
PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S worth booking?
PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S is a 3-hour experience in Bologna, Italy, from $126 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (6)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $126 per person
Giovanna is a retired teacher, she taught Italian, Philosophy and History to high school students. Currently she collaborates with the 'Love Italian Project' to offer history and Italian lessons to foreign students. Giovanna learned to cook from her mother in the countryside of Mantua. She is excited to meet new people and share with them her passion for history, cooking and good Italian food and wine! • Private Bolognese cooking lesson with a local in her beautiful apartment in downtown Bologna, in the historical center • Learn to cook traditional Italian dishes such as crostini and risotto, using family recipes • Enjoy a home-cooked Italian meal, dishes Giovanna often cooks for her friends and family • Introduction to Italian hospitality, cuisine, culture and culinary traditions • Lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available If you choose the market tour option - visit the Mercato di Mezzo to shop for fresh, seasonal produce for your cooking class.
What you get
About this experience
Giovanna is a retired teacher, she taught Italian, Philosophy and History to high school students. Currently she collaborates with the 'Love Italian Project' to offer history and Italian lessons to foreign students. Giovanna learned to cook from her mother in the countryside of Mantua. She is excited to meet new people and share with them her passion for history, cooking and good Italian food and wine! • Private Bolognese cooking lesson with a local in her beautiful apartment in downtown Bologna, in the historical center • Learn to cook traditional Italian dishes such as crostini and risotto, using family recipes • Enjoy a home-cooked Italian meal, dishes Giovanna often cooks for her friends and family • Introduction to Italian hospitality, cuisine, culture and culinary traditions • Lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available If you choose the market tour option - visit the Mercato di Mezzo to shop for fresh, seasonal produce for your cooking class.
What's included
Included
- Home-cooked Italian meal with wine
- If you choose the market tour, enjoy a guided tour of Mercato di Mezzo
- Traditional Bolognese cooking class in a local home
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bologna
Please meet your host directly at her apartment in Santo Stefano. Exact address can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation. Please check the 'before you go' section in your voucher for the exact address and Google Maps link to the meeting location.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please meet your host directly at her apartment in Santo Stefano. Exact address can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation. Please check the 'before you go' section in your voucher for the exact address and Google Maps link to the meeting location.
Options you can book
Mrkt+cook+dinner wth Giovana S
Cooking+dinner with Giovanna S
Mrkt+cook+lunch wth Giovanna S
Cooking+lunch with Giovanna S
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, it
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 2 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Traveling Spoon
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Giovanna can accommodate lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets on request
- Please let her know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, while booking your Bolognese cooking class online
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An absolutely amazing experience!
Giovanna was an absolute delight! I was, at once, comfortable with her. She took me to a local market for the ingredients we would use, we cooked and chatted, then enjoyed a delicious meal in her beautiful home. I was so grateful that she allowed me to chat, as best I could, in Italian and helped me when it was needed. I had such a wonderful time that I was amazed we had just met! Giovanna is a true gem! Un tesoro!
via Viator
Engaging, Informative, Delicious
We loved going to the market with Giovanna. She told us about Bologna’s history as a medieval city. Filled with groceries, we returned to her house, where we began some meal preparations. We enjoyed antipasto, , official meat tortellini and vegetable made broth, and a delicious risotto with asparagus. She prepared us a simple baked tomato dish, and finally, the delicious tiramisu.. We enjoyed a choice of wines. Great talk, great company and wonderful food in Giovanna’s lovely home. She is a gem.
via Viator
Fantastic time!
We had such a wonderful time at this Italian home cooking experience with Giovanna! She was incredibly kind, friendly, and made us feel so welcome — like we were old friends visiting her home. Her warmth and hospitality created such a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, and her cooking was absolutely fantastic. Every dish was full of authentic Italian flavor, and it was such a joy to learn from her. This was truly a special and memorable experience, and we’re so happy we did it. Thank you, Giovanna, for such a beautiful evening — we’ll never forget it!
via Viator
Wonderful evening
We had a wonderful evening with Giovanna. We accompanied her to the market, then went to her beautiful apartment and learned how to prepare a traditional Bolognese meal. The food was exceptional and she was a charming host. Highly recommended for an enjoyable evening
via Viator
Enriching local, immersive experience!
We had a wonderful experience with Giovanna, starting with a lovely walk to the central market area to buy ingredients, where we also learned a bit about the city. We then cooked in her beautiful kitchen, supported by her cute dog Nemo. She catered to one of our dietaries (gluten - thank you so much!!!) and we had a lovely time cooking while having antipasto and some local wine. Thanks for such a great time, Giovanna!! Grazie mille 🖤
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $126 to $180
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Traveling Spoon, who run 283 experiences we rank across 116 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.3.
See everything Traveling Spoon runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bologna.
How much does PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S cost?
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Prices start at $126 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bologna usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bologna is not rushed.
Is PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bologna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bologna can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bologna and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bologna within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bologna?
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On Outty we rank every Bologna experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, Wine & Gelato, Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & Lunch By Italian Days, Small Group Bologna Food Tour – Local Food & Market Experience. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bologna?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bologna?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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Included: Home-cooked Italian meal with wine; If you choose the market tour, enjoy a guided tour of Mercato di Mezzo; and Traditional Bolognese cooking class in a local home. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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Please meet your host directly at her apartment in Santo Stefano. Exact address can be found in your ticket upon booking confirmation. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S offered in?
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It is offered in English and Italian. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Bologna. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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Across 6 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for PRIVATE Bologna Market Tour & Home Cooking Class with Giovanna S?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including Mrkt+cook+dinner wth Giovana S, Cooking+dinner with Giovanna S, Mrkt+cook+lunch wth Giovanna S, Cooking+lunch with Giovanna S. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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