Tuscany: Florence, Arezzo, Siena

• A favorite for papardelle, bruschetta, cured meats and wines, the Tuscan region offers varied cooking tours. The International Kitchen has organized A Classic Tuscan Table with Chef Claudio. These tours have been featured on the CBS morning news, and come in four- and six-night packages. The accommodations include stays at lovely bed and breakfast cottages and elegant chateaus, all of which feature gorgeous vineyards. You can also bring along a companion, for an additional fee. Detailed itineraries are available through the company.
  
  

Tuscany: Florence

• For those interested in keeping their travel within a region, Savour Italy offers a culinary vacation with lodgings near the downtown area of Florence. Your hosts are two Florentine chefs who use a family-like atmosphere to complement their courses. Class size is capped at 10 students, and all skill levels are welcome. Courses last six days.
  
  

Emilia Romagna: Bologna

• Bluone Cooking Tours in Italy offers an array of trips to satisfy the most discerning palates and to tempt those who have limited time. While tours are throughout Italy, the majority of them are offered in the Emilia Romagna region, in the charming city of Bologna. Six different trips are offered there, ranging from a one day tour to six and seven day tours. While arrangements can be made year-round, Bluone also offers a special New Year's trip, and guests can celebrate with traditional Italian Christmas recipes. Whatever the trip, guests are sure to visit food markets, cook with local families, and sample first-hand balsamic vinegars from Modena and aged cheeses.
  
  

Puglia: Lecce

• Dip down to the boot to take in southern Italian food at its best. The Awaiting Table has been voted among the best cooking schools by "Food and Wine Magazine." The weeklong cooking courses are offered in Lecce, a town where guests will intermingle with locals, learn their names and shop their markets. There are also dates throughout the year when courses are offered at a castle 40 minutes south of Lecce. In-town courses are limited to six participants at a time, whereas the castle accommodates a few more. Pricing is available upon request or registration. Close by the Adriatic Sea, Lecce is a rustic and beautiful place to stop, with olive groves and old farms adding charm to the landscape.
  
  

All Regions

• Cooking Vacations also offers tours throughout Italy, including trips to southern Italy, Sicily, Capri, and Sorrento. These culinary expeditions are designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of travelers. Tours are designed for families to incorporate the younger chefs in the family. Women-only trips are available, as are Michelin and five-star experiences. The flexibility the company offers also extends to trip duration and price. These exclusive vacations extend to every interest. The "Red Italy" tour couples cooking with the added bonus of driving a Ferrari. Another, in Cortona, offers hot-air balloon rides to guests.