The Culinary Adventure
Elba Island | Tuscany
“I’m so excited to return to Elba, it’s one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. The wine, the food, the warmth of the people, it all created something truly special. There’s an ease to the island that invites you to slow down, savor, and really connect. Together with Vita Casalinga, we’ve got an incredible journey planned. I can’t wait to share that feeling again with you.” – Shereen Pavlides
SPRING 2026
May 29 – June 5, 2026
SPRING 2026
May 18 – 25, 2026
Sep 14 – 21, 2026
WITH SHEREEN PAVLIDESSep 26 – Oct 3, 2025
PROGRAM DETAILS
Day 1
DAY 1
Monday
We’ll meet at Pisa Centrale in the afternoon before heading by private drivers to the ferry and sailing toward Elba’s glittering coastline. Once you’ve arrived at our modern, design-forward residence in our favorite seaside village of Marina di Campo, a peaceful hideaway surrounded by Mediterranean greenery and just a short stroll from the beach, you’ll settle into your airy apartment and ease into island life. With terraces made for lingering, a pool and garden bar to enjoy, and bikes waiting for you to explore your new home base, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and relaxed coastal style. As the sun begins to set, we’ll come together for a joyful alfresco family-style dinner featuring seasonal dishes and local wines crafted by our favorite private chef Michele.
Day 2
DAY 2
Tuesday
After a leisurely morning, we’ll make our way to a beloved biodynamic farm of close family friends, where we’ll spend the afternoon cooking, tasting wines and estate olive oil, relaxing, and enjoying a few surprises. After our feast, we’ll visit Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s elegant summer residence during his exile on Elba. Walking through the villa offers a glimpse into the quieter, more human side of the emperor, his art, his routines, and the place where he shaped much of island life during his short reign. We’ll then return home for a relaxed evening in your new home village.
Day 3
DAY 3
Wednesday
We’ll walk to the port and set out on an unforgettable sailing adventure with fisherman Gaetano and his skipper. Out on the water, we’ll help pull up the nets and see the day’s catch before Gaetano prepares it for us onboard. Lunch will feature the freshest fish imaginable, paired with local wines and island-brewed beers as we cruise along Elba’s coastline. We’ll anchor in hidden coves for swimming in the clear Mediterranean, spending the day eating, drinking, relaxing, and celebrating island life from the water. Once we’re back on land the evening is yours!
Day 4
DAY 4
Day 5
DAY 5
Friday
We begin the day with a light lunch and wine pairing at the oldest winery on Elba, a historic estate once favored by Napoleon during his exile on the island. From there, we head to Capoliveri, a vibrant hilltop village full of color and energy. The afternoon leads into a hands-on cooking class focused on local recipes and seasonal ingredients, followed by a relaxed dinner enjoying what we’ve prepared together. The evening is yours to stroll the village, linger over a drink, or simply enjoy the atmosphere of Elba after dark.
Day 6
DAY 6
Saturday
Today is our grand finale! We start the morning with a kayaking adventure to a gorgeous beach, gliding along Elba’s clear blue waters before landing for a swim and time to relax. From there, we head to our favorite family-run lunch spot. After a bit of downtime, we wrap up the day with a toes-in-the-sand aperitivo before heading in for dinner, celebrating our final evening together with good food, sea air, and unforgettable memories.
Day 7
DAY 7
Sunday
We’ll depart 10am for the ferry and return to Pisa Centrale by early afternoon.
YOUR GUEST HOST: Shereen Pavlides
Shereen Pavlides is a chef, cookbook author, and the creator of the viral brand Cooking with Shereen. Known for her bold, approachable from-scratch cooking style, she has spent years developing recipes and teaching home cooks through her popular online social media channels. She’s also the author of the bestselling cookbooks, Cooking with Shereen, RockStar Dinners and Cooking with Shereen from Scratch, Because You Can! Shereen led our Elba culinary tour last year and fell in love with the island, and she’s excited to return again to share the experience with you!
PRICE
The price of the “Elba Culinary Adventure” Tour for 2026 is 6,990 euros per person for double occupancy/7,990 euros per person for single occupancy. Tour is limited to 14 guests.
