La Mezzaluna

We loved the variety of meals we learned to make, the special field trips for wine and olive oil tasting and the exploration of beautiful medieval towns. This paired with Rita’s clear passion for cooking and friendships made with other guests made this a perfect week long adventure.

An unforgettable trip to Tuscany! We learnt how to cook authentic Tuscan meals with Rita and enjoyed lots of local trips including Pisa. We have many fabulous memories of our stay and can’t wait to go back.

From the moment we arrived at La Mezzaluna, we knew this trip would be spectacular, and it exceeded every expectation. La Mezzaluna is in northern Tuscany, not far from the city of Barga. Rita is a chef, instructor and a storyteller rolled into one. Her cooking classes are hands-on. We made everything from fresh homemade pasta, gnocchi, sauces, risotto, seafood dishes, and many more, not to mention desserts such as tiramisu. We felt like we were cooking with family. The warmth of Rita and her staff is unforgettable. She is knowledgeable about local history, food traditions and makes every guest feel welcome. The accommodations are very comfortable with stunning views. In addition to cooking, Rita organized excursions to nearby vineyards for wine tasting, towns like Barga, Lucca and Pisa. If you want a place in Italy that combines delicious food, hands-on learning, genuine hospitality and scenery, La Mezzaluna with Rita is extraordinary. It is not just a vacation; it is an experience that stays with you long after your return home. We highly recommend it for anyone who loves food, wine, and laughter.

A great mix of seeing Italy and cooking. The food was so good!

Really immersed in the whole Tuscan environment. The food, Rita’s history and the tuscan culture, exploring the area and the amazing experience of cooking original Tuscan meals together. Loved it all and now totally confident to cook my own pasta, pizza, squid, biscotti and tiramisu for anyone!

Lovely rustic breakfasts, fridge with soft drinks and water always there. Wine flowed too every day and the impromptu music evening was brilliant! A really lovely stay and such a perfect host. Thank you Rita x

Everything about this holiday was brilliant. The food we cooked was so tasty and we made plenty of it. The recipes we had were simple but really nice. We had plenty of excursions to the likes of Lucca and Pisa but the ones we all loved were the medieval towns of Barga, Montecarlo and Sommocolonia. The history is breathtaking going back to 990 AD.

We had a good group of 7 of us for half the time and 3 for the full duration. Everyone of us got on really well having plenty of chat, wine and even a bit of singing.

Two lovely trips to wineries for some tasting. The one at Montecarlo I really enjoyed. They are picture perfect places and the wine was good. Good enough to buy some bottles.

Rita is a perfect host. Her cooking instruction and food is as good as you can get. We were entertained all week in the kitchen, on the excursions and at the property. As a side issue the views from the accommodation were gorgeous.

Loved every minute of this trip. A mixture of great food and wine but also some very personal history and regional history.

Loved it!!!!!

Rita puts her heart and soul into making your stay unforgettable. Nothing is to much and her personal story and the things she has been showing us, made you feel you were in the 'real' Tuscany. I also really loved the cooking. I have been on cooking courses before where the instructors felt they had to train us up to professional chefs, but Rita is just so pragmatic. This is cooking I will definitely repeat at home. I also loved the Vineyards we visited.

From the time we arrived in Pisa everything was perfect. Our driver met us at the airport and upon arriving at La Mezzaluna, Rita was there with her welcoming smile, wine & snacks. She was truly the hostess with the mostess always making sure we were comfortable, enjoying ourselves and always had a glass of wine & food. This was a great trip

I took with some girlfriends and the memories will last a lifetime. I highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to learn to cook authentic Italian food or just wanting a fun, relaxing getaway.

What a truly wonderful experience with Rita in Barga, Tuscany. 'Cooking Course' in no way covers what Rita has to offer. She has decades of experience running her restaurant and sharing her knowledge and skills of cooking and shares all generously. From being collected at Pisa airport, the warm welcome in La MezzaLuna, the endless delicious glasses of vino, the risotto, fresh pasta, gnocci, mushroom sauce, ragu, seafood extravaganza, the vinyard trip, visits to Barga, Lucca, neighbouring towns and the Polenta Festival! It was joyous to experience it with Rita, Alex, her family and needless to say my companions on the 'course'. The whole is more than the sum of the parts and that is definitely true of this experience. I recommend this trip wholeheartedly. Caitriona F

Rita took care of everything that we needed from the very beginning; our trip was delayed so we had a late arrival and she had food and wine waiting for us at midnight! She was our tour guide and cooking instructor throughout the entire visit and was just wonderful! Rita took us to many villages where we could explore the history of the area. She also took us to a couple of wine tastings at local vineyards that was quite an experience. Alex entertained us in the evenings with music. The cooking instruction was truly an incredible experience and I learned so much. The food and wine were the best and plentiful!

We loved our time at La Mezzaluna. Rita was both a gracious host and excellent teacher. The time was a good mix of cooking lessons and side trips. The experience was truly all-inclusive even down to buying us gelato and and coffees, as well as airport transfers and rides on the various side trips. The food we prepared was tasty and the breakfasts were filled with meats, fruit, cheeses, pastries, cereal and on some days cooked to order eggs. Wine was always available as was beer, soda and water. Some nights included live music from Alex. We definitely had a great time thanks to Rita.

The best thing I enjoyed about this retreat was all the knowledge I gained about Italian cooking and the fun I had learning.

Absolutely a great experience! Rita treats you like family and goes out her way to make you feel at home. Her cooking instruction is excellent no matter your skill level. I was a perfect memory of a lifetime!

