Culinary Weekend getaways typically include cooking classes led by local chefs, market visits, and shared meals that bring everyone around the table. Many trips also offer walking tours, wine or olive oil tastings, or visits to historic villages.
Accommodations range from cozy countryside inns and charming agriturismos to boutique hotels or traditional homes. Many are family-run or set in scenic rural locations, giving you a deeper, more personal taste of local life.
And the food? You'll taste ingredients so fresh they were probably picked that morning, and every dish has a story behind it - maybe it's a recipe passed down through three generations, or a local specialty that you can only get in this one tiny village. From homemade pasta in Italy to fragrant tagines in Morocco, each meal becomes an experience in itself.
As for the top destinations for Culinary Weekends, you’ll be delighted to know that you can find plenty all across the globe.
Italy is heaven if you're obsessed with good food, and a Culinary Weekend is the perfect way to dive into all those incredible regional flavors you've been dreaming about. In Tuscany, learn how to make handmade pasta and slow-cooked ragù in rustic farmhouses surrounded by vineyards. Head to Emilia Romagna, the land of Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar, for cheese tastings and cooking with nonnas. In Campania, you’ll master Neapolitan pizza and rich tomato sauces by the sea. And in Liguria, you'll make pesto from scratch, bake cheese focaccia, and wander through bustling fish markets in those picture-perfect coastal towns that look like postcards.
Greece offers delicious weekend escapes where simple ingredients shine. In Laconia, discover organic farm-to-table cooking with rosemary chocolate cake and lavender butter cookies. In Crete, pick wild herbs from the mountains and learn to prepare traditional dakos or kalitsounia pies. Or head to Santorini for cooking classes with a view, where volcanic soil yields unforgettable flavors in dishes like fava and tomato fritters.
From the lively streets of Barcelona to the vineyards of La Rioja, Spain delivers flavor-packed weekend adventures. Learn to make tapas, paella, or Catalan cream while enjoying wine pairings and market visits. In Andalusia, you’ll dive into Moorish-influenced dishes like salmorejo or slow-cooked oxtail. If you prefer seafood, Galicia offers hands-on cooking with mussels, octopus, and local Albariño wines near the wild Atlantic coast.
Spend a weekend in Marrakech (Morocco), where culinary tradition is woven into everyday life. Stroll spice-filled souks, pick your own produce, and learn to make couscous, tagines, and mint tea from warm and welcoming locals. Head into the Atlas Mountains for Berber cooking experiences in traditional mud-brick homes, using age-old techniques and clay ovens.
You don’t need to travel far for a delicious escape in the USA. In St. Albans, Missouri, unwind with mojito slushies, light bites like salsa verde tortillas, and cozy cooking sessions in a countryside setting. Or venture to California’s wine country, where culinary weekends pair farm-fresh cooking classes with local vintages and sunset views. In the South, dive into comfort food with soulful twists: biscuits, grits, and BBQ with chef-led sessions in vibrant cities like Charleston or Nashville.
Craving bold, zesty flavors? Head to Santa Fe or San Antonio, where the love for Mexican cuisine runs deep. From tamale workshops to mole-making classes, you’ll find hands-on experiences that celebrate tradition, with plenty of homemade tortillas to go around.
From the royal kitchens of Jaipur to the spice markets of Kerala, India offers bold and colorful Culinary Weekends. Learn the balance of spices in garam masala, how to make buttery chapatis from scratch, or cook rich curries alongside local families. Whether it’s mastering chai in the north or dosa in the south, every region brings something different to the table.
Want to indulge in something with a kick of lemongrass and chili? Thailand welcomes you with fragrant street food tours, market-to-table cooking classes, and the art of perfecting green curry and pad Thai. From Bangkok’s buzzing energy to the laid-back charm of Chiang Mai, every bite is a burst of flavor.
Ready to taste the world, one weekend at a time? Join a Culinary Weekend Holiday and let your taste buds enjoy your next flavorful escape!