suggestions for italian taylors made itineraries
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| SAIL VENICE | AMALFI COAST CUISINE | A TASTE OF THE ITALIAN RIVIERA AND CINQUE TERRE | CULTURE AND COOKING IN PIEMONTE | A TASTE OF SICILY |
Viva! Viva spaghetti, pizza, tomatoes, olive oil, espresso coffee and cappuccino! But is it all really Italian in origin? The answer is of course "no" but even food products from other continents have been enhanced in a way only the Italians know. A thousand mouth watering dishes await the intrepid traveller, hundreds of gastronomy specialities, a host of truly tasty typical products, and all kept very much alive by a modern agricultural system that is careful about preserving the traditional flavours and nutritional values.
Wholesomeness and freshness are the watchwords in all Italy's table specialities, in all of their countless variants, from the Piedmont's fondue in the north to Sicily's caponata in the south, from the risotto alla milanese to Campania's mozzarella cheese, from the Veneto's risi e bisi (sweet-peas and rice) to Rome's porchetta, from the trenette al pesto of the Ligurian coast to the Florentine steaks, to the lasagna of Emilia Romagna or the spaghetti alla chitarra of Abruzzo.
Another great reason for coming to Italy is therefore (and in many cases, indeed, simply is) the desire to taste Italian cooking as the Italians really make it. So whether you're enticed by the food at one of the best-known restaurants in the cities famous for their gastronomy, or are quite happy to try the fare of the thousand small trattorie dotted around the country, you are sure not to be disappointed. Or, to try something slightly different, what about the family-run osterie (literally hostels) and ristoranti you can come across in the most characteristic parts of the historic centres? They specialise in reinventing traditional dishes or rediscovering typical agricultural products such as spelt, barley, wheat, vegetables, and olive oil. The perfect way to delight your taste buds without adding to your waistline. To complement your meal perfectly you will want to order a good wine that is free from the chemical processes so much in use today. So relax and choose an Italian wine - again, the choice is broad, but always satisfying; the bright whites to go with white meats, the robust reds for red meats, and then there are the rosés, the sparkling wines, the fortified wines, the liqueurs and the grappas: something to go with every stage of your meal, from an aperitivo at the beginning to a refreshing lemon or strawberry sorbet to round off a perfect evening.
In sum, never has there been a better time to eat and drink well in Italy.
Day
One
- Transfer
from Salerno train station to the Hotel Marmorata in Ravello.
- Relax
and enjoy a welcome drink before the first dinner at 8pm.
Day
Two
- Breakfast.
- Embark
from Amalfi on a boat excursion (weather permitting) to Positano,
a unique village, world- famous for its fashion.
- Your
first cooking lesson with the chef is at approximately 4:30PM and
is dedicated to first courses. The chef will show you techniques
to make handmade pasta such as scialatielli, gnocchi, tagliolini,
etc., followed by dinner composed of your cooking efforts. The
chef will also show you the beginning process of making limoncello.
Limoncello is a homemade liqueur, typical of the Amalfi coast,
made with locally grown lemons. Served ice-cold, it is a
delightful aperitif on a warm day.
Day
Three
- Breakfast.
- Today
depart on a morning excursion to visit Ravello. Along the way, you
will stop at a limoncello factory, to see the production. Arriving
in Ravello, you will meet your guide for a visit of the city,
including Villa Rufolo, which dates back to the 13th century,
Villa Cimbrone, famous for its spectacular panorama, and the
Cathedral, build in 1086.
- Return
to the hotel for your 4:30 pm cooking class, which will be
dedicated to pizza and second courses, especially fresh
Mediterranean seafood cooked in different ways.
- Dinner
follows the lesson at 8pm.
Day
Four
- Breakfast.
For this day you'll have three choices:
- Depart
at 9:30AM for a visit to a wine factory in the charming town of
Furore and then on to Agerola to visit a cheese factory so you can
see the production of mozzarella cheese. You may even have the
opportunity to milk a cow! After admiring a beautiful panorama on
the way down, you are then off to visit the Emerald Grotto.
- Or
you can choose to have the day free to visit such places as Capri,
Pompeii, Naples and Salerno, all reachable by public
transportation, boat or bus.
- If
you prefer to walk, there are easy itineraries through the hills,
as well as through the town of Amalfi where you can visit the
Museum of Paper.
- Final
cooking class is at 4:30 pm, this time for desserts. During the
class you may learn, for example, how to make some local cakes
with lemon.
- Gala
dinner with graduation ceremony at 8pm.
Day
Five
- Breakfast
and departure.
Included
in the Program
Four nights' accommodations at the 4-star Marmorata Hotel
Transfer from/to Naples airport or Salerno train station per room
Breakfast and dinners, including mineral water and coffee
Three cooking lessons
All excursions and guide listed in the itinerary
price from euros 650 p.
