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!
Your Week at a Glance
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.
In the late afternoon drive to Dozza, a small and charming medieval hilltown. Welcome dinner at a typical Italian restaurant frequented by local families to enjoy traditional dishes of the area.
Monday - Aromatic herbs and cooking lesson incorporating the fresh 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.
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 your dinner.
Tuesday – Food shopping at the market and cooking lesson in preparing some regional specialties
In the morning visit and walk in Bologna 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. 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. After lunch guided tour of Bologna with an English speaking guide.
In the afternoon hands-on cooking lesson at a private home with an Italian family cook. You will learn traditional dishes of the region.
Dinner will consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labors.
Wednesday – Parmigiano reggiano cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena and gourmet lunch
Early morning departure to visit a family-owned cooperative where you will watch all the stages in the production of parmigiano reggiano to learn all about 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; you will have a tasting of the product at various ages and learn how and when to incorporate this wonderful flavor into your cooking.
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 your lunch, based on plates featuring parmigiano reggiano -- parmesan cheese-- and balsamico and accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of Modena area, wonderful accompainment to parmesan.
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 – Relaxing massage, ceramic shop in Faenza and cooking lesson on hand-made pasta
In the morning drive to a private luxury Spa to be pampered with a wonderfully relaxing massage and hydro-massage. Light lunch at the Spa restaurant.
After lunch drive to Faenza, famous in Italy and worldwide for its ceramics; we will visit an artisan ceramic workshop and showroom. The artist/owner will illustrate how the ceramics are decorated.
In Faenza we will taste one of the best Italian "gelato" of the area.
In the afternoon drive to the beautiful countryside for a 3 hours hands-on cooking lesson with a lady who is at once a great Italian family chef and an expert on hand made pasta.
You will learn to make the traditional pasta of Emilia-Romagna: tagliatelle with ragu alla bolognese, tortellini in broth and tortelli with ricotta and herbs filling.
Dinner of your creations at a 150 year old farmhouse among the olive trees.
Friday – See Ravenna Byzantine mosaics and farewell gala dinner at San Domenico 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 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.
Saturday – Departure day
Departure to Bologna airport or train station after breakfast at the hotel.
PRICE PER PERSON
2690 euro
Included in this package:
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6 nights in a lovely 4 star hotel (breakfast included)
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Italian cooking lessons as indicated in the program
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Private transport and assistance on arrival and at departure
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Local tour director English speaking throughout
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Meals as written in the program with selected regional wines, mineral water and coffee
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All excursions, visits and tastings specified in the program
Not included in this package:
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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 payment is 50% of total payment, less the non-refundable deposit. 100% penatly in the event of cancellation by the client less than 30 days prior to arrival.
