Food Lovers' Adventure in Bologna's Countryside offers a wonderful culinary experience in Italy's "Gastronomic Paradise." Students will have an unforgettable experience learning to prepare many of the best Italian and Bolognese dishes with regional Italian chefs. Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region are the home of such world famous foods as Parma ham, Mortadella, Sampone, Cotencino, salami, Balsamic Vinegar, many delicious wines and the king of the cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano.
Classes are taught by noted local chefs. There will be guided tours of factories where Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar and Parma hams are produces. Excursions include Casola Valsenio to visit botanical garden, Bologna for a guided visit of the central market, Dozza, a small picturesque village for wine tastings, Ravenna to see the famous mosaics and a gala dinner at San Dominico Restaurant in Imola.
Students stay in a quiet, charming, three star hotel owned by Cinzia and Domenico in Riolo Terme, a town in the pretty hills near Bologna. A leisurely stroll along pleasant streets with cafes, shops and promenades is a way to spend free time. A ten minute shuttle ride away is a modern spa with a thermal swimming pool where you can pamper yourself with a massage, facial mud bath and more. And golfers can enjoy the local course.
2006 Dates: March 19-25.
Detailed Itinerary
Sunday - Arrival and welcome to Bologna. Drive through magnificent scenery to a village inn in Riolo Terme. Free time to relax. In the late afternoon, drive to Brisighella to taste one of the best extra virgin olive oils in Italy! Dinner at a typical Italian trattoria, overlooking the beautiful hillside, filled with local families, where you'll taste some of the traditional vegetarian dishes of the area.
Monday - Morning excursion to "Giardino delle Erbe", the most complete botanical garden specializing in "piante officinali" in Italy. It contains over 400 herbs for cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. Elena will allow us to discover there the secrets of specialty herbs that transform Italian cuisine into magic. Light lunch in the area. In the afternoon, cooking lesson and dinner at a restaurant with a special menu of dishes featuring local herbs with owner and chef, Nicola.
Tuesday - After breakfast, you will leave for Bologna for guided visit of the central market area stuffed with colorful, irresistible food shops, stands and delis. Guided visit of Bologna center and ree time for shopping or just strolling in Bologna centre with a chance to see the basilica di San Petronio, the Basilica of San Domenico and the famous Due Torri. Lunch in Bologna at a wonderfully creative vegetarian restaurant. Back to Riolo Terme to relax. In the evening, learn to prepare homemade pizza-many different varieties for dinner.
Wednesday - Early morning departure to visit a family factory where we will watch the men go through all the stages to make Parmigiano Reggiano, learn all about parmesan and have a cheese tasting. Transfer to Modena to visit a family producer of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena with the owner, see where and how balsamic vinegar is made and taste 25-year-old traditional balsamic vinegar. Lunch in a nearby restauran where Luigi, the chef, will give you a demonstration how to use these two unique ingredients. In the afternoon, there is a cooking lesson with Elena and her daughter Paola at their bed and breakfast. Elena is an expert on handmade pasta, so your lesson includes many varieties like vegetarian lasagna, vegetarian tortellini, tortelloni, passatelli. Dinner at Elena's.
Thursday - This morning, after breakfast, we go visit a beekeeper who produces the best honey in lots of varieties. Then hunting for truffles in the country. Marino, with his dogs, shows us how they hunt for truffles followed by lunch. In the afternoon, cooking lesson in a farmhouse where they grow their own grapes to make wine, their own olives to make extra virgin olive oil and their own herbs and vegetables. You will enjoy not only the meal, but also the Old World ambiance of their home.
Friday - After breakfast, we go to a wonderful Italian day spa. Have a relaxing massage with herbal oils and armoatherapy, and a rejuvenating facial. Lunch will be at the spa restaurant. Then we go to Faenza to watch ceramics being made and have a chance to shop. After Faenza, we are off to an Italian kitchen supply store to buy tools that you have learned to use on this trip. Return to the hotel to rest and prepare for the Gala dinner at San Domenico Restaurant in Imola, cited in many Italian restaurant guides as one of the best in Italy. The cellars house 20,000 bottles, including bottles from Napoleon's time.
Saturday - Reluctantly you will departure for Bologna train station or airport after breakfast at the hotel, hoping you will once again be able to return.
Testimonials:
"The diversity of the excursions, meals and cooking lessons gave me a real feel for the area. Great little towns and wonderful hotel! My favorite food visits - vinegar, cheese and Parma ham. I really liked the balsamic vinegar visit and lunch. Mr. Malpighi was a real treat -- as was his vinegar." Pat T. Carmel, NY
"I just arrived home yesterday afternoon after one of the most remarkable experiences I have ever had abroad. Being with Marcello and Raffaella in Bologna and in the picturesque surrounding towns was like sailing on a cloud. My mother and I felt truly pampered, safe, taken care of, and happy. More than anything is the absolute warmth, kindness, and professionalism that Raffaella and Marcello both possess. We quite simply adore them." Jocelyn W.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
- 6 nights with breakfast;
- 3 cooking classes and all meals with wine;
- Cooking school tuition and excursions;
- Gala dinner at one of Italy's top restaurants;
- Transfers to and from the Bologna Airport or train station.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Local Culture
Food & Wine
Cooking School
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