The International Kitchen

Fantastic experience: What an incredible experience. Right after Thanksgiving Peg set up a trip for me and my brother to Italy with about 72 hour’s notice. She gave us four options and we decided to go with Secrets of Spoleto. We spent two days in Rome, self-guided touring as well as a private tour of the Vatican and then took the train to Spoleto. Our host in Spoleto, Richard, was the consummate professional, incredibly knowledgeable in the history of this 2000-year-old town, but also passionate about making sure our seven days was everything we were hoping for. As a culinary experience, the cooking lessons far exceeded our expectations. Since it was only the two of us, we didn't feel like we were competing with anyone else. Our favorite restaurant was Il Tempio del Gusto where two of the cooking lessons took place. The owners, Eros and Manuela, were incredibly gracious as hosts and patient during our lessons. When not learning how to make Umbrian dishes, we had plenty of walks about the old section of the town, many other amazing restaurants, a tour of Castello de Campello Alto (a still occupied 1000-year-old fortified settlement), olive groves, the Marfuga olive processing plant, the Arnaldo-Caprai winery, the Duomo di Spoleto, and the Rocco Castela (the large castle above Spoleto). While we saw and learned a lot, Richard made sure that our days never seemed overwhelming. Peg and her team at The International Kitchen, and our in-country host, Richard, created an experience we will never forget!

Fantastic experience: The International Kitchen recommended and arranged a fantastic cooking vacation for us in the Tuscany region of Italy. This was our third vacation using The International Kitchen and the best so far. The food , wine and cooking experience were all memorable. We have recommended The International Kitchen to family and friends; we plan to book with them again next year.

Positive experience: Our driver/guide was really great. Some of the restaurant descriptions were not up to date but the experience was even better than expected. We truly did enjoy our tour.

Positive experience: TIK is a great resource for curating a fabulous culinary based trip! I combined the Paris and Normandy excursions into one trip. The reason for not giving 5 stars: Paris is exciting, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. The hotel was very basic (not what I would expect from a 3-star) and the cooking class was just ok. I never did get the recipes from it. If I had just done the Normandy trip: 10 stars!! The Old Farm in Amfreville was absolutely delightful! The proprietors were so kind and welcoming. It was like staying with family. The cooking classes and food were next level. The D-Day excursions were emotional and educational. Trust Peg and the TIK team to put together a wonderful package for you. And definitely do the Normandy trip!

Fantastic experience: The accommodations & cooking experience exceeded our expectations. Every dish chef Ana had us make was delicious! The views from our open air kitchen were stunning mountain views.

Fantastic experience: My sister and I had an incredible experience with International Kitchen. The knowledgeable tour guides, skilled divers, and comfortable accommodations made our trip unforgettable. I highly recommend them! They were all wonderful.

Fantastic experience: Wow! We would like to keep this gem to ourselves; but our trip, Secrets of Spoleto was so amazing, we must share! We reached out to the International Kitchen for our dream trip to Italy. Our parameters were - no crowds, small towns, amazing food and cooking. This itinerary checked all the boxes! We've never traveled internationally, but Peg and her team lined up up all the extras - pick up at the airport, train tickets, our hotel in Florence for our last days in Italy - with DETAILED instructions so we could navigate our first Italian adventure with confidence. We were met at the train station in Spoleto by our host for the week, Richard. After a long day of travel, his happy demeanor and enthusiasm perked us up and we were ready to explore our new home for the week. Our 4 star accommodations were in a former residence, turned cozy hotel. Beautiful views, a comfortable room and an easy walk to everything. Cappuccino in China cups and an array of delicious food started our mornings. While there is an itinerary, we did everything and more but not on a timeline/schedule. Richard let us know how each day would flow. We worked in tiny kitchens with phenomenal (and funny) chefs, ate like there were no calories, walked the streets of Spoleto and soaked up all it's history and stories from our host Richard. His vast knowledge, passion for food, art, history and Spoleto made everyday special. I don't know how we can ever top this magical trip made possible by the International Kitchen!

Fantastic experience: The staff at Poros for our Greek Cooking Odyssey were fantastic. Our cooking classes were excellent and were very well managed. Students from the US, Australia, Canada and the UK etc. were seamlessly integrated into the classes and activities. A wide variety of dishes were prepared with hands on being very key. A lot of personal attention given during the cooking classes. A GREAT VACATION! Strongly recommend!

Fantastic experience: My mother and I had a wonder time on our Amalfi TIK tour. We were so pampered working alongside chefs who were so patient and kind. Our drivers were friendly and kept us safe. The hotel was stunning with 360 degree views of the sea. The staff at Oasi Olympia were fabulous and took care of us. I would highly recommend TIK to anyone.

Fantastic experience: I was extremely impressed with the Value and Quality of our cooking experience near Lyon. Highly recommend this company.

Positive experience: The tour did not start off well. We were told that our driver would meet us in the arrival area of the Milan train station, but was nowhere to be found. We were told we could contact most of our vendors on "Whatsapp", so we had no local phones. We had no luck contacting anyone of "Whatsapp". I went outside to the limo area and found more than 20 vehicles waiting, but none with signs naming who they were waiting for. Eventually, our driver called and I identified him by the fact that he was talking on his phone outside his vehicle. He had no sign with our name on it and was not looking for us inside the terminal. It was only through our extra effort that we made contact. The remainder of our trip went well and we enjoyed it immensely. Tom Love

Positive experience: International Kitchen expertly covered many of the details of a fabulous trip to Ikaria to visit the kitchen of Diane Kochilas. Flights, hotels, transfers taken care of, mostly with no glitches. Sometimes there were problems with times of pick-up and drop off-probably due more to vendors on the island than IK, and our transfer driver in Ikaria held no sign, so it was hard for us to find him. Overall, the delights were many and the problems few. We thoroughly enjoyed our classes with Diane and the activities that had been arranged for us-including dinners out, a wine tasting, a nature hike...even milking goats! The schedule was perfect as it allowed us free time in the afternoon for exploring Ikaria on our own. We loved swimming in the Aegean, and the hotel pool. It was an excellent adventure.

