Best of · WORKSHOPS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 workshops & classes worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend three late-afternoon hours with an English-speaking chef such as Lisa, Jon, Alice, or Niccolò, learning pizza dough, sauce, and gelato basics. You make your own pizza, taste chocolate gelato, and finish with dinner, Chianti, recipes, and a class certificate.
“Federico was such a pleasure! Knowledgeable, funny and kind”
At Towns of Italy Cooking School, you’ll make two fresh pastas with English-speaking chefs such as Roberta, Lisa, Jon, or Tommaso, watch gelato being made, and eat your work with wine. The premium option adds a Central Market visit, seasonal tastings, ragù, pesto, and tiramisu.
“Roberta was an amazing host, teacher, comedian and chef. I learnt so much and had a great time. I can’t wait to try the dishes at home!”
Meet near Piazza Galileo Galilei for a three-hour pasta class led by local sfogline such as Sonia, Stella, Stefania, and Valentina. Make tagliatelle by hand, learn a regional Casoni spritz, eat with ragù and San Giovese, then finish with coffee, amaro, and gelato.
“My wife and I have been taking cooking classes around Italy. This one with Sonia and Beatrice was just wonderful we had a great time cooking and laughing with the entire group of amateur chefs as we made tagliatelle with ragu and then a spritz! We learned a lot and had a great time! The event space is also top of the line. We highly recommend this class to anyone looking for a wonderful 3 hours!”
Spend about three hours at Towns of Italy in Florence making filled pasta and tagliatelle, then watch a chef prepare gelato. Instructors may include John, Roberta, Lisa, Victoria, or Alice. The class is in English, suits beginners and vegetarians, and includes wine, soft drinks, recipes, and a certificate.
“We have taken several classes across the country yet this is by far the lowest scoring. On the bright side, the final result was good. But to tell the truth, class was boring, all 3 kids both from mine and other groups were absolutely bored and wanting out as soon as possible, and us grown ups were not even listening. Roasting customers for their cooking, nationality or way of preparing or storing food not cool. I mean, people can take a joke or two, but at some point, is just awkward and people just put up with it and wait for the class to be over. After very awkwardly reaching…”
Cook fresh pasta, spinach ricotta ravioli, and tiramisu with Accademia Italiana Chef graduates in a Medici-era venue near Florence’s Duomo. Guides such as Lucy, Kevin, Rafa, and Raffael lead a social 2 to 3 hour class with unlimited wine, a full meal, and take-home recipes.
“Instructor was knowledgeable, funny and made class enjoyable. Delicious pasta and the tiramisu was unreal! Great thing to do in Florence. was slightly confused about the location because said was at B&B hotel but was actually at Ristorante Rosso Crudo. Luckily there was a decent sized group outside the place that we figured was the other people in class.”
Work at your own station inside a 2017 World Pizza Champion pizzeria. With an English-speaking guide and pizzaiolo, make dough, shape a Margherita, learn staglio, and finish with sweet fried dough, wine, and limoncello.
“Very fun. Was very helpful and nice. Had a great experience”
Join chefs such as Claudia or Hulio for a four-hour Barcelona food experience. Visit La Boqueria, taste 10 Spanish tapas with wine, then prepare seafood paella, Spanish omelette, and Catalan cream in a restored 18th-century apartment.
“Amazing way to learn a little about the culture and sample the incredible food they enjoy in Barcelona. If you are looking for a local experience, this is it.”
Spend three hands-on hours with chef Rafael in his private Milan loft, learning fresh pasta, tomato and Parmesan sauces, and tiramisu. Taste fine olive oils, balsamic vinegar, and artisan bread, then sit down to enjoy your meal with Italian wine in a group of up to eight.
“I booked this class spontaneously while solo traveling for a few days in Milan— the rest of the people in my group ended up cancelling last minute so I had a private lesson with chef Rafael! It was so kind of him to still host the class with just me, and honestly it made the experience all the more enjoyable. I really appreciated Rafael’s hospitality and authenticity: I can see very evidently that he wants to share his passions in a way that goes against the status quo. He taught me a lot about looking for quality ingredients on top of teaching me how to cook two amazing pastas and…”
Spend two hours learning surfing on São Miguel with a licensed English- or Portuguese-speaking instructor. You’ll practice ocean safety, board handling, take-off technique, paddling, and white-water waves. Groups are limited to six, with boards, wetsuits, leashes, and insurance included.