If people considering this Tuscan experience expect to be in a sterile stainless environment lead by a Gordon. Ramsey type chef this would be the wrong place to go. Rita is a real chef with more than 3 decades of experience running a restaurant, that shares her knowledge of traditional Tuscan recipes with passion, love and laughter. She took us to several distinctive wineries and significant historical attractions to round out our Tuscan experience. Enjoying our cooking, along with a glass or two of wine in an atmosphere that felt like home was a highlight of our trip to Italy. We cannot recommend highly enough.

This cooking experience was the best from beginning to end. Rita was an exceptional host who delighted in sharing her cooking expertise with all of her participants. We learned how to make many meals that were absolutely delicious. I have already tried making the homemade pasta and the biscotti. In addition to cooking fabulous meals, we took side trips to enhance our experience.

Rita is an excellent chef and also a wonderful teacher. The cookery classes were intense and very professional - and great fun. The class members all agreed it was a truly educational experience in a traditional Italian restaurant kitchen. The pizza oven was fabulous! Outings to places of interest were perfect. Rita insisted it was 'all inclusive[ and it truly was. Rita also included us in her family and friendship group who were all very welcoming. It was my first holiday on my own. I couldn't have chosen better!

Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the countryside location is perfect. ( The sightseeing, fitted in between cooking classes, was very good, and I learned a lot about the Italian way of living). Rita is a very good teacher and has a lot of patience. We were taught tips and tricks to be able to fine tune and improve the way we make our pizzas and pastas, sauces, etc. The personal attention was outstanding. And Alex and Rita sang beautifully!

It was a fantastic mix of learning and exploring Italy. Rita is a wonderful person & great host. She’s funny, caring, patient. She will go the extra mile to ensure you have a great experience. She’s also quite a singer! I learned so much in 7 days. Rita packs in site seeing, shopping, lessons, entertainment and of course food! My 7 days felt like a month (in the best way) and yet I was never worn out. She’s got the program down so well. So thought out. So well planned. She’s a pro and a terrific human! Thank you Rita doesn’t cover my experience well enough. She also has an amazing staff! Tanya, Alex, her son even pitches in. All of our bus drivers kept us safe & on time delivering us all over. So thankful I had this experience.

Rita bent over backwards to make our visit amazing.

Rita went above and beyond to make this experience special for everyone. She went out of her way to arrange transportation for a special event we attended. She and her team welcomed us with open arms and we along with the new people we met became fast friends. Rita exposed us to wonderful sites and experiences with the area included 2 wonderful wineries. Rita shared her extensive knowledge of cooking gained from her mother and life. It was a very special time! Thanks Rita!

I decided to sign up for this cooking school because of the reviews I read about it being informal and authentic. Rita our hostess and instructor is a very kind and generous woman who goes above and beyond to make her guests happy. Her authentic Tuscany cooking was delicious and just what I was hoping for. A wonderful surprise was learning about the strong Scottish connection between Barga and Glasgow. Like so many other Italian families, Rita’s parents had to leave Tuscany to find a better life when economic times were difficult in Tuscany. Rita was born in Glasgow but spent many wonderful summers in Barga as a child and then moved back to Barga with her young family. Her Glasgow accent is strong and everywhere we went we met many Glaswegians. As much as I loved the food and the outstanding hospitality I also so enjoyed the tours of beautiful local villages and learning the history from Rita. Another delight was meeting the other guests from Houston Texas and Glasgow. Alex and Tania and Rita’s son were wonderful assistants during our week. Thank you Rita for generously sharing your interesting heritage and well honed cooking skills with us. Bernadette Allen, Victoria, Canada

Rita and her ‘helpers’ were all so friendly nothing was too much trouble.. atmosphere was relaxed and everything I could need was taken care of.. perfect way to wind down at the end of my vacation

We learned so much about Tuscany culture and food. The cooking lessons were fun and I might make some of the at home too LOL! Rita was a joy to spend a week with. She was available, approachable, generous, engaging and fun. We even sang some Italian karaoke. We are so glad we took this opportunity.

God broke the mold after creating Rita. She is not only a patient cooking teacher, Rita's warm and friendly personality makes one feel accepted into the fellowship she shares with her local family and friends. The cooking classes are broken into days: pasta, seafood, pizza etc. We enjoyed preparing delicious Florentine foods and drinking tasty vino da Tuscony. Rita"s recipes are homemade and students go home with an apron and recipes prepared during the week. A shout out to Alex il Uomo. He sings and entertains in addition to being Rita's right hand man. Tonja kept our rooms tidy. A most fun memory is singing and drinking Rita's homemade Lemoncello with our fellow students who we also consider friends.

The tours were super especially the day Rita changed a trip for 4 of us to go to the Goth Line Museum knowing we are WW2 buffs.

Grazie Rita! You gave us the experience of a lifetime! The invitation stands!

Rudy & Dolly

From the first you meet Rita you feel as you have been friends all of your life. She has the gift of hospitality that puts one at ease from the beginning. Not only is she a master chef but also wealth of information on the history of the region. She takes you into various areas that one would never get on a tour. You eat and drink as much as you want. We hated to leave. But we have made a life long friend.

Rita is special. She is the best at hosting, teaching, Cooking, organizing...just everything. The accommodations were not fancy, but were very comfortable and clean. The menus were varied and well thought out.

We never lacked for anything and Rita made sure of that! This is a true all inclusive experience.

We laughed, we cooked, we ate, we drank, we walked, we danced, we wine tasted and visited wonderful sites. We made new friends. What more could you ask for?

Perfect for couples, singles and groups. Rita makes you want to come back.