Fantastic experience: My sister and I did the Splendid 5* Sorrento Food Tour in August of 2024. I can't say enough good things about the trip. The hotel had great food, was in a great location and we loved the pool. Every trip transfer was on time and drivers made accommodations for my sister's motion sickness. Each of the excursions was well done with professional guides. If anything the trips were under-sold rather than over sold. The walking/eating tour of Sorrento was especially interesting and the food stops were perfect for us. We do an international trip about 1 time per year and this was at the top!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic! Robert Ash is articulate, funny, and patient. Sarah, his trusty associate, is also excellent, as are Roger and Jackie—great recipes and useful tips in the kitchen, fantastic, engaging, and educational outings. It was everything I had hoped for. SAB

Fantastic experience: "Undiscovered Scotland" was our second vacation with The International Kitchen. Our recent trip to Cairnbaan, Scotland, along the Crinan Canal in the Argyll and Bute area, was nothing short of amazing. Jane and Brian, our delightful hosts, made the experience unforgettable with their warmth and hospitality. We spent our days learning to cook traditional Scottish dishes such as Cullen Skink, Bannock, Cock-a-leekie, Scotch pies, Oatcakes, Tattie Scones, and Bridies. The hands-on cooking sessions were both fun and informative, making us feel like true locals. Staying at the Karibu Cottage was a great choice; its proximity to Jane and Brian’s home meant we could easily walk over for our cooking lessons. The cottage was cozy and well-equipped, providing the perfect base for our explorations. We also had the pleasure of meeting some of their friends, neighbors, and locals, which added a genuine community feel to our stay. The area itself is steeped in ancient history, with fascinating sites like rock carvings, standing stones, and monuments dating back 5,000 years. We particularly enjoyed walking along the Crinan Canal, taking in the serene landscapes, and watching the boats navigate the locks. One of the highlights of our trip was the distillery and castle tour in Oban, which was both educational and enjoyable. Jane and Brian also took us on several excursions, including a visit to the Kilmartin Museum and a nature walk, where we gained a deeper appreciation of the region’s history and culture. Overall, our vacation was a perfect blend of culinary adventure, historical exploration, and warm hospitality. Jane and Brian truly went above and beyond to make our stay memorable, and we left with not only new cooking skills but also fond memories of our time in Scotland. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: The International Kitchen staff were courteous, professional and knowledgeable. I had an accident and had to cancel my cooking class. Peg and her team cancelled my flights and sent me all the documents in one e-mail that I'd need to apply for a refund from the insurance company. Bravo! Can't wait to re-book this trip next year.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time cooking at Odyssey Farms with Katerina. She and her husband Rik were wonderful, attentive, informative hosts. They truly invited us into their Greek family and created a vacation for us that was both adventurous and relaxing. All the employees at the farm were so helpful and kind. We had a great time and will be back!

Fantastic experience: The International Kitchen is an invaluable resource for connecting people to culinary vacations. We used The International Kitchen in 2006 for our honeymoon, so when I started planning my family vacation to Europe this spring and ran across them again, I booked our trip to Athens with their help. Every culinary trip will be different because each is run independently. One thing I can count on is that The International Kitchen has vetted their hosts. Alex and Denia in Athens were amazing. They took care of everything, from picking me and my family up at the airport to taking us around to their favorite restaurants to booking a private tour of the ruins with an archaeologist. Seeing how no one in my family speaks nor reads Greek, this was a huge boon to us. Alex and Denia were so responsive. Anything we wanted to do or decided we weren't interested in, they were willing to accommodate us. One bit of advice while booking, be clear about how much of a luxury/concierge type experience you're looking for, and The International Kitchen will steer you towards trips suiting your tastes. The trip to Athens, we stayed in a private home with our hosts, just our family and them, while in 2006 we stayed in a larger house with other guests in the Priorat, and then in a hotel on the Amalfi coast. Accommodations and group size vary widely. I never could've planned a trip like this on my own, even with months of planning, and I would've been stressed the whole time managing our schedule so we didn't miss anything. Instead, I was able to relax and enjoy my vacation knowing Alex and Denia had everything under control. Their schedule was great, a perfect blend of sightseeing, eating at restaurants, shopping, and cooking local dishes at home. I felt like a close friend being shown around the city. If you want to experience an area like a local, this is the way to do it.

Fantastic experience: This was an experience of a lifetime. Our family of five spent the day with Chef Barbara. She met us at the market in Florence, and she was everything we hoped she would be. She was kind, very knowledgeable and of course....fun! We made up a menu on the spot, and we helped her select the freshest ingredients from the marketplace. That was an experience on its own! We then got into a very nice shuttle (with AC) and drive to her beautiful home. It's a 150-ish year old farmhouse with views of the hills of Tuscany. Her kitchen was perfect for us to make our meal. She was patient with us, and took her time teaching us the important pieces. The best was dining on her patio overlooking the scenery and her home. Lovey day! Highly recommend for families or anyone wanting a unique, Italian experience. Ciao

Fantastic experience: Peg did a fantastic job personalizing our trip. Every tour guide, driver, and chef delivered. Not once did I fear something was going to go "off the rails." The hotel was perfectly situated and we walk most places, despite the July heat. A great experience all around!

Positive experience: We had a great trip to Aix en Provence. I did not know quite what to expect as I have never traveled with a tour company before. I would say TIK served more as a travel agent than a tour company. Many fun things were set up for us (the highlight was a cooking class in a local chef’s apartment) but it was usually just me and my husband with a different local guide every day. We had fun but I am seasoned at planning trips so could’ve arranged our own hotel and itinerary for less cost. I was anticipating being with a group of other food loving travelers. Pics from the lunch we made with Chef Camille.

