What fun to see first rate, authentic Italian home cooking in a family atmosphere in Italian’s Food Capital. Not only are Raffaella and Francesca terrific cooks and teachers, together with Marcello they are exemplary hosts. An experience that we can highly recommend without hesitation. 

I have traveled with Bluone three times and loved each trip. Marcello and Raffaella are warm, friendly, caring and delightful people, not to mention totally knowledgeable about the areas visited and Italian food and cooking.  Their trips are well planned and executed. We had a full range of experiences: food growing, harvesting, production, according to region; we had cooking classes for foods of the area visited; we did some sightseeing, stopping in local places for gelato or coffee, and did some shopping (we requested it). Everything is organized but at a comfortable pace. Everything and  everyone was ready and waiting for us when we arrived - what did we ever do before cellphones?

Our accommodations each trip were lovely. It is very pleasant to stay in one place for the whole tour, unpack only once, and do our forays out from that base. We went to places off the beaten tourist path and had wonderful meals with a wide selection of courses. Each of the trips featured tasting menus where we learned how to prepare the dishes that were later served to us. We always had wonderful, local wines as well as visits to wineries.

The trips I did were Emilia-Romagna, Le Marche, and Piemonte.
They specialize in custom tours, so a particular group could have a different emphasis within the general structure or have a completely customized tour. My group was the first to experience the Le Marche and Piemonte tours, and they were fabulous. We would never have known we were the first group if they didn't tell us.

The trip was fantastic. My older, teen-age son and I had a great chance to bond while enjoying the beauty and learning about the great wines of Piedmont. Our experience was enlivened by the joie de vivre of Marcello and the variety of unique (and delicious) visits he packed into our daily itineraries. I can't wait to visit Emilia Romagna.

Good morning Marcello and Rafaella,
 
Finally I have sat down to write you a note and tell you what a wonderful time Kerry, Spiroula and I  had on our trip to  Italy with you!!
 
Our life is extremely hectic with three little children.  As Canadians we seem to not  enjoy life as Italians do!  We forget to appreciate all the simple good things in life like family, food and wine!  My time in Italy certainly reminded me how to sit and appreciate fabulous food and good conversation.
 
My experience with Bluone is one I have spoken of several times.  I have some tremendous photos I would like to send you.  Marcello, your character and knowledge of food and your region was very appreciated. Rafealla, your planning and arrangements for our tour as well as our additional time spent in Florence and Rome was so helpful, thank you for everything! Our trip was  everything we hoped for.  As we have been friends almost all of our lives we could have probably had fun anywhere but Italy superseded our expectations.  This was truly a trip of a life time.  Our accommodations were superb…  exactly what I was hoping for,  right down to the bicycles with baskets to enjoy for an afternoon through the town.  The families we met,  the restaurants we dined at and the truffle hunting were all highlights, especially the truffle hunting!  I hope you have recovered from your fall Marcello!
 
After my return you will be happy to know that I prepared a traditional ragu for my family and they ate it happily, somehow I think they would have enjoyed it more if they were able to dine with me and you in Helena’s kitchen. I have referred to our cookbook several times and every time I use a recipe I remember my time in Emilia Romania and my efforts are appreciated by my guests. One day maybe my husband and I will return and visit you or do another trip with you.
 
For now, our life in Canada is crazy and full.  We are busy with soccer, baseball and hockey.  Every once in a while my thoughts return to Bologna  and I am swept away for a short while.  Thank you for such a fabulous trip.  Thank you for all the laughs and information and thank you for keeping us entertained!!
 
Ciao, ciao.

My husband and I just returned from our second tour with Marcello and Raffi. The first time we went we did the vegetarian tour in Emilia Romagna and it was fabulous as you can read in my comments from 2003. This time we booked the Le Marche tour so my husband could eat fish. Marcello customized the tour to provide me with vegetarian foods. We had, if it was possible, an even better time than the first. I think we were more comfortable with the Italian lifestyle this time. Once again we met amazing people who were so very friendly as they opened their homes to us. Marcello works very hard to find just the right mix of experiences for each tour. By the time we were ready to go home we really felt immersed in the Italian culture.
I want to say one more time just how amazing the whole Tori family is. They do everything imaginable to make your Italian experience spectacular. So now we will go again in a few years because we feel like we have friends in Italy.
Thank you Marcello and Raffi for sharing Italy with us!

Marcello,
Finally a few moments of free time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for an experience I will charish forever.  I was so excited when Miriam informed me what we going to do but I had no idea that I would experience so much culture and beauty.  As we Americans say "It was a blast!!"  So much fun and to share it with my cousins and daughter what more could I ask for (...).
Thank you, thank you for the memories.
Sincerely
 

Dear Marcello,
you created a customized journey that my 4 cousins and I will always remember.  We are still talking about our laughter-filled, educational and unbelievably entertaining moments in beautiful Emilia-Romagna in your company!  While I have traveled to Italy many, many times in the past, and had been to two different cooking schools in the Tuscany region, I was skeptical that anything could compare.  How delighted I was to discover this region!  The simple, delectable foods and warm embrace from the people of this region were a breath of fresh air.  You showed us a part of Italy that I always sought, but could never find on my own.  Most tour companies take you to the “popular” restaurants, wineries, and crowded towns.  Bluone showed us organic herb gardens high in the hills, a master pasta maker in her private home, and a balsamic craftsman who heaped generous tastings of decades-old vinegar on our eager tongues, demonstrating the ancient ways of producing his product.  How delightful this tour was!  The little medieval towns with their castles, streetside merchants and markets still remain in my memory.  This tour was not only a wonderful new experience for me, it was an introduction to Italy for my 4 cousins.  How lucky for them to experience such beauty and the generosity of this region on their first trip to Europe!  Best of all, this experience brought us closer together as a family… something that we could not have experienced through any other tour company.  Congratulations on putting together a fine itinerary that showed us your Emilia-Romagna.  Pantani Vive!

