What our guests say

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 most memorable experience of our whole trip to Italy?

1.... 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. Shilpa and Riccardo are marvelous hosts and constantly ensure that... 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

I highly recommend this 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 this cooking tour to anyone who wants fantastic value for money.

Organic Tuscany is the perfect Tuscan experience! Not only do you get to eat and make some amazing food, but you also get to truly experience Tuscany. Visit local towns, learn about the amazing history of the area, and meet some truly remarkable and fascinating people along the way! This is absolutely the "organic" way to explore Tuscany.

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 to know some really lovely people. It's difficult to describe... 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!! More 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 our class. Every single detail is well thought out,... 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 and Sienna were included during the time we were not... 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 to simply book a trip for yourself and ENJOY!!

What a fabulous week ! Just the right amount of classes by great teachers, loads of fun, lovely people to meet , beautiful surroundings and comfy and clean accomodations! Learned loads. We are so happy to have experienced this week at Organic Tuscany :) Thanks Shilpa and Ricardo and team.

A fantastic week! Just the right balance of scheduled events (the cooking classes are NOT to be missed!) and free time to explore Tuscany (ask to visit the estate where they make olive oil--just amazing!). The accommodations are lovely and clean, the hosts are friendly and knowledgeable, and their enthusiasm for the region's foods and flavours is infectious. Thank you, Shilpa and Ricardo, for truly making this a dream trip!

Right Out of a Foodie Magazine If you are looking for a different way to experience Italy, I recommend Organic Tuscany! What could be more fantastic than a 7-day stay in the hills of Tuscany, complete with cooking courses, lessons in wine and olive oil tasting, tours of neighbouring towns, and "field trips" to an organic vineyard and an estate that bottles its own olive oil? You will think you've stepped into an article from "Gourmet" magazine! Shilpa and Ricardo have assembled a marvelous team of... read moreIf you are looking for a different way to experience Italy, I recommend Organic Tuscany! What could be more fantastic than a 7-day stay in the hills of Tuscany, complete with cooking courses, lessons in wine and olive oil tasting, tours of neighbouring towns, and "field trips" to an organic vineyard and an estate that bottles its own olive oil? You will think you've stepped into an article from "Gourmet" magazine! Shilpa and Ricardo have assembled a marvelous team of cooks, instructors, and guides who know their stuff and are clearly passionate about their love of Tuscany! Because of them, I came away with a much deeper appreciation of the region and its people. Added bonus: the accommodations are beautiful, and the food...well, that's an entire review unto itself! read less

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! This was one of the best vacations ever. The people were fantastic, the cooking was out of this world, and the setting was picture perfect. Everything was "out of the garden" fresh. We had wonderful side trips into the country side along with private wine and olive oil tastings. Could not have been more perfect.

My sister and I spent a week at Organic Tuscany in May and it was one of the best experiences of both our lives. We both love food and cooking so we wanted to take a food-centric vacation and we were not disappointed! The cooking classes alone are worth the 5 star review - taught by both professionals and local people who have been cooking these recipes their whole lives. You can tell that everyone who works there genuinely cares... read moreMy sister and I spent a week at Organic Tuscany in May and it was one of the best experiences of both our lives. We both love food and cooking so we wanted to take a food-centric vacation and we were not disappointed! The cooking classes alone are worth the 5 star review - taught by both professionals and local people who have been cooking these recipes their whole lives. You can tell that everyone who works there genuinely cares about each other, but also cares about you. Place all that in one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen and you get an atmosphere of absolute magic. The worst part about Organic Tuscany is having to leave at the end of the week. read less

Absolute magic My sister and I spent a week at Organic Tuscany in May and, to put it simply, it was one of the best experiences of both our lives. We both love food and cooking so we wanted to take a food-centric vacation and we were not disappointed! The cooking classes alone are worth the 5 star review - taught by both professionals and local people who have been cooking these recipes their whole lives. You can tell that everyone who... read moreMy sister and I spent a week at Organic Tuscany in May and, to put it simply, it was one of the best experiences of both our lives. We both love food and cooking so we wanted to take a food-centric vacation and we were not disappointed! The cooking classes alone are worth the 5 star review - taught by both professionals and local people who have been cooking these recipes their whole lives. You can tell that everyone who works there genuinely cares about each other, but also cares about you. Place all that in one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen and you get an atmosphere of absolute magic. The worst part about Organic Tuscany is having to leave at the end of the week. read less

