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Everyone deserves a well-earned break now and then and if you’re the type of person who would like to combine a trip abroad with a delicious cooking experience, this is the prize for you!

 
 
   

Cooking or culinary holidays, vacations, tours in Italy, France and USA:

SHORT BREAKS : COOKING HOLIDAYS : COOKING VACATIONS

Beverly Gruber's Gourmet Traveler
. . . culinary tours with the personal touch

Gourmet Traveler specialises in small, personalised culinary tours, of between six to twelve people, to many regions throughout Italy, with occasional forays into France . . . like traveling with a group of good friends.

Over fifteen years ago Beverly Gruber fell in love with Italy and decided to share her passion for this wonderful country with others - thus was born Gourmet Traveler.

Beverly is a trained chef so her contacts in the various regions are with her fellow professionals who like nothing more than to share their intimate knowledge about the region and its artisan producers - insider views that are simply not available to the average visitor. Local instructors / chefs / authors will teach you the secrets of their regional cuisine. You learn all about the food of the region first hand from people who know it intimately . . . and so they should as they are residents of the area!

Because Italy is about much more than food, Beverly strives to offer you a complete experience through her network of Italian friends, all of whom are eager to share their love of country and rich traditions.

To maximise the experience Beverly employs expert professional guides for museum and city tours. During your tour you will also have the opportunity to visit culturally significant sites such as Pompeii, the Vatican, Uffizi, Ostia Antica, Greek temples and much more. In addition local events such as festivals, musical performances or private parties are included.

We stay in immaculately restored villas or inns with completely modern facilities and en suite baths and whenever possible cooking classes are held in homes where you catch a glimpse of Italian life.

The trips are a combination of food, fun, wine, people, entertainment, shopping, exploring, dining and laughter . . . making good times even better.

If it is the culinary tour with the personal touch you are after . . .

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CULINARY TOURS IN NORTHERN ITALY
CLICK ON HOLIDAY TO VIEW DETAILS
   
The Road Less Travelled - Cinque Terre The Tastes of Tuscany
The "Green Heart" of Italy - Umbria Venice Carnival
The Magic of Venice - CUSTOM TOUR
   
 
  CULINARY TOURS TO RIVIERA ~ CINQUE TERRE  

The Road Less Travelled

Cinque Terre - culinary tourIf you are tired of crowds, seen enough museums to last a lifetime and want to explore some of the lesser known areas and cuisines of Italy . . . this is your trip! You will be visiting a region still not on everyone's itinerary - lovely Liguria and its scenic seacoast.

While it is not yet a household name some of its sites conjure up visions of remarkable beauty, mystery and remote access: Vernazza, the Italian Riviera. Indeed on this trip you will visit the Cinque Terre - literally meaning five lands - five villages perched along the sea coast with spectacular views and an unhurried lifestyle that give glimpses into Italy's less hurried past.

Everyone will meet at our seaside hotel on the Italian Riviera, amd during your stay you will have a series of classes designed for fast, easy and simply delicious dishes taught by a multilingual Italian Chef. There will be culinary tours to artisan producers, wine tastings of some wines you will not find anywhere else, visit a vineyard and olive oil mill and local outdoor markets.

All of this while enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery Italy has to offer - small villages clinging to rocky cliffs overlooking blue seas - a feast for all the senses.

     Example Culinary Tour Itinerary ~ available Spring and Fall

Saturday

Travel day to Italy

Sunday Arrive Italy
Train to Italian Riviera - Rapallo
Hotel check in
Orientation
Welcome dinner
Monday Breakfast
Market Tour with Chef Fausto
9:00 am cooking class with Chef Fausto
Light lunch on the Rapallo waterfront
Afternoon free to explore
8:00 pm Wine / Food Pairing dinner with Chef Fausto at his restaurant
Tuesday Breakfast
Tour to Cinque Terre
Lunch at local restaurant in Monterosso
Afternoon - visit other towns of the Cinque Terre.
8:00 pm - Wine / Food dinner at local trattoria
Wednesday Breakfast
Tour and tasting of local cheesemaker
Lunch on Portofino waterfront
Afternoon free to explore
5:00 pm - Meet Fishermen in Santa Margherita
7:00 pm - Fish cooking demonstration
Dinner - Fish Feast
Thursday Breakfast
Rapallo open air market
Tours: Silk and Lacemakers
Lunch - classic fishing village of Camogli
Afternoon free
Wine / Cheese Seminar
Friday Breakfast
Cooking class with Chef Fausto
Afternoon free to explore
Casual Dinner
Saturday Breakfast
Artisan tour - olive oil producer
Market at Sestri Levante
Lunch - Sestri waterfront
Afternoon free
8:00 pm farewell dinner with Chef Fausto
Sunday End of Tour
Leave Riviera
     
