We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t talk about holiday trends. For proof, look no further than our previous articles about coolcations, ‘Zen Do’ retreats, and set-jetting, to name just a few.
But we have to confess, “cookcation” is one of our own. We noticed how many of our unusual properties offer interactive, on-site culinary experiences that are perfect for would-be (or even professional) chefs. They looked so amazing that we felt inspired to come up with a buzzword to fit!
A cookcation, then, is a holiday during which you also get to cook. Maybe you’ll assist a top-flight chef in preparing sumptuous feasts, make fresh pasta or silky chocolate, or learn how to whip up soulful dishes with exotic ingredients.
Whichever you choose, a cookcation means you’ll come home with the ultimate holiday souvenir: a brand-new skill you can use over and over again, with seriously impressive – and delectably delicious – results.
Time to browse our mouthwatering menu of global cookcations… and decide which one whets your appetite the most!
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Keemala Culinary Academy | Thailand
Melrose, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Trace the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott in a grand group stay set across three luxurious floors, on an iconic Scottish Borders estate that breathes with history.
Our bespoke Chef’s Table dining experience allows guests to participate in elements of the cooking and preparations with Chef Louise and her team, with opportunities to taste and engage with the chefs as the dishes come together.
Kamala, Phuket, Thailand
Escape to paradise at Keemala - a tropical wonderland of magical pool villas, spa indulgences, gastronomic experiences and a total immersion in Thai culture.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per villa
Sleeps: 2 or 4 per villa
Team your stay with a signature ‘Feast for the Senses’ cooking class, inspired by Thai cuisine and held in the Enchanted Garden, surrounded by aromatic herbs and exotic fruits… with a delicious lunch included!
San Marcello Piteglio, Tuscany, Italy
An award-winning sustainable sanctuary, deeply immersed in protected Tuscan nature with luxury lodges, home-grown cuisine, and al fresco activities designed to re-acquaint you with the natural world.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per lodge
Sleeps: 4
Treat yourself to a Tuscan cookery class, set within an old farmhouse and led by our expert chef, who is passionate about Italian traditions and contemporary techniques. Themes include fresh pasta, pastry, and traditional Tuscan cuisine.
Yala, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Experience an authentic sense of the exotic, surrounded by outstanding tropical luxury (and flamingos!) in the Sri Lankan jungle.
Bedrooms: 1 per cabin
Sleeps: Up to 3 per cabin
Indulge in a soulful Sri Lankan Cooking Masterclass, taught by our skilled native chef, in which you’ll prepare traditional dishes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and time-honoured clay cooking pots – a transformative experience.
Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland
Luxuriate in the beauty of the great outdoors, in welcoming en-suite yurts with hot tub or cosy horseboxes secluded in the lush grounds of a Scottish country house.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: 2 (Yurts) 4 (Cabins)
We host chocolate-making workshops with Chocolate Galley, a local café and chocolate shop (workshops can also be held offsite, on their premises).
Porto Venere, Liguria
An exclusive, architect-restored villa with a private Mediterranean garden, mesmerisingly secluded within the natural park of Cinque Terre for incredible views of the Gulf of Poets and the soaring Apuan Alps.
Perfect for dedicated foodies, we offer a personalised cookery course using fresh local ingredients.
Cyclades, Greece
A luxurious and versatile retreat for secluded holidays and large group celebrations amongst clear turquoise waters and soft sand, infused with the magical myth and legend of ancient Greece.
Arrange an immersive cookery lesson with the island’s on-site chef to make your stay even more memorable (and delicious!).
Freycinet, Tasmania, Australia
Enjoy the natural beauty of Tasmania all to yourselves, from the architect-designed comfort of your very own private island.
As well as bespoke five-course meals created by a celebrity guest chef, tailored cooking classes can be organised for your stay.
Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga, Thailand
One of Thailand's best kept secrets, TreeHouse Villas is a true island paradise. Escape to nature on an unspoiled island and savour every second of this astounding accommodation.
Bedrooms: 1 per villa
Sleeps: 2 per villa
Book a Koh Yao Cooking Class and get a crash course in Thai cuisine, in which you’ll learn how to balance cooked and fresh, sweet and sour, mild and bitter, salty and spicy!
Lake of Menteith, Stirlingshire, Scotland
A unique, modernist box-lodge with an al fresco hot tub and breath-taking lake-and-burn views, privately secluded on a family-owned Scottish estate with an acclaimed on-site restaurant.
Combine a relaxing stay at Lochend Chalets with an unforgettable culinary experience at the renowned Nick Nairn Cook School, just next door. Learn from Nick himself in a fun and hands-on cooking class, where you'll pick up new skills, enjoy great food, and share lots of laughs along the way.
