12 Top Cooking Vacations Around the World in 2024

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Going on cooking vacations is a delicious way to experience a new destination and immerse in a country’s cuisine.

Based on our culinary travels around the world, we’ve hand-selected amazing cooking vacations from some of the world’s most exciting food destinations

Working with local chefs in places like Tuscany, France, India, Mexico, or Vietnam, you’ll taste the destination from a different perspective.

From cooking traditional specialties to local producer visits and wine tastings, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of the region’s cuisine, history, and culture.

The best part of any vacation is the local food. Get inspired with our guide to the 10 best cooking vacations around the world.

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Best Cooking Vacations in Europe

1. Greek Cooking Holiday in Athens 8-Day

Learning to make Greek Salads All Inclusive Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
A blend of Greek culture and cuisine

Mediterranean food lovers will enjoy the hospitality and cooking experiences at this forest villa in Athens.

Steeped in history, this cooking vacation in Athens is a fine blend of Greek culture and cuisine. 

During your stay, you’ll learn how to make traditional Greek dishes like tzatziki, Greek salad, cheese pies, and more.

What we like most about this culinary vacation is the showcasing of Greek culture

You’ll get to visit the Acropolis and also tour the Royal Tatoi Estates, the former Greek royal family’s summer retreat. 

Weather permitting, you’ll also go island hopping to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.

The villa where you’ll be staying is located next to the Katsimidi mountain, just north of Athens. The area is flooded with pine trees offering a peaceful environment to unwind or hike.

The accommodations at this private Greek villa are spacious and intimate. There are only 4 rooms creating a cozy and familial atmosphere. 

If you are a solo or single traveler, this inclusive cooking vacation will meet your needs.

RELATED: 10 Best Food Tours in Athens for a Greek Feast

2. Cooking and Wine Tours in Tuscany 8-Day

Cooking Pizza Tuscany Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Make sauces, pizza, pasta, soups, desserts and more

Tuscany, in central Italy, is famous for its spectacular scenery, art, food and culture. If you’re looking for a cooking vacation in Italy, this is the one for you.

This 8-day all-inclusive food and wine tours takes you on a culinary journey through Tuscany with traditional recipes and local wines. 

There are four traditional cooking classes, each 3 to 4 hours long, with Rita as your chef and instructor.

You’ll make a variety of Tuscan local sauces, soups, fresh pasta, desserts, and more. 

Tuscan classics like zuppa di farro (farro soup), handmade pasta, gnocchi, fish dishes, focaccia, tiramisù, and cakes will be easily mastered.

In addition to cooking, you’ll also visit a local market and shop the seasonal products for your cooking classes.

Learning about Tuscan wines is part of the experience. You’ll visit local wineries and learn to pair Tuscan wines with food.

This culinary vacation takes you all around the region. You’ll visit verdant and culturally rich Pisa, Florence, and the Garfagnana Valley.

In Lucca, one of the most charming cities in Tuscany, you’ll sample local specialties as you tour the historic city.

The all-inclusive accommodations are at La Mezzaluna B&B, close to Barga, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

With an amazing range of cooking classes, wine tours and cultural excursions, this cooking vacation in Tuscany is not to be missed.

RELATED: 9 Best Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

3. Cooking Course in Brittany France 7-Day

Mont St Michel Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Visit Mont-Saint-Michel, one of France’s most stunning sights

Master French cooking with a Michelin-trained chef in Brittany, just three hours away from Paris.

This all-inclusive cooking vacations covers a wide number of techniques, from making sauces, preparing meat and seafood, baking, wine, and much more.

You’ll spend 7-days/6 nights getting an immersion into French cuisine and culture. And the best part is that the classes are designed to be accessible for home chefs of all levels. 

During your stay, you’ll enjoy nine cooking classes, where you’ll make starters, main dishes, and desserts for 4 lunches and 5 dinners.

In each cooking session, you’ll enjoy individualized attention while mastering a variety of French cooking techniques.

When you’re not cooking, you’ll enjoy guided visits to the local markets as well as exploring nearby medieval towns.

The accommodations in a restored 16th-century French Manor guesthouse, with all the modern conveniences you can expect.

Brittany is a region of proud traditions and a wealth of culinary riches. This cooking school vacation in western France takes you to the core of it all.

