8 Day Italian Cooking Class Vacations in Tuscany, Italy
FOR Singles & Friends
Tuscany is world famous for its food, its rich culture and its stunning landscapes. Get lost in Florence’s tangle of ancient streets taking in the facades of its art-studded churches and museums. Take a walk around Lucca’s city centre which is almost completely closed off to traffic and surrounded by medieval walls – the ideal place to stroll around and window shop. Discover San Gimignano, a small hilltop city full of ancient towers, and a lovely place to while away the afternoon. There’s lots to discover on our Italian Cooking Holidays in Tuscany.
April, May, October in Tuscany are quite mild, not hot or cold. There are less tourists around and the cities are quieter. June and September are lovely and warm without being too hot. This is the ideal time to travel weather-wise but also the busiest time to be in Tuscany. July and August are the hottest & sunniest months. If you like the heat, this is the time to go.
Tuscany Cooking Vacation Itinerary
Day1 (Saturday)
Our Flavours transfer will meet you at Pisa Airport. We will then take you to the villa for welcome drinks on the terrace followed by dinner prepared by our local chef.
After breakfast you have your first cooking lesson with the chef, enjoying the results for lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy as you wish. Dinner is prepared at the villa.
Today we spend the day in Ho Chi Minh, previously known as Saigon. Our guided tour takes us past the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on the way to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office.
Let's try Pho (rice noodle soup) and eat lunch at Pho 2000. Maybe we can even sit at the same time President Clinton ate at. After lunch, we are head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, consisting of more than 200km of underground tunnels. The main tunnels have many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. 
Vacation Day 4: Ho Chi Minh – Da Nang - Hoi An
Today is a day at leisure. Explore the ancient city of Hoi An... visit the many historical sites, museums or shops. Travelers from all over the world come to Hoi An to have clothes, boots and shoes custom made. It is amazing everything is made, fitted and completed in one day! Need a break from city life then spend the day at the beach, it is very close by. just tale a tuk-tuk.
Vacation Day 7: Hue - Hanoi
Today we continue exploring Hanoi. Visit Ho Chi Min's Mausoleum and his living quarter. Despite Ho Chi Min's request to be cremated, like communist leaders before him, he was embalmed and put on display. A visit to his mausoleum is a somber experience. Next we visit The Hanoi Hilton (The Hoax Lo Prison) used by the North Vietnamese Army to house, torture and interrogate captured servicemen, mostly American pilots shot down during bombing raids. Today it is a museum.
In the morning we travel to Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage site. On the way we stop at the Hong Ngoc handicraft village for shopping. Then we continue on to Halong port where our Crew welcomes us onto the Junk.
Enjoy the beauty of a Halong Bay sunrise and a morning view of the Bay's landscapes with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served while we begin cruising the bay to visit Man's head Island, Tortoise Island and the Luzon Cave. Contine on our cruise through Bain Tug Long Bay passing Toad Island and Bain Thor mountain.
On arrival at the airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to the hotel. Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram IIm is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. Angkor Wat honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. This temple is the largest and most breathtaking temple of the whole complex and is 213 feet high and divided in several layers. The central part has four towers in the shape of a lotus flower and the most famous decorations of Angkor are the more than 300 heavenly nymphs (Apsara). 
Angkor Thom (Khmer: "Great City"), established in the late 12th century, was the last capital city. We enter the South Gate of this walled and moated royal city recaptured from the Cham invaders in 1181. The building of Angkor Thom began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas, then a grand enclosed city was built around them, adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor's greatest temples including the state-temple, Bayon, set at the center of the city. There are five gates to the city each crowned with 4 giant faces. Visit the Jungle Temple (Ta Prohm) where famous movies have been filmed. We round our day with dinner with Apsara show at one of the famous eating spot. O/N in Siem Reap
This morning, we will take a boat ride on Tonle Sap lake through Chong Khneas. See ordinary Cambodians going about their daily life in the floating village. Fishermen, boat-makers, markets, schools, spirit houses and waving children are always in plentiful supply on this mesmerizing scenic trip.
