1-866-273-2500 | info@etadventures.com
Join us in Florence for a culinary adventure like no other. The "Taste of Tuscany" program offers a hands-on experience where you'll learn the art of Italian cooking at the renowned Cordon Bleu Florence. Explore Tuscany's rich culinary traditions, discover the secrets of local ingredients, and immerse yourself in the flavors that have made this region a food lover's paradise.
Sign up to receive information about our Summer 2026 program
What to Know
● AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED
● Minimum age requirement for this program: 16 years old
● Registration will be pending until the minimum group is met
● Deposits are fully refundable if group minimum is not met
Program Information
The City
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, serves as the perfect base for your culinary journey. Known as the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is an outdoor museum filled with stunning architecture, art, and history. The city's vibrant markets, local eateries, and historic sites offer a perfect blend of culture and cuisine. Florence is a walkable city with a welcoming atmosphere, where participants can safely explore its charming streets and discover the culinary treasures it has to offer. Through guided market tours, hands-on cooking classes, and organized excursions, participants will experience the essence of Tuscany both in and out of the kitchen.
A Typical Day
The program offers an immersive culinary experience that balances hands-on cooking classes with a variety of cultural and gastronomic activities. A typical day begins with a three-hour cooking class at Cordon Bleu Florence, followed by afternoons dedicated to exploring the culinary landscape of the region. Participants will enjoy activities such as a food tour at the San Lorenzo Market, a day trip to Bologna for a food tour and gelato-making workshop, and a visit to local vineyards and farms for truffle hunting, olive oil tasting, and cheese-making demonstrations. Additional highlights include a sunset picnic at Piazzale Michelangelo and a gelato tour in Florence, providing a well-rounded experience of Italian cuisine and culture.
24/7 Resident Advisor
The Resident Advisor will remain at the accommodation for the duration of the program to guide participants through activities and classes during the day as well as organize recreational activities in the afternoons and evenings. In addition to a resident advisor, the group will also be accompanied by a Program Director. Together, the two program coordinators will be available 24/7 for anything participants may need.
The School
The Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Florence, housed in the historic Palazzo Panciatichi Ximenes, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious cooking academies in Tuscany. Established over 30 years ago, the school combines deep-rooted culinary traditions with modern techniques, offering a comprehensive culinary education in a stunning 16th-century setting. The facility features three state-of-the-art kitchens and a specialized culinary library,
providing an ideal environment for both amateur and professional chefs to refine their skills.
The Course
Participants will have 20 hours of culinary instruction at Cordon Bleu Florence. The coursework is designed to immerse students in the art of Italian cooking, with 3-hour classes covering a range of traditional dishes. Topics include the preparation of Antipasti, mastering various Pasta shapes and sauces, the art of Pizza and Focaccia, Italian chicken dishes, Gnocchi and Risotti techniques, and the creation of classic Italian Dolci and Gelato. By the end of the program, participants will have gained practical skills and a deep appreciation for the traditions of Italian cuisine.
Accommodations
Social Hub Belfiore is a newly opened, self-contained accommodation and entertainment complex that has an in-house restaurant, music room, pool table, ping pong tables, rooftop pool, world-class gym, free wifi and study spaces. Participants will stay in modern air-conditioned twin or single rooms. The hotel has many indoor and outdoor spaces to indulge in everything from a quiet reading nook to a movie night. The hotel often organizes special activities and events like concerts and food festivals. Please note that participants under 18 will have organized and chaperoned free time outside of the hotel and will not be allowed to leave the hotel alone.
Highlights & Inclusions
● Program Orientation
● All Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
● Public transportation tickets in Florence
● Round Trip Train Ticket to Bologna
● 20 Hours Culinary Lessons at Cordon Bleu Florence
● San Lorenzo Market and Food Tour
● Bologna Food Tour
● Gelato Making Workshop in Bologna
● Gelato Tour in Florence
● Restaurant Kitchen Tours
● Truffle Hunting Experience
● Visit to the Florence Duomo
● Sunset Picnic Dinner at Piazzale Michelangelo
● Tour of Olive Oil Mill
● Tour of Cheesemaking Dairy Farm
● Visit to Agriturismo
● Resident Advisor in house for the duration of the program with 24/7 support
● Program Director in Florence for the duration of the program
● Transportation from the Florence Airport to Hotel on arrival and departure days
● Twelve nights hotel accommodation in Florence (The Social Hub Belfiore)
Why Travel with ETA?
I've been traveling for almost 30 years as an educator (and also lived and worked in a theatre in New York City for five years) and this is by far the most kind, educated, professional, and passionate staff! They take special needs and do exactly what is asked. Absolutely amazing, especially Liana and Michael.
Charles Sirmon
Alabama
We've been on 9 trips with ETA and I've got to say we have not ever been disappointed! They are a pleasure to work with for the planning and our guides always make us feel like they can fix any little problem that we might have. The trips are seamless ad well put together.
Robin McCarthy
Florida
We took over 40 people to NYC a few weeks ago, and I can't say enough about how fantastic the entire experience was. And Jo Young, our tour guide, was amazing. You guys handled everything from beginning to end and made our jobs as planners/chaperones so much easier!
Miranda Kuykendall
New Jersey
The trip widened his view of the world, his confidence in himself, and, he tells me, his facility with Spanish. The range of activities was great, and he came home a couple inches taller than he left (maybe literally!).
Jan
Pennsylvania
It's time for a culinary adventure!
Are you ready?
Contact
Connect
ETA is a tight-knit team of expert travelers, tour designers and caring people – all highly motivated to empower teachers to unlock the life changing potential of their classroom through educational tours.