Fantastic experience: Such a Great Experience we went back a second time with friends and it was even BETTER! The staff is very accommodating and friendly. The grounds are clean & breathtaking views. The rooms are quaint & spacious. The food is ridiculously delicious! We did the culinary experience with Silva & her staff do not disappoint. They were all friendly, fun & made the experience unique & special. I would recommend 100% and look forward to joining a Third time!

Fantastic experience: Fabulous trip! Lovely accommodations, informative and delicious cooking classes, experienced guides, and an itinerary that made traveling easy!

Fantastic experience: Thank you International Kitchen for a vacation of a lifetime. We enjoyed every minute and the accommodations, drivers, tours guides, and of course the cooking class, were all top-notch. Every detail taken care of and the local hosts were all super responsive. Can’t wait to book our third trip with you!

Fantastic experience: Our Amalfi Coast culinary tour was a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. TIK organised all the logistical details perfectly - all our drivers, guides and hosts were terrific. We felt like VIPs every step of the way.

Fantastic experience: Wow! The International Kitchen, 4-day Amalfi Coast culinary experience was awesome. From our lovely accommodations at Oasi Olimpia Relais, to the welcoming staff (especially Josie and Giovanni), the talented chef and cooking instructor, serving staff, and the delicious meals, both at Oasi and the surprise, 2-star restaurant Don Alfonso 1890--the trip exceeded our expectations! The mozzarella making and olive oil tasting was another highlight--the owner was entertaining, informative and the mozzarella was the most sumptuous I have ever tasted! Our Capri visit was nice--our guide was very helpful, informative and friendly. However, the TIK description should more clearly state that the Blue Grotto is an excursion NOT included in the package--it worked out since the day we went to Capri, the sea was too rough and the Blue Grotto was closed. Finally, our driving tour of the Amalfi coast was the only disappointment. About 6 hours of driving--two short stops in ??Atriani and Ravello and two photo ops along the drive. It would have been much nicer to schedule a half day somewhere to really explore, have a meal, maybe tour a winery, or even take a small group guided tour of some of the extraordinary and historical sites we whizzed by. I will look for TIK culinary experiences in other destinations on my travel bucket list and would recommend this culinary experience to those who love Italy, cooking and eating Italian food! We also enjoyed our other cooking classmates--it was a very nice small group of 8 of us! The only reason we did not book the 6 day experience was because we were meeting family in Collazzone, Perugia. Thanks again for a wonderful visit!

Fantastic experience: Peg and her team pay personal attention to every detail and have vetted and secured the best of the best for your travel experiences from tour guides and chefs to accommodations. I'm 100% a fan of TIK and look forward to my next adventure with them.

Fantastic experience: It was so easy working with The International Kitchen on our Greek Odyssey Culinary experience. They organized everything even our transfers. The experience itself was fabulous and would recommend to anyone who enjoys Greek food and cooking in a laid back family environment.

Fantastic experience: Wanting a no fuss, supportive, informative and high calibre international cooking experience? Then the TIK is your go to! Peg and her staff were always very attentive to my investigation, booking and paying process via email and phone. It was also so lovely to meet other TIK travellers during my travels and share a positive reflection of engagement.

Fantastic experience: Another amazing trip planned and organized by the International Kitchen. This time I traveled to Poros, Greece. I spent a fabulous week at the Odyssey Center with Katerina and her daughter Dora, and their wonderful family. They treated us like family, shared their beautiful traditions with us, and spoiled us rotten! The food was so fresh and delicious, often starting at the garden, picking what we needed for a particular recipe. The cooking classes were fun and doable for us to make at home. We toured Poros by land and by sea, visited Hydra, and were guests at the Easter dinner lamb roast, an experience I will never forget...wine, live music, dancing, the best lamb ever, and wonderful foods and people. Just beautiful hosts and a place I want to visit again. Denise Glowaski

Fantastic experience: Katerina Sakelliou and her family were warm and welcoming! Not only did we cook a bounty of delicious Greek dishes during four enjoyable sessions, but they also presented personal and historical perspectives of Greek culture. It was also wonderful to forage for fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs on their lovely farm. Highly recomended. Added some photos of our culinary masterpieces.

Fantastic experience: This is a 5 star experience! TIK does a fabulous job of planning the trip and selecting the best tour guides, chefs, and drivers to make your trip beyond expectations. The meals and wine of the region are fantastic. I highly recommend this trip.

Fantastic experience: Our trip to Scotland was beyond anything we could dream of. The International Kitchen was a pleasure to work with and answered all our many questions on a timely basis. I can highly recommend them. Couldn't be happier!

Positive experience: Had a nice experience in Sorrento. Everything was well organized. Only complaint was that I felt it was a bit overpriced value wise but I still enjoyed

Fantastic experience: A gem of a find!! We were so lucky to pluck this company out of all the options available on Google. Peg arranged a most wonderful, epic adventure for us, and very last minute as we did not book our April trip until the end of March. We had an all inclusive cooking tour in Minori on the Amalfi Coast. Our accommodations were in an upscale hotel with a beautiful dining room and adjacent spa. Our double room was large, clean, comfortable and had a balcony and modern bathroom, including bidet. Our tour was private, just us two for cooking classes in the hotel kitchen and guided side excursions to Pompeii, surrounding towns and their attractions on the coast; a huge cathedral; a three generation family run cheese business; a visit to a small, local limencello facility with demonstration and tasting. Our hosts were so friendly and helpful. Our chefs and personal waiter were friendly and attentive. The cooking classes were as hands on as we wanted, or we could let the chefs demonstrate. The food ingredients were all locally sourced and so fresh. We had the recipes to follow along with and had the option of eating our cuisine in the dining room or kitchen. We opted for the kitchen. It was so much fun! We got the recipes, aprons, a diploma, and a parting gift! The town was walkable, clean, safe and friendly, and so picturesque. We waded in the warm Mediterranean Sea and collected rocks and sea glass on the beach. Thank you, Peg. It was awesome!!