A
TASTE OF THE ITALIAN RIVIERA AND CINQUE TERRE
Day One
- Arrival
on your own to Sestri Levante and check in to the beautiful Villa
Balbi or Suite Hotel Nettuno.
- An
afternoon meeting with your tour guide.
- Dinner at the hotel.
Day
Two
- Following
breakfast, you will go with your guide by train to your first
cooking class of traditional pastas and sauces, followed by lunch
of your efforts.
- In
the afternoon you will take the train to Santa Margharita, with
its beautiful harbor, and then on by boat to Portofino, one of
Italy’s most romantic little nooks, for tours of both these
charming towns.
- Return
by boat to the hotel where you will have a wine tasting before
dinner at the hotel.
Day
Three
- After
breakfast, your second cooking class of traditional Ligurian fish
and desserts, again lunch of your efforts following.
- After
eating, the start of your introduction to the Cinque Terre. You
begin with a train to Riomaggiore for a guided visit of the
easternmost of the towns. A walk to Manarola through the “Via
dell’Amore,” for a visit of this village. A train to visit
Monterosso, with some free time for shopping as well.
- Return
by train to your hotel for your final Farewell Dinner.
Day
Four
- Breakfast
and check out.
Included
in the Program:
3 nights accommodation in four star hotel
All meals with local wine, water and coffee
Two hands on cooking classes
Guided visits as outlined in program
Train and boat tickets
Wine tasting
price
from euros 520 p.
CULTURE
AND COOKING IN PIEMONTE
Day
One
- Arrival
on your own in Turin.
- Settle
in to your charming hotel and meet a representative from the
program for a general introduction.
- Dinner
will be on your own, with assistance for reservations if you would
like.
Day
Two
- Breakfast
at the hotel. Following, your escort will pick you up around
8:30am to visit the market and buy ingredients for your lesson.
Then on to the kitchen for your hands on class, followed by the
meal of your efforts.
- In
the afternoon, an escorted visit of the city center, with special
attention to the baroque “heart” of Turin: via Po, Piazza
Castello, Via Roma, Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Carlo Felice.
During your tour, a stop at Café Torino, an historical place to
taste wonderful chocolate or have a cappuccino.
- Dinner
on your own, with assistance for reservations.
Day
Three
- Breakfast.
Pickup at your hotel at around 9:00am for your next cooking class,
with meal to follow.
- After
lunch, some free time in the afternoon, before a wine tasting of
the different Piemonte wines.
- Dinner
on your own, with assistance.
Day
Four
- Breakfast
and check out.
Included
in the Program:
Three (3) nights double accommodation at the four-star Hotel Boston
Daily breakfast
Two (2) cooking classes with meal to follow, including wine, water and
coffee
Market visit
Escorted visit of Turin
Wine tasting
Turin Travel Card (access to museums and public transportation)
price from euros 520 p.
5-night Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival
at the Catania airport and transfer to Hotel Villa Paradiso
dell'Etna.
Time
to relax and Welcome Dinner tonight at the fine restaurant in the
hotel.
Day Two
- Breakfast
at the hotel. This morning, a visit to Mt. Etna, followed by a
stop at the Barone di Villagrande winery, located in Milo at the
foot of Mt. Etna, famous for its D.O.C. wines.
- Lunch
on your own.
- In
the late afternoon, off to your first cooking class at La Cucina
del Sole, with Eleonora. Dinner to follow.
Day Three
- Breakfast
at the hotel. A morning visit to the wonderful market of Catania,
the colored "fera 'o luni" market, where everything can
be found from vegetables to trendy clothes, with a stop at the
evocative fish market.
- Lunch
on your own, perhaps something at the market.
- In
the late afternoon, on to Eleonora's for your second class,
followed by dinner.
Day
Four
- Breakfast
at the hotel. This morning, a visit to Caltagirone, the Arab town
of vases, famous worldwide for its refined pottery, where you will
have a demonstration in a typical artisan's workshop.
- Lunch
on your own in Caltagirone with time to shop.
- Evening
at your leisure.
Day
Five
- Breakfast
at the hotel. Today a visit to an organic farm, where they
cultivate fruits such as oranges, lemons, tangerines, and produce
marmalade and jams, as well as liqueurs and olive oil.
- Afterwards,
a visit to the fabulous town of Taormina, with time for lunch and
some shopping.
- Tonight,
your last cooking lesson, with a special Farewell Dinner.
Day Six
Breakfast
at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the Catania airport.
Included
in the Program:
Five nights accommodation at the four star Hotel Villa Paradiso
dell'Etna
Daily breakfast
Four dinners with local wine, water and coffee
Three (3) hands on cooking classes
Wine tasting
Excursions
Entrance fees
English speaking guide and local assistance
Transfers to and from the Catania airport
price from euros 780 p.
