Accommodations

All retreat accommodations will be provided in five-star properties. In Milan, our host hotel is the Dorchester Collection’s Hotel Principe di Savoia. In the Piemonte, accommodations are provided at Castello di Guarene, a Relais & Chateau property. For our night on the Italian Riviera, we will stay oceanside at Grand Hotel Miramare. For our time in the medieval town of Siena, accommodations will be provided at Grand Hotel Continental Siena.

Travel to and from Milan

Guests are responsible for getting themselves to Milan and to Principe di Savoia on Wednesday, May 1, when the retreat commences. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from Milan to their departing airport or next destination on Friday, May 10.

The Bake from Scratch team is at your disposal to help you navigate travel to Milan. Email events@bakefromscratch.com for assistance.

Booking

Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due within 48 hours to secure your reservation. The second half of the retreat cost (50%) is due December 1, 2023. We accept payment by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Trip prices are in US dollars.

Costs

The price of the trip includes all hotel accommodations, all baking classes, some meals, some activities, and a private coach transfer to/from scheduled retreat activities. Single-occupancy, double-occupancy, and baking participant plus non-baking guest rates are available.

Your credit card will be charged by Hoffman Media, the parent company of Bake from Scratch.

Cancellation

Since the trip is nonrefundable, we suggest buying trip insurance. You can check with your credit card company to see if they provide travel insurance.

If you don’t purchase travel insurance, you agree to indemnify us against any charges that might otherwise be covered by your insurance. You further agree that we are not responsible for any costs of cancellation or costs related to travel interruptions or COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there may be limitations relating to activities. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result of changing circumstances. Please know that we are working closely with our partners to plan and execute a safe baking retreat for our guests, but there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 when traveling. By booking this baking retreat, you acknowledge and assume these risks associated with travel. We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if fewer than 24 participants have signed up by February 1, 2024. We will send an email confirmation to all participants when this number has been met. If Bake from Scratch initiates the cancellation, we will refund all payments.

Have a question about this baking retreat? Email events@bakefromscratch.com.

What airport do I fly into to begin the retreat in Milan?

Milan is serviced by two airports, Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Milano Linate (LIN). Most flights from North America arrive at Malpensa, which is about an hour from the hotel. If your flight from the US connects in Europe, you might arrive at Linate. Linate is located about 30 minutes from the hotel.

Can I extend my stay at the hotels?

If you’d like to inquire about additional nights in Milan, please email events@bakefromscratch.com. The cost is $625 per night. Some guests like to book a room for the night before their arrival so it is ready after all-night flights from the US.

Is breakfast included?

Daily breakfast is included.

Are children able to attend this retreat?

All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.

What should I plan to wear during baking classes and on the retreat?

For baking classes, activities, and travel, the dress is resort casual. Tennis shoes are recommended for standing in baking classes and walking on cobblestone streets. For the castle dinner, the dress code is dressy casual, with slacks/casual dresses recommended for women and pants/closed-toe shoes recommended for men. In Italy and around Europe, athletic wear is not frequently worn.

Are the baking classes hands-on?

Yes, all baking classes are hands-on.

If I book a double-occupancy package, will the hotel room have two beds?

Due to the uniqueness and European charm of the hotels, double-occupancy rooms do not have two beds. If you are traveling with a friend or adult child, you can request two sets of linens on one bed.

Is this retreat better suited for professionals or home bakers?

Our retreats are geared for passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome.

What will we be baking?

In Alba, we’ll learn how to prepare Piemontese items such as baci da dama, grissini, biova, and pasta. In Liguria, we’ll bake focaccia and prepare Genovese pesto by hand. In Tuscany, we’ll bake biscotti, panforte, pasta, and other local specialties.

Will we have any free time?

You will have some free time in each region to explore the areas on your own. We will equip you with our list of our favorite bakeries, restaurants, and activities.

I want to bring my travel companion, but they don’t want to participate in the baking classes. What can they do?

We offer a baking participant plus non-baking guest package for this very reason! This package allows you to bake and participate in all retreat activities while your travel companion explores the regions we will visit on their own. As a part of this package, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, welcome wine reception, group dinner, Alba experience, Liguria olive oil tasting, Siena experience and aperitivo, and transportation to/from scheduled retreat activities is included for your non-baking companion.

To reserve your space, email events@bakefromscratch.com. You will be required to pay your deposit within 48 hours. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.