I agree totally with your comments on thinking and being part of the local scene with local people when travelling.

Learning to cook with Italian families and chefs is another way to get to know local people and experience slices of local life in Italy. Cooking tours give you cooking lessons in home cooks’ and chefs’ kitchens and as well as tastings and conversations wine, olive oil and cheese makers so you meet lots of locals. Check out our site at http://www.italycookingschools.com.

The Shaw Guides site at http://www.shawguides.com has listings of cooking lessons and tours around the world.

Cheers,
Margaret Cowan