It was a pleasure to participate in Rita's Italian extravaganza. Making new friends, the preparation of authentic Italian meals, new cultural encounters...

all nestled into the beautiful, mountainous scenery of Italy... this was the La Mezzaluna experience.

What a week! Our time at La Mezzaluna far exceeded our expectations. Rita is an amazing host, cook and entertainer.

Rooms were cozy and comfortable, location excellent and the cooking classes were so informative, interactive, and FUN. I am looking so forward to sharing my new skills and recipes

Thank you, thank you Rita for a trip of a lifetime!

Rita was a fantastic host and has the gift of making her guests feel welcome and relaxed. She was also great fun.

This was an amazing vacation for us. Rita taught us how to make pasta, and how to cook several really good Italian dishes. It was refreshing to not have to think about what we're going to do or where we're going to be from one day to the next. Rita took care of all that! The B&B was nice and the taxi service was prompt (shout out to Massimo). We went on local trips in the morning, and then we cooked later in the day. There was bottomless wine (montalcino, montepulciano, frizzante white, etc). There was karaoke! The vineyard tours during our last 2 days were wonderful -- the people were great and the vino was exceptional. Our last dish was up to us, and we picked cinghiale -- it was incredible! It's not included in the recipe book that Rita gave us, because it's not really a usual part of the package. Rita was a super attentive host, and we can't wait to see her again.

Rita had everything organized ,quite apart from the cookery lessons she was also the organiser and guide for the many excursions that were included. Most importantly we all became part of the family.

Rita has things (menu/trips) planned, however is very open to moving and adding to the agenda.

I want to compliment Rita for her hospitality and kindness and for making our week in Tuscany one we will never forget!

I appreciate how she made all of us so comfortable and my daughter feel confident in participating in cooking.

I also appreciated from before we started our journey, she was in touch with me to wish us good travels and that Alex, her driver, would be at the airport to pick us up. When we arrived, Rita called as we left the airport to welcome us and ease our minds that we were in fact in the right car and with the correct person.

Rita is such a joy with her positiveness, generosity, warmth, and keen sense of humor. Also, the knowledge that she shares, of the delicious recipes, the history and the interesting and beautiful surrounding areas that we visited.

It was lovely being greeted every morning with our coffee that she remembered our order each morning along with a nice array of continental breakfast items.

Then off to explore a nearby village and even Pisa. We were treated to a pizza lunch when we were out and one night we went out to a cozy restaurant and had a delightful meal. But nothing was as yummy as the various dishes we learn to prepare! Gnocchi, pasta, pizza, risotto, calamari, cantucci (biscotti), and more!

We all had a fantastic time exploring and learning to cook delicious dishes, creating memories traveling through areas of Tuscany that will last a lifetime!

The food was great, Rita was a very nice, warm person and made it alot of fun.

Everything about this trip was great! The very best part was Rita herself! She is a wonderful host, passionate chef, and an enthusiastic teacher. She welcomed us and generously shared her life stories and family history and personally showed us why she loves where she lives. She taught us family recipes and had us all hands on to create delicious things we can make at home. The Barga area is gorgeous and has so much to explore, but Rita made it even more special! Someone from an old review summed it up beautifully, so much so that I cannot do better-“we arrived as strangers and left as family.” No other explanation needed. Thank you, Rita! We will meet again!

Cheerful, helpful host and good company

Rita has fantastic set up for a great trip to Italy! Great accommodations, well thought out schedule and locations, and great cooking classes.

Rita’s stories of food, history, and the local region. Learning to make pasta, calamari and homemade pizza.

Host/chef Rita made everything so wonderful. The cooking classes were completely hands-on. We were chopping, stirring, whisking, blending, kneading, etc.., with wonderful tips and tricks from Rita. We ate everything we cooked. There was plenty of time each morning for the jaw-dropping sightseeing in the area. Rita’s care and concern for her guests was apparent long before we arrived at the destination. Her communication prior to the week was extraordinary, and she made each of us feel like family. I am so glad I took this trip and experienced the joy of cooking Tuscan style with Rita.

Rita was an excellent host and taught everyone with a lovely relaxed approach. The food was delicious and, no doubt because of Rita’s supervision, easy to make. The added bonus of a visit to some beautiful local towns and villages made the trip extra special. Our only regret was only signing up for 4 rather than 7 days. Thank you Rita and the rest of our group for a lasting and special memory

This organized trip is an entire experience in itself. From cuisine courses to sightseeing, to visiting beautiful wineries , to participating to village events and sharing with the locals . You will feel complete and fulfilled. Perfect concept for a solo traveller ! Do not expect luxury, it is about the experience and feeling part of an Italian family for a week ! Rita is the hostess with the mostess ! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

There was a great mix of cooking lessons and jaunts to area towns. Rita is a fabulous and energetic hostess and a wonderful Italian chef keen to impart her skills to newbies. The food was great as was the free-flowing wine. We also a great group of people to spend time with and in all it was thoroughly enjoyable. Grazie Rita!

We have never had a holiday like this before and had booked it for a special birthday treat, not really knowing what to expect.

Well what can I say....it was everything we hoped for and more. From the moment we were collected from the airport by the lovely Alex (who despite not speaking any English became a firm friend) , and arrived at La Mezzaluna, we were treated as friends and left feeling like one of the family.

Rita is so welcoming, knowledgeable, caring and funny and nothing was too much trouble for her or her staff.

The cooking classes were very enjoyable and we have never eaten so much good food and drank so much good wine.

La Mezzaluna is in a beautiful location and we were fortunate to have an upper room with a balcony so we could see the stunning view as soon as we woke.