Fantastic experience: I have now taken part in two culinary vacations, the first was in Southern France and the second was in Southern Italy. I would highly recommend this company for their organization, their fast response time and they are truly here to help you with any questions you have. They are a great resource for where to stay and have suggestions for sights to see or other activities in areas you may want to visit before or after your culinary vacation. I highly recommend TIK and look forward to another trip with them!

Fantastic experience: We spent four fabulous days with Chef Claudio about 25 miles from Florence in 2008. Fantastic.

Fantastic experience: We spent five days with Maki and Clive in their rustic home surrounded by olive trees as far as the eye can see. The experience was terrific. We loved the flow of the trip. Mornings we left after a great breakfast with Maki who took us on memorable day trips to Cordoba, Grenada, an olive mill, and a winery. Maki is the perfect guide -- she is a terrific driver and she knows the area so well. We ate lunch in some quaint towns, and she did all of the ordering at our request. This resulted in us trying so many local specialities that we may have never ordered on our own. It was all delicious. We would arrive back to the house at around 5, have a brief rest, and then we joined Clive in the kitchen. We were then put to work for the next 2-3 hours preparing an entire 3-course meal. It was truly a hands-on experience which we loved. Clive would show us proper technique (we had never boned fish before!), and then he would watch as we tried to follow his instructions. The meals were great -- and always accompanied by our choice of wines. We were treated as guests in their home -- and this made a difference. They would often come in after dinner and chat -- a most enjoyable part of the evening. The weather was perfect and we loved every minute of our adventure. I'd highly recommend this trip -- a great learning experience and very relaxing.

Fantastic experience: A friends group booked this cooking trip at the Masseria Salamena in Puglia (near Bari) in mid-October. We had a great time and were certainly well fed! Chiara (our chef host) taught us well and was very patient of our questions and comments (many of us are scientists and vocal!). She and her team set up the lesson, guided us thru techniques and cooking. Then, they finished off the cooking and served the daily results in the Masseria’s glorious atrium greenhouse. The grounds of the Masseria were beautiful - we did wish that we had a bit more “hanging around time” (perhaps we should have added on an extra day - split in two, so that we could have both an afternoon and morning at leisure). The rooms were very nice, but we did have some confusion as to separating the queens into singles, for those of us who shared rooms. Ask & make sure that they know what you want! The tours of the areas cities and notable towns by Augusto (and his co-workers) were fabulous - the two UNESCO sites that we saw (Matera & Alberobelli) were magical and did not disappoint. We also wandered thru Bari and other hill towns in the area while tasting/making fresh mozzarella, incredible sourdough bread, olive groves, fresh seafood, tasting wine, visiting churches and eating gelato. And did I mention olive trees that were 2000-3000 yrs old!? Wow! Augusto also took our playful antics in stride and made us feel welcome in Puglia. Thanks everyone!!

Fantastic experience: From the beginning, the communication with the international team in Chicago was great. They provided a lot of details about the experience. Maki was very helpful, a great host, with plenty of knowledge of the Andalucian culture!. She knows many people wherever we headed! She helped us to chose where to have lunch every day ensuring it's an real Andalusian restaurant and we asked her to select what to eat to ensure we get the best of the area. She never disappointed with the selection. Chef Clive is always happy, ready to teach and put you to work, that was the idea, we want hands on cooking workshops! the cooking experience is fun, entertaining and unique, among other things, we learned how to clean 2 different type of fish, cooking techniques, plating and so many new flavors. The finca is cozy and authentic. The breakfast was yummy and abundant, with very fresh food, even some picked up by Clive during his morning walks with the cutest and friendly dog, Jan. We learned so much about olives and olive oil, and Chef Clive does a great job adding it to the recipes. You are in the heart of the Olives Land! The winery tour was excellence and the tasting experience very private and personalized. We learned about our new favorite dessert wine! Granada was magical, there is always plenty space to walk around with Maki and learn more things, Cordoba is full of stories (our tour guide was very knowledgeable), we got lost in the beauty of Priego de Cordoba after having lunch at a genuine restaurant in the area. We left full of knowledge and great memories of this unique experience. Maki and Clive are great hosts, my husband and I are very happy adding this gem to our journey in Spain.

Fantastic experience: We had an incredible week staying at this beautiful villa Oasi Olimpia. The culinary lessons and subsequent eating a very pleasant experience. The tours that were also booked with our package were very informative, the views exquisite and well timed so you had time to also relax in between cooking lessons, eating and touring. This was also ample time to explore the village on your own as well. The farm tour, Wine tasting, tours of Capri, Pompeii, Amalfi, Rafello were all amazing to see, many thanks to Giusy who did a phenomenal job as our guide in Capri, Paolo’s love of history was on full display with the tour of Pompeii. The Olimpia kitchen gardens were a joy to walk through much thanks to Giuseppe and Giovanni were taking the time to do this with us. The staff were beyond accommodating, from the moment you arrived till the day we left we were treated so well. Giovanni and Giuseppe were extremely patient and helpful as they taught us the fine art of Italian cooking, Both Josie and Ilaria always greeted us in the morning or evening with a smile and checked to see if there was anything else we required. Both Maria’s ensured our rooms were always spotless. Our waiters Ilaria and Alessandro were very pleasant, quick to respond to any request and I especially enjoyed Alessandro’s attention to detail (with one meal he remembered not only names but who drank what with regards to water preference and drink preference.Last but not least our driver Arturo was pleasant engaging and provided additional information as he drove us to the various sites and brought us safely back to Oasi Olimpia. The entire experience was very high value from start to finish!!! Everything was arranged for us even getting to Rome for the second week of our vacation. Would highly recommend this cooking school to anyone interested in learning how to cook authentic Italian food as well as learning about the culture, and history of this beautiful area.