Cinque Terre - culinary tour Cinque Terre - culinary tour Cinque Terre - culinary tour

For information or help see Gourmet Traveler web site - click here

   CULINARY TOURS TO TUSCANY  

The Tastes of Tuscany

Tuscany - culinary tourThere is probably no region of Italy so well known as Tuscany - the rolling hills, the beautiful hill towns, the home of the Renaissance, the food, the wine, the people all combine to make this a truly memorable experience.

It is said that Italian cooking is a triumph of ingredients - our task is to search out the finest producers of what we know to be the best Italy has to offer. Tuscany is rich in artisans producing the flavours we long for:

  • pecorino cheese
  • peppery green olive oils
  • glorious wines
  • Vin Santo
  • grappa
  • plus, plus, plus.

You will spend a week in the heart of Tuscany in a restored villa, in the hills surrounding Florence, with breathtaking views overlooking the city, yet with easy access to the Chianti countryside. You will visit artisan producers, have cooking classes, tastings, culinary excursions and learn about 'the best of Italy'.

  • Cheesemaking
  • Cooking Classes
  • Winery Tour / Tasting
  • Market Tours
  • Grappa Tour / Tasting
  • Balsamic Tour
  • Olive Oil Frantoio Tour
  • Tour/Demonstration - Leathermaker
  • Artisan Tours: Custom shoemaker, watercolorist

While most meals are included, care has been taken to leave time for you to explore Florence on your own and enjoy its famous museums and restaurants.

     Example Culinary Tour Itinerary ~ available Spring and Fall

Saturday

Travel day to Italy

Sunday Arrive Florence,
Meet at Florence Train Station
Van transfer to our Chianti Villa
Welcome Dinner
Monday Walking tour Florence - Central Market and Gourmet Shops.
Lunch - in the Market
Afternoon - free to explore Florence.
Hands on Cooking Class & Tasting
Dinner washed down with Chianti
Tuesday Van to San Gimignano - city of towers
Free time to explore this charming town
Lunch on our own in San Gimignano
Van to Siena - professionally guided tour.
Afternoon free in Siena
Dinner at a local view trattoria
Wednesday Cooking Class at private villa of famous Tuscan chef
Lunch - dining on the dishes you made, matched with his wines
Tour of his private acetaia and balsamic tasting
Leathermaking demonstration of designer handbags
Visit to custom shoemaker
Dinner at our Chianti Villa
Thursday Chianti Tour Day
Tour Winery and Olive Oil Frantoio
Special visit to the famous Buther of Panzano
Lunch in Panzano or Greve
Afternoon visits to local artisans
Dinner at another view trattoria
Friday Van to Florence
Guided tour of Uffizi and the Academia
Lunch on our own
Afternoon free
Pizza Party in Radda
Saturday Greve’s bustling open air market
Lunch in the town square
Afternoon free
Cooking Class
Farewell Dinner
Sunday Van transfer to Florence
End of Tour
Leave Florence
     
Tuscany - culinary tour Tuscany - culinary tour Tuscany - culinary tour

For information or help see Gourmet Traveler web site - click here

   CULINARY TOURS TO UMBRIA  

The "Green Heart" of Italy

South of Tuscany and north of Rome sits a gleaming jewel of a region known as "The Green Heart of Italy" - Umbria. And green it is - the rolling hills and rich verdant countryside invite you to stop a while, relax and enjoy the treasures contained within.

And what treasures they are - chocolates, truffles, olive oil, Wine, sausages, pasta, cheeses - an amazingly rich culinary heritage. In addition there are the artisan traditions carefully nurtured by the passionate Umbrians: Deruta ceramics, exquisite hand-loomed linens, gold artists and many more.

A real bonus is that Umbria is still relatively undiscovered, uncrowded and unspoilt - everyone is proud and happy to share their artistry with us. The enthusiasm is contagious.

