
From cookery classes to language lessons in Lake Como
Lake Como tours
The course will take place in the small and cozy school of kitchen "Mamma Ciccia", in the heart of Mandello del Lario, wonderful suburb on Como Lake.
Mamma Ciccia Cooking Academy
Piazza Roma, 15
23826 - Mandello del Lario
Starting from the basic ingredients, we will discover together the secrets of the real Italian Pizza.
From the same base, we will prepare two different toppings; the traditional Margherita and a second one using seasonal, local fresh ingredients.
Duration: 2 Hours
You must bring just a smile and enthusiasm, we will think about the rest!
Meeting point at 11.00 a.m.
Mamma Ciccia Cooking Academy
Piazza Roma, 15
23826 - Mandello del Lario
First of all, we will enjoy an Espresso or Cappucino together to know each other
Rule: Wearig an apron is a must in the italian Kitchen!
Starting from the same base, we will prepare two different kind of pizza with different toppings: The queen Margherita and a second one using seasonal, local fresh ingredients.
At 12.30 p.m. we will share together your pizza celebrating with a glass of good wine!
What is included:
Pizza and little bakery
*we accommodate dietary restriction, please advise while booking
1 glass of wine or Beer
Water and Espresso Coffee
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Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Why not spend a few hours during your Lake Como vacation learning how Italians live and cook in this area?
An opportunity not to be missed, an experience that will give you an insight into how the locals really live
Our cooking course takes place in the lovely fishing hamlet of Mandello del Lario, a characteristic village on the lakeside at family run restaurant , where our chef will teach you how to make homemade pasta, using seasonal, local fresh ingredients.
You will be made to feel at home preparing and then enjoying a home cooked meal and local wine, all accompanied by great company.
The menu changes according to the season. This cooking course will enable you to discover local cooking traditions and tips, ideas and methods which you can take back to try out in your home country and share with your friends and family.
We'll provide all food and drink, all that is required is that you bring enthusiasm and willingness to learn, to meet new people and try to speak some Italian along the way.
Duration: 4 hours
Location: Ristorante e ospitalità diffusa Mamma Ciccia
Live a cultural and gastronomic experience strolling along the historical city center with your local guide for an unforgettable day. This Small -group tour has a maximum of 10 people.
Enjoy your cultural and gastronomic experience. Discover the principal monuments in Como such as the Duomo with the Broletto ( the Town Hall) continuing with the church of San Fedele but first of all start your day with an home made Espresso or Cappuccino and Italian pastry.
Admire the historic neighborhoods and taste Focaccia followed by a choice of local cheeses and prosciutto and salami with a glass of Wine as appetizer in a local winery.
Next, continue your gastronomic tour enjoying fresh home made Pasta or Ravioli with Pesto, Bolognese or Cheese sauces, choose which you like the most.
In the afternoon you will take a Boat tour on the lake with your guide. Visit Torno, small village on the lake and return to Como for additional free time and shopping. Time for a traditional Italian Gelato and then travel back to Milan by train at the end of your trip.
Leave Milan station by train and relax on the journey north to Como. Transfer to a ferry and cruise east to Blevio, passing the manicured gardens and villas that line Lake Comos banks.
Step ashore, and head to the venue of your cooking class to meet your personal chef. After a drink and snacks, youll roll up your sleeves to prepare a 2-course lunch with dishes from all around Italy.
As your chef explains the ingredients, whip up a homemade pasta or risotto, followed by a traditional sweet such as tiramisu. When everything is made, sit down to eat. Youll learn about the history of the dishes and sip on wine chosen to complement your creations.
After lunch, return to the ferry and cruise back over Lake Como. Work off your lunch with a walking tour around Como town, then board your train for the journey back to Milan.
Please note: This tour is only bookable for groups of 2-4 people.
Enjoy an aperitivo with sparkling wine and nibbles followed by a
4-course menu including starter, pasta, main course with side dish, dessert and
drinks included (water, selection of red and white wines from regional cellars).
How does it work? After you have booked the experience we will contact you asking for the address of your accommodation and any specific requests or preferences including timings. We will then match you with the perfect local home cook from our world-famous network.
• Connect with local people: the Cesarina will come to your accommodation 1h/2h before the lunch or dinner. Remember our friendly customer service will be there every step of the way.
