Celebrate New Years in Style Cooking in Bologna!

DECEMBER 27, 2008 - JANUARY 1, 2009   Saturday, December 27 – Get settled and welcome dinner at San Domenico restaurant Meet at Bologna airport or train station. Private transfer to your hotel, situated in the heart of Bologna. In the evening, your guests will drive you to a small town outside of Bologna for a welcome gala dinner at San Domenico Restaurant, opened in 1970, one of the most celebrated restaurants not only in Italy but in the world. In 2007, it earned 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. Sunday, December 28 – Guided visit of Bologna and cooking lesson with the family After a long evening, free time in the morning at your leisure. In the late morning, you will meet your English speaking guide for a visit Bologna beautiful historical center to tour this wonderful medieval town to learn about its rich history. Lunch on your own In the afternoon, you will enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson at a private home with an Italian family cook. You will learn traditional dishes of the region. Dinner with your hosts, which will consist of the fruits of your labor. Monday, December 29 – Food market visit and cooking lesson based on fresh aromatic herbs Visit and walk in the central market area of Bologna, which is well known for its ancient cobblestone streets lined with colorful, irresistible Italian food shops, stands and delis, wonderful to the eye and to the taste! Leisure time for shopping or just strolling in the charming town and lunch on your own. In the afternoon, your hosts will take you on a visit to a local winery where they produce an excellent Sangiovese red wine, one of the most important wines of the area - complete with a wine tasting. After your wine tasting, you will visit a charming town called Faenza, famous in Italy and worldwide for its ceramics. You will visit a ceramic artisan workshop and showroom. The artist/owner will illustrate how the ceramics are decorated. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy your next Italian cooking lesson demonstration at a local restaurant. The owner/chef is very passionate about his work and will prepare a special dinner based on dishes featuring local herbs. Tuesday, December 30 –  Parmigiano reggiano 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, learn all about parmigiano 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 delicious products. Drive to a beautiful restaurant in Modena where you will have an aperitif in the kitchen with chef Luigi. In the kitchen you will see how Luigi prepares our lunch, based on plates featuring parmigiano and balsamico and accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of Modena area, wonderful accompainment to parmigiano. All of his dishes are a feast for the eyes as well as delectable. Back to Bologna for an afternoon to discover its charm on your own, following a very busy morning. Dinner is also on your own this evening and your hosts will be happy to make recommendations. Wednesday, December 31 – Special farewell dinner Morning and lunch free on your own to enjoy the area - we recommend walking around the Bologna center, characterized in this period by Christmas illuminations and wonderful window displays. In the late afternoon, join your hosts for a drive through the beautiful countryside, including a stop at one of the most beautiful bars of the region to start our special evening with a lovely aperitif. Proceed to Monte del Re for our unforgettable New Year's Eve farewell dinner, Italian style. The restaurant is situated in an ancient building established in the 13th century and was born as a monastery. It has kept its charm through the ages and, still now, it is a unique place, surrounded by a magical atmosphere that allows for a wonderful sense of harmony and peace of mind. Thursday, January 1 – Departure day Departure to Bologna airport or train station after enjoying your final breakfast at the hotel. Register Now! >> PRICE PER PERSON 1950 euro per person (double room) Single Supplement 190 euro Included: • 5 nights in a lovely 4 star hotel (breakfast included) • Italian cooking lessons as indicated in the program • Private transportation upon on arrival and at departure • Local tour director English speaking throughout • Meals as written in the program with selected regional wines, mineral water and coffee • All excursions, visits and tastings, as specified in the program 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.