The Villa On Lake Maggiore™

Tie on your apron and join Executive Chef Giuseppe in cooking classes on Lake Maggiore.  Step into a culinary world of farm-to-table produce and ingredients and learn to cook a full menu based on the season.  Set in a luxury 5 star villa overlooking the Golfo Borromeo and the beautiful surrounding islands, you will learn to prepare traditional cuisine in a Piedmont cooking class with wine included.

Lake Maggiore offer each guest the opportunity of experiencing the very best local cuisine of Stresa cooking classes in a pristine property with beautiful lake views. When you’re not cooking in the kitchen, you’ll be relaxing by the lake or pool. Set on Lake Maggiore, the villa has an extraordinary panorama with views overlooking the Golfo Borromeo and islands. Take time out to stroll around the Italian gardens, enjoy romantic dinners by candlelight or enjoy the spa!

Lake Maggiore Cooking Classes

In the kitchen you also meet our team of sous chefs who will guide you through each recipe – from antipasti, fresh pasta and sauces, risotto, main courses to desserts.  Learn to prepare grissini crispy bread sticks or focaccia with rosemary or seasonal vegetables prepared in a mosaic of patterns garnished with a secret sauce.  Next is pasta!  You will mix and roll out plump rounds of pasta stuffed with sweet cheese of the region or give your hand at making a risotto al Barolo, risotto made with Barolo wine.  Fish is always fresh – arriving daily from the local fishermen – sepia e tagliolini, cuttlefish with black pasta or branzino con capperi e pomodorini, sea bass and capers.  Delicious specialty desserts include torcetti and le margheritine di Stresa, the biscuits of the Queen.

Following each cooking class, lunch follows and includes the food that was prepared in the cooking class with a toast of local wine included. Cooking class in Stresa menus vary, are based on the season with vegetarian and gluten-free options available upon request.  Our recipe booklet and chef’s apron are included.  Discover Stresa in this executive chef hands-on cooking class with wine from the Barolo Piedmont cellars of this precious villa!  Cooking classes are available Monday to Friday 9am to 11:30am.

Stresa

Stresa is a gorgeous town on Lake Maggiore.  The property offers views over beautiful Borromeo Islands, the crystal blue waters of the Lake and the nearby hills of Mount Mottarone. Stresa is well known as a sophisticated tourist destination: an elegant town attracting many artistic and cultural venues, along with sporting events.  In the past, it was the destination for the British Royals and Elisabeth of Sassonia, Charles Dickens, Flaubert and Fogazzaro loved spending long vacations here and praised the Stresa in their writing.

Lake Maggiore & The Islands

From Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore, there are many attractions to be enjoyed nearby. Take a trip to the enchanting Isola Bella which is only 15 minutes by boat from the hotel and from Stresa. Visit the island’s monumental baroque palace which was started in 1670 by Count Vitaliano Borromeo, and which now attracts thousands of tourists daily who come to see the countless works of art that are preserved in the residence. The terraced gardens, which made Isola Bella famous, are rich in all varieties of rare plants and flowers and are a peerless example of an Italian garden of that time. On the island there are many cafes, restaurants and shops selling artisan products and souvenirs.

Isola Madre is also only 15 minutes by boat from the hotel and from Stresa. It’s the largest and the most picturesque of the Borromeo Islands and is famous for its exquisite gardens that boast numerous exotic plants and flowers, and has an amazing collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. The palace is extremely interesting with its period furnishing and collection of uniforms, dolls and porcelains. The exhibition of Teatrini delle Marionette (Puppet theatres) from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is also quite exceptional.

Isola Pescatori, again 15 minutes by boat from the hotel, is a fascinating fisherman’s island. The charm of this island, unchanged over the centuries, is the simplicity and rustic innocence of its houses. Excellent restaurants offer the opportunity to taste some of the area’s best fish dishes.

Lake Maggiore Accommodations

This family Villa is one of the most charming and luxurious villa hotels in the area. Privately owned and run by a noble Royal family, this  5-star boutique property is set on the shores of Lake Maggiore. It was built in the 19th century as a private villa and is now the most enchanting residences on the Lake. Spilling with charm and beauty, the Villa is a magical place for every guest. From the moment you check in you will feel the regal experience of this property.

Every bedroom suite is personalised with handcrafted decor and furnishing. Stucco artwork, chandeliers, and precious furniture mean each room is an oasis of comfort and charm. There is a magic in the fairytale atmosphere, the windows that spill onto the lake view and charm that wows at every corner. There are lush green gardens, a well-equipped beach area, an outdoor swimming pool and exercise tracks for each guest. Three private mooring places and two buoys are also available.

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Itinerary~ 4 Days, 3 Nights

Day 1: Arrival and Check In

• Arrival and check in at the Villa hotel.
• Welcome and enjoy your Cooking Vacations’ Welcome bag including a bottle of Proscecco.
• Welcome Dinner featuring a full course Chef’s Tasting Menu serving local fare served by candlelight in the   Lake View dining room or terrace.

Day 2: Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet Executive Chef Giuseppe for your cooking class 1.  The cooking class starts with an introduction of the farm-to-table seasonal ingredients and produce.  Our chef shares his technique and insight in preparing and cooking each course. Following each cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepare in the class together with a toast of wine.
• Following the cooking class, relax at the property, walk the gardens or visit one of the nearby islands of Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori.
• You can also opt to experience the spa services, including  Turkish bath, ice waterfall and Aromarium – to name a few.
• Dinner is on your own.  You can opt to reserve a table at the Villa’s beautiful restaurant or you may stroll into Stresa and enjoy dinner at any one of our suggested restaurants.

Day 3: Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, tie on your aprons for Cooking Class 2. The cooking class starts with an introduction of the farm-to-table seasonal ingredients and produce.  Our chef shares his technique and insight in preparing and cooking each course. Following each cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepare in the class together with a toast of wine.
• Following the cooking class, soak up the sun at any one of the Villa’s waterside locations, enjoy water-skiing, water jet ski or water parachuting.
• Dinner is on your own.  You can opt to reserve a table at the Villa’s beautiful restaurant or you may stroll into Stresa and enjoy dinner at any one of our suggested restaurants.

Day 4: Departure & Arrivederci!

• Breakfast is served
• Check out and Arrivederci!