• Taste an authentic Italian aperitivo followed by a 4-course menu including starter, pasta, main course with side dish and dessert and drinks included. Your local home cook will prepare a menu based on your preferences.
• Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
• No stress! After the experience our local home cooks will leave the kitchen as they found it.
Le Cesarine is Italys first network of home cooks coordinated at a national level by a dedicated staff. The Cesarine are welcoming ambassadors of the Italian culinary heritage, animated by an authentic passion for traditional Italian cuisine. Every Cesarina has been carefully selected by experts to host gastronomic events in their own homes with local produce and refined menus, the result of authentic local recipes, handed down from generation to generation.
Valtellina is located north of Lake Como and its the only longitudinal valley of the Italian Alps. On the Retic side of the Adda river wine has been grown up since century, stealing land to the mountains and constructing the widest terraced area in Europe. The grapevine extension is 950 hectares and goes from 300 to 900 meters above sea level. Still nowadays the harvest is done by hand and the wine obtained is the product of great sacrifices and love for this difficult terroir.
Wines are paired with local cheese and famous Bresaola, a dried beef which is the speciality of the region together with Pizzocheri, a kind of home made Tagliatelle made with black corn and alps cheese and dressed with mountain butter and garlic
Your private driver will pick you up directly at your hotel and drive you in total comfort throughout the day. Departure is from Milan but it is possible to organize a transfer from Como Lake.
You will visit the Valtellina with its famous cheese called Bitto and the Bitto valley comes from the Western Orobic valleys and its unique production has been possible thanks to the particular environmental, natural, political and cultural factors. In the territory comprising the Parco delle Orobie Valtellinesi, there is an area of mountain pastures with just the right sunlight, humidity and temperature for an economy of farming and cheesemaking that has been flourishing since the Medieval period.
You will visit and taste this Bitto Cheese and will enjoy traditional dishes of the area, which include polenta taragna and pizzocheri. A great red wine Rosso di Valtellina will be served with lunch.
After lunch and free time your driver will take you to Como Lake for a nice stroll in Varenna through the narrow streets of this fascinating village. Varenna, with colorful houses and churches, is one of the pearls of Lake Como, together with Bellagio and Torno have enchanted visitors over the years. Enjoy your short tour and be back to Milan in the evening.
Preparing the perfect aperitivo is an art; you will learn how to prepare a selection of
five elegant nibbles to pair with with a
refreshing glass of fizz, ideal for sharing with friends in the early evening. Your aperitivo will be a
bite-size representation of its local culture, using typical regional ingredients and local wines, such as a sparkling prosecco or a light red.
Le Cesarine is Italy's first national network of certified home cooks, who strive to safeguard and promote Italy's real culinary heritage.
• Cultivate relationships with local people: experience a truly Italian welcome in local peoples' home, as you enjoy an evening together like part of the family.
• Prepare an authentic selection of five nibbles with traditional local ingredients. Delight your palate with some truly delicious tastes of the local cuisine. Whether it's a bruschetta drizzled with fragrant olive oil, freshly grilled market vegetables, or a selection of the area's finest charcuterie and cheeses, it's the best way to taste and understand a whole range of local produce.
• Live the Italian way of life in a real local home. Whether you're unwinding after a long day, or just getting your night started.
• Enjoy a selection of wines from local cellars and typical drinks: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
The train leaves from Milan at 08.20am and arrives at the enchanting village of Varenna after one hour. A 15 minute walk (1km/0,62 miles) takes you to Villa Monastero, a stylish mansion completely furnished and surrounded by a botanic garden with several rare plants generating a true explosion of colours and scents all year round.
Get back to the village of Varenna following the lakeshore and reach the harbour to board the boat leaving at 11.23 and taking you to Bellagio in only 15 minutes. Explore the old village or the Villa Melzi Gardens, crossed by many winding paths with Egyptian sculptures and Roman statues that add to the romantic atmosphere of the garden. You will admire many exotic trees and be fascinated by the Japanese pond with water lilies, surrounded by Japanese maple trees and cedar trees.