We were taken to so many gorgeous villages and towns and Rita was able to tell us all about each place and also share her own family stories and take us to the hilltop village of sommocolonia where her grandparents lived....a real highlight for us.

The vineyard visit and wine tasting was both beautiful and interesting.

Everything was included and Rita went out of her way to make sure everyone was happy , even switching around the itinerary when needed.

My husband celebrated his birthday and Rita produced a lovely surprise cake and he was even serenaded by Alex on the karaoke!.

We met some great people whilst we were there and made some firm friends 😊

We were sad to leave 😔 but will be back

Wow our first trip to Italy and we totally fell in love ❤️

From the beautiful scenery of Tuscany and the fabulous experiences provided by Rita at La Mezzaluna what’s not to love!

The food was plentiful and the drinks always flowing. The kitchen experiences were fun and educational as well as delicious.

The adventures to Barga, Montecarlo, Pisa and Lucca gave us a taste of Tuscany never to be forgotten.

Rita and her team Alex, Ricardo and Tanya are so welcoming, heart warming and all round amazing hosts.

We also made firm friends with the other guests staying and enjoyed sharing a birthday celebration with karaoke and cake.

I didn’t want to leave and highly recommend La Mezzaluna!

Rita is a fantastic host and looked after us so well - a really fantastic holiday! Many thanks, Rita

I loved every minute of my trip to La Mezzaluna. Rita is an amazing hostess not only did she teach us to cook she took us on day trips to Pisa, Barga & Castlenuovo, also the local shops & supermarket. We were made to feel welcome from the moment we arrived. We drank unlimited amounts of prosecco and lovely local wines. The accommodation was immaculately clean with fresh towels daily. Rita is not just a good cook she can sing too. Will definitely go back.... Thank you for a fabulous few days of fun.

Such a great 4 days. Rita was so friendly and knowledgeable and taught us to cook food that we could try and cook at home. It was homely , we could help ourselves to wine and tea. Bedrooms very clean and comfortable. Totally recommend. We went as a group of friends so had a really fun time !!! Thankyou x

We were fortunate enough to have RIta all to ourselves. She could not have been more accommodating. We felt like we were visiting and cooking with a dear friend. But, not only did we have fun, we also truly learned a lot! Rita was generous with her wine, her wisdom, her wit and her heart.....

Lovely fresh flowers in our apartment and on the verandah outside. Just getting to know Rita and

her family history associated with the little villages close by was fantastic. We did feel part of the family.

We had a wonderful week full of food, wine, sites seeing, and friendships! Rita is a warm and kind host.

I felt like I was staying with family. Rita feels like a sister more than a host. I didn’t want to leave!!

Rita is an excellent soul. Her cooking is superb, but her personality is even better. She’s a very good instructor, but her wit and humor makes the experience so enjoyable. The places she took us were like candy for our soul, a Tuscany postcard indeed. Take the trip, enjoy the journey and have lifetime memories.

The cooking, the different tours we did, the wine tasting, the friendly atmosphere, everything was exceptional.

Rita joked about our research through all 57 reviews but the truth is that they are not wrong - Rita is a remarkable hostess and her cooking class is a truly exceptional experience for chefs of all levels. The schedule is the perfect balance of intimate cooking with valuable tips and details, contrasted with a flexible schedule with enough time to venture off alone or be part of the group. We learned the basics of Italian cooking and the food we prepared with her expert guidance was absolutely fabulous! We ate the meals we prepared in class family style, overlooking the stunning views of Northern Tuscany. What elevates the experience beyond the already excellent food is the great conversations, genuine relationships and of course the ever flowing Italian wine. Rita doesn't skimp on the details and her warm heart radiates not just her passion for cooking but her love for people and her country, sharing her love for her childhood towns growing up and her very own family as well. As icing on the cake, you get to hang out with Alex who helps out not just with the classes themselves but brings beautiful musical talent to the evenings and a wonderful night of Karaoke. A once in a lifetime experience that still resonates with us and we will definitely be going back - we miss Rita already!

Rita began reaching out to me about a week before may arrival time in order to arrange airport pick-up. From the time I arrived she treated me like family.

When I arrived there was a warm welcome and lots of delicious foods.

The classes were fun and simple and we had a great time enjoying the foods we made, especially in the evenings when we all gathered for authentic Italian dinners full of laughter and sometimes singing and dancing.

The tours were nice and Rita was very informative all the way. She went out of her way to make sure everyone in the group was comfortable and content.

The trip exceeded my expectations.

Everything about this week in Tuscany was wonderful. From the time we all arrived, Rita was so welcoming and as a solo traveler myself, made me feel right at home. It was a week filled with amazing food, lots of wine, many laughs, and fun day trips/adventures. The personalized touches that Rita adds with her family history in the area adds experiences that you wouldn't get anywhere else. Rita is a phenomenal chef who was gracious enough to share her delicious family recipes and fill each cooking class with so many different cooking elements and dishes. We never went hungry! La Mezzaluna is in the beautiful countryside and as long as you're comfortable navigating country roads; a scenic place to walk in the morning. I loved everything about this week and already want to go back. I highly recommend choosing to spend your cooking holiday with Rita!!

The cooking experience was incredible. Learning a new way to make risotto blew me away. All of the dishes we made were great. We would sit down for dinner and look at each other and say I am full and can't eat any more. Then the food we made would be brought to the table and we would all just keep eating.

Rita is so much fun and enjoyable. I had fun and laughs the whole time. I loved the way we went to where she grew up and got to see places that most tourists never go. We went to Barga and I got to watch the church bell ringers ring the bells for 15 minutes. How many people get to go to a polenta festival? It was so much fun going to all of the places we went to.

