Convivio Rome

"My friend and I booked this trip after we arrived in Rome as a last minute, we happened to make a free day to try to get into a cooking class. We reached out and were able to book on our one free day! It was great to take the train outside of the city for the day, get a quick tour of the countryside and go to Sally and Guido's home for an amazing day that we will never forget. The view alone was spectacular. The class was informative, laid back, fun and the final products were delicious! I took a zillion photos, videos and ate so much. I am definitely not a great cook and Guido was very patient in showing me how to do every step. How many people can say that they made home made pasta in Italy?!? Well I have photos/videos to prove it. Highly recommended."

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"My husband and I took the one day class, (He did so somewhat reluctantly, although he's a good sport about trying things). We were not disappointed and both of us felt that was a day trip to remember. The tours of the medieval villages were very personal as Sally and Guido live not far from them. There were three of us in the class and all were able to participate fully. After lunch we all spent time at the table talking about meals made by our ancestors as well as WWII and how it impacted the area. If we return to Rome, we would absolutely take another class."

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"We really enjoyed the cooking experience: learning to make pasta with Guido and a short sightseeing tour with Sally. Beautiful surrounding just a stone throw north of Rome. Highly recommended for anyone, Italians included. Conviviorome is a nice example of what can be done to promote and preserve local communities and natural environment. In fact practically all products used for the cooking experience were local and organic."

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"Attending a cooking class and day excursion with Convivio was the highlight of our trip to Rome. We had such an amazing time learning from Sally and Guido, and everything was so well organized and accommodating. We cooked an amazing meal, and our families enjoyed it together. Simply magical. All of this was topped off with a visit to the Farfa Abbey, where we learned about the history of the area. I cannot give enough praise to Convivio Rome for their hospitality and our incredible experience."

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"Such a lovely day and such a lovely family! We were a group of 4 and 2 of us had just arrived to Italy from the US the night before, so jet lag was an issue. The weather was rainy and cool. The perfect set up for a "stay at your hotel" kind of day. But I am so glad we didn't! From the minute we arrived to the minute we parted ways with Sally and Guido, we were engaged in some sort of activity. Sally gave us a wonderful history lesson of the area, and took us on a walk through an amazing hill top town. Guido taught us to make homemade pasta and used every bit of each ingredient for all accompanying dishes - a 3-course meal and nothing was wasted. We ate local sheep milk cheese and meat cured locally. We had local olive oil and wine with lunch. The herbs we cooked with were picked right off the road and from their garden that afternoon. The eggs we used were from the neighbor's hens. I loved every mouthwatering moment! The food was wonderful, and so was the company. They were both so open and willing to talk and share their ideas about so many things... I forgot I had paid for this day and felt more like I was visiting friends while on vacation. I would definitely recommend this activity to any and all traveling through Rome."

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"My three adult children and I spent 4 days in Rome. My Christmas gift from them was a half day cooking school. We had a really great day cooking, having fun, we learned a lot, and the hosts were really nice and helpful in all matters, - both arranging the tour and during the day. We can highly recommend a day away from busy Rome - and getting into the heart of Italy and Italian food. Thanks a lot for a great day."

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"The perfect day-trip from Rome is just a short train ride into hilly terrain with spectacular views, where the olive reigns supreme: there is even a local museum devoted to the luscious green fruit and the olive oil produced in this area is suitably famous. But what makes this a terrific take are the hosts, Guido Santi and Sally Ransom. Guido's depth of skill and reverence for Italian culinary tradition shines through as he teaches you the art and science of homemade pasta. Sally's cheery responsiveness and attention to detail made the trip easy and pleasant: I was traveling alone, so she joined me up with another four travelers for the day. My hosts oriented our small group to the area with a short tour en route to their comfortable home, where we cooked and dined more like personal friends than as traveling strangers. I visit Rome often and this was positively a highlight of my trip! Highly recommended."

