It’s about selection!
Your hosts of this wonderful cooking school have spent years assembling a circle of friends, collaborators, and artisans that provide the absolute best from their storehouse of knowledge – traditions, flavors and recipes – the secrets that make the difference between good and great. These characters enliven each day with stories, prized sources and time proven practices woven into hands-on cooking sessions, epicurean tastings and cultural visits.
It’s about details!
During your stay you are hosted by the most wonderful owners, and their lovely family. They will escort you on all excursions appointments, shop the markets with you, walk herb fields with you and the local grower and see you to your hotel at the end of each marvelous day.
Smaller, tasteful accommodations with an intimate atmosphere not sparing comfort or style are their preference, as is dining at trattorias and out-of-the-way restaurants with chefs they know. You are not likely to find these venues in guidebooks or on other programs.
It’s about you!
Guests tell us that the memories of traveling through the Italian countryside for a lesson with a pasta maker in her home, joining a winemaker for a barrel tasting in his cellar or walking in the woods alongside a truffle hunter and his dog are experiences that are unforgettable and enduring in their simplicity and authenticity. Your hosts blend these visits with excursions to modern, yet traditional producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, extra virgin olive oil, Prosciutto di Parma, aged balsamic vinegar plus other specialties and handcrafted products of the regions. And if you have a special request, we are here to make it happen.
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, in charming Riolo Terme. The owners are very friendly and helpful.
In the late afternoon, you will be driven to a small and charming medieval hilltown.
Welcome dinner at a very typical Italian trattoria frequented by local families to enjoy traditional dishes of the area where the food is outstanding.
Monday – Aromatic herbs and cooking lesson based on herbs
In the morning, you will visit the hills of Romagna (borders Tuscany) to visit a privately owned aromatic herb garden, with more than 40 different varieties of plants. The owner is a young woman, who will explain how the herbs are used in cooking and who will prepare your lunch based on delicious samplings of her products.
After lunch, you will be driven to a family-owned factory of aprons, tablecloths and other table linens that are hand-printed with traditional decorations of Romagna area.
In the late afternoon, you will engage in your first cooking lesson demonstration at a restaurant. The owner and chef, Nicola, is a man very passionate about his work 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! Aperitif in the very pretty garden of the restaurant waiting for your dinner.
Tuesday – 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. You will have a tasting of the product at its various ages and learn how and when to use these variations of aged balsamic vinegar.
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 watch Luigi prepare your lunch, based on plates featuring parmigiano cheese and balsamico, accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of Modena area, and are wonderful accompainment to Parmigiano. All his dishes are a feast for the eye as well as delectable.
Back to Bologna. Afternoon and dinner is on your own, after a busy morning.
Wednesday – Relaxing massage, extra virgin olive oil tasting and cooking lesson on hand-made pasta
In the morning, you will visit a private luxury Spa to be pampered with a wonderfully relaxing massage and hydro-massage.
Light lunch at the Spa restaurant. After lunch you will be driven to Brisighella to taste one of the best extra virgin olive oils in Italy, one of the first olive oils that obtained the DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) certification.
In the afternoon, you will be driven to the beautiful countryside for a 3 hours hands-on cooking lesson with a lady who is at once a great 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 her 150 year old farmhouse among the olive trees.
Thursday – Food shopping at the market and cooking lesson in preparing some regional specialties
In the morning drive to Bologna. 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 on your own. After lunch, you will proceed on to a guided tour of Bologna with an English speaking guide. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson at a private home with a family Italian cook. You will learn traditional dishes of the region. Dinner will consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labors.
Friday – See Ravenna Byzantine mosaics, ceramic shop in Faenza 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 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. Back to the hotel. In the evening, you will be driven 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.
In 2007, San Domenico earned 2 Michelin stars. The chef, Valentino Marcattili, is famous worldwide and is considered one of the best chefs in the world. The restaurant's cellars boast over 25,000 bottles, including bottles from Napoleon’s time.
Saturday – Departure day
Departure to Bologna airport or train station after breakfast at the hotel.
Included:
• 6 nights in lovely 3 star hotel (breakfast included)
• Italian cooking lessons as indicated in the program
• Private transport and assistance 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 specified in the program
Not included:
• Airline ticket
• Personal expenses
• Everything not written in the program
2008 DATES
March 23-29, 2008
September 7 -13, 2008
Other dates available, upon request
PRICE PER PERSON:
IN DOUBLE ROOM 2640 EURO
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT 100 EURO
Food and Wine Tour Database 
