Food Lovers' Adventure in Umbria offers a wonderful culinary experience in Italy's "Gastronomic Paradise". Umbria has become the “in” place to visit in Italy. For years it has been known as poor man’s Tuscany, but no longer. During the week you will visit wonderful historic towns not over run by tourists that have retained a lot of their charm and culture.
Historical sites and churches abound in the cities you will visit. In Assisi you will see the famous church of St. Francis. In Bevagna there are the remains of a Roman temple and Thermal baths with a mosaic in black and white depicting marine life both dated 2 AD. Frescos by Pinturicchio, Giotto and Perugino are housed in various churches.
Students stay in a quiet, charming country house B&B owned and run by Maria and Guelfo. It is set among olive groves in the hills with splendid views of the town of Bevagna surrounded by a city wall with many towers and bastions with medieval gates. Maria teaches a class on the wonderful grains and lentils grown in this area. The lentil and farro dishes are magnificent. Handcraft traditions are still alive in workshops. A leisurely stroll along pleasant streets with cafes, shops and promenades is a wonderful way to spend free time. Maria and Guelfo will tend to your every need.
This gastronomic paradise will please every palate. Love chocolate? You will visit Perugia, home of the famous Baci. Kisses, the ultimate in chocolate candies. Here you will meet English speaking native Umbrian Chef Mirko and learn all about chocolate plates and desserts. You won’t believe how many ways chocolate can be used! How about honey? You will visit a very passionate beekeeper and sample his wares. And truffles? This is the opportunity of a lifetime to truffle hunt with dogs and have lunch with the gregarious family you hunt with. Tommaso from Montefalco will be teaching a class on the use of olive oil, truffle and mushroom specialties. Then there is salami. You will visit a “salumificio” in Norcia and sample products in a typical restaurant in the center of town; salumi, grilled lamb chops, pork sausages, pecorino cheese, grilled vegetables, and of course, a very good red wine.
Eros, the chef and owner of a small restaurant in the Spoleto center, is very passionate about his work. He will be teaching a full menu of creative Umbrian dishes in a convent kitchen that you will enjoy on the final evening.
And to top it all off, you will taste Sagrantino wine from the Arnaldo Capral winery, now considered one of the best red wines in Italy. Arnaldo Caprai is the acknowledged leader in the production of top quality Sagrantino di Montefalco, a wine produced totally from grapes of Sagrantino, the variety that it's been growing in the region of Montefalco for more than four hundred years. The colour, aroma and taste of this Sagrantino will make you feel the strong character of the people who work it, the beauty of the gentle hills where it grows and the richness and complexity of the long traditions of Montefalco.
A delightful couple, Marcello and Raffaella Tori, run the Food Lover’s Adventure in Umbria. Stemming from their love and joy for their country which they know as well as the inside of their pockets, they have planed this culinary holiday involving the enthusiastic and passionate local people who share their vision for exciting gastronomic adventures. Marcello and Raffaella have created an intimate experience with the Italian lifestyle. Through the food, wine and warm welcome, you will discover the Italian culture. You will feel like an Italian for a week, living as a local, visiting places off the beaten track, “touching” the gracious Italian hospitality, learning from the professional and home chefs those “little secrets that make a difference between good and great”. Bring home with you a piece of Italy that will live in your heart forever.
2006 Dates: March 12-18, April 2-8, May 21-17--Vegetarian Week, June 18-24, July 2-8, September 10-16, October 1-7--Vegetarian Week, October 29-November 4.
Detailed Itinerary
Sunday - Following your arrival at the Foligno railway station, you will be transferred to the nice country house bed and breakfast which is set among olive groves in the hills with splendid views above Bevagna. In the afternoon there is a walking tour of the historic center of Bevagna with an art history professor. The Welcome Dinner will be in a local restaurant.
