 COOKING, PAINTING AND PILATES HOLIDAYS IN ITALY
Over the last 10 years Flavours Italian cooking holidays have regularly been written about in the press (Telegraph, Times, BA Highlife Magazine and many more) as well as being featured on the BBC Holiday Programme when Nicky Chapman joined them at their venue in Puglia - visiting a fantastic fish market and then cooking up her own delicious Italian seafood dish.
Cooking Holidays in Italy
Flavours Italian Cookery Holidays is a specialist ATOL bonded Italian holiday tour operator - offering quality Italian cooking holidays and courses since 1998. Choose from a week long cooking vacation in Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily or Umbria where you can indulge in 7 days of glorious Italian food! We also have short break cooking holidays to the very popular regions of Tuscany and Bologna.
Our cooking lessons are relaxed, fun and hands-on. They take place in the kitchen of the villa, with everyone working in a group with the chef. As we only take small groups everyone can really get involved. Our local chefs are very passionate about cooking and sharing their knowledge. You’ll learn new techniques and skills, while creating recipes traditional to the region using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Italian food is simple but tasty and the recipes you’ll learn are ones you can bring home and create in your own kitchen with ingredients that can be found anywhere.
Painting Holidays in Italy
In the last few years we have used our knowledge of Italy and some stunning locations to offer a series of painting holidays in both Tuscany and Umbria. Perfect for both the beginner right through to the more experienced watercolour painter, our team of inspirational art teachers will, over the course of a week, work with you to develop your painting skills.
Pilates Holidays in Italy
Tuscany and Sicily are also the fantastic locations for our Italian Pilates holidays – with daily pilates lessons these holidays are the perfect break whether you're experienced in Pilates or not.
On both a painting or a pilates holiday in Italy, guests will also be able to take advantage of our extensive culinary skills and will enjoy delicious food and wine. With a maximum group size of 8 guests made up of mainly single travellers - you can be assured of being in the company of like minded travellers.
All Flavours holidays are fully ATOL protected and include flights, airport transfers*, accommodation, lessons, all meals, drinks as well as excursions and activities with private minibus transport throughout.
*flight allowance £100 per guest included
FOR CONTACT DETAILS < click here >
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COOKING HOLIDAYS IN TUSCANY |
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TUSCANY ITALIAN COOKING SHORT BREAK HOLIDAY3 night Itinerary
We now offer short break cooking holidays close to Florence, this region of Tuscany nicknamed the gem of Italy is easily accessible for most regional airports. Our villa is nestled on a typical Tuscan hillside next to the delightful small town of San Miniato.
 For itinerary and further information - click
here
TUSCANY ITALIAN COOKING WEEK LONG HOLIDAY
7 night Itinerary
Tuscany is world famous for its food, its rich culture and its stunning landscapes. Get lost in Florence’s tangle of ancient streets taking in the facades of its art-studded churches and museums.
Take a walk around Lucca's city centre which is almost completely closed off to traffic and surrounded by medieval walls – the ideal place to stroll around and window shop. Discover San Gimignano, a small hilltop city full of ancient towers, and a lovely place to while away the afternoon. There's lots to discover on our Italian Cooking Holidays in Tuscany.
April, May, October in Tuscany are quite mild, not hot or cold. There are less tourists around and the cities are quieter. June and September are lovely and warm without being too hot. This is the ideal time to travel weather-wise but also the busiest time to be in Tuscany. July and August are the hottest & sunniest months, if you like the heat this is the time to go.
For itinerary and further information - click
here
TUSCANY HOLIDAY VENUE
 Tuscany is world famous for food and its rich culture. Simplicity is key to Tuscan cuisine, with just a few ingredients our chefs in Tuscany create exceptional mouth watering dishes to enjoy whilst looking out over breath taking landscapes.
Our Tuscany Holiday venue is tucked away in the countryside on it’s own private estate, set within peaceful grounds surrounded by beautiful views. The area is well known for truffles and other Tuscan delicacies that you will be sure to sample. The luxurious bedrooms, all decorated in a modern style and are ensuite.
