One Week Italian Cooking Course and Culinary Tours

Traveling from the Roman countryside to Lecce and Salento

If you are planning your long vacation in Italy and would like to spend a few days in a small oasis of peace and tranquility, between Tuscany and Rome, to the north, and the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Pompeii to the south, this is the place, stop here in Pico!

If you are looking for something charming and authentic, and wish to experience a less well-known part of Italy, Lecce and Salento is an amazing place to visit.

A full immersion in the traditions of the best Italian cuisine
4 Cooking lessons tailor-made for you
5 Exclusive culinary excursions and visits discovering authentic Treasures of History, Art, Culture, Nature, that belong to the immense Italian heritage, in short, authentic "goodies"

Day 1. Arrival in Pico

Arrival at Nenà al Borgo Castello in the late morning.
Welcome drink, Staff presentation, introduction to the program and itineraries.
Lunch with the specialties of the Ciociaria cuisine.
Tour of Pico in the afternoon: the medieval village, the Farnese castle, the churches, the history, food, and gastronomic traditions.
Special dinner with tasting of selected wines and served with local products (cheeses, salami, olive oil, and others).

Day 2 Anagni, Piglio, and Alatri. Wine tour: the road of the Cesanese Wine, between medieval villages and ancient castles. Cooking class 1

After breakfast, depart from Pico. Arrival at Anagni, visit the Cathedral, Crypt, Old Town.
Transfer to Piglio for the Wine Tour.
Wine tasting with traditional and local products.
After lunch, transfer to Alatri and visit to the Town of Cyclops and the Acropolis.
In the afternoon, transfer to Pico.
In the late afternoon, cooking class 1.
Dinner with the dishes cooked and prepared during the class.

Day 3 Gaeta, Sperlonga, Culinary Tour : buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and cheeses. Cooking class 2.

After breakfast depart depart for the Pontine coast and a visit to a farm that produces buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and cheeses.
The owner will tell and show you how to produce mozzarella.
Tasting of products and possibility to eat cheeses and freshly made products!
With even in the mouth the taste of buffalo milk, transfer to Sperlonga (optional: visit to the Roman Museum and the Cave of Tiberius).
Visit the enchanting village of Sperlonga, "One of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy".
Transfer to Gaeta, visit of the Split Mountain and The Turk’s Cave, tour in the Old Gaeta.
Lunch with the specialties of Gaeta.
Transfer to Pico in the afternoon.
Cooking class 2 in the late afternoon.
Dinner with the dishes cooked and prepared during the class.

Day 4. Departure for Lecce and Salento.

After breakfast, departure from Pico and transfer by car to Lecce; light lunch, arrival at the hotel in the afternoon.
Welcome drink and introduction to the program and itineraries.
Dinner at your own, in a typical restaurant recommended by us, with the specialties of the Leccese cuisine.
After dinner, guided tour Lecce by night, with the glow of the night, the lights and the nightlife, Lecce sheds its skin and becomes one of the most beautiful cities of Italy and vital.

Day 5. Discover Otranto, the adriatic coast and the surrounding countryside. Excursion, wine tasting. Cooking class 3.

Depart from Lecce after breakfast
Arrival at Otranto. Besides its beautiful beaches, Otranto has many other things to offer you: it is definitely one of the most beautiful sea towns of Salento and of Puglia in general.
Transfer to visit a prestigious cellar, where an expert of the House will tells the company's story, the methods of production of wines and will talk about the "Art of Wine" and the "secrets" to produce a great wine!
It is a very ancient town, which preserves monuments, roads, rocks and a borderline vibe.
Wine tasting with traditional and local products.
Transfer to Lecce in the afternoon.
Cooking class 3 in the late afternoon.
Dinner with the dishes cooked and prepared during the class.

Day 6. The Wonders of Lecce historical center. Cooking class 4.

After breakfast, tour “Discovering Lecce and its gems”.
At lunchtime, don't expect to eat while sitting at the classic restaurant!
Walking through the alleys of Lecce, from an highlight to another, you will stop and delight your palate with the most famous and tasty delicacies of Salento (puccia, rustico, friselle, pasticciotto…).
Our tour continues through ancient palaces, baroque churches and a visit to the fascinating shops of the famous local handicrafts: cartapesta (papier-mâché) and pietra leccese.
Cooking class 4 in the late afternoon.
Farewell dinner with the Specialities prepared by by you with the Chef.

Day 7. Departure

The end of the program.
• After breakfast, transfer by car to Brindisi airport and…. ARRIVEDERCI!

Accommodation for the "One Week Italian cooking course"

You stay in the same House in which your Italian Cooking class takes place. Accomodation in a charming suite/apartment , based on double occupancy. Individual Travelers: accomodation in a charming double room, based on single occupancy.

a) Albergo Diffuso in Pico

Dimora Nenà, part of Nena al Borgo Castello, is the main residence. Built on the medieval city walls, the antique country house maintains its historic feeling with its original floors and wood ceilings to rediscover the charm of tradition. The antique furnishings and decorations bring back the time-honored sensation of a warm welcome and hospitality. The rooms, furnished with care and with antiques, are overlooking the picturesque alleys of the village and you can enjoy a panoramic view over the green hills of the natural park of Aurunci Mountains.

b) Charming location in Lecce

You stay in truly incredible locations in Lecce, rare and precious, being Ancient Noble Palaces or Historic Houses, located in the heart of the historic center of Lecce.
Thanks to their preciousness and uniqueness, the one who will have the privilege of staying in one of these Historic Houses would undoubtedly be fascinated, much more than the best of the 5-star hotels existing in the city.
The Cooking Classes will take place in the Residenza della Chef, an attic with a large terrace, in the residential area, just a few minutes from the Historic Center.

What the "One Week Italian cooking course" includes

Daily breakfast
6 nights' accomodation (3 in Pico and 3 in Lecce).
Lunch at Nenà the day of your arrival, wine and beverages, tasting of our homemade liqueurs, coffee, all included.
6 dinners at Nenà, with the dishes cooked and prepared in class, wine and beverages,tasting of our homemade liqueurs, coffee, all included.
4 cooking classes (2 in Pico and 2 in Lecce), wine glasses included.
1 full-day culinary excursion to Anagni, Piglio, Arpino, wine tasting with traditional and local products (Lazio).
1 full-day culinary excursion to Gaeta, Sperlonga and Fondi, with lunch (Lazio).
1 full-day excursion to Otranto or Ostuni, with tasting of traditional and local products (Salento).
1 full-day culinary excursion Discovering Lecce, with tasting of the most famous delicacies of Salento.
Culinary excursions (to be confirmed based on the availability of suppliers, holidays, periods of the year).
An English-speaking guide.
Cooking kit, with Nena’s recipe book, Nenà’s apron and your certificate of participation in the Cooking Course, after completion of the Italian cooking vacation.
Car with driver for the 2 transfers from Pico to Lecce (you arrival) and from Lecce to Brindisi Airport (your departure).
Car with driver and english speaking guide, for all the excursions indicated in the program.
House wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee are freely available.

What in not included

Airport transfer by car from Rome to Pico, available upon request, with a surcharge.
Airport transfer by car from Rome to Pico, available upon request, with a surcharge.

How to get there
Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Brindisi International Airport (BDS), Bari Palese International Airport (BRI).

Transfers from and to these airport are available upon request. Nenà al Borgo Castello provides a car with driver upon request.

Arrival by train

You can use Rome-Lecce railway, the Lecce train station is located very close to the center of the town.

Price per person
SPECIAL OFFER!