At 02.00pm a person holding a board with the name Stile Italiano Tours will meet you at the Garden entrance of Loppia which is the one opposite to the entrance from Bellagio and together you will reach the nearby hamlet of S. Giovanni to meet the Maestro and be introduced to the ancient techniques, such as the preparation of the egg tempera. In the bottega you will create your own colour and then move to the small marina with a spectacular view spanning from Punta del Balbianello to the Bellagio Promontory to create a unique memory in a quiet atmosphere of pure enchantment; the only unexpected occurrence could be an intrigued local taking a stroll and peeping at your work.
At around 4.00pm you will reach a winery for a wine tasting experience and your day will end sipping a cool glass of wine in the relaxed atmosphere of the lake.
At the end of this wine and art experience, take the boat to Varenna leaving at 5.45pm and the train back to Milan which leaves at 6.37pm and arrives at 7.40pm
private cooking class at the Cesarina's home,
learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of Lombard cuisine and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a glass of
local wine.
During the lesson the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of
3 authentic regional recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Each participant will have a
workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then,
taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of
red and white local wines.
• Attend a private cooking class in the morning or in the afternoon: learn the secrets of the Lombard recipes and have fun by learning how to reproduce the Italian specialties at home (3 hours)
• Connect with local people: meet the Cesarina at their home, you will receive the exact address once the booking is completed.
• Taste the fruit of your labour and experience the authentic flavors of Lombard cuisine
• Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
• Take the official Cesarine apron and shopping bag back home
Le Cesarine is Italys first network of home cooks coordinated at a national level by a dedicated staff. The Cesarine are welcoming ambassadors of the Italian culinary heritage, animated by an authentic passion for traditional Italian cuisine. Every Cesarina has been carefully selected by experts to host gastronomic events in their own homes with local produce and refined menus, the result of authentic local recipes, handed down from generation to generation.
visit a market with a local expert,
choose your most inspiring ingredients, and
create and name your very own recipe.
Go food shopping with your Cesarina and choose 3-5 staple ingredients that capture your imagination before immersing yourself in a
private cooking class at their home. With their
expert guidance, you will learn how to prepare your chosen ingredients and make your own Italian creations. Cultivate your creativity and confidence in the kitchen by adding an Italian flair to your dishes.
Then,
taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of
red and white local wines.
• Visit the vibrant local markets or the traditional food shops: choose 3-5 staple ingredients that capture your imagination (1 hour)
• Attend a private cooking class in the morning or in the afternoon: learn how to prepare your chosen ingredients and make your own Italian creations (3 hours)
• Connect with local people: meet the Cesarina at the market you will receive the exact address once the booking is completed.
• Taste your own recipes with drinks included.
• Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from local regional cellars: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
• Take the official Cesarine apron and shopping bag back home
Le Cesarine is Italys first network of home cooks coordinated at a national level by a dedicated staff. The Cesarine are welcoming ambassadors of the Italian culinary heritage, animated by an authentic passion for traditional Italian cuisine. Every Cesarina has been carefully selected by experts to host gastronomic events in their own homes with local produce and refined menus, the result of authentic local recipes, handed down from generation to generation.
Villa Costanza's dominating position, with an amazing view on Lake Como, will take your breath away.
In this splendid location, our Chef will teach you how to make homemade pasta, using fresh ingredients and also a dessert, usually Tiramisù. This cooking course will enable you to discover local cooking tips, which you can take back to try out and share with your friends and family.
We'll provide all food and drink, all that is required is that you bring willingness to learn, to meet new people and try to speak some Italian along the way.
And while the Chef gives the dishes a final touch, why don't you sip a glass of wine in the setting of the Villas panoramic terrace?
The class is open to a maximum of 10 participants. If you wish to take it privately, please get in touch!
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
the cooking class location is easily accessible from all points located along the western branch of the Lake
Pass By: Lago di Como, Lombardy
private pasta-making class at the Cesarina's home,
learn the secrets of the region's most famous pasta dishes and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a glass of
local wine.
During the lesson the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of
3 authentic regional pasta recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Each participant will have a
workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then,
taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of
red and white local wines.
• Attend a private pasta-making class in the morning or in the afternoon: learn the secrets of the regional recipes and have fun by learning how to reproduce the Italian pasta at home (3 hours)
• Connect with local people: meet the Cesarina at their home, you will receive the exact address once the booking is completed.
