I have had such pleasure indulging in the simplicity and quality of the traditional Italian cuisine. Along with the stunning scenery, the lovingly preserved history and hospitality of the people as the setting this tour promises to be a visual and gastronomic experience.
May 15 – arrive Milan and transfer to Parma (the city of cheese and ham, music and art. What
a perfect place to settle into as a base for the first portion of our tour
Gastronomy aside this is a city of aristocratic cultural tradition that has lovingly preserved
its Renaissance architecture, it was home to Giuseppe Verdi, Arturo Toscanini, and
Stendhal, who recreated the city in his story about 'Chartreuse'. Here we will learn about
and enjoy the local and traditional specialities of Parma Ham, and Parmigiano Reggiano
cheese.
Included: Welcome dinner Parma
May 16 - Morning walking tour of Parma
After breakfast we will familiarize with the city including the treasures of the Teatro
Farnese and Teatro Reggio. Today is also Market Day in Parma just to add to the atmosphere
In the afternoon we will drive for about 45 minutes to beautiful Mantova, a striking town
of fine squares and aristocratic architecture, bordered on three sides by lakes formed by the
swollen banks of the River Mincio.
Mantova beautifully displays its cultural history; it was the birthplace of the poet Virgil
and playground for three centuries of the Gonzaga dukes. It was the setting for Verdi's
opera 'Rigoletto' and the refuge where Shakespeare sent Romeo into exile from Verona.
these links are all celebrated in the very attractive three interlocking main squares,
street names, signposts and monuments around the town. The arcaded walkways are
surrounded by stunning Renaissance architecture from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
Included : Breakfast
Truffles occupy an important place in the province's economy. Both black and white
examples of this precious tuber are found here. White ones come chiefly from the
banks of the Po, especially between Quistello and Felonica. White truffles, in fact
prefer alluvial soil and temperate, wet climates. Mantuan truffles are excellent and
can be compared with the more famous ones from Alba.
May 17 - This morning we will visit a Parmesan Cheese factory. Correctly known as Parmigiano
Reggiano, these hulking cartwheels of cheese originated in Emilia Romagna and were
Lauded in Petrarch's poetry, Boccassio's Decameron and shipped to England by Queen
Elizabeth I in great quantities. This straw-coloured cheese has been documented since
the 13th century, and the production methods have remained unchanged ever since.
Of course there will be a tasting !
In the afternoon and evening we will visit Antica “Pila Vecia” Ferron for an entertaining
Tour and cooking demonstration. The Ferron rice farm is a clear example of a family
artisanship still bound to tradition. This “Pila Vecia”, (meaning Old Mill in Veronese
dialect) has been in operation since 1656 and owned by the Ferron family since 1921.
We will enjoy a cooking class and meal of the famous risotto and some other fascinating
surprises.
Included : Breakfast /Cooking demonstration /Dinner
May 18 - Today is really special ! We are going to learn and indulge in Balsamic Vinegar at a farm
near Modena. Balsamic vinegar is a treasure. It's history has a mystique and is
associatated with wealth and culinary sophistication.
We will visit and tour Azienda Agricola Pedroni which is run by brothers Italo and
Giuseppe who will show us how this sweet viscous liquid is aged in a series of barrels
of differing woods and decreasing size in the vinegar lofts of Modena and Reggio
Emilia. Italo and Giuseppe will host us to a wonderful lunch featuring their own
Balsamic Vinegar. “One drop fills the room with perfume; over fifty years old it is
used as an after dinner drink, literally an elixir. This is the stuff of legends…”
- A Traveller's Wine Guide to Italy by Stephen Hobley
Included: Breakfast /Balsamic Vinegar tasting /Lunch
May 19 - Today we go to Bologna. The historic city centre of Bologna is a handsome ensemble
Of brick buildings and charming porticoed streets. Medieval palaces are clustered
Around the two central squares, Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno. We will
Enjoy a walking tour of the historical centre and lunch here. The food and market
Stores in the arcaded streets will thrill your senses.
Bologna is Italy's gastronomic capital; all Italians will tell you that their gastronomic
dream is to go to one of the better restaurants of Bologna. A simple plateful of
Tortelloni all Bolognese served with just a flake of fresh local butter and some freshly
Grated parmesan, can make the most memorable of meals.
We then carry on to Lake Garda where we will stay for the next 6 nights.
We will check into our 4-star spa hotel, Hotel Sirmione right on the shore of Lake Garda,
nestled in the heart of the old town of Sirmione at the end of a four kilometre peninsula
that pierces this favourite of Italian lakes.
We enter the town along a medieval stone bridge of the 13th century fairytale
Castle – the Rocca Scaligera
Included: Breakfast /Lunch
May 20 - Today we travel the towns and villages along the shore of Lake Garda. In many places
the terrain is hilly and steep to the very shoreline with natural twists and curves of its
coastline meaning that Lake Garda's glories are revealed sometimes in no more than
tantalising snatches, sometimes in sweeping panoramas. We will stop into Limone for
a lunch break – after our visit here you will have the choice of travelling back to Sirmione
with our coach or to take the hydrofoil back to our hotel which stops at several of other
lakeside towns that look completely different from the waterview.
