Among the infinite wonders of Venice, there is a truly special cooking school. It is located in the Hotel Gritti Palace, one of the most elegant and luxurious hotels in Venice. Here, Chef Daniele Turco continues a 10-year tradition, teaching students a variety of culinary topics. Each six day course features a different celebrity chef and centers on the different themes, tastes, and perfumes that are Venice. From Mediterranean cuisine to wine and food experiences the courses offer real and creative learning for all skill levels. Some of our celebrity chefs include chef and food writer Patricia Wells and Chef Judy Rodgers of Zuni Cafe in San Francisco. The cooking sessions take place in a specially equipped and reserved room and are limited to 18 students. Afterwards everyone has the opportunity to taste the creations together at dinner. Wines chosen for the dishes served are introduced by a sommelier. Accommodations for the five nights are in a grand delux double room at the Gritti Palace, one of Venice's finest five-star hotels.

Monday

Transfer from Venice Marco Polo airport or Santa Lucia Railway Station to HOtel Gritti Palace by private launch. Meet the hotel manager for an aperitif at the Longhi bar followed by an informal dinner at the Club del Doge Restaurant.

Tuesday

After breakfast, enjoy a delightful walk to the famous Rialto market led by Executive Chef Daniele Turco.

Lunch at a local restaurant serving fresh fish and local specialties.

In the afternoon, the first culinary workshop with Daniele Turco will take place in the cooking school classroom. A great deal of importance is given to sampling and tasting the dishes: your dinner at the Club del Doge will be composed of the dishes presented during the cooking lesson.

Wednesday

Participants will be guided by the journalist and author of many books, Carla Coco, on a historical gastronomic-philosophic walk through the city's calli and campielli, discovering an absolutely new Venice. This is a Venice made up of gold and spices, of secret gardens and carnival-like dishes. Lunch along the way, experiencing the Venetian finger food, cicchetti.

In the afternoon, meet in the cooking school classroom for your second lesson with our visiting celebrity chef. Dinner follows.

Thursday

An amusing morning will be spent creating your own Venetian mask! Lunch at a typical Osteria. Afternoon meeting in the classroom for a wine tasting lesson with a visiting winemaker.

Dinner and drinks at Club del Doge restaurant.

Friday

Time off for you to luxuriate in the beauty of Venice. Dress up in your masquerade costumes and masks and meet at Bar Longhi for an aperitif and presentation of "The Venetian Life, Then and Now" by a special guest speaker.

Departure by gondola to Palazzetto Pisani on the Grand Canal for a Venetian feast fit for a Doge!

Saturday

At your convenience, transfer to the airport or railway station by private boat.