What our guests say
Over the past ten years, our guests have left us many reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Yelp, sharing their experiences at Organic Tuscany. Here are some of them:
Better than expected What an amazing trip to Organic Tuscany. Our experience was more than expected. It was a great mix of cooking and side trips. The villa is beautiful and Shilpa and Riccardo took great care of us, as did all the guides, and cooking assistants. Incredible value for a cooking week that included trips to Sienna, San Gimignano and Florence. I would highly recommend Organic Tuscany to cooks and... read moreWhat an amazing trip to Organic Tuscany. Our experience was more than expected. It was a great mix of cooking and side trips. The villa is beautiful and Shilpa and Riccardo took great care of us, as did all the guides, and cooking assistants. Incredible value for a cooking week that included trips to Sienna, San Gimignano and Florence. I would highly recommend Organic Tuscany to cooks and non cooks alike. read less
You will love Organic Tuscany! I will never forget the fabulous week we had at Organic Tuscany. Shilpa and Ricardo were amazing hosts and everyone on their team, from the cooks to the tour guides, to the local artisans were approachable, knowledgeable and fun. It was a perfect mix of cooking and touring. I highly recommend the Organic Tuscany experience.
Ann
Amazing local experiences and food! There are no words to describe how fantastic Shilpa and crew were for our week of cooking and touring Tuscany. She has perfected the balance of cooking, eating, touring and relaxing. Learned so much about italian food, wine and history of the region. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Amazing local experiences and food! There are no words to describe how fantastic Shilpa and crew were for our week of cooking and touring Tuscany. She has perfected the balance of cooking, eating, touring and relaxing. Learned so much about italian food, wine and history of the region. I’d do it all over again in a h
best holiday ever have always wanted to go to a cook school and have always wanted to visit Tuscany, so for a big (unmentionable) birthday my husband and I went to join 8 others at Riccardo and Shilpa's cook school.
From the minute we walked through the doors we could not have been better looked after. Nothing was too much bother for them. The itinerary was perfect, opportunities to visit key places in Tuscany,... read morehave always wanted to go to a cook school and have always wanted to visit Tuscany, so for a big (unmentionable) birthday my husband and I went to join 8 others at Riccardo and Shilpa's cook school.
From the minute we walked through the doors we could not have been better looked after. Nothing was too much bother for them. The itinerary was perfect, opportunities to visit key places in Tuscany, a guide to show us round and give us the history, The actual cookery classes were brilliant, I love cooking and am quite experienced but despite this I learnt a huge amount about preparation of ingredients and ways to cook things. The accommodation was wonderful, the weather was wonderful and the company was wonderful. I could go on for pages to describe how wonderful this was, highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys cooking, wants to learn more about preparing Italian food and have the opportunity to see Tuscan cities. read less
One of our best vacations! Shilpa and Ricardo were excellent hosts and their entire crew was awesome!
The villa was beautiful and the views spectacular.
The cooking lessons were very well prepared and well organized. The chefs were amazing as well as the kitchen staff.
Christina is a wonderful teacher and she taught us a lot about olive oil and wine. Clara, Elizabetta, and Chiara were wonderful guides on our excursions.
Terry and Ricardo and friends gave... read moreShilpa and Ricardo were excellent hosts and their entire crew was awesome!
The villa was beautiful and the views spectacular.
The cooking lessons were very well prepared and well organized. The chefs were amazing as well as the kitchen staff.
Christina is a wonderful teacher and she taught us a lot about olive oil and wine. Clara, Elizabetta, and Chiara were wonderful guides on our excursions.
Terry and Ricardo and friends gave us a memoral evening of music and singing. It was very magical!
Definitely one of our best vacations.
