Culinary Adventures

John and I would both like to take cooking classes or have some sort of culinary learning experience during our trip. We have agreed to the countries where we would like to do this: Mexico, either Vietnam or Thailand, and Italy. We need to prioritize cuisines in case budget makes us cut one (or two).

Epitourean.com (a Denver based company) is a "look, book, cook" site for searching for "edible destinations" of all sorts.

Mexico  (Map showing location of these options)
Hola Mexico. Tepoztlan, Morelos. This itinerary appeals to me: Prepare traditional and nouvelle Mexican dishes, visit villages in the state of Morelos and experience real Mexican life in a small town environment during your culinary vacation, all while staying on an expansive organic garden tucked into the majestic Tepozteco  7 nights, $1850 pp

Los Dos. Merida, Mexico. Classes only (no lodging). Cuisine of Yucatan only. 8-hour class. Selected by Travel+Leisure magazine as one of the world's best.

Sazon. San Miguel de Allende (4 hour drive NW of Mexico City) Shorter classes (1-2 hours). In the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada. 15 rooms/22 suites.

Seasons of My Heart. Oaxaca. Offers shorter (i.e., half-day) classes, culinary immersion courses and culinary tours. The immersion and tours include lodging, meals, classes, transportation. Sample costs:

• Wednesday class with Etla market tour (full day $85 pp)
• Guelaguetza course (6 days, $1695 pp) -- this one sounds great!
• Mexico City - Tepoz - Oaxaca tour (10 days, $2695 pp)

A Taste of Puebla in Central Mexico. Tlaxcala. 7 days/6 nights, $1798 pp all-inclusive

Vietnam/Thailand

Hanoi Cooking Centre. Hanoi. classes and tours. From $60 pp

Green Bamboo Cooking School  Hoi An  8-3:30. From $40 pp

Exotic Thailand Culinary and Cultural Adventure. Bangkok. 8 days/7 nights. $2890 pp

Italy
Italy may be challenging since I've eliminated nightshades from my diet. But assuming nothing changes in four years, arthritis-wise, I'm probably willing to sacrifice temporary pain for a great experience.