Your itinerary for this fabulous week in Bologna:
Sunday – Get settled and youlcome dinner, an intro to traditional regional Italian cuisine
Meet at Bologna airport or train station. Private transfer to your hotel, ideally situated in the heart of Bologna.
Welcome dinner at a typical Italian restaurant in Bologna to enjoy traditional dishes of the area.
Fresh white truffles with a special truffle slicer to finely grate over pasta
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 artisan shop of aprons, tablecloths and other table linens hand-printed with traditional decorations of the Romagna area.
In the late afternoon Italian cooking class demonstration at a restaurant. The owner and chef, Nicola, is a man very passionate about his work and 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! Aperitif in the very pretty garden of the restaurant before our dinner that will consist of what you have watched being prepared in the kitchen.
Tuesday – Food shopping at the Bologna 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, stunning to behold and delicious to taste. Here you will buy the ingredients for your afternoon cooking lesson. Leisure time for shopping or just strolling in the charming medieval town.
Lunch on your own. There are many fantastic cafes in the Bologna market area to choose from.
In the afternoon hands-on cooking class at a private home with an Italian family cook and Francesca, expert on hand-made pasta making. You will learn to make egg pasta from scratch rolled out with the rolling pin and other traditional dishes of the region and receive a recipe book to take home. Your farewell dinner will follow and consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labors.
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, 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; you 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 you 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 --parmesan-- and balsamico and accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of the Modena area, wonderful accompainment 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, ceramics 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 stars Michelin. 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
PRICE PER PERSON
Euros 2280 (5 night)
Euros 1830 (4 night)
Euros 1370 (3 night)
Included:
• 5 nights in lovely four star hotel, breakfast included
• 2 Italian cooking lessons with English assistance
• 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 guided food market visit in English
• 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)
• Private car (or minivan) with driver for all the excursions listed in the program
• Local tour director English speaking throughout
Not included:
• Airfare
• Personal expenses
• Everything not written in the program
• Cancellation insurance
Tours are small and personalized as our groups have a max of 8-10 guests at a time.
Day trips will be provided in either a private car or small luxury bus with air conditioning. Generally will not be in the bus more than 1 1/4 hours at a time.
Good tour for all fitness levels. There is a medium amount of walking; not strenuous.
Great for serious and casual cooks alike. The only “pre-requisite” is a love of Italian food!
Cooking lessons are hands-on, unless otherwise specified. You may actively participate in the lesson if you wish, or you can just watch, if that is your preference. We want that you feel free and comfortable...as if you were at home!
2011 DATES
OCTOBER 9th - 14th
OCTOBER 23rd - 28th
NOVEMBER 6th - 11th
DECEMBER 4th - 9th
This tour is also available on request in other dates from October to March and can be tailored to meet your requests (based on availability at time of booking)
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% penatly in the event of cancellation by the client less than 30 days prior to arrival.
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