Taste of Italy

A "Taste of Italy" is all about your good taste. Besides Italy’s incredible culture and art history, it’s the fabulous foods and wonderful wines that make it everyone’s favorite country. And fortunately for us, there’s a huge difference between northern and southern Italian cooking… all the more savor and to explore!

Join us for a behind the scenes look (or behind the tables taste) of Italy’s most well known dishes ~ learn family secrets at the most respected restaurants, discover regional delicacies at fresh open-air markets, and enjoy traditional specialties presented by proud locals.

We’ll adventure, cook and eat our way from the northern town of Cortona (Tuscany) to the southern town of Positano on the Amalfi coast…
BUON APPETITO!
-----------------------------------------

ALL 10 nights accommodations
5 nights in Cortona, Tuscany (country farm-house villa)
5 nights in Positano, Amalfi Coast (ocean view hotel rooms)
4 full-course cooking classes (2 in Tuscany, 2 on the Amalfi Coast)
Olive oil farm visit, lesson and tasting
Tuscan wine lessons and tasting
Pecorino Cheese farm visit and tasting
Mozzarella production site visit and tasting
Free time and town visits in Tuscany: Cortona, Siena, and Montepulciano.
Free time and town visits in Campania: Positano, Ravello and Capri (private boat)
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners (wine included)
ALL transportation from airport arrival to airport departure,
by private bus, train, boats and chairlift
1st class train tickets from North to South
ALL taxes and tips (guides, drivers, dinners, hotel staff etc.)
2 pre-trip planning meetings (Language and Culture notes)
Full time services of bi-lingual tour leader
Individual adventure price is “Land Only” and based on selected accommodations: superior or standard. All rooms with private bath and full 3 star amenities. Most Positano rooms have front ocean view; few rooms have a side ocean view. Rooms are on a first come serve basis.
Dolce Vita will gladly assist with individual flight arrangements.
Optional and additional: 3 day extension ~ Fantastic Florence Tour

CLICK TO REGISTER (waiting list only)

DETAILS…

(Please Note: On “cooking class” days, the group will split into smaller groups, so the class will actually alternate, rotating to each place on a separate visit.)

THURSDAY MAY 11 / DAY 1:
TOUR BEGINS, FLORENCE AIRPORT
BENVENUTI! We’ll all meet at the Florence Airport then drive an hour south through the Tuscan countryside to the town of Cortona. After check-in at the villa, enjoy a late lunch in the garden and some rest time before this evening’s orientation walk through the beautiful Cortona. Your welcome dinner tonight will be right in the main square. (L, D)

FRIDAY MAY 12 / DAY 2:
CORTONA AND OLIVE OIL FARM
Today we’ll spend a wonderful day at the olive oil farm of our delightful hosts Signor Imperio and his wife Signora Annamaria. Known throughout the region as an authority and grader of “olio”, he’ll share with us the basics of sampling and qualifying good virgin olive oils. After a splendid lunch at their farm we’ll continue to the actual olive oil pressing center (the “frantoio”) to learn more about its production. Back to the villa by late afternoon for your free evening. (B, L)

SATURDAY MAY 13 / DAY 3:
MARKET DAY AND COOKING CLASS
Join me (or we’ll arrange for your transport) for a 45-minute walk through the back roads and poppy fields up to town- it’s Market Day! Tablecloths, shoes, cheese, and mingling with the locals… Lunch and the afternoon are on your own for exploring. Be back at the villa in time to drive out to your first cooking class and delicious dinner with the very bella Chef Donatella. Her son Michele will share with us the value of the native dishes specific to their fertile area. (B, D)

SUNDAY MAY 14 / DAY 4:
FREE DAY AND COOKING CLASS
Enjoy your free day! The villa has a pool, horseback riding nearby or transportation can be arranged for those wanting to venture back to Cortona. This evening there’ll be another great cooking class and dinner, this time at Chef Lidia’s farmhouse. Her son Riccardo will demonstrate their on site production of fine wines as well as offer us some samples. Salute! (B, D)

MONDAY MAY 15 / DAY 5:
SIENA, MONTEPULCIANO AND PECORINO
Today we’ll visit Florence’s oldest rival, the beautiful, medieval city of Siena. Known for its majestic cathedral, Il Duomo, and stunning large square, Piazza del Campo, be sure to have an extra roll of film for today! Next we’ll visit the popular small town of Montepulciano, known for its famous Vino Nobile wine. On the way home we’ll stop at Signora Stella’s for her mother’s hot oven baked bread and a lesson on their home produced Pecorino Cheese (young, old, seasoned and mega-seasoned…) (B, L)

TUESDAY MAY 16 / DAY 6:
TRAIN TO POSITANO
Leaving Tuscany behind after breakfast, we’ll take a 3-hour train ride south to Positano. Now’s the time to write your postcards, catch up on journal writing and share some newly found tasty snacks with your fellow travelers. Arrived in Naples, our driver will take us down the spectacular Amalfi Coast to the picturesque fishing village of Positano. A short rest in your ocean view room, then a walk to Luigi’s ristorante for our welcome dinner. (B, D)

WEDNESDAY MAY 17 / DAY 7:
COOKING CLASS AND MOZZARELLA
Rise and shine to the sounds of the boats below your hotel room. This morning we’ll join Chef Vincenzo as he shares with us the secrets of the heart of Southern Italian Cooking. Lunch will be the fruit of your labor. This afternoon we’ll visit (sampling mandatory) a local milky mozzarella production center. From late afternoon on, time is yours for exploring. (B, L)

THURSDAY MAY 18 / DAY 8:
COOKING CLASS
This morning we’ll visit the elegant Ristorante Max for more regional specialties of South’s bounty. Free time after lunch (a visit to Amalfi? Or maybe just the beach?) (B, L)

FRIDAY MAY 19 / DAY 9:
RAVELLO
A special morning is planned, starting with a ride up to the breathtaking hilltop town of Ravello. There will be time to visit all the ceramic shops and the town’s lovely church, followed by an exceptional lunch at Villa Maria. Later, a walk through the gardens of Villa Cimbrione for some unforgettable views from the Terrace of Infinity. Back to Positano for your free evening. (B, L)

SATURDAY MAY 20 / DAY 10:
CAPRI
Capri is one of the most admired islands of Italy, and rightly so. Experience the island’s magic from our private boat. We’ll view the famous Faraglioni rocks and various caves (“grotte”). Take a once in a lifetime opportunity and jump in the amazing blue waters for a quick swim. Back on the mainland we’ll take a private bus ride and a chairlift to the very top of the island for more - what else? Unforgettable views. Free time in Capri before returning to Positano for our last “Arrivederci Dinner” (B, D)

SUNDAY MAY 21 / DAY 11:
TOUR ENDS
Unfortunately the tour ends after breakfast… There will be transportation provided to the Naples Capodichino Airport for your return flights. Buon viaggio!

You may choose to return to Florence with me for the
“Fantastic Florence” 3-day extension ~
Florence city, the renaissance museums, shopping…