UNDER
THE TUSCAN SUN AT A CHARMING RELAIS
Day
One
- Arrival
at Terontola and transfer to the Hotel San Michele.
- Time
to settle in your room before a Welcome cocktail.
- Dinner
in a typical restaurant in town
Day
Two
- Breakfast
at the hotel, followed by a meeting with the cook for shopping at
the local market of typical local food.
- In
the late morning a guide will introduce you to the historical
centre of Cortona with visit to the Museum of the Etruscan Academy
and the Diocesano museum.
- Free
time for lunch on your own.
- In
the afternoon meet at the restaurant for your first cooking lesson.
Preparation of typical Tuscan dishes, followed by dinner with
local wines.
Day
Three
- Breakfast
at the hotel and departure with a guide towards Montepulciano, the
land of the famous “Noble wine”. You will visit the historical
centre of Montepulciano and the antique wine shops with a tasting
of the Noble wine.
- Then
it is on to Pienza, with its magnificent palaces and its wonderful
view over the Tuscan hills. Pienza is also famous for the
production of typical local cheese; you will visit a cheese
factory and taste some of the typical cheese.
- Then
it is back to Cortona for your next cooking lesson on the secrets
of the local dishes followed by a typical dinner.
Day
Four
- Breakfast
at the hotel and departure for a tour of the Chianti hills, a
visit of a castle, and of an antique wine cellar of Chianti,
followed by a very special visit of a typical distillery of the
now famed “Grappa” with a tasting.
- In
the afternoon visit of an oil-mill where you can see the way in
which the oil is produced, and have a tasting.
- Typical
Tuscan dinner with local products.
Day
Five
- Breakfast
at the hotel and departure for Assisi. A guided visit of the
Church of San Francesco and the historical center of Assisi.
- Visit
of the Museum of Oil and Wine.
- Return
to Cortona for your final cooking lesson, followed by dinner with
choice wines.
Day
Six
- Breakfast
at the hotel and departure to Siena. Guided visit of the
historical center of this charming town known for the “Palio.”
- Afterwards,
a light lunch at a wine shop with Tuscan products and wines.
- Free
time in the afternoon at disposal, perhaps to do some last minute
shopping.
- "Goodbye"
Dinner and presentation of the Certificate of the Cooking lessons
of Tuscan cuisine.
Day
Seven
- Breakfast
at the hotel and transfer to the train station.
Included
in the Program:
6 nights double occupancy at four star Hotel San Michele
Welcome cocktail
Three (3) hands on cooking lessons
Six (6) dinners in local restaurants with local wine and water
Lunch in Siena
Wine tasting
Guided tours and entrance fees
Excursions
Daily breakfast
Roundtrip transfers Terontola train station
price from euros 910 p.
Day
One
- On
your arrival, you will be transferred to the Palazzo Contarini.
- After
you've settled in, take a ten minute stroll to Saint Marco Square,
where you can select from any number of wonderful restaurants for
dinner on your own this evening.
Day
Two
- This
morning you board the Eolo for a cruise towards the beautiful
island of Sant’Erasmo, one of the lagoon’s biggest producers
of fruit and vegetables.
- During
the cruise you will have a cooking lesson based on the old
traditional food of the lagoon, followed by lunch of your efforts.
- Stop
at the remote Valle Perini, where you will discover the only
fishing ground to have adhered to the traditional method of
fishing.
- In
the evening, you reach Casa della Dogana in Cavallino for a
splendid dinner, followed by overnight accommodations.
Day
Three
- This
morning you board the Eolo to reach the island of Torcello, where
you will visit the magnificient bizantyne basilica.
- Enjoy
lunch at the Cipriani restaurant.
- As
you return towards Venice, prepare the night's dinner in your
second cooking lesson on board. As sunset nears, enjoy an
aperitivo before dinner on the Eolo.
- You
end your day by sailing into the heart of Venice where you will
stay on the island of San Giorgio, opposite the Ducal Palace and
St.Marks square, offering one of the most celebrated views of
Venice
Day
Four
- This
morning will be devoted to visiting the wonderful, bustling Rialto
market, hosted by Countess Fulvia Sesani, a well-known noble lady
and local personality.
- After
the shoopping, a very special treat: a cooking lesson and lunch in
the beautifull 15th century palace of the countess.
- Afternoon
at leisure.
- Dinner
on your own this evening.
- Accommodations
for the night in Venice.
Day
Five
- Breakfast,
followed by transfer to the airport.
Included
in the Program:
Accomodation as detailed
Breafast daily, three lunches, two dinners
Private visits as per itinerary
Local guides
All entrance fees price from euros 650 p.