Amazing Part of our Italy Dream Vacation We stayed in Villa Fillanelle and had a cooking class with Manuela and Silvio that we will never forget! Our family (wife, husband and two teenage daughters) enjoyed an evening of creating delicious recipes and conversing with this wonderful Italian family. We loved our class! We learned so much and enjoyed getting to know Manuela and Silvio. We are back home now and have already made two of the recipes we learned. They will become... read moreWe stayed in Villa Fillanelle and had a cooking class with Manuela and Silvio that we will never forget! Our family (wife, husband and two teenage daughters) enjoyed an evening of creating delicious recipes and conversing with this wonderful Italian family. We loved our class! We learned so much and enjoyed getting to know Manuela and Silvio. We are back home now and have already made two of the recipes we learned. They will become our family recipes now, and we will always have the joy of knowing that we learned them during our amazing Tuscan getaway! read less

My new Italian Family I spent a week with my new Italian family. From the moment I arrived I was made to feel special by Shilpa and the team. I really enjoyed becoming immersed in the Italian culture of food, and enjoying one of the most amazing views I've ever seen. Cooking classes were certainly the highlight, but there were so many others. The vineyard tour was incredible and totally unique...no where else will you experience something like this :) I'm not really... read moreI spent a week with my new Italian family. From the moment I arrived I was made to feel special by Shilpa and the team. I really enjoyed becoming immersed in the Italian culture of food, and enjoying one of the most amazing views I've ever seen. Cooking classes were certainly the highlight, but there were so many others. The vineyard tour was incredible and totally unique...no where else will you experience something like this :) I'm not really sure how to put into words, but if you are thinking of attending an Italian cooking school and you want an authentic Tuscan experience, don't look any further. You will not regret it. read less

Wonderful and welcoming Cooking school We were in Italy for 2 weeks but Organic Tuscany Cooking Classes, were the highlight of our trip. The staff was welcoming , helpful, and had great insight into teaching our class the finer details of Italian cooking. The recipes are great and the atmosphere of the villa made for a wonderfull experience. If you want to go to cooking school in Italy this is the place to do it.

An authentic Italian experience! My husband and I were there September 23-30, 2017. Friends had recommended this cooking school to us. Cooking amazing italian food with the backdrop of the hills of Tuscany, with amazing chefs, what could be better! Met a great group of people from Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and the US. You get a copy of all the recipes and the apron you wore to cook to boot! My husband and I have recreated the recipes at home, delicious. Hosts Riccardo... read moreMy husband and I were there September 23-30, 2017. Friends had recommended this cooking school to us. Cooking amazing italian food with the backdrop of the hills of Tuscany, with amazing chefs, what could be better! Met a great group of people from Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and the US. You get a copy of all the recipes and the apron you wore to cook to boot! My husband and I have recreated the recipes at home, delicious. Hosts Riccardo and Shilpa are wonderful, as are the chefs; Serena, Serranella, and Manuela; Cristina, the wine and olive oil expert; and Clara and her husband Terry who guide you through an authentic “Italian” experience. The villa is lovely, all renovated. Go a few days early and spend some time in Italy, that’s what we did. An experience you will not forget!! read less

Just the Best ! My week at Organic Tuscany was the highlight at the end of 6 weeks in Italy and Greece. Initially we were given specific and detailed instructions for travel to the house which was extremely helpful. The classes are very carefully planned and well organised to run smoothly with charming and very competent tutors. The house and setting is lovely and our rooms were spacious and very comfortable. A warm feeling of friendship developed from the outset between the guests and... read moreMy week at Organic Tuscany was the highlight at the end of 6 weeks in Italy and Greece. Initially we were given specific and detailed instructions for travel to the house which was extremely helpful. The classes are very carefully planned and well organised to run smoothly with charming and very competent tutors. The house and setting is lovely and our rooms were spacious and very comfortable. A warm feeling of friendship developed from the outset between the guests and staff. The organised trips in the local area were particularly interesting. I recommend Organic Tuscany without hesitation. read less