Fantastic experience: Our epicurean trip to Paris, Reims, Alsace, and Mosel was one with multiple moving parts and lots of scheduled experiences. Adrian and the team at The International Kitchen managed to exceed our expectations in how they seamlessly arranged for everything. The hotels were luxurious and with great location. The drivers and guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. They were consummate professionals of great hospitality. Our daily schedules were packed with winery visits and cooking lessons (as we had requested). The Germany/Mosel segment, I believe new to TIK, was flawless and incredibly enlightening for those of us who have always wanted to learn more about German wines. My only observation for those taking the market/boulangerie experience through the Marais/Paris is this: have a small breakfast! Thank you again. Can't wait for the next experience with The International Kitchen.

Fantastic experience: The culinary tour of Sorrento and Amalfi was arranged perfectly for experiencing the local fare and sightseeing combined into one single booking. There was flexibility in our schedule to accommodate our arrival and for weather dependent excursions. I highly recommend TIK for future travels.

Positive experience: We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The Masseria Salamina was a wonderful place to stay (except for very cold showers) and our cooking classes with Chiara were the best I've had. Our tour guide Mimmo was fantastic! He made me want to live there because of his enthusiasm and knowledge of the area. Meeting his parents in their home was a highlight of the trip. The tours we had were all interesting, though a little packed in. But I think that we asked for additional activities so that's on us. Great trip overall. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: Our International Kitchen agent Adrian was wonderful! Our trip to Bordeaux exclusive and excellent.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful experience with Barbara. She made our lesson so enjoyable, especially making pasta. Our chicken and fresh porcini mushrooms dish was outstanding. All this in her beautiful home in the countryside. Thank you so very much Barbara.

Fantastic experience: We just completed a trip that TIK arranged for us in Bilbao/San Sebastian, Spain and multiple places in Puglia, Italy. It was an incredible trip! The guides were all five star. Our guide, Mimmo, in Puglia was the absolute best guide we have ever had on our many many trips abroad. The food experiences were exceptional in both Spain and Italy and the accommodations they arranged were excellent! Highly recommend TIK. Thank you to Peg for all of her help in planning this trip

Fantastic experience: My wife and I decided to include some cooking lessons on our recent trip to Spain. We came across The International Kitchen’s cooking in Andalucia offer and jumped at it. The option we chose included cooking instruction and outings (Granada, Cordoba, an olive mill, and a winery). Our hosts were wonderful and the excursions took us to a couple of “must see” places in southern Spain. It was a great experience for both of us and the people at The International Kitchen were extremely helpful and communicative from the outset.

Fantastic experience: Thank you Adrian and TIK for the amazing trip you planned for us. Not only was the Amalfi Coast Mediterranean Cooking Experience wonderful but your customization of our trip to include our wish list of Herculaneum, Paestum and Puglia made for a perfect trip. From the minute we arrived in Naples until we left Polignano a Mare 12 days later we felt extremely well cared for. All the hotels you booked for us were excellent. Oasi Olimpia was beautiful and we enjoyed the wonderful views while watching the sun rise. The staff at Oasi were all great and Giovanni and Giuseppe were a wonderful team teaching us to cook and making it so much fun. During our entire time in Italy the best food we ate was the food we cooked under their excellent tutelage. In addition to the excellent food, the tours were all great. Every tour guide was excellent and we learned so much. Puglia was a wonderful add on and we so appreciate your helping us plan this customized part of the trip. Your choice of hotels, Palazze Gattini in Matera and San Michele Suites in Polignano a Mare were wonderful. I want to also commend the staff at San Michele Suites. The room was beautiful and we are so happy we got the suite with the balcony. I was sick one day and got to recover in luxury, pampered by the staff bringing breakfast to the room while enjoying the amazing view from the balcony. From start to finish Adrian was wonderful to work with for both the big items like customizing the trip to the prompt responses to our many questions about converters, tipping and even things that were not part of TIK like helping us with tickets to the museum in Naples. We can't thank you enough!

Fantastic experience: My recent trip with the International Kitchen was outstanding! The Villa was lovely with an outstanding view of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Cooking classes were so fun. They were well organized. Giovanni and Giuseppe were excellent at walking us through each step of preparing the delicious dishes, and they were truly delicious! The day trips were amazing exploring the Amalfi coast. We added extra days at the end, and had a wonderful time in Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice. Every detail was planned out for us and we enjoyed it immensely.

Fantastic experience: The trip was great. We all enjoyed the cooking school and our creations. The day trips were informative even driving on crazy roads.The extension to Pestium, Matera and the Puglia region added a different aspect visiting the Adriatic.

Fantastic experience: We did the Zakynthos Cooking Holiday at the end of our trip to Greece. We enjoyed cooking and getting to know our hosts. The food we cooked was typical Greek family food and very delicious. The hosts were great about accommodating dietary restrictions. We really felt a connection with the hosts. It was a great end to our trip.

Fantastic experience: what an amazing experience we had - There are no words for how wonderful our experience was, the staff at the hotel was exceptional and went above and beyond. I would recommend this amalfi experience to anyone and everyone.

Fantastic experience: Sometimes when someone tells you something is wonderful, you don't believe it is as great as they say! Well, The Mediterranean Cooking: Amalfi Culinary Vacation: Relais Oasi Olimpia is! I and 3 other friends went to the school and loved it. The hotel was beautiful, the cooking was fun and the tours were informative and enjoyable! Thank you for such a great time and I am already thinking of where I want to go next!

Fantastic experience: Went on an amazing trip to Morocco. The Riads and hotel were top notch. The cooking classes were great! Ali was a fantastic guide and the local guides were great too!

Fantastic experience: Had the most amazing time cooking in Italy. Was a little nervous since I was going alone but they helped me find a good program and time to go. Everything went great!

Fantastic experience: Just came back from doing the Greece Poros Odyssey culinary vacation with TIK the last week of September. I had such a great time and Katarina and Dora are such wonderful people, very friendly, warm, hospitable and generous. I had a very lovely stay and the cooking classes very both fun and educational. The accommodation is very clean, cozy, and relaxing. This island is beautiful and fun to explore and there is even a bakery/cafe and supermarket very close to the restaurant/hotel where you stay. I would definitely recommend it and would think about going back with friends or family.

