Join Chefs Savio and Maria on the island of Sardinia for hands-on cooking! Shop with the chef, tour the outdoor marketplace and discover the local flavors of sunny Sardinia!
Sardinia, Italy’s magical island, rich in food, wine and story – not to mention its gorgeous white beaches, Mediterranean climate and beauty! Discover Sardinia, the Costa Smeralda – from Sassari to Cagliari – and everything in between!
Cooking and food culture blend in Olbia near the Costa Smeralda for a one-of-a-kind food lover’s cooking tour. Check into your charming hotel accommodations in the historic town amidst trattorias, wine bars, restaurants, artisan shops and historical landmarks.
During your stay, discover the secrets of local Sardinian cuisine while slicing, dicing, mixing and cooking. Learn how to make fresh pasta and seasonal sauces, antipasti and local fish and meat. And if vegetarian is your menu choice or gluten free, we accommodate any and all food allergies.
Learn how to mix and cut the famous fregola pasta with a hearty tomato sauce. Prepare fresh seafood and fish in slow-cooked pomodoro salsa. When you are not touring, you’ll visit an award-winning winery with wine tastings and Sardinian finger foods. Join Chef Savio in hands-on cooking classes and pasta making classes along with warm-hearted locals in sunny Sardinia!
Cooking Classes In Sardinia
Tie on your apron and join Chef Savio in his Sardinian kitchen. His knowledge and know-how will have you cooking like a local in no time. Together, you will learn how to make lasagne, ravioli, tortellini and tagliatelle. Main courses include zuppa di pesce, an assortment of fish in a creamy tomato sauce along with burrida, fish in a broth with celery, carrot, onion, and lemon, and aragosta alla Catalana, with lobster, tomatoes, onions, oil, and lemon. Desserts are a must, think papassini, biscotti perfect for dipping into coffee, tiliccas, a honey and toasted almond sweet, and seada, a flaky, fried pastry puff stuffed with ricotta, orange zest and herbs, and drizzled with honey. Following the cooking classes everyone enjoys the foods that were prepared in the cooking class with Sardinian wine and liqueur.
Sardinia
The second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is as famous for its mountainous inland areas and its long stretches of white beaches. Sardinia has a rich history of many invaders including the Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans, then later colonized by the Pisans, Spaniards and Austrians, leaving their marks in architecture and food. The island offers an untouched countryside, with highlands and coastline, along with numerous natural reserves where you’ll find herons, flamingoes, wild pigs, deer, Peregrine falcons, golden eagles and griffin vultures.
Town of Olbia
Charming Olbia is a town set in the province of Sassari just south of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. It is known for its excellent local cuisine, splendid sea and beaches. The northern coast offers crystalline waters and a myriad of turquoise inlets. In the 7th century B.C. the Greeks arrived and gave the name Olbia, meaning happiness. But archeological findings suggest Olbia was first settled by the Phoenicians with other invaders who followed. Guests come to Olbia for the food and wine and landmarks, including Basilica of San Simplicio and the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago. It is an interesting destination filled with restaurants, wine bars and artisan shops.
Costa Smeralda
This excursion into the luxury world of Costa Smeralda begins with a delicious visit to a characteristic local market and a stunning picture of the magic Dolomites of San Pantaleo. After a short drive, you will discover Costa Smeralda’s most enigmatic borgo: the little town of Arzachena and its famous Mushroom Rock. The crown jewel of the tour is beautiful Porto Cervo with its white church, Stella Maris. On the way to Cala di Volpe, you will stop at a scenic landscape for a gorgeous photo opportunity spanning the entire coast.
Arzachena
Sip and swirl on this romantic wine tour that combines delicious Sardinian food, wine and picturesque landscapes along the way. During this tour, you will visit one of the most famous wineries of the Island and enjoy Vermentino di Gallura, the iconic Cannonau and Sardinian Rosè. Discover the method of wine making the old world way, while your English-speaking guide shares the history of winemaking. Following the tour, watch the sun set from San Pantaleo’s pink granite mountains.
