Herbs, chickens, and pasta in one afternoon. On Vivi’s sustainable farm outside Priocca in Piemonte, you tour the gardens and foraging areas, then cook from family recipes in an English-led private class. I love the farm-to-table foraging and the fact that you learn to spot plants using five senses instead of guesswork.

I also love how Vivi ties food to farming—soil care, replanting, and creating a healthy ecosystem—so the cooking lesson feels grounded, not just entertaining. One consideration: the farmhouse has no air conditioning, so you’ll want light layers and a little patience on warm days.

Key things to know before you go

• Vivi’s sustainable farm tour includes chickens, vegetable gardens, fruit trees (like hazelnut and apricot), and wild plants
• Hands-on foraging with a guide teaches you how to identify herbs using five senses
• You cook 2 to 3 dishes centered on wild herbs, learning recipes from the family style
• Private, English-led class means your group works together rather than watching from the sidelines
• All ages welcome, including kids, because the flow is interactive and practical

Where You Meet the Farm: Agriturismo Serra dei Costa (Piemonte hills)

This experience starts at Agriturismo Serra dei Costa in Priocca (CN), Piemonte. It’s a rural meeting point, so plan on getting yourself there and returning to the same place when the day ends. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, which is common for farm-based tours—worth factoring into your day and transport plans.

The setting matters. You’re not dropped into a studio kitchen. You’re in the hills of Piemonte, surrounded by vineyards and working farms, which makes the whole “what you eat comes from the land” idea feel real fast.

The Farm Tour That Actually Teaches You Something

The day begins at Vivi’s home on her farm land, where the focus is both food and how the farm works. You’ll tour her gardens and learn what she grows—things like vegetable plots and fruit trees (hazelnut, apricot) along with chickens and other animals. One review described the geese as especially talkative, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes this feel like a true home visit rather than a scripted show.

What I like most is that Vivi explains her approach to sustainability in plain terms. She talks about enriching the soil through practices like replanting, and how her goal is a healthier ecosystem where plants can grow well. You may have heard “sustainable” as a marketing word before. Here, you hear it as a method: what she does, why she does it, and how it affects what ends up on your plate.

Also, expect a tour that mixes curiosity with hands-on observation. You’re not just walking and looking—you’re being guided toward understanding which plants matter and how they’re connected to cooking.

Foraging Wild Herbs: The Lesson Behind the Plate

This is the centerpiece for herb lovers. After the farm tour, you and Vivi forage wild herbs and vegetables together. She explains traditional uses of the plants you encounter and teaches you how to recognize them using all five senses—sight, smell, touch, taste (where appropriate), and general observation.

That five-senses approach is smart for two reasons. First, it trains you to notice details, not just rely on a single identifying feature. Second, it helps you understand herbs as living things with characteristics you can actually perceive, not just items you buy in a bag.

Practical advice from the experience: you’ll likely be moving close to the ground and getting hands-on with plants. One review specifically recommends wearing pants and a T-shirt and being ready to work on your hands and knees to pluck the right herbs from the soil. Comfortable shoes also matter here—if you’re not happy on uneven ground, the foraging part will feel longer than it should.

Important note: the goal is learning and safe identification guided by Vivi. Don’t treat it as a free-for-all scavenger hunt. You’ll get more out of it if you slow down and follow Vivi’s instructions.

Cooking Northern Italian Recipes Around Wild Herbs

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you move into the cooking class. This isn’t just watching someone cook. You learn by doing, with Vivi guiding the steps and connecting each dish to what you found on the farm.

The class format is built around 2 dishes highlighted with wild herbs, and the overall experience is described as learning two to three Italian dishes from family recipes. The sample menu points to either homemade pasta alla chitarra or gnocchi, plus fresh vegetables and wild herbs.

From reviews, you can also see the kitchen leaning into classic Italian comfort food and garden-forward flavor. One account included gnocchi and tiramisu, and another mentioned herb and egg salad, vegetable soup, and pasta with a light tomato sauce, plus homemade bread. Since the experience is farm-based and ingredient-driven, the exact lineup can vary—especially depending on what’s in season and what you forage that day.