I don't usually write reviews of things I do, places I go, or things I buy, but I can't recommend Rita and her class enough. It was one of the highlights of my life.

From the moment we arrived for our 4 night stay Rita made us feel at home. Rita is the most warm and welcoming host. Our experience was so enjoyable from the amazing cooking classes to the touring of nearby Barga, Pisa and Luca. So much delicious food, wine and friendship. Such a highlight of our trip to Tuscany! We will miss Rita and hope to return one day. If you are considering this experience....DO IT!!!

The hostess and instructor, Rita Lucherini, is an awesome and talented chef. She offers a wonderful Italian cooking experience set in the beautiful mountains of Tuscany. One of the best vacations I have ever had.

Rita’s warm hospitality, excellent itinerary and patient teaching skills made us so comfortable in and out of the kitchen. We loved cooking and exploring the little towns nearby. This week will not soon be forgotten. We felt cared for and better than family!

If you are looking for great hospitality, making new friends in Italy & learning how to cook Tuscan Style, this is the place to go!

Cons: Like most of Italian homes there is no air conditioning and in August when we were there it was very hot. The Accomodations are clean and adequate but not luxurious.

Pros: Rita is an amazing chef & teacher, friendly, accommodating, flexible & generous. She does everything to make your holiday wonderful. The 7-days we were there included several side trips into the communities surrounding the B&B including Barga, Lucca and Pisa. We saw a local “market day” and skipped our “seafood cooking class” to spend our 49th anniversary taking the train to Florence for the day.

The experience was extraordinary.

Rita is a great teacher and person. Very concerned and attentive that everyone was having a good time.

It was an incredible vacation surrounded by food, Tuscan villages and a great group of people.

100% recommended.

An absolutely amazing five days (thank you Rita!). The course was fantastic - i was a solo traveller and Rita made me feel at home right away with great home cooked food. Once the other guests arrived we had an amazing week with a mix of visiting beautiful local towns and immersive, helpful, courses in cooking our favourite Italian foods.

It was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience overall, the setting of La Mezzaluna is quite stunning - every meal is spent looking at an amazing mountain range over a picturesque town! Rita catered for all our needs and I did not want for anything. I dont think I have consistently eaten or drank so much fantastic food and wine on a holiday! This is a great trip for solo travellers looking for a way to experience a different side of Italy, to meet some lovely new people and come away with new skills!

Rita is a wonderful host and instructor! She makes you feel as if you are a part of her family. She is warm and flexible and truly wants her guests to have a robust cooking and cultural experience. I had a wonderful stay and learned a lot! I loved seeing her home town and other sites she knows so well. The vineyard was a great trip!

Rita is a wonderful host. The program is varied, so you get to see the area including a day trip to Pisa and Lucca, short trips to smaller towns and informative and enjoyable trips to wineries.

Our room was spacious and the bed was very comfortable.

The cooking lessons gave us the opportunity to learn many new recipes from Rita’s family and to enjoy meals we cooked with her.

She is charming and so much fun to be around. She is always willing to go out of her way for her guests.

From the moment I was picked up in Pisa, the five-star service began. Rita, Alex, & Ricardo really know how to treat their guests. The room was immaculately cleaned, and the bed was so comfortable. The views from La Mezzaluna were breathtaking! The cooking classes were informative, and Rita made sure they were fun. All of the outings were amazing. Rita took us to some spectacular medieval villages in the area, as well as two vineyards for wine tasting. I was blessed with a great group of people to share in this adventure. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much. This was the holiday of my lifetime!!!!

Everything!

Rita is great! all HEART! she is accommodating and willing to provide whatever you need to make you feel good and as family.

We had the best experience - the rooms are clean and getting treated daily with all needs; Yes, they are not new but who cares if we all day out visiting places, or in the kitchen or with Rita and the group dining, drinking wine or having an evening fun - cards, karaoke and more; the classes and lessons are informative and hands on.. Rita is flexible and will teach you whatever you ask her with lots of patience..

Staying in the bed and breakfast, cooking in their kitchen, and touring as group. Having all the transportation covered once we arrived in Italy. We cooked so much food but also got to see several classic Tuscan villages. Vineyard tours were excellent. By the end of the week we felt like family all thanks to Rita.

I couldn’t have asked for a better solo trip than this one with La Mezzaluna. From the moment I walked in I was treated like family. We made incredible food, drank plenty of wine and had lots of laughs.

I really liked the balance of site seeing and cooking lessons. The different villages we visited were beautiful and Rita was an excellent tour guide. The cooking classes were informative and FUN…not intimidating. Rita was always happy to explain what she was doing and offer alternatives on the spot.

Rita, Alex and the staff are warm and very hospitable. By the end of the trip we all felt like family. It’s sad to leave like this, but the memories will last a lifetime. Book this trip! You will not be disappointed!

Cooking classes were 3 hour of cooking every night, learned do much. Every day Rita was our tour guide to a different Tuscany city. The 2 wine tours were very informitive

The week we spent at La Mezzaluna was amazing and such a great experience. Rita was an exceptional lady in making sure we had the best time either in the kitchen or at the different places we visited. I learnt a load of tips in the cookery lessons and will put them to good use. A great week all round!

The entire experience was fabulous, from the location ,to the food and the hosts. Rita was an exceptional host and I learnt a great deal of Italian cooking from her. I would rate this the best experience of my trip in Italy.

Kat V. from United Kingdom.