Today we spend our time seeing Phnom Penh with the Royal Palace, a complex of buildings which has served as the royal residence of the kings of Cambodia since it was built in 1866. The Silver Pagoda, located in the palace complex features a royal temple and houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues.
See Rome on the hop-on hop-off open-top double decker bus! This morning enjoy a full 360 degree panoramic view as we drive around Rome. We will hop off at the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps for some coin tossing and stair climbing.
Morning departure from Rome. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we get our first glimpse of the Amalfi coast. The Amalfi Coast offers one of the world's great drives so get your cameras ready. The winding cliff top road offers breathtaking panoramic views at every turn.
naval powers, with a population of some 70,000. There is still the odd remnant of Amalfi's past glories around today, and the town has a quaint attractiveness with it's whitewashed courtyards and alleys that are fun to wander through.
A cooking course is a truly unique experience. To travel and visit new countries also means to know the tastes and flavors. Our mid-morning lesson will consist of traditional Neapolitan cuisine with an emphasis on Amalfi recipes. This is a "demonstration" cooking course where you will learn about the natural ingredients used, which are fresh picked the very same morning of each class. Enjoy wine with your lunch that you helped prepare.
views of the entire coast. Perched on top of the mountain cliff situated above Amalfi and Minori. Ravello, famous for its breath-taking views, natural beauty and ancient monuments are presented at their best in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo (where our tour begins). In high season, these gardens are rich in sweet secants of blooming flowers, shadows of flora and perfume of lemons. Apart from the main cathedral, also situated in the square, and a history museum constructed in the basement of the cathedral, there are many other churches to visit given that there used to be a total of 13 churches in the village.
Vacation Day 5 - Amalfi
Our full-day boat excursion begins when we depart Amalfi and steer towards the nearby seaside towns of Maiori and Minori. Just beyond Maoiri is the marine cave called Pandora's Grotto, experience this beautiful natural wonder. Visit the nearby Marmorata Falls and view the majestic Ravello, the famous village of music, which is seated high on a cliff face towering over Amalfi.
Then you will sail by the Furore Fjord, cruise along the twin-mountain town of Praiano, continue towards the village of Positano, before steering out to sea to visit the mythical islands of Li Galli. The Amalfi Coast officially ends and the Sorrento Coast begins as we near Capri at Punta Campanella. Circle the island and visit the famous Blue Grotto (entrance optional), the Faraglioni rock formation and the White and Green Grottos before docking in Capri.
Enjoy a few hours on the beautiful island of Capri, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a coastal village inhabited by fishermen and sailors; explore marine caves; walk through masses of sheer rock and peer over precipices which drop dramatically into the sea; stroll through olive groves and orchards of lemon and orange trees; have lunch or browse through the boutiques, elegant hotels, artists studios, churches, and the remains of Roman villas.On the way back to Amalfi, stop for a swim in a picturesque location where it is possible to dive straight off the boat. Swim in some of the most beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, where the water is a deep blue color yet clear enough to see many feet below.
Step back in time as we walk through the ancient city of Pompeii. A thrilling archaeological journey unfolds as we explore the ancient ruins which were buried in ashes after Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 years ago. Discover the everyday life of Rome's Imperial age at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and imagine the panic felt by the people in those last few minutes before the city was buried.
terrace of tuff and is a city full of vegetation (its lemon trees are very famous). The city is said to originate from ancient Greece, but the old town shows a roman origin.
Enjoy your last views of the Amalfi Coast when we travel to the hamlets of Atrani, Majori and Minori. Atrani is an isolated fishing village, away from the noise and bustle; it is also the smallest town in the Southern Italy. The distinctive white houses whose balconies are overflowing with flowers are built on the slopes of the surrounding mountains among the lemon orchards and reach down to the sea. Maiori lies at the head of the Tramonti valley and is said to have been founded by the Etruscan Lucumone Rehginna, whose name was given to both the stream that divides the town (Reghinna Major) and the main road (Corso Reghinna).