Nothing could have been better for these Canadian ladies! Myself and four other ladies had the pleasure of taking part in the cooking school and staying at Organic Tuscany. It was by far the highlight of our three week trip. Riccardo and Shilpa are the ultimate hosts and have put together a week that was fun, exciting and educational. The chefs, cooks and tour guides were unbelievable. I was a bit concerned about driving but it turned out to be no problem with Shilpa’s careful directions and my insistence... read moreMyself and four other ladies had the pleasure of taking part in the cooking school and staying at Organic Tuscany. It was by far the highlight of our three week trip. Riccardo and Shilpa are the ultimate hosts and have put together a week that was fun, exciting and educational. The chefs, cooks and tour guides were unbelievable. I was a bit concerned about driving but it turned out to be no problem with Shilpa’s careful directions and my insistence of getting an automatic car! I highly recommend staying here and enjoying the hills of Tuscany while learning to cook wonderful food from experienced chefs. read less

Love Love Love Organic Tuscany! My two kids, ages 26 and 23, and I had a wonderful week of cooking and eating the most delicious food and learning about the beautiful life and culture of Tuscany. Shilpa and Ricardo, along with their friendly, knowledgeable team, created such a delightful environment for my children and I to make magnificent memories together.

My experience with Organic Tuscany was absolutely fantastic! The accomodations and location were just beautiful, and a huge shout out to Shilpa and everyone for helping us deal with lost luggage. The overall itinerary for the week went well beyond the actual cooking classes; encompassing private tours and olive oil and wine tastings that we never would have had access to without Organic Tuscany's impressive network around the Chianti region. Lastly the cooking classes were wonderful - very collaborative and... read moreMy experience with Organic Tuscany was absolutely fantastic! The accomodations and location were just beautiful, and a huge shout out to Shilpa and everyone for helping us deal with lost luggage. The overall itinerary for the week went well beyond the actual cooking classes; encompassing private tours and olive oil and wine tastings that we never would have had access to without Organic Tuscany's impressive network around the Chianti region. Lastly the cooking classes were wonderful - very collaborative and instructive, and led to many, many delicious meals in a gorgeous setting with a great group of people! read less

Best way to get a flavor of Tuscany! My husband and I went for our 25th wedding anniversary in September and it was fabulous. The villa was beautiful and comfortable. Host, Ricardo and Shilpa and the staff were amazing. It was a great balance for me, cooking, resting, sight seeing, and eating! We were able to get a real flavor of Tuscany. Highly recommend it!

The most amazing experience! I can't say enough good things about our week-long stay at Organic Tuscany! Excellent cooking classes, beautiful and comfortable room, fabulous staff, stunning location in the hills of Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees galore! And then there's the amazing organic food and wine!! Drop everything and get there now!

Great people, great setting, great food. A perfect week! This was a truly great week in a picture-perfect villa in the Tuscan hills. My husband was a "non-cooking guest" and had no problem amusing himself during the 10 or so hours when we were actually in classes in the kitchen. The instructors were great, there was plenty of hands-on time, and the food from the four classes (two lunches and two dinners) was as good as the food from the other catered meals (yes!). Other highlights: the tour of... read moreThis was a truly great week in a picture-perfect villa in the Tuscan hills. My husband was a "non-cooking guest" and had no problem amusing himself during the 10 or so hours when we were actually in classes in the kitchen. The instructors were great, there was plenty of hands-on time, and the food from the four classes (two lunches and two dinners) was as good as the food from the other catered meals (yes!). Other highlights: the tour of Pietro's vineyard and its elegant lunch served in the garden, with the most delicious fresh ricotta I could ever imagine; the olive oil tasting class, with its wonderfully eccentric and opinionated instructor (who certainly shamed me out of my bad olive oil habits). There are plenty of side trips offered to fill the time not actually spent cooking or eating, but it is not necessary to take them all -- relaxing in the beautiful gardens was just too inviting -- and it was also fun to explore the area on our own. The staff were very helpful in providing suggestions for trips to local hill towns. The rooms were very big and comfortable. The setting is beautiful but not at all pretentious, and comfortable clothes with stout walking shoes are recommended. read less

