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| a typical seaside town in Romagna |
A couple of friends of mine have put together a week-long trip of food and culture in the Romagna area that is just wonderful. You'll get an in-depth view at things and food that are unique to the Romagna area. I participated in the trip they organized in May and was very pleased at their attention to details. All the locations are beautiful, all the guides, the cooks and chefs are very good at what they do and a lot of information is covered. Let's just say that even I learned a few things I did not know!
Having tested first-hand this package I can absolutely recommend it. I hope to come meet you one of the days you are on the trip, please be sure to let me know if you book the trip!
They are now taking reservations for their September and October dates. If you need 2018 dates, please write to me put "Romagna trip" in the subject of your email.
The 2017 dates are:
- September 10-17 2017
- Sept 24th -October 1st, 2017
- October 1-8th, 2017
CULTURE AND COOKING ON THE ADRIATIC COAST
8 days / 7 nights Tour for active, curious people.
Your accommodation for the week is in a medieval village, where every
morning you'll breakfast surrounded by the scents of the hotel's private
garden, and hear the town church bells ring; it is a two minute walk
from the lively center of Santarcangelo di Romagna, where you can stroll the
narrow cobblestone streets and reach shops and city markets. In the nearby
hills we will cook and eat together at a charming country villa.
Highlights
- 2 cooking classes, preparing our four-course lunches
- Wine tastings and lesson with a sommelier
- Guided tasting of PDO and IGP products from Emilia-Romagna
- Following in Fellini’s footsteps in the seaside resort of Rimini
- Making your own pizza with an Italian pizzaiolo
- Guided tours of three medieval/Renaissance towns
- Enjoy a procession of Fiat 500s on a drive through the Romagna
countryside
- 7 nights
accommodation
- Airport transfer
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| Lunch al Fresco |
Here is an outline of the daily itinerary.
· WELCOME TO
ITALY Day One (Sunday): Arrival to the medieval town
of Santarcangelo di Romagna. Introduction to the tour and the town, and dinner
at one of the best restaurants in the region.
· FOOD AND
WINE IN THE ROMAGNA HILLS Day Two (Monday):
After breakfast at the hotel we’ll meet at ‘our’ café in centro,our
meeting place for the rest of the week. We’ll transfer to the country villa
where we’ll have our first cooking lesson, preparing what the Italians
call il pranzo della domenica, which of course we’ll then enjoy
along with delicious local wines. Later in the afternoon we’ll visit a local
winery with an expert sommelier followed by a wine tasting accompanied by
typical appetizers (stuzzichini). Later we take a tasting tour of
Emilia-Romagna with its superb and famous products including parmigiano cheese,
specialty cold cuts, balsamic vinegar of Modena and the traditional Lambrusco
and Pignoletto wines.
· SAN LEO
HISTORY, TRADITION AND BEL CANTO Day Three
(Tuesday): This morning we step back in time with a visit to the
medieval town and fortress of San Leo. In the afternoon we’ll visit a farm
where wine and extra-virgin olive oil are produced. The owners take us on a
tour of the property, and together we’ll gather elderflowers (sambuco)
to make elderflower syrup. We’ll have dinner here but first we’re treated to a
live performance of bel canto, a traditional Italian vocal style
renowned for its beauty.
· ART IN
URBINO AND A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH EMILIA-ROMAGNA Day Four
(Wednesday): Today we’ll explore Urbino, where we begin to appreciate the power
and splendor of Montefeltro’s palatial residence that today hosts the National
Gallery of Marche. The museum displays works of art by Piero della Francesca,
Tiziano, and Raffaello, who was born here in 1483. In the afternoon we’ll learn
about the ‘fossa cheese’, visiting one of the pits dug out of
the tufo/volcanic tuff where this highly-prized cheese is
aged.
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| Cooking lesson no. 2 |
· MARKET DAY
AND THE REAL ITALIAN PIZZA Day Six (Friday): Today
is the weekly market in Santarcangelo and you’ll have time to explore it at
your leisure. In the late morning we’ll meet up for a ‘cooking show’
demonstration by a professional pastry chef, followed, of course, by savoring
his delicious creations. In the afternoon we’ll go to the very place where in
49 BC Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon (river) with his troops. Afterwards
we’ll walk to a pizzeria for today’s cooking lesson—making
traditional Italian pizza under the guidance of a professional pizzaiolo (pizza
chef).
· AN
UNFORGETTABLE TRIP BY FIAT 500 Day Seven
(Saturday): To kick off the weekend we’ll attend a procession of the legendary
Fiat 500 cars and take a ride to the medieval village of Longiano. Together
we’ll visit a well-known frantoio (olive mill) to learn about
and taste the local extra-virgin olive oil, and we’ll have lunch at the locanda (inn)
next door. After some free time in Santarcangelo we’ll have our last outing,
down to the enchanting village of Roncofreddo. Here we’ll have our final
memorable dinner in a little Osteria.
· 'ARRIVEDERCI' Day Eight
(Sunday): After breakfast, departure by private transfer to Bologna airport or
to Rimini train station.
What’s included
- Double-occupancy accommodation for 7 nights;
- Meals as noted in the itinerary: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners;
- Wine and other beverages at included lunches and dinners;
- Group transfers to and from Bologna airport and/or Rimini train
station at the scheduled times;
- All cooking classes, completely hands-on;
- A wine lesson and tasting by a sommelier;
- A pastry
‘cooking-show’;
- Professional
licensed guides in San Leo, Urbino, Rimini
- All entry fees for scheduled excursions and tours;
- Expert bilingual tour leader to accompany the group at all times.
Please check with your health insurance provider to understand your
international coverage: you may desire to purchase additional short term health
insurance. Airfare and travel insurance are not included. We highly recommend
the purchase of travel insurance (we can provide recommendations upon
request).
Accomodation
Our four-star hotel, described as ‘Italian sophistication in a medieval
setting’, is a recently renovated villa surrounded by lovely grounds and just
minutes away from the ‘old town’ historical center of Santarcangelo di Romagna.
You’ll quickly become accustomed to meeting up at our favorite café in centro
where the barista, as he does with all his clients, will soon learn your name
and preferred beverage. Our lunches and dinners are at the best regional
restaurants where your fellow diners are locals and where we’ll enjoy the
excellent wines of the area.
Activity Level
Most days require some walking, but no more than is usually required for,
say, a city stroll or a guided tour. Transfers between activity locations vary,
but usually are no more than 20-30 minutes in a van, with the exception of the
first and last day transfers to/from Bologna (approximately one hour and
fifteen minutes), and the day we visit Urbino, which requires an hour and a
half each way.
Price
€3,595
Price are per person and based on double occupancy and minimum 6 people on
the tour.
A limited number of single accommodations are available for a supplemental
charge of 330 euros.
Prices are listed in euro. The price you pay in a different currency
depends upon the exchange rate at the time your deposit clears, and again when
you pay the balance. If desired, you can lock in a specific exchange rate
by paying the entire amount when making your initial reservation. Please click
here to read our ‘Payment and
Cancellation Policy’.
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| Me, always eating! Everything was SO tasty! Bravo Chef! |
WRITE ME now to get more details or to book the trip!
Please write "Romagna trip" and date you wish in the subject of your email.
