Why travelers love this tour
Market to Table, the Tuscan Way
Shop alongside locals at Mercato Centrale, then cook a full Tuscan feast at a farmhouse kitchen surrounded by olive trees and rolling hills
Guided Market Tour with Tastings
A culinary-expert led tour of Mercato Centrale, with tastings
A Beautiful Tuscan Estate Setting
A stunning setting on a Tuscan estate
Hands-On in a Pro Kitchen
A hands-on culinary experience in a state-of-the-art kitchen
Four-Course Lunch with Wine
Delicious four-course lunch with wine
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Tour at a Glance
Prices, times and meeting point — all in one place.
From€ 450,00
Free CancellationUp to 24 hours before departure
Duration6 hours
Departure10AM
Meeting pointThe meeting point is in Piazza Stazione. Your guide will be holding a WALKABOUT TOURS sign, right by the taxi stand at Santa Maria Novella train station across from the outside McDonald's.Open in Google Maps
Itinerary
Florence's Finest, Farm to Fork
From the stalls of Mercato Centrale to the farmhouse terrace — a full immersion in Tuscan food culture, finished with a long lunch and Chianti.
Visit Florence’s Most Famous Historical MarketWe’re proud that our private cooking tour is different from many others, as we’ve created an experience that involves you and your party in the process of the cuisine from the beginning to end. After meeting your guide at the front of the Santa Novella train station, you’ll head to the famous historical food market, where you’ll have the opportunity to be introduced to the people behind the produce of Tuscany - including butchers, bakers and farmers selling fresh vegetables. This is the place the locals do their shopping and you can browse alongside them as they choose from the cheese, olives, balsamic vinegar, fruit, vegetables and the vast array of specialty foods. Your guide will help you shop for the ingredients that you’ll use later in your private cooking class. Florence is famous for its superb produce and you’ll have the chance to taste many samples as you go.
When the market is not open on Sundays and public holidays, in season you’ll be able to select fresh vegetables and other ingredients from the garden at our country estate.
Time to Create Your MealOnce you’ve finished at the Mercato, your guide will take you out into the countryside to the Walkabout Florence kitchen, which is located in a beautiful Tuscan farmhouse on a private estate - and there the lesson will begin! We believe that the best way to learn is to get involved, so this is no mere demonstration and you’ll be getting into the swing of things from the very beginning. With guidance from the trained chef, you really will be creating an authentic four-course Tuscan meal yourself. Using the freshest of fresh ingredients from the markets and the estate’s kitchen garden, your chef will teach you how to make fresh pasta with eggs from the farm, a delicious meat sauce, and a mouthwatering bruschetta with fresh bread and the farmhouse’s own olive oil and tomatoes. You can then take a break to sample the wonderful bruschetta with a cold glass of Chianti.
Learn the Secrets of Tuscan CuisineAfter your short break you’ll begin on the traditional Tuscan version of roast pork and potatoes, complete with fresh herbs gathered from the garden. Finally it’s on to learning how to make the coffee-flavoured dessert, tiramisù, which is enjoyed so widely in this local region.
Enjoy the Fruits of your Labour!After all that hard (but very enjoyable) work, it’s time to sit down and reap the rewards as your party enjoys a mouth watering lunch, created by your own hands following authentic Tuscan recipes. The food will be accompanied by a local wine and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the wonderful ambience and views over the rolling hills. At the end of your private cooking class, Florence awaits and you’ll arrive back with a full stomach and a heart full of memories.
Once the meal is over you’ll have the opportunity to purchase Chianti Classico wine, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, cook books and cookery accessories.
Highlights
What's included
- Private tour of a traditional food market
- Comfortable transport to and from Florence
- Fun and informative culinary lesson
- Delicious lunch with wine
- Take home recipes
- Diploma in Italian cooking
Duration6 hours
Departure10AM
Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before departure
Know before you go
Helpful details before booking
A few practical notes to help you choose the right Tuscany day trip and arrive prepared.
- Not Suitable for Limited MobilityUnfortunately, due to the uneven nature of the terrain and numerous steep surfaces, the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties.
Plan your Tuscany trip
Travel guides before you go
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Frequently Asked Questions
Once you have made your reservation and made the payment by credit card through our secure website, you will be able to print the information or save it to your mobile device to bring with you to the check-in.
We offer a full refund to any cancellation up to 24 hours before the departure time of the tour.
If you would like to change the day of your tour, you may do so (depending on availability) up to 24 hours before the start of the tour with no extra fees.
We always love to hear feedback about the tour! You can find us on TripAdvisor by searching for the Walkabout Florence Tours.