After a stop for lunch in a restaurant along the coast, visit the town of ceramic… Vietri is a delightful town on a terrace overlooking the sea and is famous for its highly colorful ceramics that decorate most of the civic buildings and the facade of the Villa Guariglia… Villa Guariglia is an elegant and sumptuous villa located in Raito, a hamlet of Vietri sul Mare. Everything in the Villa is exactly the same as it has been left by the Ambassador Raffaele Guariglia: the pictures in the living room, the collection of painted and decorated mother of pearl fans (over 100), the silverware, porcelain, weapons and a rich library, composed by over 4000 books, some of which were written by the Ambassador.
Cruise Day 1: 
One of Norway's most beautiful towns, renowned for its Jugend-style architecture and art nouveau style. Cruise visitors will immediately notice Alesund's unique layout, as it is built on islands extending to the sea, and offers scenic views of fjords and the Sunnmore Alps. Alesund is the fishing capital of Norway. Explore more of Alesund on a European cruise!
Keiser Wilhelmsgate and pass market square and the prison. Next is Borgundveien, Ålesunds longest street and the previous main road to the city centre. Pass Volsdalen church and the "Color Line" Stadium. Now starts our climb up towards Fjellstua where we take a break to admire the spectacular mountain and sea views. On our way down we pass many historical sites and the city park before we drive past the oldest breakwater in Norway and the lighthouse from 1858. Then we cross Hellebroa which connects the two central islands Nørvøya and Aspøya together. On our way back to the cruiseterminal we'll pass lots of beautiful Jugend style houses.
View this lovely and charming Norwegian city from your cruise ship and you'll see how the city is nestled between seven mountains, seven fjords and the North Sea. The Norwegian King resided here, and many historical events took place in this busy port. These events come alive when you amble down the old streets of Bryggen, past picturesque, wooden buildings and the Romanesque-style St. Mary's church.
The Bergen Wharf was one of the offices of the Hanseatic League (an alliance of trading guilds established to maintain a trade monopoly). We stroll through the wooden tenements and delve into bygone days and the history of the Wharf and the stories of those who lived and worked there. The narrow alleyways will make you feel like we stepped back in time to the era when the Hanseatic merchants dominated Bergen's trade. Visit the Hanseatic Museum, one of the oldest wooden buildings in Bergen, furnished in 18th century style and shows the life of the Hanseatic merchants. From the Wharf it's a short walk to the Bergenhus Fortress, with the royal stone hall and the Rosenkrantz tower.
The capital of Scotland's Shetland Islands is a vibrant and energetic city colored by grand Victorian houses and the region's namesake ponies. It is a cruise ship's primary entry to the Shetlands, a mosaic of over a hundred islands inhabited by about 22,000 people and an abundance of wildlife. It is a land shaped by the sea featuring views of dramatic sculptured cliffs and tranquil sandy bays.
Cruise Day Day 7: Reykjavik, Iceland (Saturday:July 7, 2018 / 8:00am - )
natural wonders for which Iceland is justly renowned, such as
One of the Golden Circles many highlights is the Gullfoss waterfall, the queen of Iceland's waterfalls. We will walk around the Falls, where the river Hvitá tumbles 105 ft in a double cascade. When the sun is shining, we're likely to see a rainbow through the massive spray that forms.
of the world's most northern capital and surrounding towns. This is a detailed and comprehensive introduction to Reykjavik's past and present. During our guided tour Reykjavik's main attractions are highlighted on foot and by bus. The main landmarks, such as The Pearl, Hallgrímskirkja church, the National Museum of Iceland, the harbor and the famous 101 Reykjavik neighborhood are visited. We will drive through narrow streets with old timer houses, pass the university campus, the Nordic house, the Lutheran and Catholic cathedrals, the Parliament, the City Hall and Höfði house, where the Reagan/Gorbachev summit meeting took place in 1986.
