Flavors of the Italian Countryside Culinary Retreat!

Hands on cooking classes by the local chefs learning the secrets to authentic Italian cooking was the highlight along with the unbelievable meals that were prepared by the staff and served in a family style setting. From the moment you arrive, you know you are someplace very special.

We took this culinary tour in June, and I can’t say enough about the staff, and their attention to our comfort. We created wonderful pastas and pastries with a very talented chef instructor. In the evenings we were entertained with Italian songs, while during the day we had hands on cooking lessons and excursions to historic villages. Overall, this was a fabulous trip, and I would not hesitate to do it all again!

From the moment we arrived, I knew we were going to have an extraordinary experience. The facilities are 5-star all the way. The cooking classes were definitely a highlight of the tour, but I was also surprised by how much we enjoyed the well-planned excursions. I never knew there was so much to “know” about olive oil. And the prosciutto – OMG! This was truly a bucket list vacation. If you get a chance, you have to go!

Can’t think of a more wonderful vacation. If you like being pampered, enjoy learning to cook Italian recipes, and love food and wine, this is the tour for you. The palazzo is located on top of a small mountain with beautiful views over the valley below. Our meals were delightful, excursions were outstanding, and the staff were beyond accommodating. Seriously, the finest holiday experience I have ever had!

It doesn’t get any better than this. The hospitality and attention to detail is second to none. My husband and I, along with two great friends, enjoyed this food and wine tour earlier this year, and the staff at the palazzo make you feel like you are part of an extended Italian family. The cooking experiences were beyond exceptional. I would recommend this trip to anyone. You will not be disappointed!

The Epitourean trip to Castro dei Volsci, Italy, was absolutely wonderful. Casa Gregorio is a unique type of farm to table cooking school and boutique hotel, nestled atop the ancient Castro dei Volsci in the high hills of Lazio (Latium). A team of travel, cooking and culture experts take a small group of fortunate travelers every day to markets and visit food and wine purveyors in the region while also visiting points of cultural interest. In the late afternoon cooking classes commence and these are delightful! We learned many essential cooking and baking techniques and ate some of the best regional Italian Food obtainable. The state of the art cooking facility and the dining rooms are exceptional--you eat in a different uniquely appointed room each day. You also are taken to wonderful, farm sustaining restaurants for some meals, another treat. This property is a private home and you are treated by Gregory and his superb staff as well pampered family members We couldn't have hoped for a better, more uniquely genuine food and cultural experience.

Wow, what can I say...way above our expectations on the whole trip!!! We ended up joining 10 people that were all siblings and spouses who were great party animals and they adopted us the first day and it was a crazy wonderful group of people to eat, drink and travel with! We will be your biggest booster of this trip...will highly recommend this to any of your clients. The Duke hotel was also fabulous and staff were first class. Thanks again for an unforgettable trip!

I can't even begin to tell you how much we enjoyed this all inclusive tour. In fact we are looking forward to do it again soon. It was over the top exceptional. I would do it again in a heartbeat and have nothing but wonderful things to say about this edible destination. Not only was it classy, it was medieval, exciting, delicious, informative, engrossing, accommodating, inspiring, creative, enjoyable, and many many other adjectives I can't think that fast. It was such a whirlwind of a tour that we're thinking about doing the 2 week tour. Gregorio & his entire staff are top of the line exquisite hosts. It's a 10 star establishment and we are so happy we went. And now we have a whole new bunch of friends.

What a wonderful experience we had at Casa Gregorio. It was magical from the moment we stepped through the door. Everything was thoughtfully done. The chefs were fun, the tours to the surrounding areas were informative and the food and wine was to die for.

Our trip was absolutely fantastic! Thank you for all your work with Edible Destinations. We had cooking tours during the day to wonderful little towns like Arpino, Pofi and Terracina which were so entertaining and guided by Petrizio and others who were so knowledgeable and fun. I think we were the only tourists there or at least it seemed so. In the evening there were cooking classes taught by Dayana and Valero. The people we were with were such fun and so diverse. And how we laughed!!!! The food was outstanding to say the least. Much of the food - pastries, antipasto, pasta and pizza we made ourselves but then Gregory's staff added even more delicious dishes. And the wine flowed!! My suitcase gained 11 pounds but I only gained three pounds which I have already lost. The Casa Gregorio is just a beautifully and classically decorated home. The kitchen we worked in was better than any I have seen on the Food Network. Our villa was stellar and the terrace views to die for!!!!! Highly recommended tour!

Regarding Casa Gregorio – From the start of being picked up at the airport it exceeded my wildest expectations. The rooms were beautiful and well prepared for a comfortable stay. The view from the bedroom window was exquisitely beautiful overlooking the mountains. A tour of the facility and the teaching kitchens was incredible. I can't say enough about Chef Dayana! She patiently & entertainingly taught us how to cook so many things. A huge part of this magnificent culinary experience were the employees at Casa Gregorio. Without question, they are a team who work together and really enjoy their jobs! The week was full of tours and culinary lessons that I will never forget. I have traveled extensively and can say without a doubt, Casa Gregorio is one the best vacations I've ever had. I can see in the future that it will be heralded as one of the top 10 destinations in the World.

Just wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic time on this trip to the Italian countryside. Everything was wonderful and even my husband, who went "kicking & screaming", admitted he had a great time! We've told all our friends about it, and I've passed your name on to several people who are looking into trips for next year. Thank you again for recommending it, it was the perfect size class for us in the most perfect place!

I have never been on such a fabulous vacation as this one to Casa Gregorio. It was everything that I could have asked for and more, from the pickup at the airport, to the accommodations, the food and the staff who are absolutely outstanding. All the day trips and the wonderful people we met, I would go back tomorrow if I could. It is such a beautiful place and the accommodations are just beautiful, all within a stunning 16th century village. Thank you for booking this for me, I have given your name out to a few people.

All I'm going to say is... WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Casa Gregorio was STUPENDOUS!!! I can't thank you enough for working with me on such a fabulous vacation.

I just wanted to say what a wonderful experience we had at Casa Gregorio March 29 to April 4, 2015. Absolutely the 5 star location as advertised and Gregory and his entire staff were first class. The cooking classes and the tours of the local countryside were great. The staff at Epitourean were so helpful and patient with me since I'm not a world traveler. Would recommend to anyone who wants a relaxing but educational vacation. I'm making fresh pasta and loving my purchase at the farmers market. Thanks for a super time.