Italian Cooking Class with Lake Views in Varenna by Cesarine

We went To Federico's home and he taught us how to make pasta, 3 different kinds from start to finish. He had homemade bolognaise already made since it takes longer but we made homemade pesto, tiramisu, 3 types of pasta including ravioli which he had the filling done ahead of time so we could enjoy. Once the class was done we sat in his garden and drank Aperol spritz made by him and wine while he finished and plated our 3 courses and then desert. This was a great experience. At first it is a little strange going into someone's home but in the end we had an evening of laughing, cooking, eating, drinking and complete satisfaction and enjoyment!! Thank you Federico, you truly gave us an Italian experience. One of my top travel experiences I have had!!! GRATZI

This was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip to Italy. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into her beautiful home in the mountains. Learning how to make ravioli from scratch using her mother’s recipe made the experience feel so authentic and special. She was incredibly kind, patient, and passionate about sharing her family’s traditions. The food was delicious, the views were breathtaking, and the entire afternoon felt like a glimpse into real Italian life. We left with new skills, wonderful memories, and recipes we will cherish for years to come. We cannot recommend this enough.

Absolutely amazing authentic Italian cooking class - Patrizia and Luca were so welcoming and friendly; everyone had a great time and even better food!

Absolutely amazing, very personal experience. Every detail was taught so well and the view while we ate was amazing.

Patricia and her husband Luca were the friendliest people we have very met. They greeted us outside their beautiful home and welcomed us inside with open arms. We then began with making tiramisu from scratch while the table was set for us outside to eat. After the tiramisu was complete we enjoyed a glass of wine with an appetizers all locally sourced and were the freshest we have ever eaten. After that we went back inside and began making two different types of pasta from scratch while Patricia told us about their lovely home and story of the family recipes we were cooking. Once the pasta dishes were complete we then sat outside at a table on their lawn that overlooked all of lake Como and surrounding mountains while Patricia served us the pastas and tiramisu. The food was absolutely delightful and was the best food of our 9 day trip. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for amazing hospitality, beautiful scenery, and an unmatched cooking class experience to anywhere else.

My wife and I had the perfect pasta making day. Patrizia makes you feel right at home! We made two pasta dishes as well as her family’s tiramisu. We then got to eat our creation outside in her backyard with a beautiful mountain view! 10/10 experience!!!!!

If we could give this experience 10/10 stars, we absolutely would. From start to finish, this was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Italy. We took a quick 5-minute train from Varenna to Bellano for the class, and Patrizia made everything seamless by providing multiple taxi recommendations that were easy to contact and book. Our driver, Luca, was incredibly kind and accommodating, making getting to and from the class stress-free. The moment we arrived, Patrizia and her husband welcomed us into their beautiful home like family. It was such a cold and rainy day, but they made everything feel so warm and cozy with a fire going and even slippers for us to wear. Within minutes, we felt completely at home. We were joined by another small group, and the five of us quickly became friends while cooking together. Patrizia and her husband were so patient, fun, and passionate while teaching us their family recipes and cooking techniques. Beyond the cooking itself, they shared so much about their backgrounds, the local culture, and life in Italy, which made the experience feel even more special and personal. And the food… absolutely unforgettable. Everything we made was beyond delicious, and there was something so special about preparing it all together from scratch. We were already talking about recreating the recipes back home in the States for our family and friends. They made sure we had everything we needed the entire time, drinks, ingredients, guidance, and such genuine hospitality. By the end of the night, we were sad for it to be over (and sad there wasn’t more food left because it was THAT good). This experience was worth every single penny, and we would do it again in a heartbeat. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this cooking class to anyone visiting the Lake Como area. Thank you for such an unforgettable experience!

A lovely evening with Patrizia and Luka. The menu was simple , the instructions were clear and the food was delicious. A beautiful hillside setting overlooking Lake Como just outside Varenna. We joined a family of 5 for this experience and it really added to the enjoyment of the evening. A night to remember and an experience we highly recommend ! Ciao Patti & Steve

My husband and I had the best time at our cooking class with Monica today!! Highly recommend for couples or small groups. It was totally valuable for what we paid - we got appetizers/prosecco to start, salad, and learned to make ravioli and tiramisu. Wine was included! Monica is so sweet, very knowledgeable and was an incredible host. Worth every penny!

We honestly had such a lovely time with Patrizia. She made us feel so comfortable from the moment we arrived, like we were visiting someone we already knew. The food was delicious and everything felt so warm and genuine. You can really feel the care she puts into what she does. It was a beautiful experience and something we’ll definitely remember. Highly recommended 🤍