Cruise Day 9: Akureyri, Iceland (Monday, July 9, 2018 / 10:00am - 7:00pm)
take a pleasant walk into the town along the Strandgata, enjoying the views of the harbor, town and fjord. Once in town we stroll up the colorful Artist’s Alley to the Akureyri church, one of the town’s proud symbols and consecrated in 1940. The church houses many artefacts including part of a strained glass window, stems from Coventry Cathedral in England. Following our church, we continue exploring the old mid town area. Akureyri’s past life as a trading post for Danish merchants is apparent throughout the walk – easily recognizable in the old town houses’ distinctive architecture. Visit the Museum of Akureyri to absorb more of the locality’s profoundly interesting past.
This starkly beautiful island holds many ancient treasures like the mysterious Standing Stones of Stenness and the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, which was discovered with the furniture and indoor drains preserved. Make sure to visit the striking trio of St. Magnus Cathedral, the nearby ruins of the Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palace. After touring, stop in a pub to chow down on salmon and lamb dishes with the locals. And ask them about the wide range of Kirkwall’s specialty items, which includes cashmere, whiskey and crafts.
Inverness is a city in the glorious Scottish Highlands . Teeming with bagpipe players and enthusiasts thanks to the city's annual Northern Meeting in September, Inverness also boasts a diverse music scene. Gaelic was the native language until the turn of the 19th century.
Make sure you pack your walking shoes for Edinburgh. Stroll along the medieval Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see the abbey and Queen Mary’s chambers. Savor the old town’s marvelous Georgian and Victorian architecture. Marvel at the impressive Edinburgh Castle, high on its volcanic crag with a fabulous view. Visit St. Giles’ Cathedral where John Knox once preached. Leave enough time to rest your legs at one of Edinburgh’s seaside restaurants to enjoy fresh salmon, scallops, lamb and prime Angus beef.
Board our morning cruise of Sydney's harbor past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. Then we will cruise past palatial waterfront homes, parks, beaches and marinas that reveal Sydney's relaxed lifestyle. Go behind the scenes at the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House. See what goes on behind the world's most recognizable sails. Hear the controversial story of the building's construction, as dramatic as any opera plot, brought alive by the new interactive audio-visual presentation.
Vacation Day 3 - Blue Mountains - Featherdale Wildlife Park - Scenic World
Take the Climb of Your Life with BridgeClimb Sydney! The Bridge Climb is an optional 3 ½ hour guided journey to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It will takes us along the outer arch of the Bridge on catwalks and ladders all the way to the summit, 440 feet above Sydney Harbour. When we reach the top you will have a sense of achievement that you will remember forever - you've conquered an Australian icon recognized the world over!
Green Island is a beautiful coral cay on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with unique rainforests, surrounded by white sandy beaches & magnificent coral reefs and abundant marine life. Snorkel, dive and swim in the warm island waters, view the spectacular reef from the coral viewing tours, explore Green Island National Park or just relax on the sandy beach. 
Vacation Day 8: Cairns to Melbourne
A visit to Melbourne would not be complete without a visit to the Queen Victoria Market. The market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. A historic landmark spread over two city blocks, this vibrant and bustling inner-city Market is where 
Buenos Aires, Argentina Highlights Singles Vacation Itinerary
Today we explore Buenos Aires on our full Day tour of the city. Soaked in culture, the city is a giant living, breathing museum showcasing a vibrant, and often volatile, blend of European and Latin American influences. Today we will visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo you find the Congress building. 
Our next stop is La Boca, Buenos Aires's most colorful and picturesque area famous for the Boca Stadium and Caminito Street. After driving by the stadium enjoy a walking tour and lunch break at Caminito street. Located on what used to be the city’s biggest port, immigrants set up shops, worked the docks and built homes from the scrap material leftover from ship-building. You’ll see this in the haphazard shanty houses that still line the streets here, made from sheet metal and wooden planks; in addition, nearly all of them are painted in very bright colors. The area is now thriving with peddlers selling art, buskers playing music and stalls offering trinkets of every variety.
owners departed.