MORE ABOUT YOUR ACCOMODATIONS
Our vacation residence in Marina di Campo offers a eco-friendly, modern, design-forward stay surrounded by Mediterranean greenery and just a short walk from the beach. With minimalist architecture, natural materials, and spacious terraces, it blends style and serenity. Apartments feature kitchenettes, private outdoor areas, and access to a pool and garden bar—ideal for guests seeking comfort, space, and a relaxed island atmosphere. It comes complete with a bike per guest for exploring your charming home base.PAYMENT
Reservations are secured by deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. Only a down payment of 25% is needed to reserve your spot. The balance will be due 60 days before departure and we will send you a final payment link. Your spot is reserved upon deposit; the trip will be officially confirmed once the minimum group size is reached. This will be 90 days prior to departure or sooner. Please wait to book flights until final confirmation is received
DATES
Fall 2026
Sep 14 – 21, 2026
WITH SHEREEN PAVLIDES
SPRING 2026
June 9 – 14, 2026
Sep 14 – 21, 2026
WITH SHEREEN PAVLIDESWHAT’S INCLUDED
• 6 nights
• Optional group Zoom call for packing tips, general trip planning for before and after tour, Q&A
• All group meals throughout the tour, including wine at each meal.
• Private driver throughout the tour
• Daily cooking experiences – some are hands-on, some are demo style, and some are tastings. You are always welcome to just watch (and eat!) if preferred.
• Visits to local farmers & tastings
• All tours and experiences
• Tips for bus drivers and guides (we want you to just relax and enjoy the moment so we have taken care of this)
NOT INCLUDED
• Airfare
• Travel & health insurance
• Shopping and personal expenses
• Food, drinks, and snacks that are not included in the itinerary
• All other expenses incurred during free time
TRIP FAQ
Cooking experiences
We will be immersed in food and wine during the week. Some of the experiences are hands-on, some are demo style, and some are tastings. You are always welcome to just watch (and eat!) if preferred.
Physical Activity
This is an active trip. Be prepared for lots of walking, cobblestones, stairs, and long, exciting days!
Rest time
This is a busy tour as we want you to get the most experiences that you can, however, rest time is important too! While we will be out most of the day, there will be quiet moments of downtime built in to allow for slow and leisurely moments to be sure you are soaking it all in. This is not a jam-packed trip to say you saw it all – this is about experiences you will keep with you for a lifetime.
An Exclusive and Inclusive Experience
Unlike most tours available, our tours are limited to 14 people. Why is this so important to us? This allows for a more intimate and personalized experience enhancing the quality of interactions and ensuring that everyone’s questions and needs are addressed thoroughly. A smaller group fosters a stronger sense of camaraderie among participants and facilitates deeper connections and more meaningful interactions with the locals you will soon call friends.
Food & Drink Allergies
Wine is culturally served at all meals – however there will always be an option for a nonalcoholic beverage like clean spring water, sparkling water or a nonalcoholic aperitivo. Italy is a wonderful place for people to visit with dietary restrictions as options are all around, however on this trip we are visiting local farmers and experiencing unique tastings that include regional cheeses, meats and seafood. For this reason this particular trip is not suitable for vegans. We will be organizing amazing vegan friendly tours so stay tuned!
Flight & Airport Tips
The closest airports are Pisa International (Galileo Galilei Airport) or Florence Airport (FLR-Peretola). We’d recommend you fly in at least 2-3 days prior to the start of the tour to acclimate to the time difference. We will meet the group at the train station in Pisa Centrale Train Station on day one of the trip so plan to head back to Pisa regardless of where you visit prior. Additional details will be provided after booking. We are happy to discuss more details on ideas for other places to see before or after the trip on our Group Zoom Call.
Payment, Refunds and Travel Insurance
How does booking work?
Your spot is reserved once the 25% deposit is received. Each trip is officially confirmed once the minimum group size is reached, and all guests will be notified at that time. We recommend waiting to book flights until confirmation is sent.
What happens if a trip does not run?
If a trip is unable to operate due to not meeting the minimum group size, all payments made, including your deposit, will be fully refunded.
What is your cancellation policy if I need to cancel?
You may cancel within 48 hours of booking for a full refund of your deposit. After 48 hours, the deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable. The remaining balance is due four months prior to departure.
If you cancel after the 48 hour grace period, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future Vita Casalinga trip as follows:
• 90 days or more prior to departure: 100 percent credit
• 30 to 90 days prior to departure: 50 percent credit
• Less than 30 days prior to departure: no credit available
Do you recommend travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and is not included with your booking. Coverage may include medical care, trip cancellation or interruption, theft, and lost property.
You may explore coverage options through TravelEx Insurance, including Cancel For Any Reason upgrades. Please note that TravelEx currently requires policies to be purchased within 15 days of paying your deposit to access the widest range of coverage options. Requirements are subject to change, so we recommend contacting TravelEx directly to select a plan that best fits your needs.
