Wow. I've been to several cooking classes over the years, but none compare to a day with Mamma Agata and Chiara. This was by far a highlight of a 3 week Italian vacation. Visiting with the other guests and munching on Mamma's famous lemon cake is a wonderful way to begin the day, the beginning of new friendships, great views, and some of the most delicisous food ever eaten. Oh, it's a necessity to arrive with an empty stomach. We munched all morning, and then ate everything Mamma made throughout the day. I was full for at least 24 hours.

After all that, I should say, Chiara enhances the entire experience. She's such a delightful hostess, and makes every guest immediately feel a part of her family.

Don't miss this opportunity. It's a memory you'll cherish for years.

A Cooking Class may not sound like the most fun thing to do while on vacation, but then, you've probably never visited Mamma's, in Ravello. Yes, of course you'll learn some of Mamma's famous recipes and how to prepare them (who would have thought I'd actually like eggplant parmiaganna?), and you'll eat well. But the day will pass so quickly you'll wish you could show up the next day and ask "what's cooking?"

Your host is Chiara, Mama's daughter, and interpreter for her famous mother. You're invited into their own kitchen, not a sterile educational setting, but a large home-style kitchen that can comfortably fit everyone in your group (typically 10-12). You'll huddle around the stove as Chiara and Mamma share their techniques and stories. Much of the fun is the banter between mother and daughter. Mamma doesn't speak English, but I suspect she understands more than she lets on! You'll feel like you're among friends from the start, drinking wine, cutting tomatoes, rolling eggplant, tasting. After some time in the kitchen, you'll have time to explore the grounds, with that amazing view that stretches out forever down the mountainside, and across the water. You'll see lemons the size of grapefruit, flowers of all kinds, and fruits and vegetables that they use to make their recipes. You'll wish you could take home the olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato sauce all made from scratch.

At the end of the day, you'll have time to sit out outside and enjoy an amazing meal. I stopped counting the courses, but somehow kept finding room for more. My wife and i got to know all of the people in our group, and we exchanged e-mail addresses. We all left with full stomachs, smiles on our faces, and with a feeling of being a part of Mama and Chiara's extended family. Put Mamma Agata's high on your list of things to do on the Amalfi Coast. A wonderful experience, with wonderful people, fabulous food, and amazing views. Bring home the recipes, and try them at home. I can't wait to get my copy of Mamma's new cookbook, Simple and Genuine, out later this year.

My husband and I spent one week at La Caravella Apartments in Positano Italy. We flew into Rome and then took the train to Naples. From there we hopped in a taxi to the port so we were able to go by boat along the Amalfi Coast to Positano. It is truly breathtaking. Positano is a delightful little place tucked into the hillside with cobblestone walkways, little shops, great restaurants and a very safe, happy environment. One day we planned a trip to Ravello. We took a SITA bus to Amalfi and then up to Ravello where we spent the day at Mamma Agata's cooking class. When we arrived the door opened and we walked through to the most amazing view overlooking the water. Her terrace was gorgeous with a huge cream awning covering the most beautiful outdoor dining furniture...wrought iron chairs, vases full of roses, the very best Italian linens, a delicious lemon cake and cappuccino awaited us. I felt like it was all a dream. After meeting the other guests we joined Mamma Agata in her kitchen and had a wonderful time learning new recipes, sipping wine and tasting delicious appetizers. Afterwards we sat on her terrace savoring this wonderful luncheon she had prepared. It was truly a highlight of our entire 3 weeks in Italy. In fact, it was one of those days in my entire lifetime that I will treasure forever! Many thanks to her daughter Chiara for all her assistance.

We stumbled upon Mama Agatas while searching for a unique wedding venue in Italy. We were on a semi-tight budget, but wanted to have a destination wedding with about 10 guests. The main reason we looked further into Mamma Agatas was the reviews we read on Trip Advisor. Booking with Mamma Agata turned out to be the absolute best decision we could have ever made. We booked a little under a year in a advance, and at first were a little nervous because our first date choice was booked already(please book far in advance!). We eventually picked a date and made our deposit to secure it. Chiara(Mamma Agatas daughter) remained in constant contact with us afterward and basically was our wedding planner from then on. She did everything for us that would have been difficult or impossible for us to do from the U.S. Chiara arranged for the celebrant, the florist, the musicians, the photographer. She helped us pick the menu, wines, the floral theme, it is unbelievable how helpful she was! We couldn't help but be a little nervous since all of this was going on halfway around the world and we couldn't oversee every detail to ensure it was perfect. We relied on pictures Chiara sent us to imagine how everything would look. The pictures simply did not do the everything justice! When we arrived for the ceremony it looked like we had just stepped into a fairy tale. Chiara was the sweetest person you could meet, and had given every detail such personal attention it was simply perfect!!! The view was absolutely phenomenal, the flowers were georgious, the reception table was intricately decorated. To take it all in at once we were mere seconds from melting with emotion. It seemed like the most perfect place in the entire world at that moment, it is no question that every single one of our guests were awe-struck. The ceremony went perfectly and afterwards we went off into the square for photographs while our guests enjoyed only the most delicious hors-devours and sparkling wines with live authentic Italian music in the background. When we returned it was time to feast on one of the best meals many of us have had in our entire lives. A true Italian meal with appetizer, first course, second course, salad and desert. To go into details on the food would take all day and most know that Mamma Agata is Queen of Italian cooking so I digress. The meal was entirely perfect though with live music playing in background and the band actually staying far past their paid time simply because they thought we were a fun crowd. The wedding at Mamma Agatas was simply the most magical event we have ever experienced and is the only place suitable for us to renew our vows in the years to come. We cannot recommend this venue strongly enough!!!!!!!!