Welcome to Cooking in Umbria

COOKING IN UMBRIA offer week-long cooking holidays and vacations in one of Italy’s most beautiful, ancient and unspoilt regions.

The holidays and vacations are based in the historic, secluded Villa San Donnino, surrounded by the seductive Umbrian countryside. Here, guests are tutored in local cooking practices, gaining through experience a genuine insight into the food of the region.

As well as cherished memories of an unforgettable week, you will take home a wealth of knowledge about Italian cuisine, a new repertoire of skills and recipes to transfer to your kitchen at home, and the inspiration you need to continue developing your cooking in the future.

In spite of Umbria's size it has many precious products rich in taste that make the regions simple local cooking the best examples of fine cuisine. Highly-prized olive oil, a vast selection of wine, excellent beef, pork, poultry, game and unmistakable and delicious cold cuts.

Even the simplest things like bread and water are a worthy accompaniment for Umbrias rich menus.

Villa San Donino is situated in an area rich in history in a part of Umbria noted for its natural beauty and for the many legendary figures who have lived in this valley through the centuries, including Saints, Artists and Princes. This unspoiled corner of Umbria is especially renowned for its dramatic mountains, fertile valleys and its clear streams.

There are many important art centers also near at hand such as Assisi, Perugia, Todi, Gubbio, Orvieto and Spoleto.

Our holidays are suitable for aspiring chefs of all levels of experience and ability. The holiday package includes: expert tuition by acclaimed chef Claudio Covelli, to be conducted in the restaurant Dogana Vecchia; full-board accommodation in Villa San Donnino (a three star hotel); four out of six evening meals in selected Umbrian and Tuscan restaurants; wine with meals; excursions; airport transfers. Flights are not included, but are inexpensive, and if you like we can help you book your tickets.

Villa San Donnino, our hotel, was once a summer retreat for bishops and cardinals and is set in tranquil, elevated grounds. It is located 2km south of the unspoilt, medieval walled town of Citta di Castello, and about 40km north of the Umbria’s capital, Perugia. It has superb facilities including a large swimming pool and a tennis court. To find out more about the hotel, click here.

Cooking lessons are conducted by the highly successful and experienced chef Claudio Covelli click here for more information on cookery lessons. The lessons normally last about 3 hours, leaving afternoons free to relax or explore the region’s many scenic, historic and culinary treasures. Daily excursions are included in the cost of the holiday, and include visits to Assisi, Arezzo and many other destinations – click here for excusion details.

After cooking in the morning, our excursions take place in the afternoon. They include visits to some of the most important and memorable sites of Etruscan and Renaissance art in Italy, including Anghiari, Sansepolcro, Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi and Gubbio.

We also organise painting holidays in Umbria, and cooking guests wishing to stay longer than a week are welcome to stay for a second week. The cost is £1,099 for an additional seven nights, with tuition, excursions, meals, wine, etc. Please click here to visit our painting website.

To contact us, request a brochure, or submit a booking form, please click here.

About the Company

H&G ITALY LTD is a small family business owned by Eddy and Sheila de Vries. From the moment you make contact with their office you will be treated like a welcome guest and looked after personally.

Eddy and Sheila will be in Italy throughout the summer, along with the painting and cooking tutors, to ensure this level of service is continued.