Culinary Secrets of Authentic Padua: An 8-Day Gourmet Experience countryside

from euro 4,950/person

Discover the rich culinary traditions of Padua in an intimate small-group setting, limited to just 4–7 guests, on this immersive 8-day gourmet adventure in the heart of the Veneto. Cook alongside our local chef in a historic palazzo, taste wines and artisanal cheeses in the Euganean Hills, and explore the vibrant food markets, cafés, and medieval streets that define Padua’s authentic charm. Enjoy an unforgettable day in Venice with a private cruise down the Grand Canal, guided cultural visit, and a gourmet aperitivo and lunch near the Rialto Market. With expert local hosts, luxury accommodations, and a warm welcome for solo travelers, this is Italy at its most flavorful.

Tour highlights:

• Three hands-on cooking classes in a historic palazzo with our experienced chef
• Gourmet wine & cheese full-day excursion
• Full-day cultural and gastronomic experience in Venice
• Market walks, street food tastings, and guided wine strolls
• Visits to city highlights including the Scrovegni Chapel, Palazzo Bo, Palazzo della Ragione, St. Anthony’s Basilica & more
• Beautiful 4-star hotel in central Padua
• Expert English-speaking hosts, chefs, and guides

What’s Included:

• Airport transfer by van with professional transfer service
• 3 hands-on cooking lessons in a historic palazzo: pasta workshop; seasonal menu; apericena with foccaccia
• Professional apron to take home – great to use while re-creating the recipes in your own kitchen
• 4-star accommodations in deluxe double rooms with private bath (single supplement available)
• Dedicated English-speaking local hosts as expert gastronomic and cultural guides
• Program orientation and Welcome Spritz
• Welcome Dinner with tasting menu and wine pairings
• Full-day wine & cheese excursion to the Euganean Hills with visits to winery and artisanal cheese producer
• Full-day excursion to Venice with guided visit and gourmet lunch
• Street Food & Street Wine experiences in Padua
• Guided cultural and artistic visits of Padua city highlights including the Scrovegni Chapel, Palazzo Bo, Palazzo della Ragione, St. Anthony’s Basilica, Caffe Pedrocchi, Prato della Valle, and main squares
• Meals: daily breakfast at the hotel, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

What’s Not Included

• Some meals (see detailed program)
• Anything not expressly mentioned as included
• Optional gratuities

Contact us for any special requests

Detailed Day-by-Day Program

Day 1 – Arrival in Padua | Welcome Spritz & Dinner
Organized transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport brings you to the heart of the Veneto region and the beautiful university city of Padua, your home for the week. Check in, relax, and enjoy suggestions for a light lunch at nearby cafés. Your airport transfer may be shared with other program participants.
5:00 PM – Program Orientation & Welcome Spritz
Begin your journey with Italy’s iconic aperitivo. The Aperol Spritz was born in Padua in 1919, and tonight we enjoy it where it all began. Your local host shares the tradition, culture, and slow-living rhythm of this cherished Italian ritual.
7:00 PM – Welcome Dinner
Gather with your small group (4–7 guests) for a multi-course tasting menu paired with exceptional local wines at a charming restaurant specializing in Paduan cuisine.

Day 2 – Market Walk, Pasta Making Class & Padua Highlights with Scrovegni Chapel
Morning
After breakfast, meet your food & wine expert for a vibrant market walk through Piazza delle Erbe. Learn about seasonal produce and the region’s culinary essentials.
Walk through the cobblestone lanes of the medieval Jewish Ghetto to a historic 17th-century palazzo for your hands-on pasta workshop. Prepare two types of fresh pasta—tagliatelle, ravioli, or similar—with sauces based on seasonal ingredients.
Lunch
Enjoy the meal you prepared, including appetizer, pasta, dessert, local wine, and coffee.
Afternoon – Padua Introduction Walk
Explore the city’s elegant medieval squares, historic Caffè Pedrocchi, and visit the unforgettable Scrovegni Chapel, home to Giotto’s breathtaking 14th-century fresco cycle.
Dinner tonight is on your own.

