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Host: Nicola and Lia

Santa Maria di Castellabate, Italy

USD
$243-$347 per person

Authentic Southern Italian Cooking Class near Agropoli

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Nicola and Lia

Nicola enjoys sharing the food, culture and soul of the region of Cilento with travelers from around the world. The people of Cilento tend to live longer than in other parts of Italy, which they attribute to the regional cuisine and positive attitude. The food of the region of Cilento (referred to as the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet) is based on traditional aspects of the Mediterranean diet that includes fresh and regional ingredients, fruits, vegetables, seafood and extra virgin olive oil. Nicola is passionate about meeting people and helping them enjoy the region of Cilento. In his words, “Arrive as a guest and leave as a friend.” Meet a warm and inviting Italian family in the region of Campania.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Join your host Nicola for an authentic Southern Italian cooking class in Santa Maria di Castellabate, held in his parents’ home in the heart of the Cilento region. This is a fun cooking class close to Agropoli. During this hands on, two hour cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare a traditional Italian meal using family recipes passed down through generations. Guided by Nicola and his mother Lia, you will make three dishes from scratch, including Cilento style pizza, homemade pasta such as ravioli or fusilli, and a seasonal meat or vegetable dish. Nicola will translate throughout the experience, as Lia does not speak English, creating a warm and immersive cultural exchange. This Southern Italian cooking class offers a rare opportunity to learn regional Cilento dishes not typically found in restaurants, yet easy to recreate at home. After cooking, sit down at the family kitchen table to enjoy the meal you helped prepare, accompanied by local wine. The experience concludes with fresh fruit or dessert and limoncello or artisanal spirits, offering an intimate and truly local taste of Southern Italy.

Market visit: (1-6 guests) Nicola will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a short local market tour before your Santa Maria di Castellabate cooking class. Enjoy round trip transfers included from your accommodation within 15km of Santa Maria di Castellabate, making this a seamless and stress free experience. If you are located more than 15km outside Santa Maria di Castellabate (e.g. Paestum, Acciaroli, etc.), please choose the transport add-on when booking. You’ll visit a neighborhood vegetable stand, butcher, and cheese shop to purchase select ingredients, while learning about regional Cilento produce and products from Nicola’s trusted local vendors. This guided market visit offers insight into everyday Italian food culture and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Notes: If you are staying within 15 km of Santa Maria di Castellabate (including Agropoli), Nicola offers complimentary pick up and drop off, which is already included in the cost of the experience, and no transfer add on is required. For locations outside the 15 km radius (Paestum, Acciaroli, etc.) and within 30 km of Santa Maria di Castellabate, guests should select the additional transport fee, which covers round trip transfers. Nicola can host groups of 7-12 guests on request - if you have a large group, please email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Cilento pizza
  • Handmade pasta with ragu
  • Eggplant parmigiana or stuffed peppers
  • Fresh fruit
  • Limoncello

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
A highlight of our vacation throughout Italy! Truly an authentic cooking experience with a Nona and her family. We were met at the port and brought to the house where Nona Lia, and her grandson were waiting. After donning our aprons, off to the kitchen for an afternoon of making pasta that melted in your mouth, cilento pizzas, sauce, and my favorite - spinach ricotta ravioli. All made by hand. I have since purchased one of the ricotta crimpers - so much easier! The time flew by as we were busy and laughing and becoming an extended part of the family. Thank you Nicola and Nona Lia for a heartwarming and delicious class!
- Dana August 04, 2025
Nicola greeted me in the morning and we walked downtown to buy some ingredients. It was fun right from the start! From there, we went to his home where I met the family and dove right into preparing a four course meal together. This family is just like my own, passionate about celebrating food. I felt right at home. In this house, life centers around sharing meals together and the happiness they bring. In just a few short hours, you will feel as though you made new friends, and enjoyed the most memorable meal on your trip. The food was absolutely fresh and DELICIOUS! I highly recommend the experience!
- Tasha August 02, 2025
Nicola, mama, and papa welcomed us into their family with open arms. We learned how to cook authentic Cilento-style pizza, ricotta & spinach ravioli, tagliatelle & Parmesan. We had bread, wine, and local desserts as well. It was the most intimate, authentic experience we could have asked for on our honeymoon! It is truly a core memory we will never forget and we left feeling like we made lifelong friends!
- Drew May 19, 2025
This experience exceeded my expectations! From the initial meeting with Nicola and his mother Lia and hanging out in their lovely home, they made us feel like family. Lia showed us how to make a fried pizza, homemade pasta, eggplant parmesan and slow cooked pork and beef. The food was incredible; however, the experience was far better! Highly recommended if you find yourself in or near the awesome village of Castellabate!
- davidrt September 26, 2023