• Taste the fruit of your labour and experience the authentic flavors of regional cuisine
• Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
• Take the official Cesarine apron and shopping bag back home
Le Cesarine is Italys first network of home cooks coordinated at a national level by a dedicated staff. The Cesarine are welcoming ambassadors of the Italian culinary heritage, animated by an authentic passion for traditional Italian cuisine. Every Cesarina has been carefully selected by experts to host gastronomic events in their own homes with local produce and refined menus, the result of authentic local recipes, handed down from generation to generation.
traditional food shops with the Cesarina and immerse yourself in a
private cooking class at the Cesarina's home,
learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of cuisine
from Lake Como area and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by a glass of
local wine.
During the lesson the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of
3 authentic regional recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Each participant will have a
workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then,
taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of
red and white local wines.
• Visit the vibrant local markets or the traditional food shops: learn how to recognize the best ingredients for the perfect Italian meal (1 hour)
• Attend a private cooking class in the morning or in the afternoon: learn the secrets of the regional recipes and have fun by learning how to reproduce the Italian specialties at home (3 hours)
• Connect with local people: meet the Cesarina at the market you will receive the exact address once the booking is completed.
• Taste an authentic regional 3-course menu with drinks included (2 hours).
• Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
• Take the official Cesarine apron and shopping bag back home
artisanal food shops, tasting as you go. After your walking tour, immerse yourself in a
private cooking class at the Cesarina's home,
learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of cuisine
from Lake Como area and taste the fruit of your labour accompanied by
local wines.
During the lesson the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of
3 authentic regional recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Participants will have a
workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then,
taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of
red and white local wines.
• Discover and taste the finest local delicacies: enjoy a food walking tour with your Cesarina and enjoy tastings at a local bakery, a neighbourhood butcher. Finish up your tour at a wine shop where your host will select the perfect wine pairing.
• Attend a private cooking class in the morning or in the afternoon: learn the secrets of the regional recipes and have fun by learning how to reproduce the Italian specialties at home.
• Connect with local people: you will receive the exact address once the booking is completed.
• Taste an authentic regional 3-course menu with drinks included.
• Enjoy a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars: our Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.
• Take the official Cesarine apron and shopping bag back home
Le Cesarine is Italys first network of home cooks coordinated at a national level by a dedicated staff. The Cesarine are welcoming ambassadors of the Italian culinary heritage, animated by an authentic passion for traditional Italian cuisine. Every Cesarina has been carefully selected by experts to host gastronomic events in their own homes with local produce and refined menus, the result of authentic local recipes, handed down from generation to generation.
-Carpaccio Celtico mille-feuille and a selection of cheeses with a lime foam
Sparkling Italian Champagne
-Fresh durum wheat ravioli with Triangolo Lariano cheese and butter
Sangiovese prom Toscany
-Riserva San Massimo Carnaroli risotto of the day
Nebbiolo from Piedmont
-Steamed zander with lentil and leek purée
Sauvignon Blanc
-Mango and passion fruit sorbet Lamb in a myrtle and mustard crust Raspberry panna cotta
-Lamb in a myrtle and mustard crust
Pinot Noir
-Raspberry panna cotta
Sweet italian Wine
an incredible dinner experience in one of the most beautiful wine cellar of all italy, this unique private table give you the possibility of this exclusive fine dining or lubch time as well with the best italian wine and the beautiful cucine of chef Luigi Gandola.
Just a few minutes drive from Bellagios city center and Lake Como, an elegant restaurant the Salice Blu in Bellagio is home to the award-winning imaginative creative Chef Luigi. While young, Chef Luigi worked in the illustrious Villa DEste 5 star for seven years and has already won 50 gold medals in international culinary competitions. Still, Chef Luigi is humble and energetic as he talks about using local ingredients and teaches his hands-on pasta cooking class in his family-owned restaurant.
Super exciting experience in Lake Como on the mountain on top of Bellagio, about 40 miles north of Milano : you can go picking mushrooms or truffle hunting with Chef Luigi and his secret truffle hunters and his dog. Truffle and Mushrooms grow on the private land of family Gandola with the amazing view on the beautiful Lake Como.
