Step into the hidden Molise, the Region that doesn’t exist! Discover the culinary secrets of authentic Molise, where ancient recipes, local tradition and unforgettable flavors come alive. From handmade pasta to truffle-laced dishes, taste the Italy few travelers ever experience, joining our Cooking Vacation, designed by Laura, away from crowds and beyond the cliches. Real, authentic, magic and unforgettable.
April 2026
5-12-19-26
May 2026
3-10-17-24-31
June 2026
7-14-21-28
August 2026
30
September 2026
6-13-20-27
Massimo Talia inherited his passion for food from his grandmother, a lover of traditional cuisine. This passion leads him to pay attention to raw materials, transforming it into care and dedication for the dishes he creates, by combining tradition and creativity. Massimo Talia has been reconfirmed at the “helm” of the Chefs’ Union for Molise in Italy and re-elected as regional President. Cooking will be held by his staff under his guidance and supervision.
Free airport pick up at Fiumicino International Airport in Rome at 1:00PM and then transfer to Termoli. We will have an interesting journey through the mountains and villages of Molise, a region known for its stunning landscapes that feature mountains, rolling hills and picturesque villages.
Check-in in at the “Albergo Diffuso” in the Old Village of Termoli: instead of a single building, the rooms are spread across different historic homes and lanes of the Medieval village, with a central reception for check-in and services. Each room is different, furnished with a mixed of heritage details and contemporary touches. It is an experience of charm, personality, small details and sense of place and, from the room, it is possible to walk-everywhere: beach, marina, reastaurans, history – everything outside the door.
Take some time to settle in and relax.
In the evening, we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner, a gentle introduction to the flavors of Termoli and Molise’s culinary traditions as well as warm hospitality. The host will introduce us to the week ahead, sharing insights into the region’s history, food culture, families and artisans we will meet along the way. By the time the last glass of wine is poured, the group already feels like a small community, ready for a week that has already started to weave its magic.
MORNING
After breakfast, we will visit an Olive Estate, run by a noble family, nestled among Molise’s rolling hills – a place where olive trees have been tended for generations. We will meet Marina, a member of the Colonna family, among Italy’s oldest noble lineages, who has cultivated olive trees on this land, surrounded by centuries old olive groves and the quiet elegance of the historic property which is an oasis of refined rural beauty. We will share anecdotes about Colonna family, the unique terroir of Molise and the artisanal techniques used. We will learn how to distinguish between fruity, bitter and peppery tones as well as differences between delicate, medium and robust extra virgin olive oils.
A light lunch is brought to life through a show cooking demonstration:
a delicate appetizer finished with light fruity EVOO, a first or second course enriched by a medium-intensity oil a bold, robust peppery EVO, a dessert with a creative touch of citrus or flavored EVO, iconic oils of the Estate. This guided tasting helps partecipants build confidence in selecting and pairing EVOO’s at home. This is more than just an Evo Experience, but a journey through the Colonna family’s heritage, the rhythms of rural life, and the timeless beauty of the land that shaped it all.
AFTERNOON
After lunch, back to Termoli. In the afternoon, some rest and time for ourself. AperitivoDinner in Piazza in the evening – Italian Style – sitting outdoor, if the weather permits, watching and soaking up the local atmosphere. An interesting way to engage with the town culture and meet locals as they unwind from the day. Regional wine, craft cocktails or classic Aperol Spritz will be paired with an array of small dishes that form a delicious informal meal. This experience will help to capture the soul of Molise’s hospitality: relaxed, flavorful and deeply social – the perfect way to end a day of exploration and connection.
MORNING
After breakfast, ready for our first hands-on cooking class, to immerse ourselves in the local culture, focusing on regional specialties, making pasta from scratch, preparing sauces, and learning how to use fresh, local ingredients. We will learn how to transform simple ingredients into edible art. Starting with the basics: cracking the eggs into a well of flour and slowly coaxing the mixture into a silky dough. We will transform the dough into tagliatelle, ravioli, cavatelli enjoying the rhythmic hum of pasta cutters and delighted “Look at mine!” exclamations. We will learn how to pair sauces with shapes, how to build flavor from the ground up.
After the cooking, we will enjoy the dishes created together, paired with local wine. By the end of the class, we will carry with us a little piece of Italian culinary heritage, learned the most authentic way: by doing, sharing and tasting. It is warm, delicious, creative, a little messy food experience – and completely unforgettable.
AFTERNOON
In the afternoon, after some rest, we will delve into “Termoli Sotterranea”, a fascinating underground tour that reveals hidden tunnels, ancient cisterns and the archaeological layers beneath the town and the Cathedral, which date back to the Medieval and even Roman periods. Some parts of the underground system were once used for religious purposes, while others were used as homes or even hiding places during time of conflict. It is a must-see for history buffs, architecture lovers or anyone curious about the hidden stories beneath the surface of Italy’s charming coastal town of Termoli. Dinner in town.
MORNING
After breakfast, in the morning we will move to one of the most important archaeological site – Altilia – that covers about 12 hectares and is surrounded by defensive walls. The layout of the town is clearly visible, and its most important structures were its temples, Forum, Basilica, Baths and its ‘Macellum’ or indoor market. The most intact building is the Theatre which is horse-shoe shaped and surrounded by 18th century houses built of stone. We will be fascinated by the atmosphere and beauty of Altilia. After this extraordinary experience, we will move to “La Piana dei Mulini” in the Biferno Valley. Once a functioning water mill (and also a small wool-processing centre connected to transhumance routes), it has been restored into a charming “albergo diffuso” and restaurant. Stone walls , wooden beams archways create an authentic atmosphere, enhanced by the quite sound of the river flowing just outside. Inside one of the stone halls, a rustic cooking area is set with terracotta pots, wooden boards, baskets of fresh produce and local ingredients from farmers and foragers for an unforgettable show-cooking.
