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Amalfi Lemons & Vietri Ceramics™

Amalfi Coast Cooking Classes ~ 5 Days

Tie on your apron on the Amalfi Coast and learn how to prepare local antipasto, fresh pasta and sauces, main courses and desserts.  Discover Old World recipes prepared in a light and healthy style following the philosophy of the Mediterranean diet.  Farm-to-table ingredients and local fresh fish, meat and poultry raised in the countryside of Scala, in-season fruits and vegetables from her are key. The chef’s traditional recipes with new techniques include the preparation of an antipasto, first course – think pasta or risotto, second course and a dessert – and cooking with lemons!!!  Each class will have you cooking up a storm using delicious and healthy ingredients, with lunch or dinner to follow.  After the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.

Our Amalfi Lemons and Vietri Ceramics cooking program takes you on a culinary tour of the famed Amalfi Coast and its beautiful surroundings, all while you soak up the culture and visit fun artisan food stops and landmarks. You will visit Ravello, perched on its rocky outpost high above Amalfi, with its winding streets and alleyways and intriguing history. Spend time with our English-speaking guide and learn about artisan food, history, culture and Amalfi Coast ceramics, all the while enjoying food tastings along the way with a glass of Prosecco.

Amalfi Cooking Classes

Our Amalfi cooking program includes two hands-on cooking classes (you may always add on more if you like) with lunch or dinner. In each cooking class we use only fresh organic products that are seasonal. You will experience southern Italy’s cooking styles, foods and wines in this unique food lover’s program. Our Mediterranean cooking combines the finest ingredients to provide a healthy and balanced diet for your Amalfi Coast experience. Our chef uses local produce and ingredients to offer dishes based on fresh fish, together with a wonderful variety of vegetables, salads and fruit, everything served and cooked with first, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil to exalt the delicious natural flavors of foods, rather than hiding them under heavy sauces. You will also enjoy a limoncello making class where your chef will explain the history of lemons on the Amalfi Coast and share her family recipe for this delicious liqueur.

Amalfitano cooking is a classic here and includes a hint of influence from its past sea traders: Grecians, Arabs (who introduced exotic spices and added raisins and pine nuts), and of course, Neapolitans. In each class, you’ll learn how to prepare traditional foods, while learning about Amalfi’s historic past.  Prepare eggplant bites, stuffed zucchini flowers as antipasti, followed by rolling out scialatielli, Amalfi Coast pasta.  Fresh fish reigns, preparing it lemon style or with tomato, grilled or baked.  And, if meat is your favorite or vegetarian too, our Chef accommodates all. Dolce is a must and includes tiramisù al limone, using local Amalfi lemons, semi-freddo, an Italian ice cream dessert, crostata, Italian pie and delizia al limone, a speciality of the Amalfi Coast. The recipes use simple ingredients and can easily be recreated at home. After your class, enjoy the wonderful lunch or dinner prepared in class. Toast with a great glass of Aglianico, red, or Falanghina, white, wine and end with a sweet dessert.

In addition, if pasta is your favorite, you can choose to add on our Pasta Making Workshop where you will learn to make traditional, fresh, hand-made pasta step-by-step, or if you want to try your hand at something more sophisticated, you can add on our Advanced Cooking Class. This program is the perfect choice for any food lover.

Amalfi

The town of Amalfi is rich in culture and history. Perched on the coastline, Amalfi is dominated by its medieval Cathedral, il Cathedrale di Sant’Andrea, 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, the beautiful handmade Amalfi paper, and local lemon specialties such lemon soap and lemon liqueurs. Suggested is a stop in at one of the oldest and most famous pastry makers in southern Italy – dating back to the 1800’s. A look inside reveals a sweet showcase of chocolate-drenched eggplant flavored with pine nuts, liqueur and orange; fragrant ricotta pear tarts; candied lemon and orange dragged in dark chocolate; or festive pastries of the day! Whatever you decide to order, take a seat outside in the piazza at one of the small café tables that overlook the greatest people-watching site on the Coast.

Ravello

Ravello is hailed the ‘International City of Music’ and is known for its precious panoramic view from the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. The town 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 Delle Rose, or stroll down the path that leads to the Terrazzo dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity). This 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 typical whitewashed 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.

Amalfi Accommodations

Choose from the Amalfi 4-Star or BB&

Amalfi 4-Star

Our elegant Amalfi 4-Star hotel, set in the heart of Amalfi, is a historical property facing the sea.  Each room has been decorated in traditional Mediterranean style, making for a warm and comfortable atmosphere.  Comfy bedding and Italian linens adorn each room – complete with an ensuite private bath.  All rooms have a sea view and are fully equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, mini-bar, safe and TV.  Experience the seawater pool, overlooking the sea – the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun.  Discover the property’s Mediterranean garden, growing organic vegetables and fruits which are used by the resident chef.

Amalfi B&B

Our charming Amalfi B&B is a cozy property set right in the heart of the historical center.  Rooms overlooking the bustling walkway and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.  Surrounded by artisan shops and restaurants and just a moment’s walk to Amalfi’s port, this property offers the perfect location for your Amalfi stay.  Rooms are big, bright and warmly decorated – from the luxurious bedspreads to Italian linens – to the Vietri tiles in each ensuite bathroom. Amenities include air conditioning, private bathroom, free wifi, minibar, safe, and satellite television.

