TasteTuscany.
An accredited two-week academic Summer School in Italian gastronomy and winemaking with fieldwork in stunning Tuscan landscapes and hands-on workshops with industry professionals.
Tuscany in motion: Learn in inspiring surroundings
A glimpse of what awaits you — the landscapes, the people, the rituals of food and wine that will make this summer unforgettable.
Live the flavours of Tuscany.
Step into the heart of Italy and discover Tuscany through its unmatched heritage in gastronomy and wine. An intensive academic programme that combines classroom learning with vineyard visits, cooking workshops, guided tastings and cultural immersion.
internationally
Beyond tourism — travel, learn and earn university credits.
Taste Tuscany is an accredited academic programme delivered by SSML Pisa, recognised under the European Credit Transfer System.
For students this means that every hour you spend in our vineyards, kitchens and lecture halls can be recognised by your home university and contribute to your degree.
For lifelong-learners this is a guarantee of depth and seriousness meaning you will come away with real skills and know-how backed by an assessment.- 4 ECTS credits issued by SSML Pisa, a recognised Italian higher-education institution
- Final certificate with full academic transcript and learning outcomes
- Recognised abroad through the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
- Apply via Erasmus+ if your home university supports short mobility programmes
What you will experience.
Wine & Vineyard Immersion
Be guided through renowned wine areas. Meet local producers and learn how grape varieties, terroir and production methods shape the identity of Tuscan wines. Tastings led by certified sommeliers and direct conversation with winemakers.
Hands-On Tuscan Cooking
Practical workshops with expert chefs in authentic Tuscan kitchens. Prepare traditional regional dishes — fresh pasta, ribollita, classic sauces — and understand the cultural meaning behind every plate of Tuscan cuisine.
Artisan Food Discoveries
Learn about extra virgin olive-oil production from grove to stone press. Visit small family producers to learn about the production of cheeeses, cured meats and regional specialties. Guided tastings and direct conversation with the people who keep these centuries-old traditions alive.
Culture, Landcapes & Sustainability
Explore the deep connection between food, landscape, tradition and sustainability in one of Europe's most celebrated gastronomic regions. Visit historic villages, walk the strade bianche, understand how slow tourism and local identity shape the future of Tuscan culture.
Learn from experts.
- i.Italian cuisine and the Mediterranean diet
- ii.Wine fundamentals: grape varieties, terroir, classification
- iii.Food and wine pairing techniques
- iv.Cultural and economic value of gastronomy
- v.Gastronomy, identity and sustainable tourism
What you will gain.
- i.Practical wine tasting and evaluation skills
- ii.Deeper understanding of Tuscan food and wine culture
- iii.Basic food and wine pairing competence
- iv.Awareness of gastronomy in tourism and local development
- v.4 ECTS credits recognised internationally
How the weeks unfold.
- ·40 hours of academic instruction and field activities
- ·Guided visits to selected food and wine producers
- ·Wine tastings and food workshops with experts
- ·Practical cooking sessions with chefs
- ·Cultural activities connected to the territory
- ·Accommodation solutions available on request
Who is it for.
- ·Students in hospitality, tourism, food studies, cultural studies and related disciplines
- ·Young professionals interested in Italian gastronomy, wine and cultural tourism
- ·International participants seeking an intensive academic and experiential programme in Tuscany
- ·Anyone with a serious interest in food, wine, culture and travel
Want to know more?
Tell us a little about yourself and we will send you the full programme details — dates, fees, accommodation options, ECTS recognition documentation, and how to apply.
We typically reply within two working days, in English or Italian.
No commitment — just a friendly conversation.
An authentic understanding of Italy — with credits to prove it.
Through lectures, workshops, visits and tastings, you gain practical knowledge, cultural insight and an authentic understanding of one of Italy's most internationally recognised regions — and you leave with 4 ECTS credits that travel back home with you.
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