Thank you very much for such a memorable time! read less
Highlight of my time in Italy! If you are looking for an amazing week in Tuscany, this is it. The hosts are amazing, all of the chefs and other professionals who worked with us and spent time with us were warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. We learned a lot while enjoying truly amazing food and wine. It was a perfect combination of relaxing, learning, laughing, touring and making many great friends. The... read moreIf you are looking for an amazing week in Tuscany, this is it. The hosts are amazing, all of the chefs and other professionals who worked with us and spent time with us were warm, friendly and very knowledgeable. We learned a lot while enjoying truly amazing food and wine. It was a perfect combination of relaxing, learning, laughing, touring and making many great friends. The "field trips" were well planned and also amazing. The accomodations were excellent and beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing. read less
An Experience of a Lifetime Cooking in Tuscany has been a life long bucket list wish. I could not have chosen a better company to take me on my journey. Riccardo, Shilpa and their team of chefs are extremely professional, personable, knowledgeable about their menu choices and the region. All our authentic dishes were made as a team- plenty of opportunity for hands-, and were absolutely delicious. The setting of the villa-... read moreCooking in Tuscany has been a life long bucket list wish. I could not have chosen a better company to take me on my journey. Riccardo, Shilpa and their team of chefs are extremely professional, personable, knowledgeable about their menu choices and the region. All our authentic dishes were made as a team- plenty of opportunity for hands-, and were absolutely delicious. The setting of the villa- the countryside of Tuscany- was absolutely magical! The week consists of cooking, fine wines, site seeing adventures, touring an organic winery, olive oil tastings and much much more. You definitely need a car as the villa is tucked away in the hillside and there are several off site outings. I chose mid Sept and the weather was absolutely perfect. The guest rooms are lovely, clean and very comfortable. The only negative is the WiFi is not very strong so you need to be patient! My heart is full. read less
Ricardo and Shilpa along with their entire crew guarntee you a delightful experience. I feel like I have ten new friends who live and work in Italy doing what they love most. In every sense of the schedule and sights they allowed us to experience were amazing. It just kept getting better and better every day. I highly recommend Organic Tuscany if you want a true Italian experience.
A Fabulous Experience To cook in Italy has always been a dream for me and in September, this dream came true. The location was in the hills of Tuscany and the villa where we stayed and which also had the cooking classes was cozy and very comfortable with fabulous grounds and scenic views. The cooking classes were excellent - complete with knowledgeable chefs who explained not only what we were cooking... read moreTo cook in Italy has always been a dream for me and in September, this dream came true. The location was in the hills of Tuscany and the villa where we stayed and which also had the cooking classes was cozy and very comfortable with fabulous grounds and scenic views. The cooking classes were excellent - complete with knowledgeable chefs who explained not only what we were cooking but the techniques used. The class was limited to 10 people and we all had a hand in preparing the various recipes which we also ate later in the day. In addition to the cooking, we also toured several cities in the surrounding area with knowledgeable and caring local guides. The week went by too quickly! I'm hoping the return another time and bring some new friends to introduce them to Organic Tuscany. read less
My wife and I just spent a wonderful week with Ricardo and Shilpa and it was fantastic. Limited group of ten plus 3/4 cooks and what a great experience. Part of the day you might visit a winery or do oil tasting and visit Sienna and then the group would prepare a full course dinner for that evening. Not only fun but the food was delicious that you will not... read moreMy wife and I just spent a wonderful week with Ricardo and Shilpa and it was fantastic. Limited group of ten plus 3/4 cooks and what a great experience. Part of the day you might visit a winery or do oil tasting and visit Sienna and then the group would prepare a full course dinner for that evening. Not only fun but the food was delicious that you will not wIt to try when you get home. This was truly a great vacation and highly recommend you trying it. Ralph and Lydia DiMarcantonio read less
Experience of a Lifetime My wife and I attended the Organic Tuscany one week cooking class in May 2019.
From the very first contact I had with Shilpa and Ricardo I knew we were going to love this cooking class. It's not easy making a monetary commitment like this from half way around the world but their patience and warmth were evident right from the start and made the decision easier.
What made this our... read moreMy wife and I attended the Organic Tuscany one week cooking class in May 2019.
