Culinary Vacations

Italian Cooking Classes + Bologna Food Valley Experience

7 Days, 6 Nights

Overview

Duration

7 Days, 6 Nights

Group Size

1-6

Destination

Mt. Fumaiolo, Bologna

Vacation Type

Culinary Vacations

Pick Up

Bologna or Florence airport or Arezzo or Cesena railway stations

This week-long culinary vacation includes 4 days of hands-on cooking classes near Tuscany — plus a 3 day private guided stay in the Emilia-Romagna “Food Valley.” You’ll cook authentic Italian recipes with Chef Stefano in his historic mountain home, then continue the journey in Bologna as you explore the birthplace of Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Middle Market, sampling authentic Mortadella and other delicacies and find out why this city is known as the Gelato Capital of Italy.

This 7-day experience blends real cooking with curated cultural touring — designed for travelers who want to taste and understand the true heart of Italian food.

Map of Bologna Culinary Vacation

Itinerary

Your vacation begins with cooking classes near Tuscany, where you’ll learn hands-on Italian techniques, source ingredients at local markets, and prepare seasonal dishes with Chef Stefano. Then you’ll move to Bologna, where you’ll stay in the historic city center and with a customized exploration of the “Food Valley” with private guided tours based on your interests. From cheese and cured meats to traditional balsamic vinegar and artisan markets, this region delivers the best of Italian food heritage. And If Modena or Parma are on your Italy bucket list, let us customize your trip so you can enjoy them the way locals do.

For motorsport enthusiasts, we can provide tours of Italy’s “Motor Valley,” with visits to Ferrari and Lamborghini museums. And for those who are passionate about motorcycles, a special trip to the Ducati Museum in Bologna is also available, offering a deep dive into the world of iconic Italian engineering.

A complete, detailed day-by-day itinerary will be customized around your interests and finalized based on seasonality and opening schedules.

Sample Itinerary

  • Day 1: Pick-up in Florence or Bologna and drive to Mt. Fumaiolo. Check-in, and cooking class, lunch. Late afternoon cooking class around 4pm (3 to 4 hrs) and dinner.
  • Day 2: Breakfast at the local piazza cafe or home, drive to San Piero in Bagno for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Lunch. Late afternoon cooking class around 4pm (3 to 4 hrs) and dinner.
  • Day 3: Breakfast at the local piazza cafe or home. Cooking class (2 hrs) and lunch. Late afternoon cooking class (3 to 4 hrs) and dinner.
  • Day 4: Breakfast. Check out and stop Visit Montefeltro (Emilia Romagna) and Lunch in San Leo. Drive to Bologna, Check-in and afternoon walk. Dinner.
  • Day 5: Breakfast. Visit the town and the Middle Market with a Private Guide. Lunch and free time to explore. Afternoon visit a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena family run farm. Dinner at a local restaurant in Bologna.
  • Day 6: Breakfast. Visits to local Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma producers.
  • Day 7: Breakfast. Check out.

Accommodations

For the 4 days of your immersive cooking classes you’ll have exclusive access to Chef Stefano’s 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom historic stone house — completely private for you and your group. This 19th-century retreat features charming antiques, two fireplaces, a traditional stone oven, and a peaceful garden along the early waters of the Tevere (Tiber) River. It’s quiet, authentic, and the perfect place to unwind after a day of cooking and exploring.

You’ll then spend 3 nights in the center of Bologna — a vibrant city known as the culinary capital of Italy. Your boutique accommodations are located in an area filled with traditional porticos, local markets, artisan salumeria, gelaterie, and historic piazzas. From your hotel you can walk to elegant cafés, museums, and some of the best food shops in the country — making it the perfect base to savor Bologna’s rich culture and legendary cuisine.

Dates & Pricing

This all-inclusive culinary vacation is available year-round, based on availability. Pricing is listed per person and includes accommodations, meals, wines, transportation, cooking classes and all guided touring.

Private: 2-6 persons

$5,950
per person

What's Included

  • Morning pick-up at Cesena (1 hour from Bologna) or Arezzo (1 hour from Florence) train stations or Florence or Bologna airport
  • All transportation during your culinary vacation
  • 3 nights accommodation in a private mountain retreat
  • 3 nights accommodation in Modena and Parma
  • Market visits, cooking classes, tickets and tours
  • Morning and afternoon cooking classes with lunch and dinner
  • Return transportation to the train station or airport on the morning of the last day

Vacation Upgrades

Want to keep exploring after Bologna?

You can add another 4-day private cultural stay — Venice, Florence, Val d’Orcia (Montalcino, Montepulciano, Siena), Orvieto— or wherever calls to you.

Plan your Italy Culinary Vacation today!

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