READ MORE:  9 Top French Cooking Vacations To Explore The Local Cuisine

4. Spanish Cooking Vacation in Córdoba 7-Day

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Learn to cook paella and more Spanish dishes

Finca Las Encinas, the location for this Spanish cooking vacation is located centrally in Andalusia. 

Over the 7-day period, you’ll enjoy hands-on cooking classes, learning to make Spanish, Andalusian, and Mediterranean dishes.

Led by professional chefs, you’ll have four dedicated classes where you’ll cook four-course meals using seasonal ingredients.

In each class, you’ll pick up new skills as you learn theabout the history and culture as it relates to the recipes and ingredients.  

When you’re not cooking, enjoy the tranquility of the fine accommodations tucked away on the edge of a stunning natural park

Set amongst olive groves and fruit trees, it offers the perfect combination of relaxation and cooking.

Solo travelers are easily accommodated, as only one person is needed to participate in this cooking experience. 

If you are traveling with non-cooking partners, they are invited to relax and enjoy activities in the area while you cook.

Soak in the rich culture and natural heritage in Cordoba as you learn to make dishes from the region’s rich culinary mix.

5. Taste, Cook & Experience Algarve Portugal 7-Day

Algarve Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Explore Algarve on this cooking vacation

Steeped in history and culture, Algarve is one of the “7 Wonders of Portugal” and an ideal location for nature lovers.

This 7-day/6-night cooking vacation immerses you in the “real” Algarve through tasting, cooking, and visiting the heritage sites.

This unique all inclusive cooking vacation includes a cooking and pastry class, visiting an award-winning olive oil producer, and a boat ride.  

There are also guided visits to Faro, Ria Formosa Islands, and Olhão, including free time for your own explorations. 

In the cooking classes, you’ll learn to make traditional Algarvian dishes. You’ll become a pastry chef for a day, where you’ll discover Algarvarian sweets and desserts and learn the recipes alongside a pastry chef.

Cataplana is one of the most traditional dishes from Algarve that you will learn to make in a farm-to-table class in Faro. 

A private chef will accompany you step by step as you complete the experience by also making a starter and dessert.

You will stay in Olhão, and you have a choice between an authentic guesthouse or a five-star hotel with a spa. Both are conveniently located to the main sights.

This taste and experience Algarve is a great singles cooking vacations as the experiences can be customized for one or several travelers.

Experience the beauty of nature in Algarve as you soak in the culture and learn to make the traditional dishes.

RELATED: 7 Popular Lisbon Food Tours You’ll Want To Take

6. Taste of Two Continents Istanbul Türkiye 8-Day

Grand Bazaar Istanbul Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Wonder through the alleys of the Grand Bazaar

At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey has one of the most varied cuisines.

This 8-day/7-night cooking vacation in Istanbul explores the mosaic of Turkish cuisine through cooking classes and tastings all around the city.

The cooking experiences take multiple forms. You’ll participate in several cooking demonstrations with cuisines as diverse as Greek, Syrian, Ottoman, and others.

And, in a local’s home, you’ll enjoy two hands-on classes with a private chef.

You’ll visit local markets and food bazaars as well as eating at traditional family-owned restaurants.

On your culinary adventure, you’ll cross the Bosphorus and savor the delights of Istanbul’s Asian side. 

You’ll visit local markets and different neighborhoods and enjoy a boat ride to an elegant fish restaurant for dinner.

Built into the schedule is an escape to Turkey’s Princes’ Islands, where you’ll relax and enjoy the stunning natural scenery. 

You’ll have lunch with locals on the island and enjoy free time to stroll through the forest and admire the unique architecture. 

Turkish baths, or Hamams, are deeply woven into the culture. It is fitting that you will end your cooking experience being pampered at a Turkish bathhouse.

Your luxurious stay will be at a hotel in Istanbul, centrally located to all the main sights.

The diversity of food specialties and rich culture impressed us on our travels through Turkey exploring the local cuisine. 

And we know this 8-day cooking vacation in Istanbul will introduce you to some of the best food and history in the country. 

Along with new cooking skills and a collection of recipes, you’ll have a true taste of Türkiye. 

