PUGLIA
Travel down to the heel of the boot of Italy, to the whitewashed villages of the south. One of the most charming regions of Italy, Puglia is a special area not yet flooded by mass tourism, but the secret is getting out so see it soon! Accommodations here are unique to the region. Sleep in the stone trulli a masseria, and a cave hotel in ancient Matera, which have been beautifully restored to include with all modern amenities.
Culinary specialties include olive oil from the oldest and most ancient olive trees in Italy, pane di Matera, shellfish, orrecchiete, (pasta shaped like little ears), fave e cicoria, hand stretched mozzarella, and the smokey cappocollo from the town of Martina Franca.
Visit the glowing hilltop town of Ostuni, have a bread stamp hand craved for you by a local artisan, cook in a trullo in Alberobello, and fall in love with the seaside life at Polignano a Mare and Monopoli with a glass of rose or primativo in hand.
TUSCAN HILLS
Spend 5 nights in the charming Tuscan village of Cortona, learning to cook the traditional dishes of this medieval land in some of the most breathtaking settings.
In spring and summer produce is at it's peak so we will be cooking with plenty of bright, organic ingredients especially tomatoes, peppers, zucchini flowers, sunflowers, (Yes, you can cook with them!), eggplant, strawberries, and fresh herbs. We'll roll out lots of pasta nonna-style while sipping the regions best wines and plenty of spritz.
HOLIDAY
WORKSHOP IN TUSCANY
Tuscany is magical this time of year, as it comes alive with twinkling lights and Christmas markets for the holidays. Immerse yourself in an old fashioned Italian Christmas.
Spend 5 nights in the medieval walled village of Cortona, and learn to cook with us in a Tuscan farmhouse. Take part in hands on cooking classes, including making cheese in the hills of the Val d'Orcia with a farmer and baking Italian Christmas cookies on your last day to take home on the plane.
There will be plenty of time for Christmas shopping with excursions to the surrounding villages to visit their Christmas markets.
ANCIENT ABRUZZO
Venture down roads less traveled in this still very untouched region of Southern Italy; Where shepherds wander through the hills with their flocks, and folklore and legends abound. Savor the local cuisine... porchetta, warm sheep's milk ricotta, chocolate and chili peppers, and the unbelievable "maccheroni alla mugnaia", the longest single strand pasta in Italy.
Spend 5 nights in Sulmona and 2 nights way up in
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, and ancient village untouched by time.
WESTERN SICILY &
AOLIAN ISLANDS
Explore the western side of Sicily with stops in Palermo, Trapani, Panarea, Salina, and one of Sicily's smoking giants, the active volcano on the island of Stromboli. This itinerary encompasses of the beauty and serenity of the islands along with the big personality of Palermo, and the historic and ecological Trapani. If you love the sea, crisp white wines, fruity reds, olive oil, capers, pistachios, almonds, pasta, marionetts and markets galore, these areas of Sicily will win your heart over.
PIEMONTE &
VAL D'AOSTA
Northwestern Italy is home to world class vineyards, truffles, castles, and some of the best views of the Italian Alps. Grab a glass and get cozy.
Spend 4 nights in the vine covered hills of Piemonte at Villa D'Amelia, then we move closer to the Alps for 4 nights in Val d’Aosta, at the majestic Bellevue Hotel & Spa. All rooms have a balcony with a view over an Alpine field or the snow covered Gran Paradiso in the distance. Taste cheese and wine fireside, or relax at the spa.
Excursions around the area include medieval castles and fortresses, wineries, and local artisans’ workshops tucked away high in the mountain villages. Being so close to the French and Swiss borders, expect the local cuisine to blur the lines of France, Switzerland and Italy. Think polenta, rich cheeses, juniper and mountain herbs, warm raclette, prosciutto, and pastas with a foreign flare.
LUCCA & LIGURIA
A land and sea combination, spend a few days in the Tuscan hills and then the glimmering Italian Riviera. Start with 4 nights in true Northern Tuscan style in Lucca. Explore recipes that date back to medieval times and learn about the cooking methods once used in this part of Tuscany.
Transfer to the town of Levanto for 3 nights high above the multi-color seaside villages that dot the rocky coast of Liguria. This is the land of pesto, seafood, and foccacia. Shop for hand made corzetti pasta stamps, lavender products, Prepare a lunch of Ligurian street food at the charming home of our friend Valentina. Locals love using wild herbs and are very proud of their white wines and sciacchetra, a sweet wine only produced in this region.