At the end we will gather arounf a table to enjoy traditional rural recipes: a journey into heritage, genuine food, social experience and forgotten flavors.
AFTERNOON
Back to Termoli. Free afternoon to explore the town at your own pace, including stops at cafes or artisan shops. There are plenty of scenic spots for photos, especially near the Castle and the old town square. Dinner on your own to xplore and mingle with the town, following your mood, allowing yourself to be guided by curiosity, and connect with the town of Termoli in a personal way. In Termoli every restaurant has its own rhytm, but they all share that welcoming atmosphere that makes dining a true pleasure, something special: an authentic slice of coastal Italian life.
Note
Depending on the season and weather, the Altilia experience can be substitued by San Martino Village Experience or Larino Village Experience. All experiences have a mix of Art, food and local traditions and will be of the same qulaity and cultural value.
MORNING
After breakfast, we will join our second Cooking Class that will guide us through preparing a savory second course that highlights the best seasonal ingredients, followed by a delicious dessert to round out the meal. Guided by the Chef we will learn how to prepare hearty, rustic and deeply flavorful main dishes that reflect the region’s pastoral heritage as well as coastal influences, pairing them with local wines and Extra Virgin Olive Oil as well as learn how to layering flavors.
AFTERNOON
Back to Termoli. After some relax, we will join a special authentic Italian Pizza ShowCooking and Tasting in town with reknown “Pizzaiolo”. We will discover the secrets of a perfect pizza, learning how to select the right flour, mastering dough hydration, kneading by hand, shaping the base and achieving the ideal balance of toppings. After the show-cooking we will enjoy a tasting of several pizzas, from classic Margherita to creative combinations. Just a relaxed yet memorable culinary experience.
MORNING
After breakfast, we will visit a well-known and respected winery, known for its high quality wines and its sustainable farming, to learn about the winemaking process from grape to bottle as well as how to determine whether a wine is truly good and offers a balance of aroma, flavor, texture and finish, with a great harmony which reflects its origins and craftsmanship. The most exiting part of the experience will be the tasting guided by a sommelier or vineyard owner, providing insights into the history of the wine and winery.
After this genuine expierence, we will enjoy a must-visit destination – the Trabocco – an iconic traditional wooden fishing structure along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, used by local fishermen to catch fish and seafood, thanks to a large fishing net pulled in or out the water, using a mechanical system of ropes. A lunch on the Tracobbo, with fresh, locally caught seafood directly from the Adriatic Sea, is a very special treat and it will be a Memorable Experience!
AFTERNOON
In the afternoon we will move back to Termoli. Time for packing!
We will all meet for the “Ciao Ciao Dinner” on the beach or at the restaurant in town, based on the season. A Dinner to celebrate everything that has been shared and the connections that have been made along the way during the week. A dinner to say Goodbye filled with gratitude for the experiences had, in the hope that one day paths will cross again.
After Breakfast, transfer is provided to the airport. Enjoy your journey back whether you are headed home or off to another destination, the journey continues as well as the joy of discovery and sharing. Thanks for sharing with us the beauty of Molise.
Early bookings are strongly advised as our Cooking Classes and Workshops fill up very quickly.
Recipes of the cooking classes may change according to the season and menus.
All Cooking Classes are in English and will be held by Chef Massimo Talia and/or his Staff.
Tours are designed with flexible itineraries to accommodate seasonality and desired dates of travel. The itinerary and experiences provided are subject to seasonal availability and conditions. Activities such as vineyard visits, tastings, culinary workshops, and producer tours may vary depending on the time of year, weather, and local scheduling (e.g., harvest periods or traditional events).Despite any seasonal adjustments, all substituted or modified experiences will be of equal quality, cultural value, and professional standard.
Mostly short transfers – 30 minutes – to one hour and a half.
If the Gelato Tasting cannot take place, it will be replaced with a visit to the city of Vasto, followed by the Trabocco Lunch.
Pictures published in the Tour Presentation are illustrative.
ANATOLIA T.O. di Rotonno Maria SAS Partita Iva 00818520702 viaggi@anatolia.it Civil Liability ALLIANCE CPMPANY – INSURANCE POLICY N.114099890 Insolvency Policy IMA ASSISTANCE – INSURANCE POLICY SOLV/2023/285 The Partnership with American Tour Operators and Experiential Tourism Professionals in Molise has allowed us to be able to offer an out-of-the-ordinary Food & Wine Tour putting together a special itinerary for you along with professional cooking classes to discover unique recipes and Molise, Italy’s last great unknown.
Molise is defined by ENIT, the national agency for the promotion of Italian tourism, a “small ancient world” thanks to a unique featu-re of this region: the “survival” of customs and traditions, ancient craft activities elsewhere disappeared. Nature, history, art, ancient traditions and gastronomy are the treasures of this still unknown piece of Italy, where it is possible to go from the sea to the moun-tains in just under 100 km.Molise is the last Italy’s unknown. It seems timeless, still, far from the frenzy of everyday life. That being isolated from everyone that apparently was a misfortune, is now turning into a strong point for tourism. Always looking for “real” places to discover. A true pa-radise for those who love relax, nature, art, good food and good life.