During your stay you will join your host family for a few days of wonderful excursions, including shopping at fresh markets, walks through organic herb fields and visits to local food producers.
You also have the opportunity to visit traditional producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, extra virgin olive oil, Prosciutto di Parma, aged balsamic vinegar plus other specialties and handcrafted products of the regions. You name it and they will do it!
Day One – 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.
In the late afternoon drive to Dozza, a small and charming medieval hilltown. Aperitif and welcome dinner at a typical Italian restaurant frequented by local families to enjoy traditional dishes of the area.
Day Two – 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.
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 and balsamico and accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of 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 on your own, after a busy morning.
Day Three – Aromatic herbs, ceramic shop in Faenza and cooking lesson on herbs
In the morning drive to the hills of Romagna, border with Tuscany, to visit a privately owned aromatic herb garden, with more than 40 different kinds of plants. The owner, a young woman, will explain how the herbs are used in cooking and for our lunch she will prepare delicious samplings of her products.
After lunch drive to visit a family-owned factory of aprons, tablecloths and other table linens hand-printed with traditional decorations of Romagna area.
Then drive to Faenza, famous worldwide for its ceramics; we will visit an artisan ceramic workshop and showroom. The artist/owner will illustrate how the ceramics are decorated.
In the late afternoon Italian cooking lesson 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 waiting for our dinner.
Day Four – Food shopping at the market and cooking lesson in preparing some regional specialties
In the morning, you will travel to Bologna. for a 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 you will buy the ingredients for our afternoon cooking lesson.
Leisure time for shopping or just strolling in the charming medieval town.
Light lunch in Bologna and Guided tour of Bologna.
In the late afternoon hands-on cooking lesson at a private home with an Italian family chef based traditional pasta of Emilia-Romagna: tagliatelle with ragu alla bolognese, tortellini in broth and tortelli or ravioli with ricotta and herbs filling. Farewell dinner will consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labors.
Day Five – Departure day
Take your time! When you are ready, your hosts will transport you to the Bologna airport or train station.
Price per person
Double Roon - 1780 Euro per person
Single Supplement - 140 Euro
Included in this package:
