Join Chefs Rosa, Roberto & Luigi as they lead you in hands-on cooking classes in Positano-for a week of food, wine and sun-filled days.  Our chefs share their Neapolitan recipes with you making pizza, fresh pasta, antipasto, fish, meat and desserts.  This program features the healthy Mediterranean diet.  This one-of-kind cooking experience is set our luxurious Villa, a private property, perched on the Amalfi Coast and overlooking the pastel village of Positano.
 
Positano
Positano is a little Moorish-style village, discovered by American and British troops at the end of World War II. Opening onto the Tyrrhenian Sea, this small town first attracted artists including the famous writer John Steinbeck.  Steinbeck called Positano ‘a dream place’.  Positano's narrow winding streets are lined with tint cafés, terraces, and artisan shops selling ceramics, Limoncello, antiques and the distinctive Positano- style handmade clothes.  Walk the cobblestone footpath, the little street that leads down to the beach, lined with local artists selling their crafts.  Visit the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Piazza Flavio Gioia, a Romanesque structure that was completely rebuilt in 1700. The locals of Positano celebrate the feast day of the church every August 15th, as they carry the statue of Maria Assunta along the beach accompanied by a parade of musicians.  A spectacular fireworks display follows under the stars, with boats arriving in hundreds to watch and celebrate from the sea.  Stroll the beach and visit the famous L’Incanto Ristorante dotted with straight lines of orange beach chairs and umbrellas or hop on a boat to along the coast.   Spring, summer and fall months are most colorful in this seaside town, however the off-season months still have a moody quiet charm all of their own.
  
The Villa Property
Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in the seaside resort of Positano is the Villa, an elegant and charming structure that has a rich history and culture. Each suite in the Villa is decorated with stylish antiques and furnished with modern comforts. Cool, pastel ceramic tiles line the floors, a collection of rare artifacts and paintings deck the walls, and high vaulted white ceilings give each room a lofty feel.  Modern amenities include, a private bathroom with tub and shower, a spacious living room, and a tiled terrace with the breath-taking sea view top each suite.  Elegant furniture adorns each room, and a full-stocked kitchen with china, pans, silverware, and cooking accessories line the shelves.   Spacious floor-to-ceiling windows spill out on to the terrace and showcase a panoramic sea view that spans Li Galli Islands and Positano. There is an air of centuries-old charm surrounding the Villa. Its unmatched setting of sea and sun make it one of the most desirable luxury properties on the Amalfi coast.  A few steps down the Villa's ancient stone walk is Positano's town center. After each cooking class, participants eat the fruits of their labor on the terrace under the Bougainvillea arbor.
 
Lemon Lifestyles
The hands-on cooking classes, take place in our rustic Mediterranean kitchen and includes Neapolitan recipes made with seasonal produce. Following each lesson, cooking class participants eat the fruits of their labor. Wine, café and dessert are included.

The Lemon Lifestyles program also includes one cooking class during the week that features an "all lemon menu" from the first course to the dessert.  Learn how to make lemon infused antipasto, lemon pasta, and lemon torte -an exclusive at Cooking Vacations International.

The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi region and the Sorrento Peninsula have attracted travelers, explorers, emperors, artists and poets for centuries. The mesmerizing colors, dramatic coastlines, year-round warm climate and hospitable people make the region a heavenly seaside destination.  One of our adventurous excursions takes you from a private villa to the cobblestone streets of ancient Ravello, driving you through the winding Amalfi Coast past villages and vineyards that are nestled between the jagged cliffs. Each turn on the road is a treasure to behold, and the beginning of a memory that will last a lifetime.
 
Regional Italian Cooking Classes
Our program includes three hands-on cooking lessons featuring local recipes of the region with our chefs, as they take you from appetizer, to main course, to dessert using only the freshest local ingredients.  Our morning market tour visit, where we buy the ingredients for our class, is a feast for the eyes.  

Positano Regional Sample Menu

Arancini-hand-made rice balls, stuffed with cheese, peas, meat and flash-fried to a golden crisp
 
Focaccia & Pizza-fresh hand-made dough baked in a wood-burning oven topped with Rosemary and fresh cherry tomato.
 
Fresh Pasta & Ravioli

Fresh Orata & Foglie di Limone- fresh caught-sea bass grilled on lemon leaves

Pasta con Vongole- pasta with sea clams
 
Zucca & Pasta-fresh country pumpkin sautéed with pasta
 
Tittoli-fried polenta triangles
 
Melanzane Ripiene-stuffed eggplant
 
Pesce all’Acqua Pazza-Fish in "Crazy Water" with fresh tomato, white wine, garlic and parsley
 
Totani & Patate-local calamari sautéed with potato and pasta
 
Risotto Alla Milanese-slow cooked rice with meat
 
Manzo Brasato Al Barolo-beef slow cooked with celery, onion and brandy

Torta di Capri -almond chocolate cake from Capri
 
Torta di Limone- tasty lemon cake made with almonds and lemons
 
Zeppole-a light fried pastry filled with cream and dusted with powdered sugar
 
Biscotti-Italian cookies flavored with almond, orange or lemon
 
*This is just a sample of our regional menu

Itinerary: 8 days 7 nights
~ Saturday to Saturday
 
Saturday:
Benvenuto & Welcome Dinner

• Pick-up and transfer from Naples airport or train station to the property.
• Arrival and check-in to your Villa suite. Each suite overlooks the sea and has a private terrace. You will have time to relax on your terrace or explore the area. Walk to the center of town or take the interno positano bus, the little orange bus that sweeps you off to Piazza Mulini. Take the afternoon to visit Positano. Stop at the Piazza for a gelato or Limoncello.
• In the evening, we have a welcome dinner at our favorite restaurant in Positano, built in a grotto and serving the best homemade pasta, fish and desserts, you will love the special Chef’s Tasting menu. (Wine, grappa and after dinner digestives are available at the restaurant at a surcharge).
  

Sunday:
Discover Positano ~ Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Take the day to discover Positano, and stroll through the cobblestone streets.
  Visit the 18th century courtyard of the Palazzo Murat. Stroll the stone pathway, visit the Spiaggia Grande, or take a seaside walk on the Via Positanesi d'America. In the piazza at the beach see our friend and local artist Pasquale Volpe, who paints the people and landscapes of Positano in watercolor.
• Head to Fornillo for a lunch with the family. Join Mamma Celeste, Guido and Marco for seaside lunch on the beach.  Lunch included.
• After lunch, go for swim in the sea, or stroll the promenade. Walk the footpath that overlooks Positano for a panoramic view that spans the Islands and the Coast.
   
  Cooking Class 1
  In the evening, your first hands-on cooking class.  Dinner follows and everyone eats the dishes prepared in class together.  Local wine and dessert included.
   
  After dinner, take a walk to the beach and visit the fabulous café and music bar, "Music On The Rocks", carved in natural rock formation, or “Buca”, where you can dance under the stars, or sit outside at a café table by the sea.
  

Monday:
Capri, Italy’s Glamorous Seaside Island & The Blue Grotto

• Breakfast is served.
• A full day visit to the Isle of Capri, where you can choose to see the Blue Grotto- the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ or stroll along the port. The Blue Grotto has a special cavern entrance where the sunlight reflects on the water in the cave, tingeing it a dramatic Mediterranean cerulean shade of blue. Capri is Italy's most popular and glamorous seaside island and is just twenty minutes away. Once in the port of Capri, you can choose to take the funicular up to the famous Piazza Umberto. This square, better known as ‘la piazzetta’, is perched high above the sea and offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Naples. You can also choose to visit Anacapri-the highest point on the island. In town, you can shop at world-class luxury boutiques and shops or simply enjoy a Limoncello in the piazzetta.
•  ***Reserve a private tour on the Island Capri with Paolo, our charming driver and tour guide. He will bring you to the highest peak in Anacapri, to hidden gardens and villas where Emperors reigned. Full 4 hour excursion in sporty red convertible Capri Car. $275 per group, up to 6.
• Evening free and dinner is on your own. Suggestion:  Tre Sorelle.  Tell Luigi you were recommended by Cooking Vacations.
  

Tuesday

• Breakfast is served.  Take the morning and sail to Laurito for an afternoon lunch away from the crowds, we can reserve your complimentary trip for the day.
• If fish is your fancy, let us reserve a day along the Amalfi Coast by boat with Captain Salvatore.  He sails along the coast, stopping to fish along the way, which will be your fresh catch of the day.  This full day excursion, which is an extra charge of $165-with a full course lunch at his favorite family-owned trattoria includes cooking in the kitchen with Salvatore, chef and company for a fun-filled day of sun, food and sea!
  
  Cooking Class 2
  Lemon Lifestyles
  The Lemon Lifestyles Cooking Class starts out with a little history on the zesty lemons that grow in abundance on the Amalfi Coast. You will learn the characteristics of the Amalfi lemon and all of its uses in cooking. Our chef will lead the way in this hands-on cooking class with a lemon-infused antipasto, fresh hand-made lemon pasta, local fish or chicken seasoned with lemon, and Amalfi lemon cake. Everyone eats the fruits of their labor on the terrace accompanied by good company, wine, dessert and café.
  