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"My husband and I booked this as a day trip from Rome (it gave our feet a much-needed rest!) and it turned out to be our favourite day of the trip! The cooking class was great, the dishes we made were simple enough (and delicious) that we are confident that we will be able to recreate them at home. Sally and Guido were gracious hosts and were very knowledgeable not only about cooking and ingredients but also history of the area, which is very beautiful."

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"I've always wanted to have a cooking experience in Italy, so my friend and I spent my birthday with Guido and Sally cooking beautiful authentic Italian food, right in their kitchen. From the moment you step off the train, a short distance from Rome, you are greeted with warm smiles and a drive through stunning countryside to their hilltop village home. We learnt to cook wonderful pasta from scratch and other amazing dishes using the finest and freshest local ingredients available.We ate the food we collectively created with two other fabulous people in Guido and Sally's cellar with ample amounts of wine. I felt like we were visiting friends, we felt so welcomed and at home. The day ended with a tour of Fava, another stunning town. I highly recommend this experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories and the best meal you will eat in Italy. Thank you Guido and Sally for your wonderful hospitality, sharing your expertise and passion for exceptional homemade Italian food, and for making my birthday one I will truly never forget"

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"Sally and Guido took very good care of guests. The cooking classes were a lot of fun, informative (for people from all levels of cooking experience), and the results always delicious! Location was exceptional and the village of Toffia is warm and welcoming to visitors."

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"We booked this day trip to get out of Rome for a day and to give the kids a break from museums and ruins. Booking the class was easy, and Sally is quick to respond to all e-mails. She was there to meet us at the train, and pointed out the sights along the way to their home. Their village is lovely, and was a nice break from the city. The cooking experience was fun, and we learned to make homemade pasta, which my kids thought was great. Guido shared tips with us and gave us the recipes to take home. We enjoyed eating the meal we had prepared, including the pasta with Bolognese sauce, steamed artichokes, veal and ricotta pie. as well as conversation with Sally and Guido. The dishes were all very simple, and not something you need to be experienced in the kitchen to be able to make. Overall, it was a great day!"

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"My 2 sisters and I had a wonderful time cooking with Guido in his lovely home in the beautiful medieval town of Toffia, Italy. We took the train to Fara Sabina and were picked up by Sally, Guido's lovely wife.The drive to their town was breathtaking.Sally took us for a walk through the town with a stop at the community garden, where she picked up a few herbs for our class. We arrived at their home and Guido greeted us and our 4 other "wanna be chefs".We got right to work making pasta, sauce, a veal dish and a delicious tart.Then we enjoyed our lunch with wine and stories. It was a wonderful day and I would do it again. I would highly recommend this day trip out of the hustle and bustle of Rome."

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"Sally and Guido of Convivio offer amazing cooking, wine and olive oil tours based in Toffia. Toffia is a small hilltop village in the Sabine Hills - and is a little known gem just a short trip from Rome. With Convivio, visitors have the unique opportunity to experience genuine Italian lifestyle, not just monuments.My children and I have been back to Toffia many times and we will return many more. Australian Sally is a warm host and happily shares her insights about the Sabine Hills and Italian life from many years living in Rome.Guido's cooking is heavenly, and he pours himself into its creation (with your help). As a coeliac I was delighted that he could cater for my gluten free diet. It is a wonderful escape from the busyness of Rome, and close enough to be a day trip (or more)."

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"As a home cook, loving Nonna and semi-retired professional, Convivio Rome provided more then expected. I met up with a long-time friend in Rome and we traveled easily by train to the magnificent town of Toffia for the three day class. We stayed in town and soaked up the country air and sunsets, the people, the history, and of course the amazing food.Sally and Guido are hospitable, knowledgeable and provide an organized experience for their guests. Guido is a patient teacher and artful chef! The day excursions to the Olive Grove and Monastery in Farfa were lovely and full of new information.The ingredients were fresh and recipes simple enough to do back at home. The meals were well-conceived and dining on our elegant product capped the cooking experience. Rome was exquisite but cooking in the countryside allowed me to bring Italy home thanks to Guido and Sally."

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