Culinary & Wine Tours> Italy> Gastronomy in Emilia-Romagna

Italy: Gastronomy in Emilia-Romagna
Bologna, Italy - 4 or 6 nights

Bologna, Italy, is half way between Florence and Venice and in the middle of Emilia-Romagna. This Italian region of pretty hills, valleys, and plains is renowned throughout the world as Italy's gastronomic paradise: tortellini and other pastas, Parmesan cheese, traditional balsamic vinegar and prosciutto and more recently a light olive oil and a variety of good wines. You'll visit balsamic vinegar and parmesan producers to see first hand where and how these famous Italian food products are made. Refine your taste buds as you taste everything fresh right on the spot.


Cook with a Wonderful Variety of Italian Restaurant Chefs and Great Home Cooks

You'll enjoy two or three Italian cooking lessons on many kinds of pasta, piadina (local thin pancake with fillings), herb dishes, desserts and more with a local chef in Bologna, Italy, at a country home with a pasta making expert and with the chef and owner of a hill town restaurant famous for its dishes with herbs.

Explore Bologna & Market

You meet Marcello in the historic centre of Bologna, Italy, for a market tour of the maze of street stalls and heavenly Italian gastronomic shops, stuffed to the ceilings, with beautiful food displays--a paradise for foodies and photographers! A food gift shopper's dream come true!

Admire Byzantine Architecture and Art

In Ravenna, Italy, on the Adriatic with our informative local guide, you'll stroll through Ravenna's world famous Byzantine churches and gaze in awe at the glittering mosaics covering walls and ceilings.

SIX NIGHT ITINERARY

Sunday (Day One for the four or six night program)

Transfer from Bologna to hotel in Riolo Terme, Italy. Free time to relax. Dinner at a typical Italian trattoria in the hills, filled with local families for dinner enjoying traditional dishes of the area.

Monday

Morning excursion to an herb garden in the Romagna countryside where the owner will show her garden and explain the use of all the herbs. Light lunch at her house.
 

Visit a factory where they make traditional stamped table cloths and table linens of the area.

Italian cooking lesson and dinner at a restaurant with a special menu of dishes featuring local herbs with owner and chef.

Tuesday

Early morning departure to visit a family factory where we will watch the men go through all the stages to make Parmigiano Reggiano, learn all about parmesan and have a cheese tasting. Arrive before 9:00 to see the whole process.

Transfer to Modena, Italy, to visit a family producer of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena with the owner, see where and how balsamic vinegar is make and taste 25 year old traditional balsamic vinegar.

Lunch in a nearby restaurant, where you enjoy plates featuring parmesan and balsamic vinegar.

Afternoon free.

Dinner in a local restaurant.

Wednesday

Drive to Brisighella to taste one of the best extra virgin olive oils in Italy. Light lunch.

Drive to the countryside for a 3 hour hands on cooking lesson with a great family chef who is an expert on hand made pasta. You learn how to make the best tagliatelle with ragu alla bolognese, cappelletti in broth, tortelli with ricotta and herb filling. Dinner at her 150 year old farmhouse among the olive trees.

Thursday

For those on the 4 night program, transfer to the Bologna airport or train station.

Drive to Bologna, visit the central market area stuffed with colourful, irresistible Italian food shops, stands and delis. Free time for shopping or just strolling in Bologna centre. Light lunch in Bologna's centre. Afternoon guided tour of Bologna, Italy.

Italian seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

Friday

Leave for Ravenna, Italy, famous for its Byzantine mosaics and architecture. Waling tour with a local guide to see marvelous mosaics. Free time to stroll, admire the fabulous art and shop at mosaic and other stores. Lunch in Ravenna at a famous enoteca.

After lunch leave for Faenza, Italy, to visit a ceramic laboratory. Return to the hotel to prepare yourself for...

Leave 7:30 Gala dinner at San Domenico Restaurant in Imola, cited in many Italian restaurant guides as one of the best in Italy. Aperitif in the cellars housing 20,000 bottles, including bottles from Napoleon's time.

Saturday

Departure for Bologna after breakfast at the hotel.

BOOKING INFORMATION
2007 FEES PER PERSON (US Exchange Rate ($) will be calculated on day of booking)	DEPOSIT
Prices for 2-10 people 4 night program     $2550 6 night program     $3600	After availability is confirmed, an 800€  per person deposit (of which 350€ and the booking fee are non-refundable) and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full no later than 90 days before arrival date.
2007 DATES	INCLUDED
4 Night July 1-5 September 2-6 October 7-11 6 Night July 1-7 September 2-8 October 7-13	Four Night Tour Four (4) nights accommodation with private bath Two (2) Italian cooking lessons All meals, all excursions in itinerary, local wine with meals Very attentive guide/tour director Private transport throughout Transfers to/from Bologna, Italy Six Night Tour Six (6) nights accommodation with private bath Three (3) Italian cooking lessons All meals, all excursions in itinerary, local wine with meals Very attentive guide/tour director Private Transport throughout Transfers to/from Bologna, Italy. Airfare and personal expenses are not included.

For further inquiries or to register, click here.


CANCELLATION POLICY
Refunds are issued on written confirmation received prior to departure date as follows: 

* over 60 days - no cancellation fee except for 350€ and booking fee
* 30 - 59 days - 50%  non-refundable                                 
* 29 or fewer days - 100% non-refundable
If operator cancels, all monies are 100% refundable. Trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical insurance are strongly recommended.

CLIENT REMARKS
References furnished upon request