Today we head north and visit La Recoleta, one of the Buenos Aires's most glamorous neighborhoods. Along Alvear Avenue, see countless upscale stores, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. The Recoleta Cultural Center, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the Palais de Glace are an important part of Buenos Aires’ cultural activities. We will drive by many beautiful parks, and see the famous Floralis Generica at the United Nations Park, and the Libertador and Figueroa Alcorta Avenues.
Visit the Recoleta Cemetery, founded in 1822, one of the most prominent cemeteries in the world. The most celebrated Argentineans, including Eva Peron and her family, are buried at this elaborate cemetery, where mausoleums replicate chapels, pyramids and Greek temples. 
the streets filled with designer boutiques, fashionable cafes, and trendy restaurants.
After breakfast we transfer to the domestic airport for our flight to Iguazu. At the border conjunctions of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, Puerto Iguazú is the entry gate to the imposing falls. 
The views are amazing on our full day tour of Iguazu Waterfalls on the Argentina side. The 200,000 year old falls span across the border of three countries and is known to pour over 400,000 gallons of water per second onto the rocks below! Today we explore three tiers of Iguazu to see the falls from different vantage points. The lower walk leads to the base of the falls where the intense crash of the falls releases a thick mist into the air. The upper path leads to incredible panoramic views of the falls.
Get your cameras ready because a memorable experience awaits, as we take the Iguazu Great Adventure. We start by entering the jungle by specialty truck and during our three mile ride our guide introduces us to the local nature. Then we board our boat to sail the Lower Iguazu River heading towards the waterfall and enjoying plentiful rapids on the way. Upon reaching the Tres Mosqueteros Fall, view both the Argentine and Brazilian Falls crowned by the view Devil’s Throat. Then the most exciting point comes when facing the incomparable San Martín waterfall, the second in size and the biggest any boat may face.
After breakfast we drive through the Iguazu National Park until we reach the Brazilian side of the falls. From here, we walk along the paths to appreciate the lush vegetation, butterflies, and cascades. Stroll along the 1 mile path that leads us to an amazing panoramic view of the Devil’s Throat. From here, we can appreciate the incredible scene that includes other iconic sites in Argentina like the Two Sisters and Bozzeti waterfalls, the Superior Circuit, and San Martin Island, 
where the movie “The Mission” was filmed.
Upon arrival, be greeted with two Argentine specialties, piping hot empanadas and wine. After a tour of the grounds by carriage or on horseback, including a stop at the Spanish-colonial house which now contains a museum, guests are treated to a parrillada, an Argentine-style barbecue that remains a popular weekend tradition even among modern Porteños. Tango dancers and folk singers entertain during the meat-centric lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a guided visit to the Spanish-colonial style “casco” and to the authentic museum. If you want, take a horseback ride to enjoy the stunning landscapes the lands have to offer. End the tour with some typical activities like a regional game known as “carrera de sortijas”. Here, two teams on horsebacks try to pass a pin through a small ring as they hang from a wooden arch.
This morning we drive along the Rio de la Plata to the charming northern suburb of San Isidro, home to an impressive cathedral and mansions built by the city’s old aristocratic families. Then we continue on to Tigre, where we embark on our 1 hour delta cruise. Relax on our catamaran as we float along the Paraná Delta and its channels, rivers, streams, and numerous islands, appreciating the lush vegetation. Float past stilted homes and learn how delta-dwellers access goods and services through a network of floating markets. See landmarks that line the waterways in the relaxed town of Tigre, including Sarmiento’s historic home and museum. After our cruise, relax as we travel back to Buenos Aires.