From the very first contact I had with Shilpa and Ricardo I knew we were going to love this cooking class. It's not easy making a monetary commitment like this from half way around the world but their patience and warmth were evident right from the start and made the decision easier.
What made this our most memorable experience of our whole trip to Italy?
1. The Organic Tuscany staff/team.
From the cooks to the tour guides, they exuded a warmth and love for Tuscan cooking and for Tuscany. Shilpa and Ricardo have gathered a truly incredible staff.
2. All the recipes were scrumptious yet fairly easy to make once we went back home. We have hosted several Tuscan meals at our home since we arrived back and there are not too many of the recipes we learned that we have not tried out on friends and family. Favorites among our guests have been the biscotti, herbed turkey, spring minestrone soup and the orange cake.
3. It's not all about cooking. We loved having the free days to visit other places in Tuscany. Loved San Gimignano and Siena. We had a delightfully sassy and knowledgeable guide that made our tour of Florence especially fun. We almost didn't make that trip because we had been to Florence a few days before arriving at Organic Tuscany. Wow, are we ever glad we had Elisabetta guide us through Florence. She made great recommendations on where to eat, where to buy cheeses and places to avoid, Don't want to spoil it by telling the best things but definitely do not miss the Florence tour.
4. We loved the camaraderie that developed between all of us attending the class. This is a large part of why Deb and I both felt like this was our very best experience in Italy. The shared experiences during the week created a bond that we still remember fondly.
Please, do not hesitate to book a class at Organic Tuscany. read less
Time of my life I didn't really know what to expect when my sister and I signed up for this week-long cooking adventure. Little did I know that not only would I leave with new found knowledge of cooking, recipes and techniques, but that I would gain a whole new family of friends.
We were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived and left feeling like we were leaving our new family. ... read moreI didn't really know what to expect when my sister and I signed up for this week-long cooking adventure. Little did I know that not only would I leave with new found knowledge of cooking, recipes and techniques, but that I would gain a whole new family of friends.
We were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived and left feeling like we were leaving our new family. Shilpa and Riccardo are marvelous hosts and constantly ensure that all are feeling inclusive and pampered.
If you are thinking about taking a cooking class abroad, do not look any further. Organic Tuscany will not let you down. read less
Organic Tuscany Cooking Tour My friend and I wanted to do a cooking class for 10 years. We were so lucky to find Organic Tuscany with Shilpa and Riccardo. Everything about the week was spectacular. The accommodations were top notch , the cooking classes were kept to small groups with lots of hands-on instruction. In between the cooking classes they set up wonderful tours visiting neighboring towns like Florence and Sienna. I highly recommend... read moreMy friend and I wanted to do a cooking class for 10 years. We were so lucky to find Organic Tuscany with Shilpa and Riccardo. Everything about the week was spectacular. The accommodations were top notch , the cooking classes were kept to small groups with lots of hands-on instruction. In between the cooking classes they set up wonderful tours visiting neighboring towns like Florence and Sienna. I highly recommend this cooking tour to anyone who wants fantastic value for money. read less
John & Gayle If you’re searching for THE VERY BEST culinarily experience, look no further. Make
your booking right away. You will not be disappointed.???
