Top Culinary Getaways

There’s nothing better than sitting down and tasting the meal you made yourself. Cooking has been known to be therapeutic and a way to deactivate stress, so why not escape to some of our HIP-est hotels and take your tastebuds on a culinary journey by learning how to look like a local? From the timeless flavours of Bangkok to the culinary traditions of Italy, there’s something for everyone here!

Masseria Susafa - Sicily, Italy

Surrounded by enchanting rolling hills in the Sicilian countryside lies the chic retreat of Masseria Susafa - an ancient stone farmhouse owned and run by the Saeli-Rizzuto family. Explore some of the Sicilian culinary traditions with Masseria’s seven-day kitchen program, and learn how to make fresh Italian pasta, pizza and bread!

With the ‘7 Days Cooking Experience’ you will be entitled to masterclasses in the kitchen, a Sicilian wine tasting experience, ricotta cheese making with a local shepard, fresh cannoli tasting (typical Sicilian dessert), garden tours and excursions around the hotel! This incredible experience will tantalise your tastebuds and take you on a true Sicilian culinary journey. If you’re looking for something slightly shorter there are also separate two-hour cooking lessons on offer. You will learn how to prepare either homemade Focaccia, pizza and bread with the in-house chef, or some fresh Cappellacci, ravioli and risotto - the choice is yours! Each dish will be accompanied by a glass of wine of your choice and complemented by the peaceful environment that surrounds this gorgeous hotel.

There’s no better way to explore the origins of Sicilian culture than learning to cook at the enchanting Masseria Susafa!

The Siam - Bangkok, Thailand

“To know a country is to know its cooking…”

A private sanctuary nestled among Bangkok’s skyscrapers along the Chao Phraya river, learn how to cook three traditional Thai dishes at the magnificent Siam Hotel. Arguably one of the most popular cuisines in the world, take part in a truly immersive Thai cooking experience with Chef Damri and his team, and indulge in the incredible culinary journey that is about to happen!

Be sure to experience this cooking class to its fullest and start your journey by taking a Tuk-Tuk to the bustling local fresh market in Bangkok’s Old Town, where you will pick out your delicious ingredients and be inspired by the magnificent array of colours and senses that flow through it. Once you arrive back to The Siam, join Chef Damri and learn to cook three delicious dishes of your choice. With enchanting views overlooking the Chao Phraya River, enjoy the traditional meals you’ve created whilst you indulge under the traditional Thai teakwood house in the hotel - an unforgettable experience!

La Villa - Piedmont, Italy

Escape to one of the world’s best wine regions and learn how to cook in this gorgeous 17th-century Italian Villa. Set near the UNESCO protected vineyards in Piedmont, the chic family-run country house of La Villa is now a modern paradise and the perfect place for a traditional Italian cooking experience.

With three personalised cooking courses/experiences on offer, why not learn from the best with the in-house award-winning chef, Ian Simpson? Previously having worked alongside famous chefs such as Gordon Ramsey, Albert Roux and Tilda Chef, cook some superb Italian food with him and prepare yourself for an incredible culinary journey. From learning how to make fresh pasta, pizzas (with the use of a traditional outdoor pizza oven), to a gourmet meal, each cooking course will be personalised to your every need. Join Ian to collect your fresh and locally sourced ingredients at the local produce market, then make your way back to the kitchen to start your unforgettable cooking journey! Time in an Italian kitchen is always a delight.

Dar Assiya - Marrakech, Morocco

Imagine an enchanting place bustling with indulging sights and sounds, where snake charmers, leather workers and craftsman barter and trade… Nestled in the heart of a 1000-year-old souk complex known as the Medina, lies the captivating riad of Dar Assiya. Offering guests the opportunity to learn how to cook some of the most famous local dishes, discover the techniques and secrets of Moroccan cuisine and be fascinated by the magical array of scents and colours that flow from these dishes.

Known to be one of the most tasty and varied cuisines in the world, Moroccan cuisine is the result of the ‘wisdom of the cooks in the kitchens of the royal palaces’. From delicious tagines to traditional pastillas (pastries), take a trip to the food market in the heart of the Medina to collect your fresh ingredients before heading back to start your cooking journey. Learn the traditional way of Moroccan cooking with the exceptional in-house chef and indulge in the delicious aromas from an array of Moroccan spices - this is one for the spice lovers!