Fantastic experience: I had a wonderful stress free experience in French Alps cooking class. Adrian went through all the details and explain what to do and expect in our trip and everything went very smoothly. Oh, I did forget to make a copy of my train ticket at home so I called him in panic while I was in France. Adrian again came to the rescue and sent a copy directly to my hotel in France which I can't say enough thanks to him. Also Nikki and her husband who hosted the cooking class in the French Alps were out of this world! I couldn't of asked for any better trip! Thanks so much Adrian, Nikki and The International Kitchen for making my dream vacation coming true!

Fantastic experience: Wonderful itinerary for Sorrento Italy. Tik and tour operators for tours, cooking events and selected hotel were 5 star. Memories were made. Good food, Good friends and Good wine. We see another trip with TIK in our future. Thanks for a great holiday.

Fantastic experience: Italy We have used International Kitchen several times in the past few years. Our experience previously was in a home setting. This experience was in a restaurant environment and therefore nothing we had done before. Picking items from the chef’s garden to making food in the restaurant kitchen. What an experience! And then the usual, eating what you have prepared.

Fantastic experience: Casa Gregorio greatly exceeded my expectations

Fantastic experience: We did the Flavors of Portugal tour with a few personalized changes. At first I was thinking this was a little expensive but once I experienced all that we got for the price--it was amazing. We had a car and driver and tour guide everywhere we went; admissions were included to excursions, the cooking classes were amazing, the tours were wonderful, the cars were luxury, and they had to send drivers to pick us up several hours drive away. hotels were great and included breakfast buffets. The douro valley hotel was luxury but secluded (hint--the pool is not heated). The boutique hotel in Porto on Flower street was great and in an excellent walking location. The H10 hotel in Lisbon I would skip. It is more than a mile away from anyplace you would want to shop or eat. The breakfast restaurant was superb but the roof top bar should be skipped. I think it is managed by someone different from the hotel. The drinks were cheap liquor and not a well stocked bar the food (snack menu) was horribly cheap. Can cheese on chips for nachos, potato chips with Italian seasoning shaken on them,---I mean--the food was just bad and the drinks were something I would have drank back when I was in high school sneaking liquor anywhere I could find it. Poor quality liquor selection and limited. Overall the best thing about H10 hotel was the breakfast restaurant because the location was not near anything. Overall the TIK set us up with some wonderful partners in Portugal and I would definitely use them again. it was a wonderful trip and TIK had every detail worked out perfectly (except maybe they didnt know how bad the roof top bar was at the H10!) or the location is not great.

Fantastic experience: I loved this experience Such a beautiful place with a beautiful family The cooking was great. Came away with a much better understanding of Greek Cuisine and how to prepare it

Fantastic experience: I am a very happy returning customer. My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary in Tuscany with a TIK package and recently our 30th in Tuscany with another TIK package. On our recent trip, our accommodations were excellent and the service was amazing. It was fantastic to be getting cooking lessons from the head and executive chef of a Michelin star restaurant! Outings were great but needed to be modified due to the heat wave. TIK was great working with us to arrange travel plans even though there were other parts of our trip that were not TIK packages. For instance, they arranged a 2-hour private guided tour at Pompeii, which was one of the highlights of our trip. I really enjoyed having this flexibility so that we could have an extended stay in Europe with family and friends.

Fantastic experience: We came to Italy for a once in a lifetime trip. 6 weeks. We wanted to be immersed in the culture and people. Our 4 day stay at ViaVai with Francesca was the best part of all our weeks there and we moved around a LOT during that time. We will never forget how we felt about her, her family, the village, the cooking and so much more. We felt like we were family a lot of the time and wanted to stay and know these people as good friends. My husband also thought it was our best part. She is a very special person.

Fantastic experience: We signed up for the cooking class - Florence - Lesson with Chef Barbara. It was wonderful!! Chef Barbara asked what we would like to make and gave us suggestions and after deciding on our meal choices we started our culinary adventure. We shopped for all the fresh ingredients in the outdoor market and then on to her home where we had a true hands on class preparing our dishes in her kitchen. It was a relaxing and rewarding experience. She was a wonderful teacher and gracious host.

Positive experience: Loved the program in Norcia! Our instructors were the chef's of the Michelin starred restaurant, which also shared the hotel where we stayed. Lovely hotel, cooking school staff was marvelous, amazing...can't say enough about them. My only complaint was that the written recipes that we learned often did not have instructions and/or ingredient lists were incomplete, which makes it hard if not impossible to replicate at home. Everything we made used local ingredients and were local specialties. It was a lot of fun! One thing that is important to know...Norcia, where the school is, suffered extensive damage in the 2016 earthquakes. It is being rebuilt, and some things should be finished soon, but it means that a lot of the town is under construction. They have cleverly relocated a lot of the shops to a series of temporary storefronts, but there is not much to do outside of class unless you go to another town in the region. They are making progress and it will be beautiful when it's done, but I would have liked to have known about it. Included excursions to nearby towns (Assisi, Montefalco, Spoleto) were limited to getting us there and back. Once there we were on our own. It would have been helpful to have some orientation or a brief walking tour of the town before leaving us on our own. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience.

Fantastic experience: This is a fantastic culinary experience where Chef Stefano takes the time to truly teach you new techniques and recipes. It is by far the best cooking class I have ever taken, and I have taken many around the world. The high level of the food, the perfectly paired wines, the skills and encouragement of Stefano and his team are extraordinary. Could not recommend more!

Fantastic experience: We had an absolutely amazing trip! We got to experience wonderful aspects of Italian culture thanks to the International Kitchen. They also did a great job accommodating, my gluten allergy. Everywhere we went they had gluten-free options.

Fantastic experience: We had a fabulous week at the Tuscookany Mediterranean Cooking school as well as a delightful time in Rome. The tours, transfers, flights and hotels Peg arranged for us were just what we hoped for and met our expectations.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful experience with Andrea Anichini and his wife and her sister cooking, laughing and eating. One special evening was a meal with an Italian family in their home.