RELATED: The Best Istanbul Food Tours To Indulge In Authentic Turkish Cuisine

Best Cooking Vacations in North America

7. Cheese Making Weekend in Pennsylvania 3-Day

Cheese Making in Pennsylvania Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
A culinary vacation mastering cheese – Photo credit: Mercersburg Inn Facebook page

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make cheese? More specifically, Feta, Ricotta, and Mozzarella, which you probably already love.

Learn from Larry and Linda Faillace, owners of Three Shepherds Cheese in this 3-day/2 night weekend in Pennsylvania.

This is a hands-on cheese-making class, during which you will learn not only the techniques for making cheese but also the history of cheeses.

You’ll start the process of making cheese after arrival on Friday so that the cheese can incubate for the hands-on class the next day.

How you make the cheese, the tools used, including the type of milk to use are also covered in the class. 

Salting and brining the cheese for preservation are important steps you’ll also master.

In addition to making cheese, you’ll also enjoy sumptuous meals made with your fresh artisanal cheese. 

There is also a wine and cheese tasting, and you’ll leave with several cheeses to take home with you.

The Mercersburg Inn, a historic building with 17 rooms of different sizes, is your home for the weekend.

A state Park with hiking trails and a beach is nearby, allowing you to enjoy the region even more.

8. Mexican Cooking Vacation in Oaxaca 7-Day

Oaxacan Tamales Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Taste the famous Oaxacan tamales

The food in Oaxaca is rated among the best in Mexico. The cuisine incorporates pre-Hispanic elements with strong indigeneous roots yielding diverse and colorful dishes.

We spent almost 6 months in Oaxaca exploring the local food and fell in love with the unique dishes and local drinks.

This 7-day culinary vacation takes you to the heart and soul of Oaxaca cuisine. 

You’ll enjoy hands-on cooking classes, agricultural visits as well as culinary adventures in the local food markets.

As Oaxaca City is close to Santiago de Matatlán, which is known as the “World Capital of Mezcal,” you’ll visit a local distillery and learn about this traditional Mexican drink. 

In addition to cooking and learning from local chefs, you’ll also meet artisans in printmaking and ceramics. 

These traditional crafts are part of Oaxaca culture, adding to your overall immersive experience.

Your stay will be in the city center at a boutique hotel offering exceptional service and modern amenities.

This Mexican cooking vacation in Oaxaca incorporates fun, exploration, and cooking, offering a memorable travel experience.

RELATED: 7 Reasons Why You Want to Have a Cooking Class in Oaxaca

Best Cooking Vacations in Africa

9. Culinary and Cooking Adventure in Fez, Morocco 7-Day 

Tagine Morocco Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Prepare your first tagine

Morocco is a food lovers paradise. The cuisine is influenced by many cultures, it has a Mediterranean flair, and spices and fresh herbs are at the core.

This 7-day cooking adventure in Fez introduces you to Moroccan culture through delicious food and culinary excursions.

Regardless of your cooking skill levels or if you are traveling solo or not, this cooking holiday is tailored to your needs.

The first cooking class starts with a visit to the souk or open-air market to pick up your seasonal fresh ingredients. You’ll prepare your first tagine under the guidance of a local chef.

Traditional dishes brought to Morocco by the Moors and the country’s beloved couscous are other dishes you’ll learn to make in the remaining two classes.

Outside of Fez, you’ll explore the neighboring town of Meknes, including a visit to one of the most renowned wineries in the area.

Another cultural excursion takes you to a quaint Berber mountain town, where you’ll walk in nature and enjoy lunch in the city.

This exciting cooking holiday in Morocco combines both cooking and sightseeing for a rounded introduction to Moroccan culture.

Fez is considered the country’s cultural capital, and it’s the perfect location for a Moroccan cooking class. 

Best Cooking Vacations in Asia

10. Vietnamese Gastronomy from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh 12-Day

Vietnamese Dish Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Discover the delicacy of Vietnamese cuisine

Vietnam is one of our favorite countries for food, and we love the exquisite dishes and flavorful herbs found across the country.

Having traveled from Hanoi to Saigon, the months spent exploring the local food specialties was a delightful surprise in each region.

