Amalfi Lemon Delights™

Tie on your apron on the Amalfi Coast, visit a lemon grove and discover the secret of making Lemon Delights! Set in the beautiful Amalfi on the sea, this authentic cooking program immerses you in the local lemon lifestyle while experiencing a private cooking class with our award-winning pastry chef learning how to make Delizie al Limone, the dome-shape sponge cake filled with cooked lemon cream and garnished with in a light lemon cream.

During your stay, visit Vietri sul Mare, a quaint village on the sea famous for handmade ceramics.  Learn about the art of ancient ceramic making while visiting artisans’ studios who produce beautiful dining room tables, plates, platters, lamps and vases painted by hand in cool Mediterranean colors.

Amalfi Cooking Classes

Experience the art of making delicate Lemon Delights in this authentic hands-on cooking class that will tempt your sweet tooth with the beautiful hand-made desserts from the Amalfi Coast whose secret ingredient is sfusato lemons!  You’ll learn to bake the famous dome-shape Delizia al Limone, known as Lemon Delights.  Learn how to mix, bake and decorate these delicate sponge cakes filled and garnished with a light lemon cream.

Before the cooking class, guests start by exploring Villa Paradiso, a lemon grove and natural oasis in the Valle dei Mulini that grows organic sfusato lemons – while learning their history and how they’re used in baking and cooking.  Everyone picks their own sfusato lemons before heading into the kitchen with our award-winning pastry chef.  Follow the chef and sous chef in preparing either sorbets and gelato, or the Lemon Delights – you select between the two using only high-quality products and Amalfi organic lemons from the grove.  This unique lemon cooking class immerses you the food history of lemons while learning to make a famous pastry that originated on the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi

The town of Amalfi is rich in culture and history. Perched on the coastline, Amalfi is dominated by its medieval Cathedral, il Cathedrale di Sant’Andrea, and its main streets are lined with small shops and elegant bars. Merchants display their wares outside and nothing could be more pleasant than browsing through stalls of herbs and spices, jewelry, shoes, the beautiful handmade Amalfi paper, and local lemon specialties such lemon soap and lemon liqueurs. Suggested is a stop in at one of the oldest and most famous pastry makers in southern Italy – dating back to the 1800’s. A look inside reveals a sweet showcase of chocolate-drenched eggplant flavored with pine nuts, liqueur and orange; fragrant ricotta pear tarts; candied lemon and orange dragged in dark chocolate; or festive pastries of the day! Whatever you decide to order, take a seat outside in the piazza at one of the small café tables that overlook the greatest people-watching site on the Coast.

Ravello

Ravello is hailed the ‘International City of Music’ and is known for its precious panoramic view from the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. The town is perched 350 meters over the rocky spur of the Amalfi Coast separating the Valle del Dragone from the Valle del Regina. Today, Ravello is world-famous for its outdoor music concerts. Visit Villa Cimbrone, once the residence of Greta Garbo, wander through the lush gardens and the Terrazza Delle Rose, or stroll down the path that leads to the Terrazzo dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity). This natural balcony is adorned with imposing marble busts. From this unique vantage point you can see the distant Cilento Mountains and the Licosa beyond the sparkling sea, the lush Amalfi Coast, its distinctive terraces of colorful lemon trees, and the typical whitewashed houses that cling to the rugged coastline. Stroll along the streets and alleyways and discover little gems of churches, chapels, and noblemen’s residences. Also see the Cathedral, Villa Rufolo, San Giovanni del Tauro, and Santa Maria.

Amalfi Accommodations

Choose from the Amalfi 4-Star or BB&

Amalfi 4-Star

Our elegant Amalfi 4-Star hotel, set in the heart of Amalfi, is a historical property facing the sea.  Each room has been decorated in traditional Mediterranean style, making for a warm and comfortable atmosphere.  Comfy bedding and Italian linens adorn each room – complete with an ensuite private bath.  All rooms have a sea view and are fully equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, mini-bar, safe and TV.  Experience the seawater pool, overlooking the sea – the perfect place to relax and soak up some sun.  Discover the property’s Mediterranean garden, growing organic vegetables and fruits which are used by the resident chef.

Amalfi B&B

Our charming Amalfi B&B is a cozy property set right in the heart of the historical center.  Rooms overlooking the bustling walkway and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.  Surrounded by artisan shops and restaurants and just a moment’s walk to Amalfi’s port, this property offers the perfect location for your Amalfi stay.  Rooms are big, bright and warmly decorated – from the luxurious bedspreads to Italian linens – to the Vietri tiles in each ensuite bathroom. Amenities include air conditioning, private bathroom, free wifi, minibar, safe, and satellite television.

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Itinerary: 5 days, 4 nights

Saturday: Benvenuto and Welcome Dinner with Chef’s Tasting Menu

• Pick-up and transfer from Naples airport or train station to the property.
• Arrival and check-in. Refresh and relax.  Enjoy your Cooking Vacations welcome bag and Prosecco welcome toast.
• Later in the evening, enjoy your Welcome Dinner featuring our Chef’s Tasting menu featuring a full course menu of local cuisine.  Wine not included.

Sunday: Amalfi Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, tie on your apron for Cooking Class 1. Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.
• After lunch, discover Amalfi, meander its cobblestone streets, visit the cathedral or the Old World paper museum.
• Later in the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

 Monday: Food Lover’s Tour Amalfi Coast & Ravello With Guide

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet our English-speaking guide for a Food Lover’s Tour of Amalfi.  then drive along the famed Amalfi Coast headed to the hilltop village of Ravello.
• This Food Lover’s Walk starts in Amalfi and continues to Ravello –  leading you through gardens, pathways, by villas, into shops, artisans’ workshops and landmarks.  If  you love food and wine, you will truly enjoy this tour blending history, food tastings and Prosecco.  Staring in Amalfi, you’ll experience the best food, produce, wine, pastry and cheese.  As you discover the two beautiful towns,  you will learn, and experience ,stops along the way meeting local wine, cheese and bread makers, while learning food history and even a few recipes!  The tour ends in Ravello, after your visit and a glass of Prosecco in the piazza!!!
• Later in the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

Tuesday: Excursion to Vietri And Ceramic Shopping

• Drive along the Amalfi Coast to the small town of Vietri – which is famous for its artisan ceramics. Here you will see Old-World artisans producing the most beautiful ceramics and Vietri tiles –  there are tables made of volcanic rock and hand-painted with seascapes, grapes and lemons, or romantic angels and Mediterranean scenes. There are many different artisan workshops and styles.
• Overlooking the sea, Vietri Sul Mare is internationally famous for the production of ceramics, an art which dates back to Medieval times and is still of prime importance to the town’s economic prosperity today.  Vietri ceramics even have their own protected brand name. Vietri is also a popular tourist destination with its quiet beaches and  historic Saracen Tower, originally built to keep Saracen invaders at bay. And inland, there are many beautiful mountain paths which are much loved by nature enthusiasts. Not to be missed; the town’s most important monument, the 17th-century Church of St. Giovanni Battista, with its majolica-covered dome dominating the town.   Also nearby is the beautiful Valle di Albori – the natural habitat of the carnivorous plant, Pinguicola Hirtifolia!
• Later in the evening, dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

Wednesday: Check Out & Departure

• Breakfast is served.
• Departure transfer to airport or train station. Ciao e a presto!

*Note: This sample itinerary schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saints days; festivals.  All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the week.  Please note – museum tickets are not included in program price.