Our villa is close enough to Florence which allows us to have a day trip there. The city is small enough to explore on foot with a compact historical centre. The best way to get a feel for the city is to get lost in the tangle of ancient streets, taking in the stunning façades of its art-studded churches and museums as you find them. |
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.FLAVOURSHOLIDAYS.CO.UK
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COOKING HOLIDAYS IN SICILY |
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COOKERY HOLIDAY IN SICILY
7 night Itinerary
Sicily is an island of contrasts, mixed cultures and changing landscapes, and is bathed in sunshine most of the time. It has an amazingly diverse, ancient heritage. We base ourselves in the south-east and the surrounding area is dotted with well-known historical sites – such as Siracusa Greek Theatre, and various Baroque towns such as Noto and Ragusa.
Sicilians have a passion for food & drink and the sunshine and sea make the flavours of Sicily intense and exotic. Various civilizations – Greek, Roman, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and British – have left their mark on Sicilian Cuisine. Every conqueror of this island has left behind the imprint of his culinary heritage.
Discovering Sicilian cookery is like discovering Sicilian history. Various civilizations – Greek, Roman, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and British – have left their mark and from the gastronomic point of view, their influence is still in evidence in modern day Sicilian cooking.
We only visit Sicily during Spring and Autumn, the best times of year to be there. It will be comfortable without the extreme heat of mid-summer and without getting too cool in the evenings. For those who like it mild, May and October are best, or if you're looking for hot days and balmy nights, June and September are better.
Flavours Sicilian itinerary is not just about being in the kitchen, as we say, 'Cooking's just the half of it'. The other half involves wine tastings and trips to places such as the village of Noto and the picturesque cities of Ragusa and Modica.
For itinerary and further information - click
here
SICILY HOLIDAY VENUE
 The villa where our Cookery Course in Sicily is held, is situated on a private estate, is of typical Sicilian style and dates back to 1848. Chosen because of its location, it has some beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Upon waking in the morning, to a clear blue sky, you can enjoy breakfast outside and soak up the sea views.
Our Sicily holiday venue has luxurious bedrooms, all decorated in a modern style, are ensuite. Each room has a view of either the sea, almond grove or the Sicilian countryside. Our Cookery School in Sicily has a beautiful spacious dinning room, the perfect setting to enjoy all the Sicilian dishes you will be creating. Because ‘Cooking is just the half of it’ we have chosen to surround you in an environment that will completely immerse you in the flavours of Sicily.
To let you discover the flavours of Sicily we have based our venue in the south east of the island: the place where it all began. The surrounding area is dotted with well know historical sites – such as Siracusa Greek Theatre, the Temples of Agrigento and various Baroque towns such as Noto and Ragusa – as well as popular gastronomic locations such as Pachino for cherry tomatoes, Modica for chocolate, Avola for almonds and wine, Ragusa for Caciocavallo cheese and so on…if all this talk of food is making you hungry, then have a look at our Sicilian Recipes...
Within the grounds of the estate there is an outdoor pool, which is encircled by almond and olive trees. After a dip, you can sit back and relax on the terrace and enjoy the sight and sound of the sea.
This is the first year that we are running our Sicily course. But to see what our guests have said about other villas and holidays, then please take a look at our testimonials page. |
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.FLAVOURSHOLIDAYS.CO.UK
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COOKING HOLIDAYS IN PUGLIA |
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COOKERY HOLIDAY IN PUGLIA7 night Itinerary
On a Flavours cookery course in Puglia you will be staying at the beautiful Casino Pisanelli. Your holiday includes coking lessons with our lovely local chef Antonio and visits to Lecce known as the Florence of the South, Otranto (situated by the sea) with the chance to visit the famous cathedraland, the old town of Gallipoli, as well as a private wine tasting.
"I could almost feel the stress leaving me when I got up the first morning and walked around the beautiful garden at Casino Pisanelli...Livia just couldn't do enough to help, I don't think I have eaten so much fabulous food in a week!"
For itinerary and further information - click
here
PUGLIA HOLIDAY VENUE
 Casino Pisanelli is our Puglia holiday venue which is indeed a stunning venue, situated in the heart of rural Salento - a real hidden gem. Originally a hunting lodge built in the 17th century for a local count, the estate is now used exclusively by Flavours for just a few weeks a year. The style is a stunning mix of traditional and modern, with wonderful formal gardens and a swimming pool - the perfect spot to relax after a busy morning in the kitchen.
Described as one of the most beautiful houses by the sea (Elle Decoration) and featured in the September 2007 issue of Homes & Gardens Magazine, Flavours are delighted to have exclusive use of Casino Pisanelli during May, September and October each year.