 

Itinerary: 5 days, 4 nights

Saturday: Benvenuto & Chef’s Tasting Dinner

  • Pick-up and transfer from Naples airport or train station to the property.
  • Arrival and check-in. Refresh and relax.  Enjoy your Cooking Vacations welcome bag and Prosecco welcome toast.
  • Later in the evening, enjoy your Welcome Dinner featuring our Chef’s Tasting menu featuring a full course menu of local cuisine.  Wine not included.

Sunday: Cooking Class 1

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Following breakfast, tie on your apron for Cooking Class 1.  You will be slicing, dicing and preparing, hands-on antipasto, pasta, main course and dessert.  Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.
  • After lunch, discover Amalfi, meander its cobblestone streets, visit the cathedral or the Old World paper museum.
  • Later in the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

 Monday: Food Lover’s Tour Amalfi Coast & Ravello With Guide

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Following breakfast, meet our English-speaking guide for a Food Lover’s Tour of Amalfi.  then drive along the famed Amalfi Coast headed to the hilltop village of Ravello.
  • This Food Lover’s Walk starts in Amalfi and continues to Ravello –  leading you through gardens, pathways, by villas, into shops, artisans’ workshops and landmarks.  If  you love food and wine, you will truly enjoy this tour blending history, food tastings and Prosecco.  Staring in Amalfi, you’ll experience the best food, produce, wine, pastry and cheese.  As you discover the two beautiful towns,  you will learn, and experience ,stops along the way meeting local wine, cheese and bread makers, while learning food history and even a few recipes!  The tour ends in Ravello, after your visit and a glass of Prosecco in the piazza!!!
  • Later in the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

Tuesday: Excursion to Vietri And Ceramic Shopping

  • Drive along the Amalfi Coast to the small town of Vietri – which is famous for its artisan ceramics. Here you will see Old-World artisans producing the most beautiful ceramics and Vietri tiles –  there are tables made of volcanic rock and hand-painted with seascapes, grapes and lemons, or romantic angels and Mediterranean scenes. There are many different artisan workshops and styles.
  • Overlooking the sea, Vietri Sul Mare is internationally famous for the production of ceramics, an art which dates back to Medieval times and is still of prime importance to the town’s economic prosperity today.  Vietri ceramics even have their own protected brand name. Vietri is also a popular tourist destination with its quiet beaches and  historic Saracen Tower, originally built to keep Saracen invaders at bay. And inland, there are many beautiful mountain paths which are much loved by nature enthusiasts. Not to be missed; the town’s most important monument, the 17th-century Church of St. Giovanni Battista, with its majolica-covered dome dominating the town.   Also nearby is the beautiful Valle di Albori – the natural habitat of the carnivorous plant, Pinguicola Hirtifolia!
  • Later in the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

Wednesday: Check Out & Departure

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Departure transfer to airport or train station. Ciao e a presto!

*Note: This sample itinerary schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saints days; festivals.  All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the week.  Please note – museum tickets are not included in program price.

Program Includes:

  • Five days and four nights accommodations, based on two guests.  Choose from a villa-style B&B or 4-Star hotel withe sea view
  • Daily breakfast and maid service.
  • Welcome Dinner featuring our Chef’s Tasting menu featuring a full course menu of local cuisine.  Wine not included.
  • One hands-on cooking classes, preparing a full course menu.  Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.
  • Food Lover’s Walk of Amalfi & Landmark Tour of Ravello with private driver and English-speaking guide, tastings included.
  • Excursion to Vietri with private driver.
  • Round trip group transfers from Naples Airport or Naples Train station to Amalfi.
  • Cooking Vacations welcome bag with chef’s apron, Prosecco toast and recipe booklet.
Program Prices

$2,495 per person, based on 2 guests in a charming boutique B&B with balcony in the heart of Amalfi.

$3,095 per person, based on 2 guests in a 4 star superior room with swimming pool in the heart of Amalfi.

$3,195 per person, based on 2 guests in a 4 star deluxe room with swimming pool in the heart of Amalfi.

For Single Guests: If you are traveling on your own, please call us for the best group price. We are happy to welcome you into an already scheduled group.

Check Availability

2024 Dates: This program is available throughout the year. Check in is on Saturday, but you may check in and start your cooking program any day of the week. If you check in on any other day besides Saturday, you simply start your program on that day and pick up that day’s activities. You will have all your activities included. This program is available 12 months per year. Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates. Airfare not included. Group transfers for any cooking tour or tours that include transfers, are for the group and are not private. Transfers before, after or to another destination outside of your cooking tour are not included in the program price. If you would like to add on a private transfer or transfers, let us know and we will send you pricing.

 

ROUND TRIP TRANSFERS

*Round trip group transfers from Naples Airport/Train to Positano and from Positano to Naples Airport or Train Station are included in your program.  1 transfer per group each way.

ARRIVAL-Arrival transfers from Naples Airport going to Amalfi are at scheduled 1:00pm and 4:00pm; and from Naples train station to Positano at 3:00pm, in consideration of international arrivals. Departures leave promptly at the scheduled time.  If you cannot make the scheduled group transfer time, a special transfer can be reserved for you, please call for pricing.

DEPARTURE-Departure from the property in Positano to Naples Airport or Train Station are at 4am and 10am (in heavy traffic conditions, departures may start 30 minutes prior). 10am is the official property check out time on the morning of your departure. If you would like a private transfer, please call for pricing.

City taxes, which vary, are not included and must be paid by each guest on site at the time of check out.  Please call us if you have any questions.