Nicola and Lia

$243-$347 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $347 $295 $243
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $119 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $347 $295 $243
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $119 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-2:30pm 5:00pm-10:00pm

Meet Nicola and Lia

Nicola enjoys sharing the food, culture and soul of the region of Cilento with travelers from around the world. The people of Cilento tend to live longer than in other parts of Italy, which they attribute to the regional cuisine and positive attitude. The food of the region of Cilento (referred to as the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet) is based on traditional aspects of the Mediterranean diet that includes fresh and regional ingredients, fruits, vegetables, seafood and extra virgin olive oil. Nicola is passionate about meeting people and helping them enjoy the region of Cilento. In his words, “Arrive as a guest and leave as a friend.” Meet a warm and inviting Italian family in the region of Campania.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Join your host Nicola for an authentic Southern Italian cooking class in Santa Maria di Castellabate, held in his parents’ home in the heart of the Cilento region. This is a fun cooking class close to Agropoli. During this hands on, two hour cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare a traditional Italian meal using family recipes passed down through generations. Guided by Nicola and his mother Lia, you will make three dishes from scratch, including Cilento style pizza, homemade pasta such as ravioli or fusilli, and a seasonal meat or vegetable dish. Nicola will translate throughout the experience, as Lia does not speak English, creating a warm and immersive cultural exchange. This Southern Italian cooking class offers a rare opportunity to learn regional Cilento dishes not typically found in restaurants, yet easy to recreate at home. After cooking, sit down at the family kitchen table to enjoy the meal you helped prepare, accompanied by local wine. The experience concludes with fresh fruit or dessert and limoncello or artisanal spirits, offering an intimate and truly local taste of Southern Italy.

Market visit: (1-6 guests) Nicola will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a short local market tour before your Santa Maria di Castellabate cooking class. Enjoy round trip transfers included from your accommodation within 15km of Santa Maria di Castellabate, making this a seamless and stress free experience. If you are located more than 15km outside Santa Maria di Castellabate (e.g. Paestum, Acciaroli, etc.), please choose the transport add-on when booking. You’ll visit a neighborhood vegetable stand, butcher, and cheese shop to purchase select ingredients, while learning about regional Cilento produce and products from Nicola’s trusted local vendors. This guided market visit offers insight into everyday Italian food culture and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Notes: If you are staying within 15 km of Santa Maria di Castellabate (including Agropoli), Nicola offers complimentary pick up and drop off, which is already included in the cost of the experience, and no transfer add on is required. For locations outside the 15 km radius (Paestum, Acciaroli, etc.) and within 30 km of Santa Maria di Castellabate, guests should select the additional transport fee, which covers round trip transfers. Nicola can host groups of 7-12 guests on request - if you have a large group, please email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Cilento pizza
  • Handmade pasta with ragu
  • Eggplant parmigiana or stuffed peppers
  • Fresh fruit
  • Limoncello

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
A highlight of our vacation throughout Italy! Truly an authentic cooking experience with a Nona and her family. We were met at the port and brought to the house where Nona Lia, and her grandson were waiting. After donning our aprons, off to the kitchen for an afternoon of making pasta that melted in your mouth, cilento pizzas, sauce, and my favorite - spinach ricotta ravioli. All made by hand. I have since purchased one of the ricotta crimpers - so much easier! The time flew by as we were busy and laughing and becoming an extended part of the family. Thank you Nicola and Nona Lia for a heartwarming and delicious class!
- Dana August 04, 2025
Nicola greeted me in the morning and we walked downtown to buy some ingredients. It was fun right from the start! From there, we went to his home where I met the family and dove right into preparing a four course meal together. This family is just like my own, passionate about celebrating food. I felt right at home. In this house, life centers around sharing meals together and the happiness they bring. In just a few short hours, you will feel as though you made new friends, and enjoyed the most memorable meal on your trip. The food was absolutely fresh and DELICIOUS! I highly recommend the experience!
- Tasha August 02, 2025
Nicola, mama, and papa welcomed us into their family with open arms. We learned how to cook authentic Cilento-style pizza, ricotta & spinach ravioli, tagliatelle & Parmesan. We had bread, wine, and local desserts as well. It was the most intimate, authentic experience we could have asked for on our honeymoon! It is truly a core memory we will never forget and we left feeling like we made lifelong friends!
- Drew May 19, 2025
This experience exceeded my expectations! From the initial meeting with Nicola and his mother Lia and hanging out in their lovely home, they made us feel like family. Lia showed us how to make a fried pizza, homemade pasta, eggplant parmesan and slow cooked pork and beef. The food was incredible; however, the experience was far better! Highly recommended if you find yourself in or near the awesome village of Castellabate!
- davidrt September 26, 2023
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $347 $295 $243
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $119 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $347 $295 $243
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $119 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:30am-2:30pm 5:00pm-10:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.