Cooking Class & Lunch on the Pope’s Organic Farm plus Visit of the Apostolic Palace and Gardens | Shared

Enjoy a divine day on the Pope’s summer residence Castel Gandolfo as part of InRome Cooking’s exclusive collaboration with the Vatican. Experience a tour of the Apostolic Palace and Pope’s private apartments, indulge in a hands-on cooking class and lunch on the Pope’s farm, and drive through the landscaped Barberini Gardens and historic center of this classic Italian hilltop town.

Where is Castel Gandolfo

Situated in the Alban Hills, perched just above Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo offers a welcoming retreat for Romans looking to escape to the countryside. The Pope’s summer residence, situated here since the sixteenth century, benefits from stunning views out over the cerulean volcanic lake, and makes for an unforgettable tour and photo opportunity.

What you’ll do in the Cooking Class & Lunch on the Pope’s Organic Farm visit

Upon your arrival in Castel Gandolfo, we’ll take you straight inside the Papal Palace, home to an exhibition of curated artifacts and stories of the popes who resided here. Enjoy the stunning views over the lake and go behind the scenes visiting the museum, the Pope’s private quarters, offices and even the Pope’s bedroom, learning all about the history of the palace and the people who have visited.

After your tour of the palace, we’ll pick you up in our golf cart or minivan and drive you through the meticulously kept grounds of the Pope’s summer residence. Your destination is the Pope’s 50-acre private farm – the location of your day’s divine cooking experience!

What is the Pope Farm

Supplying the Vatican with all the ingredients for the Pope’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Pope’s farm is home to cows, free-range chickens, bees, and a sprawling vegetable garden. It also produces its own olive oil and dairy products consumed by the Pope himself.

What else is included in the experience

Here, at our exclusive cooking school on the papal estate, you’ll meet your professional chef, who will greet you with an antipasti and prosecco reception. You’ll then dive straight into learning the traditional methods of making authentic fresh pasta and dessert by hand, using all the fresh ingredients from the Pope’s farm itself. Lunch is then served with the food you have prepared, making a perfect Italian feast paired with local wines.

As you digest your delicious homemade lunch, we’ll take you on a slow, scenic drive through the landscaped Barberini Gardens. En route we’ll visit several sites including an ancient Roman amphitheater and imperial crypotporticus, built by the mad, bad, and dangerous-to-know emperor Domitian in the late first century AD.

Your day ends with some free time in the town center of Castel Gandolfo. We suggest finding a table in the piazza, ordering a final coffee or gelato (or both!) and taking a moment to savor the memories of this truly unforgettable experience before we transport you back to Rome.

Highlights of the Tour

• Transportation from Rome to Castel Gandolfo
• Cooking class
• Visit to the Pope’s organic farm and Barberini Gardens
• Visit to the center of Castel Gandolfo
• Food, drinks and guide included