Where better to master the finer points of French, Italian or Thai cuisines than on holiday in the heart of their homelands. Learn traditional recipes made with authentic ingredients and impress dinner guests back home with an international spread that’ll have them begging for second helpings.
Gourmet getaways offer the chance to savour a small corner of the world – and bring a bite-sized chunk of it home with you.
Italy
Perfect for families, Creativity Travel offer cookery programmes at a homely farmhouse in the rolling hills of Tuscany. A baby-sitting service operates for new mums and dads trying their hand in the traditional Italian kitchen, while children aged three to nine take part in their own food workshops. For more cookery course locations in Italy visit Cook In Italy. And for traditional Italian recipes you can practice at home, including Bolognese Ragu, visit Delicious Italy.
Spain
Get a taste of Andalucia with Creativity Travel’s six-night, year-round tour of Seville. Be guided around local markets and olive groves to source ingredients for your evening meal, visit top seafood restaurants and prepare a feast of tapas. For Spanish-themed dinner parties, check out the recipes at www.mediterrasian.com.
Greece
Take home more than just a bad taste for Ouzo with a crash course in Greek cuisine on the beautiful island of Santorini. Tasting Places combines workshops and demonstrations with visits to local farmers and gourmets who help to instil the secrets of real Greek food. Create your own Meze with a range of Greek recipes.
France
Bring your home cooking skills up to speed during a long and leisurely weekend in Real Food France’s century-old chateau. Spend your free time in the wine bars and food markets of nearby Bergerac. Put on a French feast (opposite) with a little help from an online recipe collection.
Hertfordshire
Anyone in need of a country retreat as well as a helping hand in the kitchen department should end the working week with a Friday night drive to Caldicott Farm on the Welsh borders. One, two and three-day courses organised by Cookaway Food Breaks cover skills such as cake baking, fish preparation, and sauces and relishes. Steal recipes for Great British food and add your own ideas at www.greatbritishkitchen.co.uk.
China and Thailand
A veritable spice rack of a holiday awaits the food lover with Intredpid Travel’s range of cooking/sightseeing holiday combos. Take in the Great Wall of China, along with the recipe for Peking Duck, Bangkok’s spice markets and Buddhist retreats. Intrepid Traveller also offers great gourmet tours of Japan, Vietnam and India. Perfect your spring rolls and green curries with a range of Thai food recipes.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites. Images courtesy of Intrepid Travel and Real Food France.
From UK farmer's markets to French vineyards, hit the road to discover Europe's culinary delights in style: Read more about Volvo’s latest model in focus.
