Italy · Veneto · Villa della Torre · Near Verona

Veneto
Cooking School

A week of total immersion in Italian food, wine, and life at the magnificent Renaissance Villa della Torre — near romantic Verona, city of Romeo and Juliet. Cook alongside Giuliano Hazan, explore the Veneto with Lael, and drink extraordinary wines presented by Marilisa Allegrini.

Oct 4, 2026 2026 Date
May 23, 2027 2027 Spring
Oct 10, 2027 2027 Fall
6 Nights Sun–Sat
4 Classes 5 hrs each
$6,745 Per Person (dbl)
Villa della Torre courtyard, Veneto Interior of Villa della Torre

Villa della Torre

Villa della Torre is a historical jewel of sixteenth century Italian architecture, lying near romantic Verona and beautiful Lake Garda. The beautifully restored villa will make you feel a part of Italy's rich history from the moment you arrive.

Fine Venetian hospitality will greet you, and the friendly staff will show you to the spacious room that will be yours for the week. You'll discover luxurious furnishings and little touches throughout to help pamper you during your stay.

In the morning, linger over a cappuccino and drink in the view of the gardens while you get ready for a day of culture and culinary delights. Spend your free time walking the tranquil gardens and water lily pond.

  • Sixteenth century Renaissance architecture, fully restored
  • Spacious, luxuriously furnished rooms — all with private bathrooms
  • Beautiful gardens, water lily pond, and winery on site
  • All rooms on second floor — no elevator (please note)

Classes in the Villa

A limited number of students participate in four intensive 5-hour hands-on classes taught by Giuliano Hazan. You'll make homemade pasta, risotto, meats, local fish, vegetables, and desserts. Each class concludes with a multi-course dinner composed of what was prepared during the day.

Each class also includes presentations by Marilisa Allegrini on Italy's major wine-producing regions. The wines — from Marilisa Allegrini's vineyards and other distinguished Italian producers — accompany every meal. All instruction is in English.

  • 4 classes × 5 hours each — fully hands-on
  • Homemade pasta, risotto, meats, fish, vegetables & desserts
  • Wines Curated by Marilisa Allegrini
  • Each class concludes with a full dinner
  • Non-cooking companions welcome at all dinners

Field Trips in the Veneto

The Veneto — once part of the 1,000-year Venetian Republic, birthplace of great art, music, and architecture — also offers extraordinary culinary treasures.

  • Allegrini vineyards tour — how Amarone is made
  • Padova food market in Piazza Erbe — one of the region's most colorful
  • Verona guided city tour & lunch at a classic Veronese restaurant
  • Traditional rice mill in operation since 1648 — risotto rice production
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano caseificio & culatello by the Po River
  • Lunch at Massimo Spigaroli's Cavallino Bianco restaurant
  • Frantoio visit — learn how extra virgin olive oil is made
  • Sirmione on Lake Garda — lunch at one of the lake's finest restaurants

Cooking in Italy with Giuliano Hazan

Featured on the Television Food Network special on cooking school vacations

Meet Giuliano, Lael & Marilisa

Giuliano Hazan

Chef & Cooking Instructor

Award-winning cookbook author and IACP Cooking Teacher of the Year. Son of Marcella Hazan — the godmother of Italian cooking in America — Giuliano brings more than 40 years of teaching experience, passion, and an irreplaceable culinary heritage to every class.

Lael Hazan

Travel Curator & Food Historian

Owner and founder of Gracious Getaways Travel Agency, lecturer in Italian food history, and writer for Saveur. Lael turns every excursion into a rich story — adding the history, color, and insider knowledge that transforms a day trip into a memory you'll carry for life.

Marilisa Allegrini

Wine Host & Distinguished Producer

Marilisa Allegrini is one of Italy's most distinguished wine producers, featured on the cover of Wine Spectator magazine. She regularly presents the wines of her native Valpolicella and her Tuscan properties — Poggio al Tesoro in Bolgheri and San Polo in Montalcino — at stellar events worldwide. Marilisa has personally created all wine presentations for the school and selected every wine you will drink during the week.