Wednesday
Cooking With Mamma Rosa

• Breakfast served.  
   
  
  Mozzarella Cheese & Cooking Class
  A UNIQUE FOOD & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
  
  
• Join Chef Rosa for an early morning departure at 9:ooam to our hillside farmhouse. You will spend the morning touring the property, where their organic products are hand-made including olive oils, jams, Limoncello and jarred vegetables. This cooking experience is an opportunity to partake in artisan Mozzarella and old-word cheese making class. She takes fresh milk and works it into creamy cheese weaved into braids and twists. Then it’s off to the kitchen where you will learn and participate in a Neapolitan Pizza class or artisan pasta making. Roll up your sleeves for a morning of kneading and rolling the dough. She will teach you her technique for stretching and rolling the delicate dough into crispy creation hot from the wood-burning oven. The pasta class also takes you through the art of making fresh pasta. Then prepare your appetite for lunch, served on the terrace. Wine, water, dessert, Limoncello & cafe included. Departure at 9:00am, our driver will pick you up at your door.
  
• After lunch, stroll the organic lemon grove and pick your own sweet lemons. Bring them back to the kitchen for a lesson in Limoncello making. A tour of the olive groves and olive oil making depot is included-for a taste of the farm’s prized oil.
  
• Return to Positano by private transfer.
  
• In the afternoon explore Positano. Walk the “Path Of The Gods,” the footpath that overlooks Positano or take the orange pulmino up to the old village of Montepertuso for a panoramic view that spans Capri to the Cilento coast.
  
• Evening is free and dinner is on your own. Suggestion: Bar Bruno. Ask for Nino and tell him you are from Cooking Vacations.
  

Thursday
Amalfi Coast & Visit To Ravello

• Breakfast is served.
• In the afternoon, your chauffeur will pick you up and take you for a drive along the famed Amalfi Coast with the first stop in Amalfi.
• The town of Amalfi is rich in culture and history. The small city, perched on the coastline, is dominated by Amalfi’s Cathedral and its main streets are lined with small shops and elegant bars. Merchants display their wares outside and nothing could be more pleasant than browsing through stalls of herbs and spices, jewelry, shoes, handmade Amalfi paper, and local lemon specialties such as soaps and local lemon liqueurs. Take time out to shop or stop for a cappuccino and enjoy a few minutes of people watching.
• If you have a sweet tooth our driver will lead you to a famous café set on the sea, then get ready for a dessert like you have never tasted.   This famous pastry shop bakes a one-of-a-kind Amalfi dessert with chocolate drenched eggplant, flavored with pine nut, liqueur and orange, or you can try the fragrant Ricotta pear tart.  
• The afternoon continues with an excursion to Ravello. Ravello is perched 350 meters over the rocky spur of the Amalfi Coast separating the Valle del Dragone from the Valle del Regina. Today, Ravello is world-famous for its outdoor music concerts. Visit Villa Cimbrone, once the residence of Greta Garbo, wander through the lush gardens and the Terrazza Della Rosa, or stroll down the path that leads to the Terrazzo dell'Infinito, Terrace of Infinity. The natural balcony is adorned with imposing marble busts. From this unique vantage point you can see the distant Cilento Mountains and the Licosa beyond the sparkling sea, the lush Amalfi Coast, its distinctive terraces of colorful lemon trees, and the houses that cling to the rugged coastline. Stroll along the streets and alleyways and discover little gems of churches, chapels, and noblemen's residences. Also see the Cathedral, Villa Rufolo, San Giovanni del Tauro, and Santa Maria.  
• Return to Positano.
• Evening is free and dinner is on your own. Suggestion Grottino, ask for Nino.  
  

Friday
Pompei Excursion  

• Breakfast is served.  
• After breakfast you will begin your day with an early morning excursion to Pompei.  You will visit this famous seat of ancient Roman civilization near Naples whose ruins date back to 79AD. Discover and explore the ancient city that was covered by the eruption of Vesuvius, and unravel the ancient mystery of the Roman Empire. Visit Pompei's open-air museum and explore the labyrinth of paths that leads you through the ruins of the buried city. Take time out during your visit for a panino in the café near the forum.  A private tour guide is available for 2 hours at $275. Return to Positano.
• The evening is free and dinner is on your own.  Suggestion: Da Vincenzo. Ask for Vincenzo and tell him you are from Cooking Vacations.
  

Saturday: Departure

• Breakfast, transfer to airport or train station, departure.
  Ciao e a presto!
  

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