I wanted to say a huge thank you to our host Rita, an experienced chef and amazing person, for a well-organised and full of fun holiday! I gained numerous cooking skills and was given a great insight into the Italian culture. Rita, Alex and Riccardo have made this holiday a dream come true and I can’t wait to visit Tuscany again.

Rita was friendly, helpful, and made the entire experience relaxing and enjoyable.

Being toured around by a local and learning some of the long ago and more recent history, and it’s connection to Rita and her family, really added a lot to the trip and made it interesting.

I left feeling well-rested and happy from a fantastic vacation, as well as feeling confident in preparing some of the recipes Rita taught, and feeling inspired to try my hand at new Italian dishes.

I've been a digital nomad since my early 20s and have always just bummed it in hostels and cheap airbnbs. Now as I'm approaching 30 I have this sudden urge to just drink wine and cook food. Well this was exactly what this experience offered. Plus on top of that it was jam packed with excursions and activities, which frankly I didn't expect when I first signed up (i didnt read).

Rita is a gem of a lady and don't be put off that your italian cooking is taught in a Scottish accent - her Italian seemed just fine.

Make sure you slow down on the wine tasting - although it would be hard once it starts flowing.

Had exceptional care from start to finish. Rita’s attention to detail makes everything work like clockwork. Nothing is too much trouble. Had some fabulous experiences and can’t wait to buy my first pasta machine.

My daughter and I stayed and cooked with Rita for a week during Dec. 2019, we couldn't have asked or wished for a more authentic Italian experience!! We learned so much about Italian home-cooking, ate too much and drank way too much of Alex's wine on tap! Rita and Alex really made this a "I want to go again" experience - the beautiful town, Barga, where we stayed, the countryside, the places we were taken to - it was amazing!

The Mezzaluna experience was the perfect combination of some hands-on cooking, small group visits to sights (in a relaxed and low key way) and some alone time. Rita was a wonderful host and chef; she made us all feel at home, involved everyone in the group and shared her vast knowledge and experience to help us learn in a fun way. She was also very accommodating to the group's wishes. The food was so delicious! And the bonus was being in a beautiful and serene setting, wine and music courtesy of Alex and warm hospitality from Eleanora. Transportation pick up & drop off also made this very easy. And we had a special, internationally mixed group which made for fun and interesting conversation. Perfect for a solo traveler. I also really loved walking Lucca and Barga. Highly recommend! Thank you, Rita and Alex for such a memorable experience!

Rita is a fantastic host and tutor. A very likeable person.

The group mixed very well and we are looking forward to our reunion.

Alex does karaoke and kept us topped up with wine.

It is a well balanced short holiday which combines trips out with lunches and fun cooking lessons when you get back. You don't need to know how to cook or have any experience. Everyone helps each other.

Don't forget, they collect you from the airport and take you back and everything is included in the price.

Our group of seven had a wonderful time during our week with Rita and Alex! The cooking classes were fun and informative, and all the food was delicious. Alex's wine was also incredible, and it was a treat to be able to sample so many different varieties. We really enjoyed the opportunity to explore Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Lucca, Barga, Sommocolonia and Pisa - particularly since Rita gave us the flexibility to explore a bit on our own and meet back at a specific time and location, so we weren't committed to sticking with the group the whole time.

The B&B itself was nice and comfortable - not fancy, but a clean, nice space. There was also a small laundromat just a very short walk down the road, so we were able to wash clothes while we were there as well. The included breakfast was lovely - coffee, tea, meats and cheeses, yogurt, croissants, fruit, cereal, etc. - and the doors were open throughout the day if we wanted to come downstairs for a snack or another glass of wine. It was all just very comfortable and relaxed, and Rita and Alex were so warm and welcoming!

We loved the daily excursions...then back to prepare our lunch....then later ...prepare dinner....then later...karaoke...our hosts..Rita and Alex were...amazing!! Sharing our stories with them...sharing great food ..great wine...and great company with our group. Rita was very flexible with meal times...and sight seeing.

Where to start about how amazing this holiday was. Rita and Alex are second family to me now. The food, the unlimited wine, the location, the excursions, the lessons, the good company and entertainment. It was truly a dream come true. As a solo traveller and someone who hadn’t done anything like this before, I was an anxious traveller. Rita was very gracious at answering all of my questions and helping. From the moment we arrived at the gorgeous rustic spot in the middle of the Tuscan countryside and greeted with a prosecco, I knew it would be an amazing week. If you’re expecting new build five star accommodation, then this isn’t for you. The rooms are clean and have a gorgeous rustic charm and this is how you should experience this kind of holiday. Please ignore the reviews that dwell on this. It’s true in that you come as strangers and leave as family. I’m so pleased to be part of the LaMezzaluna family and I can’t wait to come back. I’ll also be making all the dishes in due course! A big thank you to Rita, Alex, Manuela and all the company. I’ll never forget it.

From the moment we arrived, Rita and Alec treated us like friends and family. We were invited to settle into our rooms and then enjoy a lovely afternoon snack with wine sampling.

I loved it all! Rita makes you feel like you’re at home from the moment you arrive. Her culinary and people skills exceeded all expectations. The culinary vacation is a perfect balance of relaxing, learning, exploring and connecting with interesting people who are passionate about Italian food and culture. The views from La Mezzaluna will take your breath away, and the Italian cuisine will have you wanting even more. I loved the trips to the nearby villages; I was given a glimpse into even more of the beauty of Tuscany and its’ people. It was very difficult to say goodbye after 5 days. I only wish I had done the 7 day experience, but I hope to return one day. Rita is an incredibly special person. Thank you Rita for creating memories to last a lifetime. I do hope I’ll get back to La Mezzaluna one day.