Fantastic experience: Our experience was fantastic. We were picked up from the airport by the owner of the villa we stayed at. The entire family we stayed with was involved in our experience.

Fantastic experience: The day of our cooking class with Lucca as our guide and chef in the beautiful little town outside of Rome was one of the best days of our stay in Italy. The town and home where the class took place were both astoundingly beautiful and we cannot praise Lucca enough. The class was fabulous and we made so many different dishes. Ended up being one of our best meals on the trip as well. Lucca was an expert chef and a funny sweet and engaging guide!!

Fantastic experience: Diane could not have been more instructive and knowledgable about the Ikarian diet and cooking methods. I learned a great deal about how to prepare traditional Greek foods and I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in gourmet Greek food preparation.

Fantastic experience: A group of us recently did TIK Greek Odyssey to Poros. We all had a fabulous time. The trip was well orgnanised and our hosts Katarina and her daughter, Dora, could not have been more generous. We began our time with them as strangers but left as friends.Would highly recommend this trip.

Fantastic experience: 8 friends had a fabulous week on Poros with Katerina and Dora discovering Greek traditional food and wine. The Odyssey hotel was charming (though a lot of stairs) and nothing was too much trouble for our hosts from organising a day trip on a fishing boat to a trip to their farm and a local winery. The cooking classes were great fun & we will certainly try out the recipes when we get home. We have done many trips with International Kitchen and this one was up with the best!

Fantastic experience: Francesca and her family were marvelous hosts for our visit and cooking classes. We enjoyed being a part of their family. Our cooking sessions with Francesca and her daughter were amazing. The wine tasting was a special treat. We came as strangers and left as family. Thank you International Kitchen for arranging this wonderful experience.

Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic experience at Chalet Savoie Faire during the week of May 14th. Nikki and Hugh are wonderful hosts. The cooking classes were great. Nikki’s recipes are easy to follow and few ingredients which makes it easy to take home for future use. The area is lovely and the trips to other villages for either shopping or farmer’s markets were a real treat.

Fantastic experience: The team at The International Kitchen is amazing! Every detail of our recent Italy tour was perfectly planned and communicated. Top notch in every way!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing trip to Southeast Asia- guides, hotels and experiences were all great!

Fantastic experience: Adrian planned an outstanding trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I will definitely use The International Kitchen again for a trip.

Fantastic experience: It was a marvelous trip. The trip was so well thought out. I would recommend The Internation Kitchen for any of your traveling destinations.

Fantastic experience: Excellent communication from International Kitchen re. Availability for the cooking course, travel types to and from and access to accommodation and program. Our experience with Chef Robert Ash was outstanding from all aspects: excellent manner with instruction, confidence building and very hands on in all situations. Very much a team and family atmosphere! We enjoyed the variety of recipes planned and the pace and strategic injection of side trips on “ off cooking times”. We would definitely return again for Chef Robert’s cooking school experience! Adrian & Irene Hornich, Canada

Fantastic experience: This trip was amazing and exceeded my expectations. The accommodations were lovely and staff wonderful. The tours and guides knowledgeable and transport well planned. I would recommend TIK to the Amalfi coast and Rome to anyone like me who does not travel much and wants an experience of a lifetime. The staff and chefs at the Oasi Olympia hotel were the best and the cooking classes fun and informative. A five plus star experience.

Fantastic experience: The Rapallo cooking class with Chef Fausto was one of the highlights of our trip. The entire kitchen staff was warm and welcoming, and we had an incredibly unique experience with preparing foods, touring the impressive grounds, sharing an enjoyable lunch with Chef Fausto, and finally returning for a very memorable dinner. The ultimate surprise was how amazing the entire staff was with our four year old — I cannot stress how much our family considered this to be a priceless experience for all. By the time we left, Fausto, the staff, and his own family felt more like old friends than new acquaintances.

Fantastic experience: Spending half a day with Chef Myriam was a highlight of our trip! We enjoyed experiencing the market first and then preparing - not just watching - our delicious lunch. We learned so many great cooking tips and all of the dishes are things we would absolutely prepare at home!

Fantastic experience: My mother and I had the pleasure of attending Cooking Odyssey at Poros Island of Greece. I have to say this was one of our all time favorite vacation’s ever. Our hosts Katerina Sakelliou, her husband Rick and their lovely daughter Dora were most gracious and welcoming. Not only did our group of 18 strangers learn how to prepare and cook phenomenal Greek specialties, we all became knowledgeable and ingrained with Greek traditions, history and remarkable way of life. The accommodations were magical as well, we all felt like this was our home away from home. Beautifully updated rooms, an open court yard area, a fully equipped chef inspired kitchen and walking distance to the water are all features that enhance the whimsical enchanting ambience Katerina and company strived for, aspired and achieved. I believe my mom and I made friends for life with our new Greek family. We cannot recommend enough to plan a trip to Cooking Odyssey, this is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed a Lifetime Experience with the tour that International Kitchen planned for us. First, we received Exceptional Service from Peg Kern, who provided all of the info of the hotels, transfers, and the 'Under the Tuscan Sun' culinary program. Every arrangement that Peg made for us happened on time and exactly as planned. I would strongly strongly recommend Peg Kern and The International Kitchen for a Lifetime experience.

Fantastic experience: Booked a wonderful trip to Italy through TIK. All went according to plan! Very helpful and answered any questions right away

Fantastic experience: Great trip, prompt responses, very helpful! Peg took care of everything!

Fantastic experience: From start to finish, you're in great hands with Peg and TIK! Just got back from an amazing trip to Amalfi. Everything was very well organized.