Dear Raffaella & Marcello,
thank you for making our stay with you such a wonderful experience. We had a fantastic time and wonder what we can try next that will be as special as the tour you have created. You give an excellent insight into Italian family cooking and Italian family life. The cooking and some insights into "regular" Italian living high points were the dinner in your home and the evening with Elena. If your goal is to show the cooking of Emilia Romagna and typical Italian life at its best, you have done an outstanding job and there is little we suggest you change. We don't think it would have been as much fun without your (Marcello & Raffaella) participation (i.e. if we had a guide). Molto bene!
We hope to travel with you again in the future. Best wishes and thank you again.
Fondly.

Marcello and Raffaella,
this week has been unforgettable! I could not have imagined a better introduction to the Bologna culture! I will cherish this experience and look forward to returning.

Dear Marcello, Raffaella, and Francesca, what a delightful time Clara and I had in Bologna, thanks to you three! It's hard to believe we have been back home for two weeks!  We are still savoring our experiences with you and also with Elena, Paola, Franco x 2, the parmigiano cheese man, the balsamic vinegar couple, Luigi,and Marco and his wines!
Your introductions to the preparation of pasta and other Bolognese foods; parmigiana, balsamic vinegar, and wine making; truffle hunting; faenza; food marketing; and Dozza and Imola were fantastic! But the high point was the cooking lessons with you two ladies and with Elena!  When we tell our friends that we were actually able to be in your own kitchens learning directly from you they are very envious!! Thank you again for making our Bologna stay so marvelous!!  May you have a lovely spring and summer!

Marcello & Raffaella, thank you s much for making our time in Bologna very special. Your hospitality has made our trip even more memorable.than we ever expected. Allowing us to spend time with your family provided us a heartwarming glimpse into a true Italian life. We would like to keep in touch and hope that if the opportunity arises for you to visit us to extend you the same hospitality.

The Food Lover's Adventure in Bologna will always be at the top of my list
of wonderful holidays. You two are so special and did everything to make
the week one of the best yet. When time permits, I would love to hear from you. To learn more about the herb seeds I bought before Spring planting time. One more big THANK YOU, for a perfect week. Love and Hugs to you both.

Marcello and Raffaella!
Sorry to take so long to write and thank you for our wonderful visit in October!
We had a fabulous time and enjoyed every minute! Finally got the slides together and have been showing them to all our friends.
We have given your name to several people and we hope to return in a year or so (for longer the next time!).
Best Wishes.

Dear Raffa and Marcello,
having been to many areas of Italy, I was looking for something new and different.  Your website was so intriguing when I looked into le Marche,  I decided to experience that part of Italy this year.  I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see it as I did on your tour, Marcello.  When more people discover it, I truly think it will be "the next Tuscany" in popularity.  The area is so beautiful with its soft flowing hills and green forests along the blue Adriatic Sea.  Senigallia was a perfect base for the tour.  Avid shoppers will be more than satisfied to spend their time strolling along the pedestrian streets in old Senigallia where they will find anything from tourist mementos to high fashion. Eliminating the trip to the outlet shops was perfect for me. Replacing our shopping day with exploring hill towns was very rewarding  These hill towns varied from large fortified cities to small hamlets.  Loretello, with only six inhabitants was my favorite and being invited into Rosa's home there was so special.  Entering a real forest with Fabrizio and his truffle hunting dog was a true adventure and having his mother prepare a beautiful luncheon for us that included mounds of truffles was amazing and delicious.  Baking bread and cookies with Lida and the tour of Luigi's vast estate made me want to never leave Italy. Our visit to Fabriano was another highlight - coming across Sandro who gave us an in-depth look at the ancient art of paper manufacturing.  Sipping olive oil was surprising - the Bianchiniis were so gracious and generous.  We were seated at a table filled with plate after plate of delicious meats and cheeses; when it came time to leave, the table was crowded with olive oil bottles and little tasting cups, wine bottles and empty glasses and plates. Standing on the wind-swept pier at 7:30 one morning to watch the fishing boats come in was an exciting adventure; another great experience was to be able to buy our seafood straight off the boat and bring it to Roberto's restaurant where it was cleaned and prepared especially for us!  One evening,  while being treated to a celebration feast at the Frula home, someone asked me which experience was my favorite and I am afraid I was unable to answer that question.  How could I choose when every day was special and the Marche people were so friendly and generous?  I don't have words to express my thanks, it was a wonderful week.

Marcello & Raffaella, what a special trip with many wonderful memories! Thank you fro introducing us to your family and for the spaghetti sauce. We will "toast" you for that.Bob, Charles & Marcia and I will always have good memories of you and our great trip.