A view of beautiful Castelluccio, a medieval village of Umbria, during our Food Lover's Paradise in Umbria cooking vacation.

Fields of flowering lentil crops near Norcia, Umbria.

Truffles enjoyed on a culinary vacation in Italy

Carpaccio served during your culinary vacation in Umbria

Hands-on cooking class in Norcia, Italy

Cooking class in Norcia, Italy

Fields of flowering lentil crops near Norcia, Umbria, on a cooking vacation with The International Kitchen.

Lamb made many ways during a culinary tour of Italy

Elegant dish at the Michelin Star restaurant Vespasia

Lamb spiedino made during your cooking classes in Italy

Flowering field near Norcia, Italy

Butchering during a culinary vacation in Italy

View of the Umbrian hills during your culinary vacation in Italy

Delicious dish at the Michelin star restaurant of the Palazzo Seneca in Norcia, home for your authentic Italy cooking vacation

A salami and cheese shop during your cooking vacation in Umbria

Prosciutto on a cooking vacation in Umbria

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Overview

Best Food Experiences & Culinary Vacations in Norcia, Umbria

Norcia, a small town famed for its black diamonds, black truffles, its nestled in the center of the region of Umbria, historically enclosed by its 14th century walls and surrounded by the Monti Sibillini Park. It is one of the most popular destinations for Italy cooking classes and some of our best cooking vacations in Umbria.

Having withstood a severe earthquake in 2016, the town has really rebounded with a sense of renewal. Many of the buildings (including the beautiful hotel Palazzo Seneca and its restaurant) were completely undamaged. Other buildings are being rebuilt and restored. The recovery has been remarkable and we are thrilled to be sending culinary travelers to Norcia once again.

With a great culinary history and ancient traditions, the area is famous for its lentils, pork products, cured meats, sausages, cheese, as well as the local truffles, all of which you will explore on our week-long cooking vacations in Norcia. The Umbria region is rich with culture, Renaissance art, wine and gastronomy, as well as hand-crafted products.

Your home will be a beautiful boutique hotel, where you will be welcomed like family by the owners and their staff. Join us for a cooking vacation in Norcia and experience a true food lover’s paradise!

Latest Review

We gave this trip 5 stars

★★★★★

Thomas & Charles (Dan)

IL - Illinois

Our one week stay in Norcia was one of the most memorable and special vacations we've ever taken - far exceeding our expectations! We would highly recommend this particular cooking vacation to everyone. There is so much to say, it's difficult to convey how special this experience really was in such a brief review. Our stay at Palazzo Seneca was top notch and very welcoming. The friendly, warm and welcoming staff at the hotel and Vespasia restaurant really elevated this vacation to another level. The Bianconi family, who own and manage the hotel and restaurant were very welcoming as well. Over the course of one week in four 2.5 hour session, Michelin star chef Valentino Palmisano and his wonderful team (Fabio, Kido and everyone else we met in the kitchen) taught us tips and techniques of regional and traditional Italian cooking. The entire culinary experience, from the lessons to dinners at Vespasia, are unforgettable. It was sad to leave after spending time with and getting to know everyone. The restaurant staff were exceptionally welcoming, friendly and genuine. The excursions included in the package were just as memorable. Our trusted, thoughtful tour guide, companion and friend Tiziano turned each one into something far beyond our expectations - taking time to carefully explain the history and background of each stop over the course of the week. From truffle hunting with Nicola and his four-legged companions (Lulu and Tempestina), tours of Antico Frantoio Carletti (olive oil), Il Casale de li Tappi (Norcineria), Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco winery, and visits to Assissi, Spoleto, and a nearby Benedictine monastery, we were able to experience a great deal of what Umbria offers in a short time. We spent time walking around the village and the countryside - gorgeous views from the hills in mid-September. The International Kitchen staff (Adrian) were extremely helpful in confirming details of our travel, including coordinating transport from Rome, and travel to Florence at the end of the culinary vacation. The pickup at the airport and travel to Florence were both well-planned and flawless. We'd definitely recommend the Norcia cooking vacation to anyone - in particular, food lovers and those who are looking for a memorable culinary experience with an expert, welcoming team. We can honestly say that there were absolutely no negatives about our entire experience in Norcia. We are already missing Norcia, Palazzo Seneca, Vespasia and all the wonderful people we met there. We'll be back!