Organic Tuscany was a magical experience. Set in the beautiful countryside overlooking vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields, with a view of a nearby castle perched on the adjoining hillside which we viewed from our bedroom window. The food was of the highest quality and prepared with love and excellence. The small group of 8-10 people from around the world gives it an added bonus, and you will be sure to leave with new friends. The pace of cooking classes... read moreOrganic Tuscany was a magical experience. Set in the beautiful countryside overlooking vineyards, olive groves and wheat fields, with a view of a nearby castle perched on the adjoining hillside which we viewed from our bedroom window. The food was of the highest quality and prepared with love and excellence. The small group of 8-10 people from around the world gives it an added bonus, and you will be sure to leave with new friends. The pace of cooking classes and leisure time, with a bit of structure, allows for full relaxation to read, hike, bike while absorbing the beauty and culture of the region. The home and gardens are immaculate, with beautiful furnishings and linens, set in a relaxing, casual atmosphere. Shilpa and Ricardo are a gastronomic and cultural delight, with stories and interests that reach the globe. Their staff of experts on cooking, wine and olive oil are equally professional and intriguing. I give the experience my highest recommendation. read less

Beautiful location, wonderful people, and amazing food All around just an amazing experience. The entire team at Organic Tuscany was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate, and the cooking classes were the perfect in terms of the amount of dishes covered and the hands-on practical aspect of cooking. Not only did we have a chance to cook and eat some of the most delicious food I've ever had, we had a wonderful tour of nearby Certaldo, where we learnt some of the local history of the area, we... read moreAll around just an amazing experience. The entire team at Organic Tuscany was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate, and the cooking classes were the perfect in terms of the amount of dishes covered and the hands-on practical aspect of cooking. Not only did we have a chance to cook and eat some of the most delicious food I've ever had, we had a wonderful tour of nearby Certaldo, where we learnt some of the local history of the area, we visited a nearby winery where we were once again treated to amazing food and taught about the history and process of wine-making, and had both olive oil and wine tastings that focused on local products from Tuscany. Oh, and of course the villa itself was surrounded by the beautiful green tuscan countryside and had an amazing outdoor patio where we were able to eat every meal with a view of the sunset at night. In short, the enitre week was wonderful in every way imaginable, and I cannot recommend this experience enough. read less

My husband and I first experienced Organic Tuscany back in the fall of 2008, and we had such an incredible time, we decided to go back just this past spring (2017). The wonderful couple who run Organic Tuscany (Shilpa and Riccardo) are simply fabulous hosts, who have created an itinerary with the perfect balance of sightseeing, cooking and downtime. Our group was just nine people--small enough to easily travel, explore, dine out, and cook together without any problems. We had... read moreMy husband and I first experienced Organic Tuscany back in the fall of 2008, and we had such an incredible time, we decided to go back just this past spring (2017). The wonderful couple who run Organic Tuscany (Shilpa and Riccardo) are simply fabulous hosts, who have created an itinerary with the perfect balance of sightseeing, cooking and downtime. Our group was just nine people--small enough to easily travel, explore, dine out, and cook together without any problems. We had cooking classes at the villa, took day trips to Siena, San Gimignano, and Florence, spent a morning at an organic winery where we enjoyed lunch with the winemaker! We also enjoyed olive oil and wine tastings, as well as visiting a well-known ceramist who lives in the area. The villa itself was positively beautiful. The beds were comfy, the water pressure was very good, the kitchen was big and bright, and the grounds were enchanting... We made new friends, got to see old friends again, and even though we had been on the tour before, everything seemed new and different. Our time there was so awesome that I didn't want to leave (and I am very much a homebody). I think we may actually have to go back AGAIN in a few years. Organic Tuscany is a wonderful way to sample all the things that make Tuscany famous: the food, the wine, the history, the art, the ancient cites, gelato, the people, the scenery... This truly is a trip you will never forget. read less

Thank you Shilpa and everyone at Organic Tuscany for a wonderful week of cooking, eating, laughter and the ‘Tuscany Experience’. The cooking classes were so informative and such fun. The relaxed atmosphere, food and the people, made the week a holiday to remember. The new villa looks lovely and I would love to come back again. Anyone thinking of taking a trip to Tuscany to a cooking school, don’t miss this one. Best, Diana.