Fantastic experience: this is my second time using ITK and they are thorough and very professional. if you are a foodie looking for a good experience abroad - this is the place you want to go with

Fantastic experience: Where do I begin? This was by far the best trip my husband and I have ever experienced. We travel a lot and love to dive into the culture and meet the locals to see how they live...from their cuisine to their family rituals/values and what makes them happy....we love it all! Well this trip had all of that and more! This was our first time going through The International Kitchen and it was as if they already knew us and what we loved to do when we travel because this trip was planned with such detail and perfection, yet with so many moving parts that just seemlessly flowed together that if we had planned it ourselves there's no way we would have been able to experience all that we did in 7 days. Not only is Croatia stunningly beautiful, but the people, especially the ones we were fortunate enough to spend quality time with, are truly special people. From truffle hunting to cooking classes, to oyster farming, winemaking and learning how to make their traditional Peka style dishes, we did it all! This was our 20th Anniversary trip so we wanted to do something really special. Well, this exceeded our expectations by far...to the extent that we don't know if we'll ever be able to come close to experiencing this kind of trip again, unless we go through The International Kitchen, of course! TIK might just have to be our go to outfit for all our European trips from now on. Thank you, TIK for the trip of a lifetime!

Fantastic experience: From beginning to end The International Kitchen provided everything we needed or wanted. From staying within our budget to providing some of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at. The tour guides they provided were the best. We had one mishap when the airlines cancelled our plane from Italy to Munich, but TIK was there to help us get new airline tickets and to find a place to stay while we waited to leave. I am already looking at other trips for the future and I plan on using TIK.

Fantastic experience: Every detail of our culinary tour to Campania was perfect! I cant thank you enough for this unforgettable trip of a lifetime! Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: My husband and I just spent five wonderful days with Chef Mark Haskell on a culinary tour of Provence. Our home base was in a lovely Inn in Vaison-la-Romaine. From here Mark took us a daily trips to wonderful markets, beautiful picnic spots, great restaurants, local wineries. His knowledge of this area was amazing. I think we were on every back road in the region. We cooked some great meals in his personal kitchen and shared wine with the local residents. What fun!! By the end of the trip I felt like a local. Thank you Mark for making our visit so memorable. And thank you International Kitchens for this wonderful opportunity.

Positive experience: This was a first of its kind travel experience for two couples: 8 days in Sicily primarily focused on food and wine. IK planned the itinerary and provided the van and driver and made all reservations for hotels, cooking classes, winery, and olive oil producer stops. Our first driver met us at the Palermo airport and delivered us to our hotel which was nicely located in an active part of the old city where we could enjoy the street scene and find interesting restaurants on our own. Next morning we met a restauranteur/chef and walked through the produce/fish street market with him selecting ingredients for the meal we then made under his direction in the restaurant kitchen. Educative and entertaining. Our one "touristy" stop was at the Valley of the Temples where we met our personal guide who walked the four of us through the archeological site and shared his extensive knowledge. We had another cooking class in a private apartment in Modica again just the four of us and enjoyed the meal we had prepared on a lovely terrace overlooking the historic part of the city. Our one winery stop was at a producer of notable Marsala, an acquired taste that one couple much enjoyed, the other not so much. Rain restricted our visit to the olive producer to indoors only but we've walked olive groves before so little was missed. The tasting was very informative. Both couples ordered specialty oils for delivery in the States. Two different days of rather long drives to reach our destination were broken up by excellent luncheons with wines at restaurants chosen by the driver/guide. We were surprised, pleasantly, to find the cost of these included in our prepaid tour. Our final stop was Taormina where our hotel had a fantastic sea view and lovely terrace. The rooms, however, were somewhat spartan. Cannot finish without mentioning our final cooking class/luncheon at Villa Britannia, a spectacular experience that we could not have found without IK. Highly recommend IK and the personal service provided by Adrian.

Fantastic experience: What a wonderful week! Each day was filled with laughs and learning. Enjoying new friends and spending time with the staff. This is definitely a trip worth taking. Katerina, Dora and their family and staff were so friendly and inviting. The trips we experienced together, the time spent in the kitchen and on the farm are so memorable. The weather was beautiful in October, the daily hiking with friends in between classes allowed us time to learn more about each other. The food, my goodness the food was plentiful and delicious. It was so great to be able to enjoy almost everything we had as Katerina and Dora took the extra step to help those of us with food allergies. No one was left out of any experience. A must take trip to anyone thinking of going

Fantastic experience: My experience and vacation through The International Kitchen and The Greek Odyssey were nothing short of incredible. Peg from TIK was one of the most helpful people I've ever worked with, in life. From my initial inquiry, all the way through the damage control of flight chaos, she was there to guide and assist every step. I am so grateful and I can't thank her enough, especially during those stressful moments at the airport. As for the Greek cooking at the Odyssey... I consider Dora and Katerina new family. The facility and accommodations were incredible. Their kindness, generosity, and genuine love for what they're doing were second to none. I would easily recommend this trip to every person. So much so that I'll be heading back next year for their annual olive harvest. Thank you to TIK and The Odyssey for a vacation I will surely never forget.

Fantastic experience: We used The International Kitchen to travel to Italy in June, and I'm writing this review now (in October) because I think about that trip every single day. From the beginning, Peg jumped into action and booked our "Michelin Star Cooking Tour on Prosecco Road". If you like prosecco or private hands-on cooking lessons from an amazing and talented chef (Giuseppe), then this trip is for you. The Villa Abbazia is gorgeous and you will fall in love with Giovanni (the owner). For an extra morning, Peg arranged for us to take a private car into Treviso to go exploring, and it was an excellent little day trip. From there, we went to Rome with the "Best Food & Wine Tour of Rome", where we visited ancient ruins, the vatican, the colosseum, and then had a couple cooking lessons. Our only complaint from the entire trip is that the cooking lessons in Rome were not private (they were private in Follina). This was our mistake though because it clearly states that the lessons may be public in the description of the trip. I'm pretty sure Peg would have arranged private sessions if we had asked her to do so. All in all, 10 out of 10. We definitely will be using the International Kitchen to book our next food & wine tour - and you should too!