Kara

What a fantastic vacation! You arrive at La Mezzaluna as a guest and you leave feeling part of the family. Rita, Alex and Ricardo welcome you with open arms.

You could truly sense that Rita loves what she does, and this was demonstrated in her food and her teaching.She has created a perfect balance between cooking classes, tours(Pisa, Barga, Lucca and more),wine tasting tour, eating and relaxing.

If you are looking for an personalized vacation filled with delicious food, good company, and fantastic views, this is the trip for you

The whole experience here was amazing from being picked up at the airport and taken back.My friend and I felt so looked after by Rita and Alex nothing was too much trouble.

Rita goes out of her way to ensure you see as much as possible while you are staying and the food and wine is wonderful the cookery lessons are so much fun! can’t recommend it enough.

This was an amazing experience for me. It was a perfect balance between several educational cooking lessons, offsite tours (Pisa, Luca, Barga, etc.), eating, relaxation and just having fun. All set in a beautiful setting in Tuscany. Rita is phenomenal chief and a very gracious host along with Alex. This was definitely time and money well spent. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Michael - Chicago

I felt like family as soon as we got there. Alex and Rita did everything in their power to make us feel at home, whether it was eating, drinking, touring, talking, sleeping.. It was a truly all inclusive trip.. Felt at home and learned so much about Italian Tuscan cooking... Learning about the Tuscan way was everything I thought it was going to be but better because we lived with the locals, ate with the locals, even learned some Italian gestures to get by when Rita was not close by. Wine flowed like water which was delightful but the best was Rita and Alex and Ricardo did everything in their power to keep me on my Lactose Free diet.. They went shopping for milk and cheeses just for me and I was so overwhelmed that I could enjoy all the Tuscan cooking... Rita will be my sister from another mother...

Alex , Ricardo, and Rita were so fabulous. They treated us like family with smiles and hugs everyday. Could not have asked for a better holiday. Thanks again to our Italian family.

I loved everything about this trip. It was for my son and his 21st birthday, but the area , the classes, Rita, Alex and Ricardo, the meals and wine were all amazing. I could not recommend this trip more! I felt very at home, if you needed anything you just had to ask!

The warmth and familial experience that we felt at La Mezzaluna with Mama Rita was unparalleled. Not only was Rita´s homegrown cooking instruction exceptionally seasoned with prowess and years of observing the culinary techniques of her Italian mother, but the kitchen was delightfully filled with constant laughter, a medley of arresting aromas and instant community.

This culinary holiday is planned to perfection with the most ideal mix of cooking, eating, wine tasting, resting, walking through the most picturesque parts of Tuscany and just enjoying the new community that manifests from La Mezzaluna´s atmosphere.

It is the best way to step into the Italian culture and be forever changed. Grazie mille!

This trip and cooking experience was fun from start to finish

If you're even slightly interested in Italian food, or scenery, or history, or wine, or just having a great time with wonderful people, come and spend a week with Rita, Alex and Ricardo! The whole week was excellent fun, and right from being picked up from the airport it felt as though I was visiting extended family; trips to the nearby towns where Rita would tell us all sorts of interesting local facts, cooking classes that were hilarious and informative, wonderful alfresco dinners overlooking the valley with plenty of wine to accompany, followed by a bit of karaoke ;) Rita, Alex and Ricardo are some of the warmest, most beautiful people you will ever meet - nothing was ever too much trouble, and they went out of their way to make sure everything was comfortable. 10 / 10 will be going back!!

It was just what I had hoped for. Lovely rustic accommodation in Tuscany. Rita was there to meet me at Pisa airport and was just lovely right from the start. There were six of us from all over the world for this 5 day course, and as a solo traveler just felt comfortable with this holiday and the group. Everything was included in the holiday. It was a great blend of sightseeing and cooking. The cooking classes were so much fun and has given me more confidence with cooking pasta and pizza now. This holiday was worth the 24 hour flight from Sydney.

The whole Package / Experience

Cooking and dining with Rita & Alex at Mezzaluna was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Rita's style of cooking and tuition suited me; informal, fun and informative. I learned a lot about the basics. The results were delicious and the group and I enjoyed wonderful lunches & dinners al fresco on the terrace. I also loved the touring in the local towns and villages, and my friend and I lucked out with a lovely group to share the experience. Breakfast is good and there is plenty of still water or wine provided.

I would recommend this holiday if you want to relax in beautiful Tuscany, gazing at the hills as you dine, and to have fun cooking and to taste many good local wines ; - )

This vacation exceeded all my expectations! We saw and experienced Tuscany like the locals do and avoided the tourist traps. We had custom tours, our wonderful cooking classes, great food and wine and entertainment. Can't say enough about how wonderful this vacation was! Rita is a gem, your personal tour guide and great instructor. She makes everyone feel like family and you can't wait to come back.

It was a home from home experience. Rita and Alex made us feel very much part of the family. We smiled all of the time and were treated like gold. Rita works tirelessly to ensure that all runs smoothly. Her cooking lessons are first class, and lots of fun. The excursions were well planned and extremely interesting. Magic happens at La Mezzaluna.

For me, I did not participate in the class, Instead I took pictures and ate the creations and the wine! Rita provided the group with various tours of local places that were my other highlights.

Meeting new friends over excellent wine and food.

Just th right combination of cooking lessons, sightseeing and relaxing

This week gave a broad and enjoyable introduction to everyday traditional dishes. The programme was so arranged as to see the food journey from soil to table and to appreciate the local life, history and influences of the area.

