Sunday, May 4

Arrive in Sorrento on your own and get settled into the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. We’ll have an early evening welcome reception so you can meet our team and your fellow bakers. Enjoy the evening on your own to rest or start exploring Sorrento.

Monday, May 5

We’ll break into two groups for the day’s activities. One group will head to Felicia’s Home Restaurant, located in nearby Tramonti, where you’ll be warmly greeted by Felicia and her family. Felicia’s is not a restaurant, rather a 17^th-century farmhouse surrounded by beautiful gardens and even more beautiful views. We’ll prepare pasta by hand, pizza that we’ll cook in an outdoor, wood-burning oven, and lemon tiramisù. Following our time in the kitchen, we’ll enjoy a leisurely wine lunch.

The other group will travel to the town of Amalfi for a visit to Pasticceria Pansa, which has been in the Pansa family since 1830. Here, we’ll taste La Santarosa and Lemon Delizia, shop, and, of course, stop for gelato.

The evening is on your own to enjoy Sorrento.

Tuesday, May 6

The groups will switch to do the activity they didn’t participate in the day before. The evening is on your own to explore Sorrento.

Wednesday, May 7

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we depart by ferry to the island of Capri. Capri is a quick 30-minute ride from Sorrento, perfect for taking in the views. Upon arrival, we’ll be whisked away to our hotels so you can get settled and begin exploring the captivating island of Capri. In the late afternoon, we’ll meet for aperitivo in the piazza. Enjoy the evening on your own in Capri.

Thursday, May 8

We’ll break into two groups for the day’s activities. One group will visit Michel’angelo Capri for a cooking and baking class led by the delightful Gianluca and Holly. You’ll prepare pasta by hand, Torta Caprese al Limone, and learn how to make limoncello with lemons from the island. After time in the kitchen, you’ll sit for a beautiful wine lunch with baking friends.

The other group will taste the best gelato on the island, visit an authentic stand for Sorbetto con Limoni di Capri, and enjoy lunch by the pool at La Minerva hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll visit with local artisans during a walking and shopping tour. We’ll visit a pottery store, a local artist, a sandal maker, the shop where Jackie O made Capri pants a thing, and more.

Enjoy the evening on your own in Capri.

Friday, May 9

The groups will switch to do the activity they didn’t participate in the day before.

In the evening, we’ll gather as a group on the rooftop of La Minerva hotel to enjoy aperitivo and creative cocktails before heading to a favorite local restaurant for dinner.

Saturday, May 10

Departures on your own. Ferry transportation to Sorrento or Naples will be arranged by our hotel.

Where We’ll Stay

In Sorrento, we’ll stay at the five-star Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. This stunning hotel was just named the number one hotel in all of Italy by Travel + Leisure and has a Michelin-starred restaurant, breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples, and the most perfect terrace for watching the sunset while sipping a Spritz.

In Capri, we have rooms reserved at two hotels due to the small size of hotels on the island. The two properties are a quick four-minute walk from each other. La Minerva is owned by the Esposito family, and you’ll be treated like family, too, as soon as you walk in the door. At Hotel Scalinatella, you’ll meet the Morgano family, who have been welcoming guests to Capri for decades. Both have ocean views, décor that reflects the island’s style, a pool, restaurant, and five-star service.

Travel to and from the Amalfi Coast and Capri

We recommend flying into Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome or Naples International Airport (NAP). From Rome, the drive is approximately three hours, depending on traffic, and a car service can be booked by the hotel. From Naples, the drive is approximately one hour, depending on traffic, and a car service can be booked by the hotel. You can also take a ferry from Naples to the hotel in Sorrento, which is approximately 45 minutes. 

Guests are responsible for getting themselves to Sorrento and to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria hotel when the retreat commences. Upon departure from Capri, guests will be responsible for getting themselves from the ferry port in Sorrento or Naples to their next destination. Ferry transfers from Capri to the mainland are included in your package and will be arranged by the hotel.

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

Booking

Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due within 48 hours along with a signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment to secure your reservation. The second half of the retreat cost (50%) is due December 15, 2024. 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, all scheduled retreat activities, transit to/from scheduled retreat activities, and a roundtrip ferry transfer to/from Capri.

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.

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 20 participants have signed up by March 1, 2025. 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?

We recommend flying into Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome or Naples International Airport (NAP). From Rome, the drive is approximately three hours, depending on traffic, and a car service can be booked by the hotel. From Naples, the drive is approximately one hour, depending on traffic, and a car service can be booked by the hotel. You can also take a ferry from Naples to the hotel in Sorrento, which is approximately 45 minutes. 

How do I get to/from the island of Capri?

We will take a ferry to Capri as a group from Sorrento. The ferry takes approximately 30 minutes. Luggage assistance will be provided. Upon departure from Capri, you have the option of taking a ferry back to Sorrento or Naples. Ferries will be booked by the hotel based on your departure plans.

Can I extend my stay at the hotels?

If you’d like to inquire about additional nights in Sorrento or Capri, email events@bakefromscratch.com. Some guests like to book a room for the night before their arrival, so it is ready after all-night flights from the US. We can make requests for early check-ins but cannot guarantee your room will be ready before the official hotel check-in time.

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 smart casual. Sneakers are recommended for standing in baking classes and walking on cobblestone streets. 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 toward passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome. Whether you’re a beginning baker or someone who’s been baking for years, our baking classes and culinary experiences offer immersion into local baking cultures, so there’s always something everyone can learn.

Will we have any free time?

You will have some free time in Sorrento and Capri to explore on your own. We will equip you with our list of favorite 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 on their own. As a part of this package, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, welcome reception, group dinner, group aperitivo, and ferry transfer to/from Capri 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 and sign a travel waiver and acknowledgement of cancellation policy via DocuSign. Reservations will be taken in the order in which we receive emails.