What you’ll likely make

• Pasta alla chitarra or gnocchi using ingredients described as natural and healthier
• Vegetables and wild herbs as part of the meal
• Additional garden-centric dishes that may include things like soup, salads, or dessert depending on timing and availability

Why this cooking class feels different

Many cooking classes teach technique. This one teaches context. You’re learning why a herb tastes like it does, what it’s traditionally used for, and how it fits into Italian cooking in Piedmont. That makes it easier to cook at home later because you’re not just copying a recipe—you’re understanding the flavor logic.

The Meal, the Pace, and the Value of 4 Hours

You eat the meal you helped prepare. Alcoholic beverages are included, and gratuities are covered. In other words, once you arrive, you don’t have to keep thinking about what’s next or what costs extra to keep the day going.

The duration is listed as about 4 hours, but one review mentioned the group ended up spending 6–7 hours because the conversation and eating ran long. That’s a good sign, not a red flag. Farm days have a rhythm: animals need tending, herbs need proper identification, and when you’re learning in a home setting, questions happen.

Is $170 per person good value?

At $170, this is priced like a serious private food experience, not a quick group demo. The value comes from what you get in that price:

• a private tour of a working sustainable farm
• a foraging lesson with guidance on identifying herbs
• a hands-on cooking class making multiple dishes
• a full meal plus alcoholic beverages
• English support and your group working together

If you’re already the kind of traveler who likes food beyond restaurants—someone who wants to learn where ingredients come from—this price starts to make sense. You’re paying for access to a real home farm and expertise that can’t be replicated easily in a city kitchen.

One delightful extra from reviews: at least one group said Vivi sent them home with seeds to plant. That’s not listed as guaranteed, but it matches the spirit of the whole day—learning that continues after you leave.

Who Should Book This (And Who Might Skip It)

You’ll love this if:

• you enjoy hands-on food experiences more than showroom-style cooking
• you want to learn wild herbs and how to identify them with guidance
• you like sustainable farming stories that connect directly to what you eat
• you’re traveling with adults or kids who are curious and willing to get a little messy

This may be less ideal if:

• you need strong indoor comfort, since there’s no air conditioning
• you dislike getting down on the ground during foraging
• you prefer strict timing and a fast-paced schedule over a slower home visit rhythm

Also, because it’s private, it’s a good match for couples, friends, and families who want the host’s attention. Your group is the only group doing the activity at that time.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Day

A few small things can make a big difference with a farm-and-herb day.

• Wear clothes for foraging, not just sightseeing. Think pants and a T-shirt as a baseline, plus shoes you trust on uneven ground.
• Bring a light layer even in warm months. Italian country homes can be cool in the shade, and you’ll move between outdoor and indoor spaces.
• Come hungry and ready to ask questions. Vivi is passionate, and the best herb lessons happen when you lean in.
• If you’re sensitive to heat, plan for it. No air conditioning means you’ll want water and a realistic expectation that sunny afternoons can feel warm.

One more practical note: confirmation happens within 48 hours of booking if space is available, so you’ll want to wait until you’re sure your day is locked in.

Should You Book the Sustainable Farm Tour and Cooking Class?

I think you should book it if your idea of a great Italy day is equal parts food, nature, and learning. The best part here isn’t just cooking pasta—it’s learning how to recognize and use wild herbs with a real farmer’s guidance, then eating what you made in a home setting on a working farm.

Skip it if you’re looking for a quick, polished, air-conditioned activity with minimal physical involvement. This experience asks you to get your hands involved and slow down a bit.

If that sounds like your kind of day, Vivi’s farm in Piemonte is the sort of place you’ll remember for the skills you take home—not just the meal you finish.

FAQ

How long is the sustainable farm tour and cooking class?

It’s listed at about 4 hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $170.00 per person.

Is this tour private, and is it offered in English?

Yes, it’s a private tour/activity, and it’s offered in English.

What will we do on the farm?

You’ll tour the farm and forage ingredients, including wild herbs and vegetables, and learn how Vivi uses sustainable practices.

What dishes will I cook?

You’ll learn to make two to three Italian dishes based on the host’s family recipes, with a focus on dishes highlighted with wild herbs. The sample menu includes homemade pasta alla chitarra or gnocchi, plus fresh vegetables and wild herbs.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the private farm tour and cooking class with the host, alcoholic beverages, and gratuities.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Does the residence have air conditioning?

No. As is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.