Sardinia Accommodations
Check into your 4-star luxury hotel set in the heart of Olbia. It is conveniently located in the heart of the historic center and close to artisan shops, restaurants and wine bars. Each room is beautifully decorated with comfortable beds, linens and an ensuite private bath. The property offers luxury surroundings including a bistro restaurant, spa and fitness room, sauna, Turkish bath, hydromassage pool and laundry service. There is complimentary wireless internet access in the room, hair dryers and air conditioning. Breakfast is served daily and includes coffee, tea, juices, artisan cakes, biscotti, fruit, cheese and cereal, cappuccino, espresso, tea and fresh juices.
Click for Property Photo Gallery
Itinerary ~ 6 Days, 5 Nights
Day One: Arrival & Welcome
- Transfer from Olbia airport or train station to the property.
- Arrival and check-in. Enjoy your Cooking Vacations’ Welcome Bag and Prosecco
- • Welcome Dinner including our Chef’s Tasting Menu with an antipasto, fresh pasta and sauce, main course and dessert of Sardinian fare with local wine and liqueur included.
Day Two: Shopping with the Chef & Cooking Class 1
- Breakfast is served.
- Join our chef for a market tour and shopping with the chef experience. Discover the seasonal fruits, vegetables and produce of the local farmers as she explains ingredients and how she will use them in traditional recipes. Following the market tour, tie on your aprons for cooking class 1.
- Cooking Class 1. Tie on your apron for your Sardinian cooking class preparing a full-course Sardinian fare lunch with local wine included. Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking class with local wine included.
- Following your cooking class, enjoy the day with free time on your own.
- Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.
Day Three: Cooking Class 2
- Breakfast is served.
- Following breakfast – Cooking class 2. Tie on your apron for your Sardinian cooking class preparing a full-course Sardinian fare lunch with local wine included. Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking class with local wine included.
- Following your cooking class, explore Olbia on your own. Discover the ancient city and its history, landmarks and artisans’ shops.
- Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.
Day Four: Cooking Class 3
- Breakfast is served.
- Take the morning to shop, visit the beach or relax.
- Afternoon – Cooking class 3. Tie on your apron for your Sardinian cooking class preparing a full-course Sardinian fare lunch with local wine included. Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking class with local wine included.
- Following your cooking class, enjoy the day with free time on your own.
- Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.
Day Five: Wine Tour Tasting & Visit Costa Smeralda
- Breakfast is served.
- After breakfast, meet your driver for a visit to an award-winning winery with wine tour, tastings with traditional finger foods and artisan cheese.
- After the tour, drive along the Costa Smeralda for stops along the way to shop and take photos. This excursion includes, a visit to the local market, San Pantaleo village, Archeo Site Nuraghe, Bronze Age unique in the Mediterranean Sea, and a panoramic tour of the Costa Smeralda, Cala di Volpe Bay, Porto Cervo, the Marina, Promenade du Port, and shopping area. Museum tickets, such as Facoltative, are not included if you opt to enter.
- Following the tour, return to the property.
- Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.
Day Six: Check-out & Arrivederci
- Breakfast is served.
- Check-out and transfer to Olbia airport or train station.
Program Includes:
- 6 days, 5 nights in a beautiful hotel 4_Star accommodation with private ensuite bath. Click to view!
- Daily Breakfast and maid service.
- Welcome Dinner including our Chef’s Tasting Menu with an antipasto, fresh pasta and sauce, main course and dessert of Sardinian fare with local wine and liqueur included.
- 3 hands-on cooking classes with lunch to follow including the food that was prepared in the cooking class with wine included.
- Shop with the Chef experience at the local outdoor farmer’s market, prior to one of the cooking classes.
- Excursion to an award-winning winery with wine tour and tastings with traditional finger food and artisan cheese with driver and host at winery.
- Excursion to the Costa Smeralda with driver.
- Round-trip transfers to Olbia airport and train station.
- Cooking Vacations Welcome Bag with chef’s apron, Prosecco and recipe booklet.
- A copy of Lauren’s book, “It’s A Dream Place, Stories & Recipes of Food, Love and the Amalfi Coast.”
Program Prices
$3,295 per person, based on 2 guests.
For Single Guests: If you are traveling on your own, please call us for the best group price. We are happy to welcome you into an already scheduled group. Prices may vary during feast holidays.
2024 Dates: This program is available April to October. You can check in and start your cooking program any day of the week. Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates. Airfare not included. Group transfers for any cooking tour or tours that include transfers, are for the group and are not private. Transfers before, after or to another destination outside of your cooking tour are not included in the program price. If you would like to add on a private transfer or transfers, let us know and we will send you pricing.