Day 3 – Artisanal Cheese Maker & Winery Visit in the Euganean Hills
Morning – Artisan Cheese Producer
Discover a family-run dairy farm producing exceptional cheeses from their own cows, sheep, and goats. Learn the craft, tour the production area, and taste a variety of fresh and aged cheeses.
Lunch
A delicious farm-to-table tasting lunch at the dairy’s small restaurant: house-made pasta, seasonal sides, cheeses, gelato, wine, and coffee.
Afternoon – Winery Visit
Continue into the stunning Euganean Hills, the historic vineyard region of the Venetian Republic. Enjoy a guided winery tour and tasting of local D.O.C. reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Marzemino) and whites (Moscato, Pinot Bianco, Fior d’Arancio, Serprino).
Dinner on your own this evening.

Day 4 – Coffee Tasting, Seasonal Cooking Class, St. Anthony’s Basilica & Street Wine Walk
Morning – Coffee Tasting
Start your day with a guided tasting focused on Italian coffee culture and local roasting traditions.
Second Cooking Lesson
Return to the palazzo kitchen for a full seasonal tasting-menu cooking class featuring appetizers, first course, sides, and dessert.
Lunch
Enjoy your creations with local wine and coffee.
Afternoon – Padua Walk
Explore southern Padua, including Prato della Valle, one of Europe’s largest squares, and the magnificent Basilica of St. Anthony.
Evening – Street Wine Walk
Join your Italian sommelier for a relaxed wine walk through the medieval center. Visit four historic wine bars (osterie), enjoying a glass of wine at each stop with traditional spuncioni (light Venetian/Paduan bites).

Day 5 – Venice Cultural & Gastronomic Excursion
Morning – Transfer to Venice & Grand Canal Cruise
Travel by private van to Venice and board a private water taxi for a spectacular cruise along the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s.
Venice Walking Tour (2.5 hours)
With your expert guide, explore St. Mark’s Square, the Basilica, and the Palazzo Ducale. The tour concludes at the Rialto Bridge.
Aperitivo & Lunch at Rialto Market
Enjoy a classic Venetian bacaro stop for cicchetti and a Spritz or wine, followed by a leisurely lunch of modern Venetian specialties.
Afternoon Free Time
Choose to shop, visit a museum, or enjoy a gondola ride—your host will assist with suggestions.
Return to Padua by water taxi and van. Dinner on your own.

Day 6 – Street Food, Palazzo della Ragione & Palazzo Bò
Morning – Palazzo della Ragione
Visit Padua’s medieval civic palace, featuring frescoes recognized by UNESCO as part of the Padua Urbs Picta cycle.
Street Food Lunch in Sotto Salone
Taste your way through one of Europe’s oldest covered food markets. Sample cheeses, prosciutto, fish, olives, focaccia, sweets, and enjoy a glass of wine or Spritz.
Afternoon – Palazzo Bò (Private Guided Visit)
Discover the historic seat of the University of Padua. Highlights include the Anatomical Theatre, ceremonial halls, Galileo’s lectern, and refined 20th-century design by Giò Ponti.
Dinner on your own.

Day 7 – Final Cooking Lesson & Farewell Apericena
Morning & Afternoon Free
Relax, shop, visit museums, or enjoy the city at your own pace. Your host is available for assistance.
4:00 PM – Third Cooking Lesson
Learn to prepare Italian apericena favorites: pizza, focaccia, cicchetti, and other small bites.
6:00–8:00 PM – Farewell Apericena
Celebrate your final evening together with Spritz cocktails, wines, and the dishes you prepared—an informal and delicious goodbye gathering.

Day 8 – Departure Day
Breakfast at your hotel and private transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Arrivederci—and grazie for exploring Padua with us!