8 Culinary Experiences For Women 50+ to Enjoy This September

Haven’t planned your summer getaway yet? Don’t worry, you still have time! If you’re looking for unforgettable culinary experiences and fewer crowds, September might just be the perfect month to make those travel dreams come true.

More than just vacations, these journeys invite you to learn, connect, and celebrate, whether it’s rolling fresh pasta in an ancient farmhouse in Italy, learning open-flame grilling techniques in Spain, or pairing local wines with stories in California’s vineyards.

If you’ve ever dreamed of honing your culinary skills or diving deeper into the world of food and wine, we’ve scoured the globe to find the best food-focused getaways designed especially for women 50 and beyond. Here are eight unforgettable experiences to inspire your next trip.

La Tavola Marche – Cooking Classes and Farmhouse Charm in Italy

September is the ideal month to explore Le Marche, a region known for its rolling hills and authentic Italian traditions. At La Tavola Marche, you don’t just watch; you participate. Stay in a 500-year-old agriturismo farmhouse and dive into seasonal food activities alongside local artisans, farmers, and winemakers. Hunt mushrooms in the forest, tour bustling markets, and master the art of cooking with fresh, farm-to-table ingredients.

The highlight? A three-night Gourmet Getaway featuring a four-course dinner party class crafted from produce grown right on the farm. Whether you arrive solo, with friends, or a partner, this experience draws like-minded food lovers ready to discover Italy’s roots—muddy boots and all.

Castello di Potentino – Culinary Experience in a Medieval Castle in Tuscany

For a retreat steeped in history and authentic Tuscan charm, Castello di Potentino offers a soulful escape for women over 50 seeking meaningful connection through food and culture. Nestled in a beautifully restored 1,000-year-old castle on ancient Etruscan grounds, guests enjoy cooking with local chefs, foraging in the surrounding hills, and savoring farm-to-table meals paired with estate wines.

September and October retreats include cheese and pasta-making classes, vineyard tours with tastings, and evenings of artisanal cocktails by the pool. From guided hikes to quiet moments in the castle’s two-story library, every detail invites you to unwind and immerse yourself fully in Tuscany’s timeless rhythms.

Portugal, Taste Porto – Culinary Walks and Hands-On Cooking

Porto’s culinary scene is a treasure waiting to be explored, and Taste Porto makes it feel like wandering with a knowledgeable local friend. Known for immersive food tours praised by Anthony Bourdain and Rick Steves, their intimate cooking classes invite you to roll up your sleeves and create a full Portuguese meal with a local chef.

September’s mild weather and lighter crowds make it the perfect time to explore Porto’s food markets and historic streets at a comfortable pace—ideal for solo travelers or small groups seeking genuine connection to the city’s flavors and stories.

Basque Country, Spain – Pintxos and Coastal Culinary Experiences

Culinary tours in September can reveal the Basque region at its finest. Food experiences here blend the conviviality of the pintxos crawl with the authenticity of meeting the makers, tasting the land, and understanding the culture at its roots.

Among the culinary highlights, we recommend strolling along San Sebastián’s cobblestone streets, weaving between lively tapas bars buzzing with locals, before heading out to the coast to visit working seafood farms. Here, under open skies, you can learn the Basque technique of open-flame grilling, preparing just-caught fish and shellfish as generations have done before.

The month’s mild temperatures and golden harvest light make it an ideal time to explore beyond the city. Be sure to visit one of the finest Rioja wine producers nestled among rolling, vineyard-covered hills, where seasonal tastings perfectly capture the rich bounty of the harvest.

Douro Valley, Portugal – A Chef-Led Cooking Escape

Just outside Porto, the Douro Valley (UNESCO World Heritage) beckons with sweeping vineyard views and a private, hands-on culinary experience. Simply B, a culinary boutique travel company that curates intimate, chef-led food experiences offers a guided market walk alongside the chef, selecting fresh ingredients for a multi-course meal prepared at the stunning Quinta da Boavista estate.

Enjoy wine pairings with each dish, stories of Portuguese food traditions, and a relaxed terrace setting perfect for savoring slow, sensory-rich travel. This intimate experience, capped at 18 guests, offers a genuine connection to place and palate—especially suited to women over 50 who seek cultural depth and luxury.

Northern Michigan – Petoskey Area: Lakeside Flavours and Autumn Breezes

Northern Michigan’s Petoskey Area is an underrated culinary haven on Lake Michigan’s shores, perfect for those craving a blend of fresh seafood, farm-to-table dining, and small-town charm. September is the sweet spot here, less crowded, with comfortable weather and a bounty of seasonal produce.

Taste the region’s famed whitefish, visit during the lively Taste of Harbor Springs event on September 20, and explore historical haunts like City Park Grill, once favored by Ernest Hemingway. To complete your day, embark on a 90-minute sunset cruise on Little Traverse Bay, savoring stunning lake views alongside local wines and cocktails.

Sonoma County, California – Harvest Season Celebrations

California’s Sonoma County transforms into a vibrant playground during September’s harvest season. Join in on grape stomps, wine tastings, and seasonal dinners like the Muscardini Cellars Sonoma Valley Harvest Dinner on September 26, where rare library wines meet fresh harvest flavors.

From September 18–20, the Sonoma County Wine Celebration offers dine-around experiences, exclusive winery tours, and lively auctions. For a culinary-focused stay, the new Appellation Healdsburg, co-founded by Michelin-starred Chef Charlie Palmer, immerses guests in local vineyards, artisanal foods, and creative workshops, making it a perfect base for wine country exploration.

Off the Beaten Path — Atlas Ocean Voyages: Lisbon to Barcelona Food & Wine Experience

For those who prefer their culinary adventures afloat, Atlas Ocean Voyages offers an intimate expedition-style cruise blending culture, cuisine, and deep local connection. The Epicurean Voyages series pairs travelers with James Beard award-winning chefs and includes immersive shore excursions to olive oil estates, family vineyards, and bustling markets.

This September’s journey from Lisbon to Barcelona coincides with Europe’s breadbasket nearing harvest, offering women over 50 a unique chance to explore coastal flavors and seasonal traditions while savoring expertly paired wines on board.

Ready to sharpen your culinary skills, deepen your food knowledge, and savor the world’s flavors this September? These thoughtfully curated experiences prove it’s never too late to learn, taste, and travel with purpose and delicious joy. Your next unforgettable holiday awaits.

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