My heart is full in thinking back on our time with Rita, Alex and Ricardo! Rita has a spirit so stunningly beautiful and a home so incredibly welcoming that our whole group came in as strangers, felt immediately cared for, nourished and welcomed, so we settled in as if we were at our favorite family home and had the best time ever getting to know each other, laughing, singing, being silly, cooking, and relaxing. We left as best friends planning our next reunion! Rita read our energy levels and both showed us how to do more than we thought possible and provided the perfect times of relaxation when we needed it. Her patience and joy was such a delight with half of our group not being the cooking type and who were more there for the fun and food :-) - she gave us both in full measure!! The food was plentiful, delicious and so much fun to make. We were there in the high heat of August, but the nights cooled down beautifully. The location is gorgeous. This was a short stop for us in a 3 week European tour, but this was, no question, the highlight! Thank you again, Rita! Hugs and can't wait to do it again!!

Rita, our host and cooking instructor was extremely welcoming and kind! I thoroughly enjoyed the week learning and making pasta, fish, pizza, pastry tarts and our excursions to neighboring regions. Rita even added a few items to the cooking lessons that I had never experienced- ie. Octopus! Also, enjoyed being in a fun group of individuals from other countries...lots of laughs, singing and wine!! This is my third cooking school vacation in Italy, it was great to experience and learn different techniques/styles compared to instructors from other regions throughout Italy.

As a novice solo traveller I found the experience really refreshing. I felt at home straight away and was made feel very welcome. The cooking experience mixed with touring the local area was perfect, Rita and Alex make a great team. I highly recommend this trip, especially for female solo travellers.

Staying at La Mezzaluna did not feel like a hotel or a school, I felt I was visiting relatives who would invite me to cook with them.

The story of how I ended up going on this trip is an interesting one but I wouldn't change the outcome for anything in the world.

Rita was AWESOME (inside joke for the amazing group who went to this trip).

Her level of energy and patience was unparalleled to anyone, and the other attendees made me feel, as a solo traveler, I was meant to be with them.

The food was great, wine was always present, and now I wish I paid more attention to the pie making lessons.

Overall it was a great experience.

The program is excellent for a first introduction to Italian cooking and Tuscany. Rita is super friendly and you feel immediately at home, only you don't have to clean up the mess in the kitchen :-) We were busy with nice activities besides cooking and eating, but also had enough free time to rest. Friends and family would also stop by for visits and sometimes dinner, adding to the homey feel. I had luck that there were several festivals so the evenings were also fun. And the wine is almost never-ending, starting with an aperitif around 11 am til as late as you want. The airport pick-up/drop-off service is also great. Overall an excellent worry-free vacation!

Rita is an Italian treasure! She made us immediately feel like a part of her family. The classes are wonderful, Alex’s wines are delicious, and the food is delectable!

I have, for my entire adult life, dreamed of taking a culinary vacation in Tuscany. My time at La Mezza Luna met the expectations of that dream within the first few hours. Rita is genuine, hilarious, kind and a fantastic teacher. She became part of our group, interacting with us, sharing personal stories and getting to know us. The recipes she guided us through were both complex and simple -- but they were all delicious and, more importantly, doable by home-chefs. Rita's partner Alex was part of our group, as well. He kept the wine flowing and the karaoke machine warmed up. I can't say enough about this experience. I will never forget a single moment.

Rita was the perfect hostess; She was a natural, and Alex provided fantastic evenings of entertainment. I learnt so much about cooking delicious Italian recipes and made some fantastic friends who I will keep in contact with

Rita is very warm and welcoming. She is a fantastic host and knows her Italian cooking and passes down recipes that have gone down generation to generation. The day started with breakfast and we ended up (on a five day/4 night stay course) of visiting local towns on three of the mornings. The group was a nice size of six. We spent two afternoons making various pastas and sauces along with Focaccia bread on one of them, and pizza's on the second.

Rita was a delight to be with, very attentive and worked tirelessly to look after us. From the meet and greet at the airport, to serving drinks and guiding us around the towns she was great. The cookery lessons were lots of fun, very informative and the food we had delicious. Rita is obviously very knowledgably and happy to guide and support through all the cooking process. Breakfast was good, the all inclusive drinks great and the general atmosphere very relaxed and enjoyable. The 4 visits to the towns and villages were excellent, Rita really supported us with these and again tried very hard to provide a quality visit and experience. All in all a really fun, positive and learning experience. Well done Rita :-)

The whole 5 days were fabulous. From the location, scenery, atmosphere, food, wine, to the other guests. As a first time solo traveller i was made to feel very welcome and inclusive. The other guests were of similar age and we all got on very well. Rita our host was very hospitable and a lot of fun. Loved the sing along night! Thanks for a great experience Rita!

The food was amazing, the atmosphere was fun and very relaxed. I liked the cooking lessons, the food we made was amazing, the wines. Rita and Alex hosptality. Getting to see/experirence the beauty of northern Tuscany.

All and all a great experience. A must if you are in Italy!!!!

Welcoming into her home. Hospitality was excellent. Rita and Alex super enteetainment

The teaching, the company, the place... the food...

All-inclusive Rustic Tuscan Nirvana. Measured in terms of hospitality, quality and quantity of recipe preparation, value, and excursions, if rated from 0-5, this goes to 11! We took the 7-day course. Obligatory pasta, pizza, and tiramisu instructions were simple and glorious. Chef Rita offered the opportunity to craft other menus to personal tastes. We chose more rustic variations. All exceeded expectations. Whether it was going to the market, off-the-beaten-path journeys, or to the Vinery for a drink, we felt part of Tuscany. Brilliant/super/awesome experience!