Included: Breakfast
May 21 - Verona
Today we visit the sites of Verona. The Adige River winds through this
city that is as vibrant today as it was in the 1st century AD. Its ancient centre boasts
many magnificent Roman ruins, second only to those of Rome itself and fine palazzi
built of rosso di Verona, the local pink-tinged limestone, by the city's medieval rulers.
We have a wonderful guide here who walks us through the little streets and the history.
Included: Breakfast
May 22 - Today is a fun day. Alberta and her husband Roberto Bricolo own this very beautiful,
not to mention successful winery on 35 hectares of hills and terraces almost entirely
given over to vineyards just a kilometre out of Custoza. Alberta and Roberto built the
vineyards and winery themselves in 1974 which lies entirely within the 'Bianco di
Custoza' production area which corresponds to the southern end of the 'Bardolino'
production area. From the first time I met Alberta and visited their winery I knew
that I wanted our passengers to have more than just a winetasting here. I suggested
a picnic incorporating their wines but Alberta and another wonderful friend Daniela
organized the head chef Luca Fasoli to join us after the winery tour in Alberta's kitchen
for a complete cooking demonstration which he is obviously comfortable doing. Once
completed he, Alberta and Roberto joined us to enjoy in their wonderful dining room
opening out to the sun the lunch he had prepared for us. Of course all this along
with a selection of their exquisite wines that run the gamut of variety, they are given
the descriptions of 'cheerful and fragrant', 'dry with notable character and personality', and
'elegant with great character' – no wonder I wanted to make this last as long as possible.
After our amazing visit and lunch we will go just down the road a bit to visit
Merlini Mushrooms in Somma Campagna. The Merlini Company is famous
world over and we can buy bags - big bags ! (vacuum sealed) of dried mushrooms
at an extremely affordable cost and it's okay to bring them back to North
America ! What an awesome present for your 'foodie' friends.
Included: Breakfast / Cooking demonstration / Lunch with wine
May 23 - Today is a free day – this is a must in Sirmione, its tiny medieval streets charmed
with a lush offering of palms, cypresses and parasol pines and hanging
wisteria. Remember we are staying at a spa and if you haven't indulged yet this
would be a good morning to do it. After a leisurely lunch out on any one of the
town's patios many of our clients like to take one of the hydrofoils up or across the
lake to some of the tiny lakeside towns that have the most amazing little shops,
bars and walking opportunities.
We will enjoy dinner with wine out tonight in the delightful village of Valéggio.
This little village boasts the best tortellini in Italy.
Included: Breakfast / Dinner
May 24 – Today we travel through the world famous Valpolicella Classico region enclosed by
the river Adige on one side and by the foothills of the Lessini mountains (pre-Alps).
It has always been an area famous for its wine and at the same time offers visitors
fascinating journeys into the past with its ancient villages, stone built mountain
hamlets and the splendid villas built in the valleys.
The Valpolicella wines are a bright fruity medium weight red wine with a dry finish
and a pleasantly bitter cherrystone aftertaste. The Valpolicella Classico has the same
qualities in an intensified form – It's greatest form, Amarone with its strong violet and
almond bouquet and dry flavour (resulting from late-picking and loft-drying Corvina)
is also from this region.
Included: Breakfast / Wine tasting
May 25 Today we move to Italy's jewel – VENICE. Along the way we will visit the little
town of Soave which is instantly recognizable, with its picture-book medieval castle,
town walls and gates, all remarkably well preserved.
After checking into our hotel we will meet with our friend and guide Cristina. She knows
our passengers' interests in the culinary culture of Northern Italy and of course, Venice.
She will take us on a wonderful orientation of Venice that she calls 'Cicheti & Nizioleti'.
This is a gourmet discovery tour around the bustling Rialto market area. We'll drink wine
And eat “cicheti” (snacks) at the local 'bŕcari' (winebars with food, the term deriving from
The wine god Bacchus). Wandering from place to place we'll stop here and there to read the
'nizioleti' (ie indications) that tell much about the story and people of old Venice.
Included: Breakfast
May 26 This will be a free day in Venice.
There are so many things to do ! The galleries and museums, the islands of Murano
(for glass) and Burano (for lace), perhaps a gondola ride. Venice looks more complicated
than it is. It's great fun just to walk the alleyways and bridges, a stop for lunch outside and
the most marvellous shops and sidewalk stalls of paintings – You can load up on treasures
to bring home.
In the evening we'll get together for a farewell dinner.
Included: Breakfast / Dinner
May 27 Transfer to Venice Airport for flight home.
Included: Breakfast
COSTING :
Share twin rate $3489.00 Canadian Funds per person
Single supplement $689.00 Canadian funds
Cost Includes :
- 12 nights accommodation with private facilities in 4-star hotels
- Porterage (1 piece of luggage per person)
- Breakfast daily
- Private Pullman transportation with English speaking driver
- Guided sightseeing in Parma, Verona, Bologna, Venice
- 2 Professional cooking demonstrations
- 4 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
- 3 Wine tastings
- Balsamic Vinegar farm visit/tour & tasting
- Parmigiano Factory visit/tour & tasting
- English/Italian speaking tour escort throughout whole program
- All taxes
** MAXIMUM OF 14 PARTICIPANTS
Deposit required : $300.00 per person
Balance payment due by April 01
Please note that a valid passport with at least 6 months (beyond return date) validity is required for all passengers.
(Please note that some nationalities my require a Visa – please ask us)