Tonight, enjoy an introduction to the best of Argentina’s cuisine and culture, beginning with appetizers and wine. Then we get to create our own empanada, choose the filling and learn the “repulge” technique to make it. Learn the most important Argentinean hand gestures before we get to enjoy what many claim to be the best steak in Argentina. A steak that goes through a unique 24-hour preparation method. Try different Malbec wines from boutique wineries 
in Mendoza as well as other typical food like cuartirolo cheese with dulce de batata (made with sweet potato) and dulce de madera (Argentina is the only country in the world where a special kind of wood can be eaten). For desert make your own alfajores, Argentina’s national sweet, that combines biscuits, dulce de leche, melted chocolate, and coconut shavings. End our gastronomic experience with a lesson on the history and etiquette of “mate”, the country’s national tea. Learn how to prepare it from scratch and share it among yourselves.
Fly into Grand Junction airport (airport code - GJT) and take the provided hotel shuttle to the Grand Vista Hotel. Meet and greet with your Singles Weekend Host tonight at 7pm.
Upon arrival in Glenwood Springs, we transfer to the Hampton Inn to check-in and drop off our luggge.
Time to relax at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, home of the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool and Spa of the Rockies. This historic thermal spring water has been drawing visitors from all over the world since 1888. Soaking in or “taking the waters” is a time-honored healing tradition and one that is still recommended as a remedy for a variety of ailments. In fact, members of the nomadic Ute tribe were the earliest known people to soak in the healing hot springs which retains the original Ute language name “Yampah,” which translates to “Big Medicine.”
Of all the ways to spend the day, few are better than spending them on the water. Prior rafting experience is not required. Our group will receive a detailed safety talk before getting on the river and every person will be issued a Personal Flotation Device better known as a life jacket.
The river gradually begins to slow down and our guide will talk about the history of Glenwood Canyon and the River. From there, we'll paddle our way through Glenwood Canyon before stopping for lunch at our private picnic area in Glenwood Springs. Then it's time to hop back in the boats for a relaxing float down the Colorado River to enjoy the scenery, though don't worry if you're not interested in relaxing. We'll break out the inflatable kayaks for those of you looking to for more adventure and get a bit more up close and personal with the river. Many rafters think the kayaks are even more fun than the bigger rapids upstream!
After breakfast we take adventure to new heights as we board a scenic Gondola Ride to the top of Iron Mountain. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, a Western-themed mountain-top park. At America’s only mountain-top theme park, we’ll experience rides that quite literally take thrills to new heights. Glenwood Caverns is situated at an elevation of 7,160 feet above sea level. Not only will the thrill rides have you clinging to the edge of your seat and screaming with delight, but with the exception of the Haunted Mine Drop—the world’s first underground drop ride—every ride at 
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park also showcases stunning panoramic Colorado views. The thrill rides include the Glenwood Canyon Flyer, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, Cliffhanger Roller Coaster, Alpine Coaster and the Giant Canyon Swing.
On the King’s Row Tour journey deep into the mountain on a well-lit boardwalk with handrails to the most highly decorated cave room in Colorado! Enter via an airlock tunnel and emerge into an enormous cave room so big it is named The Barn. From there, be prepared for a little stair climbing workout—there are 120 stairs, with spacious platforms for viewing and resting. The staircase descends to King’s row, after which visitors climb back up. 
relax while your knowledgeable local guide shares his love of the majestic mountains, Glenwood Canyon and the Colorado River while he talks about the geography and history of the area - while admiring the spectacular wildflowers and views of Mr. Sopris in the distance. Or you may choose to spend the morning cruising around the Glenwood Springs area on ebikes. 
Within the city limits of Glenwood Springs, you can access two of the most spectacular paved bike trails in the state of Colorado: the Glenwood Canyon Trail east of town that parallels the Colorado River, and the Rio Grand Trail south of town that parallels the Roaring Fork River and heads towards Aspen.The terrain and altitude in Glenwood can be challenging, even for the most fit rider but E-bikes change the equation and makes bicycling in the Roaring Fork Valley fun and exciting for anyone who can ride a bike. After the morning of activity the afternoon is free to shop, explore or visit one of the Hot Springs.