The property dates back to the 17th Century when it was used by the local aristocrat, Count Pisanelli as a hunting lodge. It has in the past few years been lovingly restored using the skills of local craftsmen and artisans to produce a stunning blend of modern and traditional Italian style. As well as the swimming pool, cleverly integrated into the formal gardens, there are also courtyards with lemon and orange trees - the perfect setting for meals al fresco! Surrounding the lodge are acres of olive groves which provide delicious extra virgin olive oil throughout the week. |
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.FLAVOURSHOLIDAYS.CO.UK
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COOKING HOLIDAYS IN UMBRIA |
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COOKERY HOLIDAY IN UMBRIA7 night Itinerary
Flavours Umbria Holiday Venue is set on a hillside location near the picturesque medieval town of Todi and so our guests can enjoy stunning views across the landscape. Todi is said to have the most perfect piazza in Italy. Umbria's landscape of lush rolling hills are dotted with ancient castles, fortresses and watchtowers. Excellent food and wine are as much a part of Umbria'scharm as its beautiful landscapes and the region has many delicacies.
Our week long courses in Umbria are £1,599 per person with no single supplement, which is an added bonus for the single traveller. Our courses are held during the months of May, June, September and October, you'll find details of availablity in our dates and prices section.
The hilltop city of Orvieto, perched upon a rocky plateau with its world famous Duomo dominating the skyline is a breathtaking place to lose yourself for the day. The central city is a car-free haven and perfect for exploring on foot. The views over Umbria from Orvieto are outstanding.
On our Italian Cooking Holidays in Umbria you'll discover the climate is similar to that of Tuscany, being generally quite mild and comfortable during the Spring and Autumn, which is when we visit. May & October are quite mild, not hot or cold. June and September are lovely and warm without being too hot. Our itinerary includes a visit to the city Orvieto , so that you can see the world famous Duomo which dominates the city's beautiful skyline!
For itinerary and further information - click
here
UMBRIA HOLIDAY VENUE
 This is one of our most stunning locations (which is why we also running painting holidays at this location). It's less well-known than it's neighbour Tuscany, but is equally as beautiful and the regional food is hearty, peasant cuisine that will perk up even the most jaded palette. Explore the medieval hilltop towns of Todi and Orvieto with its amazing domed cathedral or simply marvel at the wonderful views of cypress trees over the rolling hills. Local deicacies include wild boar and truffles.
Our Italian Cooking Holidays in Umbria are based at a villa just over an hour north of Rome, near Spoleto, in the medieval village of Eggi. This 17th Century villa with private garden is the perfect base to discover the pleasures and treasures of Umbria in an authentic environment.
The villa is designed to provide both peaceful places of retreat and areas (inside and out) to dine, work and play together as a group. Quiet garden areas, an orchard, an enclosed courtyard to the east and a split level terrazzo overlooking the pool to the west, provide options for recreation and dining. |
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.FLAVOURSHOLIDAYS.CO.UK
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COOKING HOLIDAYS IN BOLOGNA |
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COOKERY HOLIDAY IN BOLOGNA3 night Itinerary
Flavours are proud to run our 4 days/3 nights Italian Cooking Holidays in Bologna and believe it is a truly wonderful place for a break and to learn to cook Italian food. Our Bologna Holiday Venue is the beautiful Palazzo Minelli.
Even though your stay with us is a short one, we pack as much as we can into every minute of it and hope you come away from Bologna with a sense of this historic town, as well as some wonderful Italian recipes to take home and try out on your friends and family!
For itinerary and further information - click
here
UMBRIA HOLIDAY VENUE
 Our Bologna holiday venue is a family owned Palazzo, approximately twenty five minutes from Bologna itself. The former stables have been converted to offer comfortable bedrooms for guests, all with en-suite facilities.
Bologna is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, with plenty to offer the foodie! Tucked away in the surrounding countryside is Villa Bologna, located on a private estate. The villa is deep in the heart of the Emilia Romagna countryside and is delightful. As with all Flavours holidays you will be staying in a historical Villa that is typical of the area, Villa Bologna is simply no exception!
Recently restored to make the best use of period features and the stunning views over the surrounding countryside, you will wake up in peaceful surroundings ready for a day of cooking, eating and relaxation! The Palazzo has belonged to the same family for generations and offers our guests the chance to be immersed in the history of this area as well as exploring the food! |
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.FLAVOURSHOLIDAYS.CO.UK
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