
PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 165 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home worth booking?
PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home is a 3-hour experience in Florence, Italy, from $285 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 165 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 77 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (165)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $285 per person
This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a private and immersive Tuscan cooking class in a beautiful Florence home with a lovely retired Italian couple. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your hands-on cooking class takes place in a local home kitchen where Maria teaches you 2-3 traditional Tuscan dishes. You'll learn traditional Italian cooking techniques that are easily replicated at home. After cooking, enjoy your meal together with this lovely Italian family. If you choose to add-on a market tour, Maria gives you a guided tour of San Lorenzo market, the historic food market of Florence, perfect for food lovers. This experience includes round-trip transfers (up to 6 guests) in Maria's car from downtown Florence to her beautifully designed countryside home. During your car ride, Maria regales you with stories of the city. Vegetarians and guests with dietary requests are welcome!
What you get
About this experience
This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a private and immersive Tuscan cooking class in a beautiful Florence home with a lovely retired Italian couple. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your hands-on cooking class takes place in a local home kitchen where Maria teaches you 2-3 traditional Tuscan dishes. You'll learn traditional Italian cooking techniques that are easily replicated at home. After cooking, enjoy your meal together with this lovely Italian family. If you choose to add-on a market tour, Maria gives you a guided tour of San Lorenzo market, the historic food market of Florence, perfect for food lovers. This experience includes round-trip transfers (up to 6 guests) in Maria's car from downtown Florence to her beautifully designed countryside home. During your car ride, Maria regales you with stories of the city. Vegetarians and guests with dietary requests are welcome!
What's included
Included
- Round-trip transport from a central meeting location in Florence (up to 6)
- Private Tuscan cooking class in a beautiful countryside home
- Alcoholic beverages
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Florence
(Up to 6 guests) Meet Maria at the entrance to Forno Sale Grosso in the Florence city center. She will pick you up in her car and drive you to the market if you choose the tour + class option or drive you to her beautiful countryside home, 15 minutes away if you choose the class only option.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
(Up to 6 guests) Meet Maria at the entrance to Forno Sale Grosso in the Florence city center. She will pick you up in her car and drive you to the market if you choose the tour + class option or drive you to her beautiful countryside home, 15 minutes away if you choose the class only option.
Options you can book
Cooking and lunch
Market + cooking + lunch
Cooking and dinner
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Traveling Spoon
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- For your pasta class, Maria offers a choice of sauces: Ragu, broccoli pesto, arrabbiata or butter and sage with parmesan cream. If you have a specific preference, please inform her when making your booking.
- For groups of 7 and above, please make your own way to and from Maria’s home.
- Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.
- This experience is not suited for gluten-free diets. If you are interested in a gluten-free experience, be sure to book Maria's dedicated "Gluten-Free Pasta Class in a Gorgeous Florence Home".
- Please note that markets are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
- This home has a cat.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 163 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
163 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The best cooking class experience
The cooking class with Maria exceeding our expectations! This was the biggest highlight of our honeymoon trip and cannot recommend it enough. Maria is so down-to-earth and invites you into her countrywide Florence home. She is patient with you, involving you as much as you want to be included. You make a delicious meal, while she gets to know you more. I will go back to Florence just to see Maria again.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful day of country cooking
Was one of our best days of our Italy trip, great market experience, the drive to our host's lovely and scenic home , excellent hands on cooking and enjoyable lunch and conversation with Maria and husband made for a wonderful day. She even emailed the recipes for what we cooked along with several of her other favorites.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful countryside authentic cooking experience
Maria was a great host and instructor! My wife and I enjoyed our trip to the market and the wonderful cooking experience at her home, north of Florence! The pasta was so fresh and the pepper sauce we made was delicious! Our lunch in the Tuscan country side was exquisite, highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your market visit and cooking experience with Maria, and that the fresh pasta and pepper sauce were highlights of your meal. A delicious lunch in the Tuscan countryside sounds like a truly memorable way to experience the area! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Maria. Thank you for the recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
Cooking class with Maria
Maria was absolutely amazing! She welcomed us into her beautiful home and taught us how to make the most delicious dishes. We really enjoyed having an evening in the countryside. This experience was one of our favorite parts of our trip!
via Tripadvisor
Best home cooked meal and experience
Incredible evening with Maria in her rustic home. She was so welcoming as if we were visiting a long time friend and of course the food was incredible and I can’t wait to make her recipes for our family and friends. Hands down our most enjoyable part of our time in Florence
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
- Every day
- Price range
- $285 to $375
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 58
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
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 77
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Florence.
How much does PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home cost?
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Prices start at $285 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Florence usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home 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 Florence is not rushed.
Is PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 165 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Florence, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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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 Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home 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 Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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Around 58 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 Florence 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 Florence and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home 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 Florence 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 Florence?
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On Outty we rank every Florence experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Best tour in Florence: Renaissance & Medici -by a storyteller, Small group Tuscan Wineries, Olive Oil & Gourmet Lunch or Dinner, Florence Pizza or Pasta Class with Gelato Making at a Tuscan Farm. 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 Florence?
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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 Florence?
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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 Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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Included: Round-trip transport from a central meeting location in Florence (up to 6); Private Tuscan cooking class in a beautiful countryside home; and Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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(Up to 6 guests) Meet Maria at the entrance to Forno Sale Grosso in the Florence city center. She will pick you up in he. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home 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 Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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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 Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home 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 Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Florence. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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Across 165 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, good for families, photo opportunities. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
What booking options are available for PRIVATE Tuscan Cooking Class & Wine in Maria’s Countryside Home?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Cooking and lunch, Market + cooking + lunch, Cooking and dinner. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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