Amazing Experience with Organic Tuscany This was the third time that my sister and I have travelled to Europe together and we decided to try the Organic Tuscany week-long experience for something new and different. Two months later I am still thinking daily about the things we learned and the variety of memorable moments we enjoyed which included cooking, sightseeing, interacting with and learning from local artisans, and just slowing down long enough to get... read moreThis was the third time that my sister and I have travelled to Europe together and we decided to try the Organic Tuscany week-long experience for something new and different. Two months later I am still thinking daily about the things we learned and the variety of memorable moments we enjoyed which included cooking, sightseeing, interacting with and learning from local artisans, and just slowing down long enough to get to know some really lovely people. It's difficult to describe just how much fun it was and how relaxed I felt after a week in the Tuscan countryside. Shilpa and Riccardo made us all feel welcome and I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who is looking for a true Italian experience! Excellent!! read less
Superb Experience with Organic Tuscany My sister and I signed up for the week long stay with Organic Tuscany, and we cannot say enough wonderful things about the week! The Villa, rooms and service were extraordinary! We truly felt pampered and very comfortable at once. We enjoyed all the lessons, the food is amazing, and we met the most interesting people along the way, especially the other people signed up for... read moreMy sister and I signed up for the week long stay with Organic Tuscany, and we cannot say enough wonderful things about the week! The Villa, rooms and service were extraordinary! We truly felt pampered and very comfortable at once. We enjoyed all the lessons, the food is amazing, and we met the most interesting people along the way, especially the other people signed up for our class. Every single detail is well thought out, and well organized. Shilpa and Ricardo have the greatest team of individuals from the cooking teachers to the tour guides and side excursions. Do not hesitate to sign up for this experience! read less
Suberb week at Organic Tuscany My husband and I just returned from a week of cooking classes at Organic Tuscany. Ten people from the US and the UK came to enjoy the art of learning to cook Italian food together. Shilpa and her husband, Riccardo, head up this wonderful organization. There are not enough superlatives in the English language to tell you what a fantastic time we all had. Wonderful tours of Florence... read moreMy husband and I just returned from a week of cooking classes at Organic Tuscany. Ten people from the US and the UK came to enjoy the art of learning to cook Italian food together. Shilpa and her husband, Riccardo, head up this wonderful organization. There are not enough superlatives in the English language to tell you what a fantastic time we all had. Wonderful tours of Florence and Sienna were included during the time we were not cooking. Our room was wonderful and the surrounding landscape was so beautiful. We found out about "Organic Tuscany" on Tripadvisor. If you are reading this review, do yourself a favor and contact Shilpa on the website and go as soon as possible. You will love it!!!! Whether you are single or married, this is an experience not to be missed! read less
AAA+ Holiday Experience! It will be hard to do the experience we had at Organic Tuscany justice with words.....it was that amazing! Every part of the holiday from early on correspondence with Shilpa to having Ricardo greet us while making fresh focaccia for our first dinner and onwards to the full week of cooking and adventures, it was over the top excellence. I could go on and on but the best way is... read moreIt will be hard to do the experience we had at Organic Tuscany justice with words.....it was that amazing! Every part of the holiday from early on correspondence with Shilpa to having Ricardo greet us while making fresh focaccia for our first dinner and onwards to the full week of cooking and adventures, it was over the top excellence. I could go on and on but the best way is to simply book a trip for yourself and ENJOY!! read less
A True Tuscan Delight! This was truly one of the most beautiful, delicious, and enjoyable experiences we've had and the highlight of our 6 week trip to Spain, Morocco and Italy. The lovely hosts (Shilpa and Ricardo) and their staff were warm and welcoming and made us feel like part of the Italian family. The other guests were an absolute delight and we had the pleasure of getting to know other like minded... read moreThis was truly one of the most beautiful, delicious, and enjoyable experiences we've had and the highlight of our 6 week trip to Spain, Morocco and Italy. The lovely hosts (Shilpa and Ricardo) and their staff were warm and welcoming and made us feel like part of the Italian family. The other guests were an absolute delight and we had the pleasure of getting to know other like minded people from South Africa, USA and Canada. This vacation was actually meant to be a retirement gift for my husband (he is the cook in the family!) and although it was on the pricey side it met every expectation and then some. The meals were terrific, the cooking lessons were fun and educational, the villa was gorgeous, we were taken on wine tours, guided tours to Sienna, Florence, and much to our delight, enjoyed their generous servings of wine at the meals. Tip: to fully enjoy the experience, having your own vehicle to get to the villa and tour the Tuscan countryside is best (but be prepared for Italian driving!).
On the recommendation from an acquaintance, we took a chance and we in turn would highly recommend Organic Tuscany to anyone looking for a rich, memorable experience. Thank you all! read less