Monday - After breakfast there will be a visit to an olive oil mill in Trevi to see how olive oils are produced and to taste some different olive oils. There will be free time to explore Trevi, shop, and admire the awe inspiring views. After exploring Trevi you will be taken on a drive to visit the famous Arnaldo Caprai winery and to taste their Sagrantino wine, which ins now considered one of the best red wines in Italy. You will have lunch in Trevi center in a typical restaurant. Following lunch you will go on a walk in the charming town of Montefalco, called the Terrace of Umbria for its magnificent views. You will visit a shop of lovely, handmade linens and textiles. You will have your first cooking lesson this afternoon. Your class will be with friendly Chef Tommaso on olive oil, truffle and mushroom specialties. Dinner will consist of your creations from class.
Tuesday - After breakfast there will be a drive to Perugia, Umbria's capital, which boasts Etruscan and Roman monuments, a lovely historic center with architecture of many periods, art museums, and a main street full of shops, cafes and bakeries. Perugia is also home to the famous Baci (kisses) chocolates and is famous for chocolate. There will be a guided walk of the historic center and free time to shop. Lunch in Perugia at a local restaurant. This afternoon will be your second cooking lesson. Your class will be with Chef Mirko on chocolate plates and desserts. Dinner will consist of your creations from class.
Wednesday - After breakfast there will be a drive into the mountains to a truffle hunting and an Italian farming family's home and to visit a bed and breakfast with fantastic valley and mountain views. They have horses, dogs, and vegetable and fruit gardens too. You will have coffee and a mid-morning snack here. Following the break you will go on a truffle hunt with the dogs for 45 minutes in the hills. Lunch will be with the gregarious family at home. Following lunch we will drive to Spello, a beautiful medieval hill town of pink stone with fabulous views. You will go on a walk in Spello with a guide. Following the trip to Spello we will drive to Foligno to stroll in the historic center. The evening will consist of wine tasting and dinner at a typical enoteca/osteria in Foligno.
Thursday - After breakfast we will visit Norcia, a town famous all over Italy for its cured meats. We will drive up some hills to visit a beekeeper and honey producer who is VERY passionate about his work. You will tour a "salumificio" to see how meats are cured. Lunch will be held at a typical restaurant in Norcia. Explore Norcia's historic center with Italian food shops and a lovely medieval piazza. We will go back home to Bevagna. You will have your third cooking lesson at your country house home with Maria on dishes with local grains. Dinner will be at home consisting of dishes you created in class.
Friday - After breakfast we will travel to Assisi. While in Assisi you will stroll for one hour with a local guide in the famous church of St. Francis with frescoes by Giotto, and in the historic center. There will be a free hour to explore and shop in Assisi. Lunch will be in a family winery. After lunch we will drive to Spoleto for a guided walk of this lovely hill town. Your fourth cooking lesson will be on a full menu of creative Umbrian dishes with a fine Spoleto restaurant chef in a convent kitchen. Dinner will be a private Gala Dinner in the frescoed convent dining room, or in fine weather in the lovely courtyard.
Saturday - Breakfast at home followed by your departure.
Testimonials:
"I was so pleased with my culinary tour of Umbria with Raffaella and Marcello. From the moment they gathered my sister and me from the train station, we knew immediately that we were in great hands. Marcello and Raffa are warm people with whom we bonded immediately. Our week in Umbria was like traveling with friends, showing us around their country. Even though Umbria is not their region of origin, Marcello and Raffa were extremely enthusiastic in showing us the sights and assisting us in experiencing the tastes and culture. Not only did we visit an olive oil manufacturer, two wineries (one large and one family owned), go on a truffle hunt, and cook with four culinary masters, we had the opportunity to eat with families and get to know the lifestyle of Umbria. The slower paced culture with emphasis on the land, family life, wine and delicious food was enlightening and relaxing--something I hope to incorporate into my life in the states." Anna B., Georgia
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- 6 nights with breakfast;
- 4 cooking classes and all meals with wine;
- Cooking school tuition and excursions;
- Transfers to and from the Foligno train station.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Local Culture
Food & Wine
Cooking School
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
