• Experience the uniqueness of a country through its cuisine on a recreational cooking vacation.cooking image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the most distinct characteristics of a culture is its food. It often offers insights into a people's values and traditions. Recreational food vacations are trips to different parts of the world to sample and learn how to prepare the local fare. Foodies, avid cooks and connoisseurs can learn about their passion on a recreational cooking vacation.
  
  

Stile Mediterraneo

• Travel to Puglia, Italy to discover the secrets of fine Mediterranean cuisine and sample some of the best local wines. Stile Mediterraneo was started by two sisters native to Puglia. Cinzia, a wine steward and extra virgin olive oil taster, and Marika, a cardiologist, team up to teach you cooking secrets handed down for generations of their family. The cooking classes are taught in small groups, with hands-on learning, and in English. While at the school, you may also choose to participate in wine tours, market tours and olive oil tours.
  
  

Patricia Wells

• Famous chef and author Patricia Wells opens her home and studio for intimate cooking classes. For a few weeks, she holds classes in her 18th century Provencal home where students cook with fresh ingredients and sample wines from the property. The classes are taught in English and include guided visits to local vineyards, markets and restaurants. In her Paris studio, seven participants join Wells to cook with some of the best produce, meats, cheese and breads Paris has to offer. You will also get an insider's tour of the Paris food and wine scene.
  
  

Epiculinary

• Epiculinary, named for Greek philosopher Epicurus, offers over 50 cooking vacations to Europe and North America. The company can also customize a trip based on your budget or preferences or share their expertise for planning the perfect group trip. Epiculinary provides distinctive cooking vacations whether it is a domestic trip to Santa Fe for a southwestern flavor or traveling across the world for a taste of Vietnam.
  
  

Viking Cooking Schools

• For a cooking vacation closer to home, travel to one of the 16 cooking schools located within the United States. Each year, over 77,000 students attend the Viking Cooking Schools. Classes cover topics such as basic cooking techniques as well as cutting edge cooking trends such as vegetarian cooking and ethnic cuisines. The classes are available in a number of different formats, from relaxed question and answer sessions to small, hands-on classes.
  
  

Gourmet Retreats in the Napa Valley

• Gourmet Retreats at Casa Lana is a cooking class in a beautiful bed and breakfast in Napa Valley, California. At Gourmet Retreats, professional chef Lana Richardson shares her top secrets for cooking and entertaining. Classes are taught in a small, intimate setting with one-on-one instruction. Classes range in length from five hours to five days.