Truffle Hunting and Cooking in Bologna!

About your week in Bologna -

Sunday – Get settled and welcome dinner, an intro to traditional regional Italian cuisine

Meeting at Bologna airport or train station. Private transfer to your hotel, situated in the heart of Bologna. Welcome dinner at a typical Italian restaurant in Bologna to enjoy traditional dishes of the area.

Monday – Truffle hunting with dog and cooking class on aromatic herbs

Morning excursion in the Romagna countryside for truffle hunting with “Lagotto“ breed dogs, the special truffle dogs.
Light lunch in the area.

After lunch drive to visit a family-owned factory of aprons, tablecloths and other table linens hand-printed with traditional decorations of Romagna area.

In the late afternoon Italian cooking lesson demonstration at a restaurant. The owner and chef is a very passionate man who loves what he does and he will prepare a special dinner based on dishes featuring local herbs. You will learn a lot of little secrets to take home to your own kitchen! Dinner of our creations will follow.

Tuesday – Food shopping at the market and cooking class in preparing some regional specialties

In the morning visit and walk in the central market area, a couple of ancient narrow streets lined with colorful, irresistible Italian food shops, stands and delis, wonderful to the eye and to the taste. Here we will buy the ingredients for our afternoon cooking lesson. Leisure time for shopping or just strolling in the charming medieval town.

Lunch on your own.

In the afternoon hands-on cooking class in family with an Italian family cook. Dinner will consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labor.

Wednesday –  Parmigiano reggiano --parmesan cheese--, traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena and gourmet lunch

Early morning departure to visit a family-cooperative where you will watch all the stages in the production of parmigiano reggiano-parmesan cheese and finish this excursion with a cheese tasting.

Transfer to Modena to visit another family-owned representative business, producer of traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena. The owner will explain where and how balsamico is made; we will have a tasting of the product at various ages and learn how and when to use these.

Drive to a beautiful restaurant in Modena where we will have an aperitif in the kitchen with the chef, Luigi, who is very creative and friendly. In the kitchen you will see how Luigi prepares our lunch, based on plates featuring parmigiano reggiano cheese and balsamico and accompanied by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of Modena area, wonderful accompaniment to Parmigiano. All his dishes are a feast for the eye as well as delectable.

Back to Bologna. Afternoon and dinner free, after a busy morning.

Thursday – See Ravenna Byzantine mosaics and farewell gala dinner at San Domenico restaurant in Imola

In the morning leave for Ravenna, famous for its Byzantine mosaics and architecture. Walking tour to visit San Vitale and Galla Placidia and their spectacular and unique mosaics. Free time to stroll, admire the fabulous art and shop at mosaic and other stores. Light lunch in Ravenna center at an Italian osteria serving tasty local food.

After lunch back to the hotel.

In the evening drive to Imola for the farewell gala dinner at San Domenico Restaurant, opened in 1970, one of the most celebrated restaurants not only in Italy but in the world. This year, 2007, it has gained 2 Michelin stars.

The chef, Valentino Marcattilii, is famous worldwide and is considered one of the best chefs in the world. The restaurant owns cellars with 25,000 bottles, including bottles from Napoleon’s time.

Friday – Departure day

Departure to Bologna airport or train station after breakfast at the hotel.

The 3 and 4 night program follows the 5 night itinerary:

- 3 nights: from Sunday to Wednesday morning after breakfast

- 4 nights: from Sunday to Thursday morning after breakfast

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PRICE PER PERSON

Euros 2280 (5 night)
Euros 1830 (4 night)
Euros 1370 (3 night)

2010 Dates:

FEBRUARY 12 - 20
MARCH 7 - 12
OCTOBER 3 - 8
OCTOBER 17 - 22
OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 5
DECEMBER 5 - 10
DECEMBER 19 - 24

PRICE PER PERSON

IN DOUBLE ROOM EUROS 2280
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT EUROS 180

Includes the following:

• 5 nights in lovely four star hotel, breakfast included
• 2 Italian cooking lessons held in English
• 2 dinners after the cooking lesson with selected regional wines included
• 5 meals with selected regional wines, mineral water and coffee
• Truffle hunting experience with the truffle dog
• Italian hand-printed linens factory visit
• Bologna food market visit with English speaking guide
• Visit to Parmigiano Reggiano -Parmesan cheese-factory and tasting
• Visit to Balsamic Vinegar of Modena producer and tasting
• Entrance fee in Ravenna
• Our recipe book in English
• Traditional Italian hand printed apron
• Private transfers and assistance on arrival and at departure (from and to Bologna train station or airport)
• Local tour director English speaking companion throughout
• All local taxes

Not included:

• Flight ticket
• Personal expenses
• Everything not written in the program

Terms of Payment and Cancellation fees are as follow:

A 30% non-refundable deposit is payable at time of booking to confirm your participation in the course, as described above.

Remaining payment of 70% is due 75 days prior to arrival. If booking this course within 75 days of the course date, payment is due in full at time of booking.

Penalty for cancellation of booking is 50% of total payment, less the non-refundable deposit if cancellation is made more than 30 days prior to arrival. Penalty for cancellation is 100% penalty in the event of cancellation by the client less than 30 days prior to arrival.