Saturday, December 27 – Get settled and welcome gala dinner at San Domenico restaurant
Meeting at Bologna airport or train station. Private transfer to your hotel, situated in the heart of Bologna.
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.

Sunday, December 28 – Guided visit of Bologna and cooking lesson in family
After a long evening, free time in the morning. In the late morning meeting with an English speaking guide to visit Bologna beautiful historical center. Tour of this medieval town.
Lunch on your own. 
In the afternoon hands-on cooking lesson at a private home with an Italian family cook. You will learn traditional dishes of the region. Dinner will consist of the fruits of your own afternoon labors.

Monday, December 29 – Food market visit and cooking lesson on herbs
Visit and walk in the central market area of Bologna, a couple of ancient narrow streets lined with colorful, irresistible Italian food shops, stands and delis, wonderful to the eye and to the taste. Leisure time for shopping or just strolling in the charming town.
Light lunch on your own.
In the afternoon drive to visit a local winery, where they produce a very good Sangiovese red wine, the most important wine of the area. Wine tasting.
Then drive to Faenza, famous in Italy and worldwide for its ceramics; we will visit an artisan ceramic workshop and showroom. The artist/owner will illustrate how the ceramics are decorated.
In the late afternoon Italian 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, December 30 –  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 Bologna. Afternoon and dinner free, after a busy morning.

Wednesday, December 31 – Special farewell dinner
Morning and lunch free. In this day you can walk in Bologna center, characterized in this period by Christmas illuminations. It is very nice walking, shopping and living this atmosphere.
In the late afternoon drive to the countryside and on the way stop at one of the most beautiful bars of the region to start our special evening with a great aperitif. Proceed to Monte del Re for our unforgettable New Year's eve farewell dinner, Italian style. This restaurant is an old building established in the 13th century and was born as a monastery. It has kept its charm through the ages and, still now, it is a unique place, surrounded by a magical atmosphere, that leads to harmony and peace of mind.

Thursday, January 1 – Departure day
Departure to Bologna airport or train station after breakfast at the hotel.

PRICE PER PERSON
IN DOUBLE ROOM EUROS 1950
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT EUROS 190

Included:
• 5 nights in a lovely 4 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
27 DECEMBER 2008-01 JANUARY 2009