Black summer truffle found in the woods around Bellagio is a kind of underground fungus belonging to the Tuberaceae family, in the Ascomycota division. Truffles grow naturally in the ground in a symbiotic, mycorrhizal relation- ship with the roots of certain trees and shrubs, particularly oak, hazel, lime, hornbeam, etc. The truffle e is commonly thought to be the only fruiting body to be found with the help of dogs and harvested by hand. The truffle is an extremely valuable food that is highly sought after and very expensive.
After the hunt, you will return to Salice Blu restaurant and in the kitchen you can learn how wash and preserve truffles and mushrooms. Then Chef Luigi Gandola personally cooks for you a salad with your mushrooms and zucchini, truffle risotto in combination with home made tagliolini and an amazing local dessert, all served with local (Italian) wine. Details Available any day from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on request for a minimum of 2 people, weather permitting, from March-December. Comfortable clothes and shoes recommended. Pick up in Bellagio town directly from chef Luigi and his team.
Just a few minutes drive from Bellagios city center and Lake Como, sits an elegant restaurant and is home to the award-winning imaginative chef. While young, this chef worked in the illustrious Villa DEste for seven years and has already won 40 gold medals in international culinary competitions. Still, the chef is humble and energetic as he talks about using local ingredients and teaches his hands-on pasta cooking class in his family-owned restaurant.
Your culinary adventure begins at 10:00 a.m. when you are picked up from your hotel lobby in Bellagio, post office, or ferry gate and you hear tales from the kitchen on the ride over to the familys restaurant. Once at the restaurant, relax for a moment with a cup of coffee or cappuccino with your chef and then you put on an apron and explore the herb garden behind the restaurant. The hands-on cooking lesson begins at 10:30 a.m. and focuses on creating homemade pasta fresca, packed with fresh daily ingredients, as well as risotto, tagliatelle, gnocchi and a dessert which changes daily.
After the class, enjoy lunch on the terrace (weather permitting). Chef Luigi will also send you off with a home made bottle of olive oil, an apron, a diploma of participation, as well as a recipe book (in English) focused on dishes typical to the region. Your class ends at around 2:30 p.m. when you return to Bellagio town or your Bellagio hotel in a van with all of your culinary souvenirs.
During your stay in Bellagio, Lake como or in all Lombardy you can stop here in Salice Blu and meat Chef Luigi Gandola.
Chef Luigi Gandola graduated professional sommellier on march 2018, he take care of your wine tasting in him private cellar is salice blu restaurant!
you can miss this activity !!
Call us or contact for know perfectly the paring and the wine Luigi love to open and share with you!!
See you soon in Bellagio
not only a wine tasting in our wine cellar if you pay the difference for person you can have an exclusive fine dining or lunch time as well with the best italian wine and the beautiful cucine of chef Luigi Gandola.
Just a few minutes drive from Bellagios city center and Lake Como, an elegant restaurant the Salice Blu in Bellagio is home to the award-winning imaginative creative Chef Luigi. While young, Chef Luigi worked in the illustrious Villa DEste 5 star for seven years and has already won 50 gold medals in international culinary competitions. Still, Chef Luigi is humble and energetic as he talks about using local ingredients and as well is able to teaches his home-made pasta cooking class in his family-owned restaurant.
Your culinary adventure begins just arrive at the restaurant, relax for a moment with a cup of coffee or cappuccino or a nice glass of wine!! With the chefs a little explain of the work to do and then you dress on the apron and explore the list of the ingredients.
The hands-on cooking lesson begins at 5:15 p.m. and focuses on creating homemade dessert, packed with fresh day ingredients, for the dessert we can make Tiramisu, Creme Brûlé , Chocolate Soufflè and a lot other things. After enjoying your lunch on the beautiful restaurant dining room
Chef Luigi will also send you off with a home made bottle of olive oil, an apron, a diploma of participation at the end of all the class day and a copy of his first cook book ,focused on dishes typical to the region. Your class ends at 21:30 p.m. when Chef Luigi returns you to Bellagio town or your bellagio hotel with the private van of the restaurant with all of your culinary souvenirs.
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Intrepid Travel is one of only two only major tour outfits I know (along with G Adventures) of that makes a concerted effort to travel like real independent travelers—small groups (max of 8 or 12 people), staying in mom-and-pop accommodations and getting around by public transport rather than a big tour bus.
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