Hotel Chetzeron - Crans-Montana, Switzerland

What’s more appealing than learning how to cook 2,112 meters above sea level?

Nestled within Switzerland’s enchanting Crans-Montana lies the architectural gem of Hotel Chetzeron. With an exceptional amount of activities on offer throughout the summer and winter seasons, be sure to try out the alpine cooking course. Appropriate for more corporate groups and seminars, join in-house chef Lucia for a guide into cooking some delicious dishes!

Hike around the mountains to pick up some natural seasonal ingredients that will be used in the dishes and take in the breathtaking views that surround you; return to the cooking workshop and make some delicious aperitifs, then enjoy a shared meal of salads and homemade pizzas cooked over a wood fire. With so much to learn, these cooking classes at Chetzeron are the perfect way to end your holiday or meetings, and is perfect for team-building!

Why House - Galle, Sri Lanka

Nestled within acres of tropical plants and fauna lies the exquisite family-orientated boutique hotel - Why House. Situated in Galle, Sri Lanka’s commonly recognised World Heritage Site on the south coast, escape to this enchanting hotel and enjoy the perfect Sri Lankan cooking classes. With a minimum of four people required, take your family or friends and join Henrietta and her team at this in-house cooking activity!

From preparing some of the Sri Lanka’s most delicious dishes such as: Brinjal Moju (sweet aubergine pickle), Dhal curry, Seeni Sambol (sweet onion marmalade), Okra curry and the traditional Sri Lankan chicken curry. Learn how to prepare the different washes of coconut milk, or how to create the famous street food dish ‘Hopper’ - a crispy bowl-shaped ‘pancake’ - and indulge in its delicious flavours! After learning all about Sri Lankan cuisine and preparing these delicious dishes, savour what you’ve made throughout the day and indulge in the delicious traditional doddul (Sri Lankan sweetmeat) and a honey hopper.

With luscious vegetation and bougainvillea surrounding you, indulge in this delicious culinary journey and enjoy this magnificent cooking experience with Why House’s Henrietta and her team.

Hotel & Chalet Aurelio - Lech, Austria

“For me, a plate is like a blank canvas.” - Christian Rescher

Nestled within Austria’s impressive mountain landscapes, begin your gourmet adventure at the enchanting Hotel & Chalet Aurelio. Known for its indulgent fine cuisine, the traditional and international kitchen at Gourmet Restaurant Aurelio's create outstanding dishes with only the finest of ingredients and exquisite flavours. Don’t worry, they also prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes and cater to special dietary requirements!

Why not join their in-house chef Christian Rescher and his protegée Markus Niederwanger for some private cooking classes? Whether you choose to learn how to cook your favourite dish from the menu or let the chef's choice surprise you, mix it up and pick a topic or a specific food type you are interested in, and let chef Christian take you on a whole new culinary journey! Available for both hotel and external guests, be sure to ask how to be shown how to prepare their signature dish “Wald & Wiese”, meaning ‘forest & meadow’ - a delicious dessert made of boletus mousse and dark chocolate, it’s absolutely mouthwatering!

Pegasus Suites & Spa - Santorini, Greece

Home to some of the finest ingredients in the world, escape to the famous Greek Island of Santorini and spice up your holiday at the magnificent Pegasus Suites & Spa. Located in the heart of the enchanting village of Imerovigli, be mesmerised by the magnificent blue water surroundings while you discover the indulging culinary journey of traditional Greece.

Pegasus Suites offer some incredible residential cooking courses to guests where they will learn how to cook alongside one of their highly trained chefs. Formed of lessons based on both local and other national dishes, why not take this opportunity and learn how to prepare some authentic, seasonal Greek dishes? Despite your culinary preferences, these cooking classes will showcase the large range of Santorini’s fresh produce and its mixture of regional specialities within its creative cuisine. From traditional flavours to delicious fine wines, this magnificent dining experience will tantalise your tastebuds and leave you feeling inspired.