“Wow!!!!!!!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 18, 2013 via mobile

What a great week! Fantastic location and excellent course! I've participated in one cooking class before (for 3 hours). I don't cook for others often (but want to), and I thought this kind of course would be a fun way to both learn some traditional Italian cooking and to explore Tuscany. I did the one week Italian course at Bellorcia 10/5-10/12.

Chef Laura is a wonderful chef who cares that each of her students is not just satisfied with his/her experience, but really enjoys it and learns from it. She's an excellent and patient teacher and divides her time well to see that each person's questions are addressed when needed. Her food is downright delicious too! You can read other reviews of her courses (which she also teaches at Casa Ombuto for Tuscookany).

Bellorcia is a newer location for Tuscookany. Hopefully they will offer more courses here in future. I would, personally, like to live there . The 4 half day courses were perfectly scheduled to allow for morning excursions, if desired, and return for lunch at 1pm followed by cooking at 3. I had a rental car, which allowed for easy and spontaneous trips. Morning trips included the hilltop lookout town of Radicofani and San Quirico D'Orcia. On the free day (Thursday), I along with some classmates, went to Orvieto (recommended by Laura) which was fantastic. The location is beautiful and perfect for exploring the Val D'Orcia. The Villa is stunning. The pictures don't do it justice.

Sheena, the Tuscookany manager is also very helpful and always around if there are any issues (I didn't have any, except that I didn't want to leave).

I could go on and on, but my fingers are getting tired. It's a great week at a great place. That's all there is to it. (I also had great classmates, none of whom I knew before, so that maybe added to a great experience).

Stayed October 2013, traveled solo

see this review about the Bellorcia cooking classes in Tuscany on TripAdvisor