Florence: Tuscan Farm Cooking Class with Gelato & Pizza

Summary

Make pizza or pasta from scratch on a real Tuscan farm near Florence

You’ll pick fresh herbs in a Tuscan garden near Florence, learn hands-on how to make pizza or pasta and homemade gelato with a local chef, then share a relaxed meal with wine on a private estate. Expect laughter over floury aprons and new flavors that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You really eat the basil straight from the garden?” I asked our chef, half-joking, but he just grinned and handed me a sprig. The air outside Florence felt softer somehow, full of rosemary and that sweet, earthy smell you only get after a morning rain. We’d barely stepped off the bus when someone pointed out the vines twisting along the fence — apparently that’s where tonight’s wine comes from. I still can’t believe how close this farmhouse is to the city; it was maybe fifteen minutes in the van, but it felt like we’d landed in another world.

I’m not going to pretend my pizza dough was perfect (the chef, Marco, tried not to laugh at my lopsided circle), but there’s something about flour on your hands and everyone joking around in three languages that makes you forget about getting things right. My favorite part? When Marco showed us how to make gelato — pistachio, because he said it’s his nonna’s favorite. The kitchen smelled like toasted nuts and warm sugar for ages after. Someone spilled flour everywhere; nobody cared.

We sat down together under some old olive trees with plates of focaccia and our own creations, plus glasses of red wine that tasted way better than anything I’ve had back home (maybe it’s just being there). There was a lot of laughing — especially when Li tried to say “buon appetito” and totally butchered it. At some point, I stopped worrying about my messy apron or whether I’d remembered all the steps for the pasta sauce. It just felt good to be there, you know? Sometimes I still think about that first bite of gelato as the sun started dipping behind the hills — not sure why it sticks with me so much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pizza, pasta, and gelato cooking class

• Handpick ingredients from garden
• Attend pizza or pasta cooking class
• Learn gelato making techniques
• Enjoy 3-course meal with wine and beer

Top questions

How far is the cooking class from Florence?

The Tuscan farmhouse is about 15 minutes by air-conditioned bus from Florence.

Is transportation included in this Florence cooking class?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned bus from Florence is included.

Can I choose between making pizza or pasta?

Yes, you can choose to make either Neapolitan pizza or handmade pasta during the class.

Does this tour include gelato making?

Yes, gelato making is part of the cooking class experience.

Are drinks provided during the meal?

Wine and beer are included with your meal at the farmhouse.

Is lunch or dinner served after cooking?

A 3-course lunch or dinner is included after your cooking session.

Are gluten-free options available?

No, gluten-free requirements cannot be accommodated on this tour.

What age do children need to be for this class?

The minimum age for participants is 8 years old.

Is this cooking class suitable for people with walking disabilities?

No, due to uneven surfaces at the farmhouse, it isn’t suitable for those with walking disabilities or wheelchairs.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned bus from Florence to a Tuscan farmhouse estate, all ingredients (some handpicked from the garden), hands-on pizza or pasta and gelato classes led by a professional chef, recipes to take home, a 3-course lunch or dinner paired with local wine and beer, plus your own cooking diploma before heading back into town.