“Instructors explained everything clearly. The atmosphere was nice. If we'll ever be back on Azores, we'll probably use this service again.”
Spend a full day at KUZÁ Beach & Adventure Park with a hands-on tortilla, guacamole, and taco al pastor class, aguas frescas, Mexican and international buffet dishes, standard open bar, beach access, cultural shows, and optional kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel rentals.
“Let me say that the staff at Kuza was very nice but that's pretty much the only positive for me. Taxi rides to and from the park were very expensive. Pretty much predatory and there is absolutely no mention of that cost when booking the excursion. Just FYI it cost $65 for 2 adults and 3 kids one way. We were told we could negotiate but once they know you have reservations, you're at their mercy. When we arrived at Kuza, we were taken back to the beach and told that our Mexican flavors class was at 9:15am and then another staff member told us 9:30. We arrived around 9:20…”
Ride Inca Rail’s First Class service to Machu Picchu with an observatory carriage, three-course meals, drinks, music, a certified guide, and private buses to the citadel. The $855 fare includes admission and much of the day’s logistics, but confirm station transfers and luggage rules before booking.
“From the very first moment, the passion and commitment to excellence are unmistakable. Every detail reflects the care, professionalism, and heart with which Brian Bendezu leads his team, creating a level of service that is both impeccable and deeply human.”
Visit Haderner Bräu München, Munich’s first certified organic brewery, for a one-hour German-language tour with a brewmaster guide. Follow beer from raw ingredients to finished pint, taste malt and hop aromas, then sample four organic beers, including an IPA. English tours require advance request for groups of eight or more.
“La guida era ottima! Un ragazzo giovane, pieno di entusiasmo. Ci ha spiegato molto bene il processo di preparazione della birra con annessi, connessi e possibili inconvenienti. Molto bravo, molto preparato. Unica perplessità, la guida era un praticante della birreria, chi lo sostituirà quando avrà finito il Praktikum?”
Cook seafood, chicken, or vegetarian paella with Foodies XP in a 2.5-hour Barcelona workshop. Chef hosts such as Tommy, Christina, Cristina, Luc, and Patrick guide you through sangria, tomato bread, and a shared three-course meal. Confirm the current venue before arrival.
“The food was good and the chef was excellent. It was fun preparing, cooking and making sangria. 👍 But when we were booking we were promised a stunning rooftop expedience. But we ended up with a special event room with a small open outdoor space in an industrial building. We were surrounded by air conditioners and dined on a picnic table surrounded with patio turf. The venue was so disappointing for what we paid for. Definitely not a rooftop expedience!!🥲🥲 The venue contained no signage and we had difficulty locating it.”
Captain Janis takes you from Andrejosta aboard the black Corsiva Tender 650 named Dāvids. This private 45-minute cruise follows Riga’s City Canal and Daugava River, passing the Freedom Monument, Central Market, National Library, Old Riga, and more. It suits couples, families, and small groups seeking comfort over speed.
“Such a fun experience! The guide was wonderful and the city was beautiful. The boat was exactly as shown and we had a great time. It was challenging to find the location / slip, but otherwise a wonderful experience. We definitely would do it again.”
Join Chef Andrea Matranga, known for Rai 1’s Prova del Cuoco, in his Palermo apartment for a small-group Sicilian cooking class. Prepare a seasonal appetizer, pasta course, main, and dessert, then eat together with Andrea and his family over local wine.
“This was definitely a five star evening and a five star activity! Andrea and his wife entertained us in their home as if we were long lost friends. He has a natural, easy manner and a wonderful teaching style that made the whole evening a grand adventure. It was fun, delicious, and educational. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a delicious dining experience and an unforgettable evening out in Palermo.”
Pick a door, a deck or a driver.