This 12-day cooking vacation in Vietnam begins in Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh City. Along your gastronomic journey, you’ll also stop in Ha Long Bay and Hoi An.

Your first class will be with a master chef in Hanoi. It starts with a local visit to the local market before learning to make a variety of northern Vietnamese dishes.

In Hoi An, one of the country’s top food destinations, you’ll explore the specialties on a food tour before taking another cooking class.

Saigon is a vibrant city that you’ll uncover on cultural tours and museum visits. You’ll also enjoy unique fine dining experiences that will introduce you to southern Vietnamese cuisine.

While there’s a lot packed in this 12-day Vietnamese cooking vacation, there is also time built into the schedule to explore your own.

Transportation within Vietnam is covered, and you will be staying at boutique hotels with all the amenities and comforts of home.

Savor Vietnam from a gourmet point of view in this fun and immersive Vietnamese cooking vacation. 

RELATED: 7 Best Food Tours in Hanoi For Authentic Vietnamese Culinary Experiences

11. Home Style Thai Cooking in Bangkok 4-Day

Thailand Cooking Vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Learn to make 14 different Thai dishes

Thai food, one of our favorite cuisines, is also one of the most loved worldwide. 

This cooking vacation in Thailand takes you just outside Bangkok to Nonthaburi Province for a cooking experience in nature.

This is a fun 4-day / 3-night cooking experience where you’ll enjoy daily hands-on cooking classes.

In total, you will learn to make 14 different Thai dishes. In each class, you’ll make 5 to 6 dishes, including soups, curries, and desserts.

In addition to cooking, your homestay includes local market visits to pick up fresh ingredients. 

There is also free time in your schedule to relax, take boat trips, or explore the surroundings.

Your accommodations are in a Thai traditional-style teak house surrounded by lush gardens and orchards.

If you are looking for a peaceful escape from Thailand’s capital, this is a fun and immersive Thai cooking vacation to take.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: The history of Nonthaburi is linked to that of Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital. Before leaving Nonthaburi, we recommend visiting this UNESCO Heritage Site. Visiting Ayutthaya was one of the highlights of our visits to the country. Read what you can expect on an Ayutthaya tour from Bangkok.

12. Cooking and Culinary Tour in Kerela, India 14-Day 

Indian Spice Cooking Classes cooking vacations by Authentic Food Quest
Be ready to learn southern India’s culinary culture

Kerala, also known as “God’s Own Country” in southern India, is famous for its mouthwatering cuisine.  

The food incorporates many influences from local flavors all the way to Arabian, Malabari & French.

This 14-day culinary vacation in Kerala takes you around the region under the guidance of a professional chef.

While learning how to make the traditional regional cuisine is at the heart of this experience, so is discovering Kerala.

In five cooking classes and demonstrations, you’ll learn to make between 15 and 20 Indian dishes.

When you are not in the kitchen, you’ll visit farms, local markets, temples, heritage sites, and more.

You’ll have the chance to visit a tea plantation and also enjoy a backwater cruise on Alleppey, considered the Venice of the East.

As you travel around Kerala, you’ll be staying in well-rated hotels, including one night on a deluxe houseboat.

Transportation and all the arrangements are covered. All you have to do is relax and enjoy getting to know southern India’s culinary culture.

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Have you ever taken a cooking vacation? In the comments below, please let us know which one of these cooking vacations you’d like to take the most.

Savor the Adventure!

Cooking Vacation FAQ

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Enjoy cooking vacations with us

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancelations, car rental protection, or tour cancelations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.

What Is a Cooking Vacation?

A cooking vacation, sometimes called gastronomy tourism or food tourism, is a type of travel experience that centers around food. 

On a cooking vacation, travelers will get to explore new countries while participating in cooking lessons to teach them about local culture and cuisine. 

These cooking experiences are often paired with visits to local markets, farms, city explorations, and other guided activities.  

Safety Measures

Flexible booking conditions are available on all these cooking vacations.

Cancel up to 7 days prior to the arrival date, and you can reschedule your booking free of charge or receive a trip credit for your non-refundable deposit to use at another time.

All the accommodations featured follow and prescribe to safety and health protocols.

In the case of any unexpected events, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance.

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Cooking Vacations Around The World by Authentic Food Quest

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