Testimonial

This was a one-time tour featuring the Formula 1 race in Imola.  What a special treat to sit at a premier location amongst the Italian Ferrari fans.  The day included a stop at Raffa’s parents home for coffee.  The thing that makes Bluone tours so special are these treats that no other tour guide would offer.

Marcello and Raffaella research each tour in-depth before presenting it on their website.  They go out into the countryside and find families that will take the Bluone clients into their homes, teach them how to make authentic regional dishes and seat them at their table along with their family to enjoy  a true Italian dinner.  You are totally immersed in the real Italian life.  A favorite comment of Marcello:  “the best food in Italy is in Mama’s kitchen.”

Traveling on my own, I always looked forward to landing in Bologna where I would be met by Marcello or Raffa.  From that moment until one of them put me on a train or at the security check-in at the airport, they made sure my time with them was a carefree and wonderful experience.  I truly became “one of the family forever.”

My first Bluone tour was in Emilia Romagna, where I had a truffle hunt with Marino and his dog, Mitch, a cooking  lesson and dinner at Elena’s.  Kitchen the size of a closet and Maria Grazia’s farmhouse kitchen for lessons and a fantastic family dinner.

I was introduced to Prosecco by Marcello and Raffaella during my first tour – Food Lovers Adventure in Bologna – in 2002.  I love Prosecco.  This was the tour for me!   The most memorable tasting was at the Bortolomiol Winery.  We joined their chef and prepared our dinner.
The visit to Treviso was another interesting part of the tour.  A lovely tour guide walked with us and explained that beautiful  little city.  If I ever get back to that area, I definitely would make Treviso my base.  

I had been to the Basilica of Saint Francis before but this tour that Marcello arranged is something no tourist on their own could ever experience.  He arranged the tour to be guided by Friar Noel.  Friar Noel is an American.  He was able  to explain the building and frescoes.  We were taken into the private quarters for a look at how the monks live in this beautiful basilica.
The family of the farmer invited us to their farm one afternoon. We were treated to a truffle hunt with his dog, Lieca, who was teaching her puppy, Moretta how to hunt.  Along the way we hear a cow bellowing and came across her and a new born calf.  All of that was such a treat, but the day wasn’t over – we then had the privilege of sitting down with their family to enjoy a fantastic lunch complete with truffles from our hunt.

The highlight of this tour for me was our visit to the farm of Graziella and Giovanni.  We were served a family dinner from Graziella’s extremely small kitchen.  Dinner consisted of wines, meats, vegetables, cheeses, etc….  all either produced or, in the case of the Boar, killed on their farm.

This is the tour to sign up for if you love wine -  we tasted wine from 10:00 a.m. on some days until 10:00 p.m.  every day.

I had the privilege of traveling alone with Marcello.  He made every day very special.  
Up at dawn one day  to go to the fishing pier and watch  the fishing boats return.  A  cooking lesson at Marcello’s friend’s restaurant on the beach, of fish Marcello bought that morning  right off the boat.  That was our dinner that evening, that ended up taking two evenings to eat – so many dishes that had to be tasted.  
A visit to a hilltop hamlet where only 6 people live.  Marcello called out Rosa’s name as we approached her house and all her neighbors windows opened with ladies calling out to Marcello that “Rosa is home.”
An invitation into the home of the owners of our hotel for a beautiful family dinner. 

Besides unspoiled natural beauty the region is diverse with beautiful beaches and medieval hill towns. 
Truffles to savor one day, grilled meats the next and of course the seafood.
Many locals I met on this trip remain friends and will always have a special place in my heart.  This unique region should not be missed and Raffa and Marcello are the ones to take you there!  

Dear Marcello and Raffaella-
I really enjoyed meeting you and appreciated all of your efforts to make my trip to Italy special.  Although my visit was fairly short, I had a great time and managed to do a lot.  It was great to meet your family. I was looking for an authentic experience and I certainly got one.  Your kindness and warm hospitality really meant a lot to me. Even though I didn't use the sliding door ;) , I really felt at home and it seemed as if I had known you for much longer than a few days, which really says a lot.  I can't wait to try out my new recipes for my family.  I will be sure to report back!
I hope to see you again soon. Thanks again for a fantastic experience in Bologna.

Dear Raffaella and Marcello, We wanted to thank you for the wonderful two days that we spent with you. We really enjoyed touring the cheese and vinegar factories.  Our friends and families have enjoyed the gifts we bought them while we were there.  The highlight of our time with you was the dinner that we made and shared with you at your house.  Your hospitality was truly special and it was an unforgettable experience.  We look forward to attempting to create some of the dishes we made that night.  We have shared stories of our experience with many of our friends and maybe some day they will come to Italy to experience it for themselves.
Thank you.

Some nice touches included a magnificent hotel room in Riolo Terme and the surprise visit one day of the owner of the local alimentari in Brisegalia with a wonderful lunch as we tasted the greatest olive oil in the world. Having lived a year in Italy and making our seventh trip over, Emilia Romagna is clearly one of the overlooked beautiful spots in Italy. And, Marcello and Rafaella, are the greatest and our new friends. Go with them! Go to Emilia Romagna!