Hands-On Cooking Classes and Guided City Tours in Abruzzo Region

Along Italy’s central eastern coast lies the Abruzzo region of Italy, known for its artisanal cheeses and full-bodied wines. On this seven-day, six-night trip from Epitourean, you’ll stay in the quaint town of Carunchio, nestled in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains near the Adriatic Sea. Each night, you’ll turn in at the Palazzo Tour d'Eau, a 19th-century mansion turned hotel perched on the town's highest hilltop. Your days will be filled with gourmet meals, hands-on cooking classes, and sightseeing excursions throughout the Italian countryside.

Click here for a complete itinerary.

Culinary-Tour Highlights

Cooking classes: During a pasta-making class, you’ll learn to craft your own gnocchi, cavatelli, and chitarra. Later on, the Palazzo's sommelier will conduct a lesson on the art of pairing food and wine. Chefs will also demonstrate preparations for classic Italian sauces, and during a dessert-making class, you’ll enjoy sweet bites alongside regional liquors. Last but not least, you will also make authentic Abruzzo-style pizza and appetizers.

In the peasant food and biscotti class students learn old-world recipes. In addition to a vegetarian dish you'll create an almond biscotti.

Truffle hunting and salami-plant tour: The group will learn how salami is made on a tour of the plant. Truffle-sniffing dogs assist in a morning truffle hunt.

Excursion to Vasto: On a day trip to Vasto, an ancient settlement on the Adriatic coast, the tour swings through the historical center of Vasto, stops at Piazza Rossetti for shopping, visits a unique Trabocco fishing house, and is topped off with a “Taste of the Adriatic” seafood lunch.

Cheese-making tour: During an afternoon excursion to the inland town of Agnone, you’ll observe the artisanal techniques used to make mozzarella, ricotta, and caciocavallo cheeses.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.