This review is long overdue, but the Organic Tuscany Cooking experience was so wonderful and memorable, it remains as the special highlight of the year. To begin, the staff were warm, generous and helpful and provided a well rounded genuine and unique Tuscan experience in cooking and culture, with unforgettable side tours to local vineyards, cheese farms, olive oil and wine tasting. The food we made was seasonal and delicious and we came away with wonderful recipes and techniques we... read moreThis review is long overdue, but the Organic Tuscany Cooking experience was so wonderful and memorable, it remains as the special highlight of the year. To begin, the staff were warm, generous and helpful and provided a well rounded genuine and unique Tuscan experience in cooking and culture, with unforgettable side tours to local vineyards, cheese farms, olive oil and wine tasting. The food we made was seasonal and delicious and we came away with wonderful recipes and techniques we could replicate at home. The atmosphere was always welcoming, entertaining and low key and the accommodations were great. The other participants quickly became good friends and the time we had together was unsurpassed in enjoyment, and lasting lifelong memories. Suffice to say, would do this again in a heartbeat! read less

I attended the course in 2010 with a friend and a nonparticipant (didn't cook, but did eat) and it was a wonderful first leg of our Italian adventure. Tuscany is absolutely gorgeous. The local agriturismo with the bee farm was lovely. Best honey ( castagna, acacia, girasole) in Tuscany. The sidetrips to Siena and Florence with great tour guides ( loved Elisabetta!) and the free time to explore San Gimignano and Volterra were great. Saving the best for last--the beautiful... read moreI attended the course in 2010 with a friend and a nonparticipant (didn't cook, but did eat) and it was a wonderful first leg of our Italian adventure. Tuscany is absolutely gorgeous. The local agriturismo with the bee farm was lovely. Best honey ( castagna, acacia, girasole) in Tuscany. The sidetrips to Siena and Florence with great tour guides ( loved Elisabetta!) and the free time to explore San Gimignano and Volterra were great. Saving the best for last--the beautiful organic produce we used to cook with and the time we spent with Manuela, Riccardo, Tina and Shilpa were incredible..the dishes we created were simple but flavorful. I use Riccardo's ragu di carne recipe to this day. The desserts were wonderful, too! The course is a perfect mix of cooking and free time to explore the area.  I have recommended this course to anyone who wants to learn some great recipes and still have the time to sightsee. read less

I attended the course in 2010 with a friend and a nonparticipant (didn't cook, but did eat) and it was a wonderful first leg of our Italian adventure. Tuscany is absolutely gorgeous. The local agriturismo with the bee farm was lovely. Best honey ( castagna, acacia, girasole) in Tuscany. The sidetrips to Siena and Florence with great tour guides ( loved Elisabetta!) and the free time to explore San Gimignano and Volterra were great. Saving the best for last--the beautiful... read moreI attended the course in 2010 with a friend and a nonparticipant (didn't cook, but did eat) and it was a wonderful first leg of our Italian adventure. Tuscany is absolutely gorgeous. The local agriturismo with the bee farm was lovely. Best honey ( castagna, acacia, girasole) in Tuscany. The sidetrips to Siena and Florence with great tour guides ( loved Elisabetta!) and the free time to explore San Gimignano and Volterra were great. Saving the best for last--the beautiful organic produce we used to cook with and the time we spent with Manuela, Riccardo, Tina and Shilpa were incredible..the dishes we created were simple but flavorful. I use Riccardo's ragu di carne recipe to this day. The desserts were wonderful, too! The course is a perfect mix of cooking and free time to explore the area.  I have recommended this course to anyone who wants to learn some great recipes and still have the time to sightsee. read less