable and friendly guide, Cristina Viti, which covers the region's art, food, wine, landscape and customs. Cristina has selected excursions in Tuscany that add another layer of interest to the theme of food and wine and give the tourist a very complete experience in the regiion. Highly recommended. Elaine Alexander, Scottsdale, AZ

This was my second RS trip and as per usual it was fabulous. RS does a wonderful job of taking care of everything so that the traveler enjoys the experiences of the region. If you enjoy eating you will love this trip. Not only did we eat what we learned to cook from 2 fabulous chefs at the Italian School of Cooking in Lucca; but the food everywhere was fantastic. Our group leader Belinda M. was also a treasure. As a local Lucchesian she was very knowledgeable of everything Lucca with informative and educational tours and refined recommendations for shopping, restaurants, other points of interest that were not on the original tours. Never a dull moment if you are so inclined.

Cooking in Tuscany was amazing, we learned so many things. A trip I will never forget

Christine was fantastic! This trip was beautiful and interesting and lots of fun! The cooking classes were wonderful and the city of Lucca is gorgeous, filled with history, beauty and charm. Everyone we met knew and loved Christine giving us a unique opportunity to have special tastings and treats that otherwise would not have been available. The wineries were set in historic villages within castles that we were able to explore. Add to the history and charm was the fashion and style in the downtown areas. If you love to walk there's a mile long raised wall around the whole city that you can walk on each morning. The views from the wall are breathtaking and this was a perfect way to start a day of eating great foods and tasting fabulous Italian wines.

This program is delightful, informative and very "hands-on," It is well organized, led by informed and friendly guides, includes a terrific cooking experience and gives a broad overview of Tuscany and its treasures!

What a wonderful program! I enjoyed the setting, the tour leaders' expertise and good humor, and of course the good food. I feel confident that I can re-create some of the dishes at home. I enjoyed experiencing a less crowded area of Italy.

This was a wonder program. Words cannot explain how much I learned. I am already looking for a new program to attend because I did not have to worry about any details. Everything was already arranged including the fun!

Cooking in Tuscany is a gem of an experience combining hands on cooking classes with valuable field trips on the sourcing of the very ingredients we used. Learning about the Slow Food movement was an added bonus. This Road Scholar trip was a powerful combination of history and culture that blended well with the cooking. Our guides and instructors were very knowledgeable and compassionate. I was well fed with food and knowledge!!

My 'Cooking in Tuscany' trip exceeded all my expectations. The city of Lucca is an incredible jewel in Tuscany and the trip was a remarkable combination of rich history, incredible scenery, along with the opportunity to cook and eat amazing food.

I thought the program was fabulous! Christina was so smart, enthusiastic, energetic, caring and knowledgeable. All the tours were great and so were the cooking classes. I would highly recommend this trip! Karen

Fun cooking classes with the very personable Chef Gianluca who was welcoming of all abilities, plus great local excursions with our awesome guides Cristina and Elena. A wonderful week in Lucca. Great to be traveling again and feeling very safe in Italy.

If you like Italian food, this is the program for you!

Totally enjoyable experience with an excellent mix of history, interesting “slow food” oriented excursions and enjoyable cooking lessons. Excellent tour leader and perfect group size.

This was the best vacation/trip my wife and I have ever been on. We learned new things about Italian food and cooking, explored interesting regions with expert guides and found new friends we would seek out to travel with again! Kevin J. Sherry

This program was an excellent opportunity to learn about the "slow food" movement. Kristina Viti was a charming program leader who brought her love of Tuscany to life. Her knowledge of the area was outstanding. I was very impressed with everything I did and learned on this adventure.