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 liberty style, in Riolo Terme. The owners, a young couple, are very friendly and helpful.
In the late afternoon drive 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 on them
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 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 our 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; we will have a tasting of the product at various ages and learn how and when to use these.
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 our lunch, based on plates featuring parmigiano and balsamico and accompained by Lambrusco, the red sparkling wine typical of Modena area, wonderful accompainment to Parmigiano. All his dishes are a feast for the eye as well as delectable.
Back to the hotel. Afternoon and dinner free, after a busy morning.

Wednesday – Relaxing massage, extra virgin olive oil tasting 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 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 drive 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 our creations at her 150 years 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 we 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 guided tour of Bologna with an English speaking guide.
In the afternoon 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 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:
IN DOUBLE ROOM EUROS 2540
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT EUROS 100

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:
• flight ticket
• personal expenses
• everything not written in the program

2008 DATES
23-29 MARCH
07-13 SEPTEMBER

more dates available on request!