What to Expect on Our Norcia Gourmet Tours in Italy

Why visit Norcia on our cooking vacations in Umbria? There is a reason we call it a food lover’s paradise, and your Italy culinary vacation will include some of the country’s best food and wine, including such local specialties as lentils from Castelluccio, cured meats like coppa, lonza, capocollo, and prosciutto tascabile, delicious pastas, exquisite truffles, and more! Your cooking vacation in Umbria will include:

hands-on cooking classes with the chefs of a Michelin-star restaurant
local product tastings and wine tastings
a truffle hunting excursion
visits to Assisi, Spoleto, and Montefalco
accommodations at a deluxe, boutique hotel
transfers from Rome
and more!

Norcia, Italy Food & Wine Trip Itinerary

6-Night Umbria Culinary Vacation Tour Itinerary
4-Night Umbria Culinary Vacation Tour Itinerary

Day One

Transfer from the Rome Fiumicino Airport to Palazzo Seneca in Norcia.
This afternoon, settle in a rest, or take a walk through town.
This evening, enjoy a dinner at the Michelin-starred Ristorante Vespasia of Palazzo Seneca (3 courses, beverages not included).
Overnight.

Day Two

After breakfast, at 10:30 am, meet for your first cooking class. It will last about two hours and will be an introduction to Umbrian cooking. Sample menu, subject to change:
- Umbricelli pasta with black truffles
- Lamb “porchetta”
- Torta al cioccolato
Tasting lunch based on your efforts to follow.
At 4:30 p.m., go on a black truffle hunt. (In the summer, the truffle hunt begins at 6 p.m.) Traditional dinner at the Granaro del Monte restaurant to follow (local wine included).
Overnight.

Day Three

Breakfast, followed by your next cooking lesson at 9:30 a.m. Sample menu (subject to change):
- Cannelloni pasta with ricotta cheese and spinach
- Lamb shank
- Panna cotta
Tasting lunch based on your efforts.
At 4:00 p.m., visit a local chocolate producer. Visit to the laboratory and tasting of three glasses of wine paired with three types of chocolate
Dinner at Ristorante Vespasia (3 courses, beverages not included).
Overnight.

Day Four

Breakfast.
At 9:30 a.m., depart for an excursion to the legendary Assisi, the city of Saint Francis, with time on your own to explore.
Lunch on your own in Assisi.
Afterward, at 3:00 p.m., it’s on to the famous town of Montefalco, land of the Sagrantino red wine, and a visit to a local winery where you will be invited to taste the wonderful wines.
Return and dinner at Granaro del Monte (local wine include).
Overnight.

Day Five

After breakfast, around 9:00 a.m., transfer to Passaggio di Bettona for a 2 1/2 hour olive oil experience. Visit the mill and surprise your senses with a sensory tasting of 5 oils. Through food pairings, you’ll discover how quality oil can enhance the flavors of even the simplest dishes.
At 3:00 p.m., visit Spoleto, a bronze-age town located on the slope of a sacred mountain in the Apennines. Just one of their numerous ancient Roman and medieval sacred sites is the Duomo, which is home to Filippo Lippi’s last fresco cycle. Time to explore the town on your own.
Return to the hotel. Ristorante Vespasia for dinner (3 courses, beverages not included).
Overnight.

Day Six

Breakfast followed by your final cooking lesson at 9:30 a.m. Sample menu, subject to change:
- Tagliatelle pasta with Norcina sauce
- Porchetta maialino
- Lentil and ricotta tart
Tasting lunch to follow based on your efforts.
Afternoon at leisure.
Tonight’s final dinner will be at Vespasia (3 courses, beverages not included).
Overnight.