Veneto region — rolling vineyards near Verona, Italy

Valpolicella wine country — Veneto, Italy

Sample Itinerary

Subject to change.

Sunday Arrival · Welcome Reception · Dinner
Check-in begins at 2:00 pm. At 7:15 pm, meet in the atrium of Villa della Torre for a get-acquainted welcome reception. followed by a very special welcome dinner.
Monday Allegrini Vineyard Tour · Lesson #1
9:45 am — Meet in the atrium for a tour of the Allegrini vineyards. You will learn how Amarone is made and visit the winery, followed by lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Valpolicella. 5:00 pm — Cooking Lesson #1.
Tuesday Padova Market · Verona Lunch · Lesson #2
8:30 am — Departure for Padova. Tour of the food market in Piazza Erbe — one of the region's most colorful and abundant fruit and vegetable markets. Lunch at a restaurant in Verona, featuring typical Veronese cuisine. 6:00 pm — Cooking Lesson #2.
Wednesday Rice Mill 1648 · Verona City Tour · Lesson #3
9:15 am — Visit a traditional rice mill, in operation since 1648. See how risotto rice is processed using both modern equipment and the original mortar and pestle system. Then a guided tour of Verona. Lunch is on your own in the city. 4:00 pm — Cooking Lesson #3.
Thursday Parmigiano-Reggiano · Culatello · Cavallino Bianco
7:45 am — Early departure to visit a caseificio where Parmigiano-Reggiano is made and aged. Then to the banks of the Po River to see the production of culatello — rarer and more precious than prosciutto. Massimo Spigaroli, president of the culatello producers' consortium, gives a personal tour of his family's facility. Lunch at his restaurant, Cavallino Bianco. Return late afternoon. Evening free .
Friday Olive Press · Lake Garda · Lesson #4 & Diplomas
9:15 am — Visit a frantoio (olive press) to learn how extra virgin olive oil is made. Then drive to Sirmione, a jewel of a town on Lake Garda. Lunch at one of the finest restaurants on the lake. 6:00 pm — Cooking Lesson #4, with distribution of diplomas to the deserving.
Saturday Departure
Check-out at your convenience. Arrivederci e buon viaggio!

What's Included

  • Four 5-hour hands-on cooking classes and dinners with Giuliano Hazan
  • Wine seminars covering Italy's major wine-producing regions
  • 6 nights deluxe accommodations at Villa della Torre, including breakfast
  • All field trips with transport in a deluxe chartered bus
  • Five restaurant meals outside of class, including wines
  • All wine presentations and class dinners

Non-cooking companion fee includes everything except the cooking classes. Companions are welcome at all class dinners and wine presentations.

Trip Planning

Welcome reception begins Sunday at 7:15 pm. Check-in is at 2:00 pm — let us know if you expect to arrive earlier.

The week concludes with Lesson #4 on Friday. Check-out is Saturday morning at your convenience.

Getting there: Fly into Verona from most major European cities. A taxi from the Verona airport or train station to Villa della Torre takes approximately 20 minutes. Via della Torre 25, 37022 Fumane VR, Italy — Tel: +39 045 683-2060

What to bring: Comfortable shoes for walking and standing in class. Bring an apron if you'd like one. Dress is generally casual — slightly more elegant attire is encouraged for the welcome dinner.

Course Fees

Double Occupancy (per person) $6,745
Single Occupancy $7,495
Non-Cooking Companion $5,945
Deposit Required $1,500

A $1,500 deposit per person is due at registration. Balance is due 90 days before the course begins. See the registration form for cancellation policy.

Reserve Your Spot →

Registration

Space is limited. Reserve your place for the Veneto Cooking School at Villa della Torre using the form below.

Hear from past guests who have cooked and traveled with Giuliano at Villa della Torre.

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Online Registration

Veneto Cooking School — 2026 & 2027

Complete the form below to reserve your place. A $1,500 deposit per person is due at registration. Balance is due 90 days before the course begins.

Cooking with Giuliano Hazan at Villa della Torre

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A $1,500 deposit per person of which $500 is a non-refundable registration fee is required. The balance of the fee will be due 90 days before the course date.*