Speaking of enthusiasm, it all starts with your hosts - it will be difficult for you to find more hospitable people. They are bursting with excitement to show you the best of Umbria. You will stay in their exquisitely renovated country inn just outside the city of Perugia. This is a country inn like non-other . . . beautiful gardens and grounds, large gorgeous rooms, meeting room, sauna, swimming pool, laundry and as electronically sophisticated as you could ask with satellite TV and the internet - it is all there.

Culinary Excursions and Events:

  • Chocolate Festival - an opportunity to indulge your chocolate fantasies (October)
  • Tour famous Perugina Chocolate Museum - and tasting
  • Tour cheese producer - cheese and yogurt demonstration
  • Tour antique olive oil mill and museum
  • Sausage Tasting - Umbria is renowned for its wide variety of sausages
  • Ultimate Truffle Experience - a truffle meal extravaganza par excellence!
  • Special cooking class from a local Nonna (grandmother) who shares family recipes
  • Cooking Classes at a nearby professional school - including a chocolate class

Other exciting excursions:

  • Assisi - guided tour of this famous city
  • Deruta - demonstration of the famous majolica ceramics
  • Gubbio - jewel of a hill town
  • Norcia - home of sausages and truffles
  • Perugia - hand-loomed linen weaving demonstration
  • Spoleto - music center

As you can see - Umbria has it all.

     Example Culinary Tour Itinerary ~ available Spring and Fall

Sunday Arrive Rome airport, van transfer to our Country Inn in Perugia
Check In
Welcome dinner and Orientation
Monday Guided Tour of Perugia
Lunch - in the Town Square w/genial host Gino
Free time in Perugia
Cooking Class / Dinner - featuring Nonna's family foods
Tuesday Culinary tours - Antique Olive Oil Frantoio and museum
Winery Tour
Lunch - wine / cheese / salami in winery Cantina
Tour to Deruta w/ceramic demo
Dinner - local scenic trattoria
Wednesday Tour / Tasting Chocolate Museum
Demonstration - linen weaving
Lunch on our own in Perugia
Afternoon free in Perugia
Cooking Class / Dinner featuring Umbrian Cuisine
Thursday Day trip to Norcia, Spoleto
Tour / demonstration - cheese and yogurt making
Lunch - Norcia
Visit - Spoleto, famous music center
Dinner -at our country inn
Friday Guided tour - Assisi
Free time in Assisi
Sausage / cheese tasting lunch
Cooking Class / Dinner - all about Chocolate!
Saturday October: Chocolate Festival (all day)
May: Tour to Hill Town of Gubbio
Farewell truffle lunch - (different day in October)
Pizza party at our lovely Country Inn
Sunday End of Tour
Depart for Rome airport
     
Umbria - culinary tour Umbria - culinary tour Umbria - culinary tour

For information or help see Gourmet Traveler web site - click here

   CULINARY TOURS TO VENICE CARNIVAL  

Venice Carnival!

Venice CarnivalVenice is a a city of magic at anytime but nothing compares to it during the fabulous celebration known simply as Carnival. Parades, masks, elegant costumes, a unique city with waterways for streets, a history rich with past intrigues, power and pageantry. A city steeped in traditions, such as lace making, glassblowing, prosecco, seafood, risotto, unique architecture, casinos, water taxis, pigeons, music, art and, of course, the dashing gondoliers in their sleek black gondolas. Venice is indeed magic.

During Carnival the streets are alive with people in costume, music drifts in from the street musicians, magicians entertain on street corners, bands parade down the streets, jugglers, elegantly masked citizens of the world are everywhere. St Mark's Square teems with life - vendors, dancers, singers, all manners of artisans are represented.

You will experience some wonderful culinary events: prosecco tasting, pub tours, Venetian pastries hot from the oven, and other products unique to the area. You will take culinary tours and have cooking classes in a beautiful old Venetian Palace with a Venetian lady who happens to be an extraordinary cooking instructor . . . and the best tiramisu you will ever taste. The Costumed Grand Finale is an experience you will never forget, complete with mimes, singers and an extraordinary dinner.

Special visits to renowned artisans of Venice are also part of your experience - the ninety year old glassblowing maestro, still actively blowing glass , the paper maker demonstrating his ancient art, the pasticceria demonstration of traditional donuts and sweets, the magic mask maker, the wood carver and, of course, the many activities of Carnival !

Your lodgings will be a charming, recently renovated, three star hotel just three blocks from St Mark's but on a quiet courtyard. Rooms are light and airy, with private bath. Breakfast included.

     Example Culinary Tour Itinerary ~ annually every February

Tuesday Leave US
Travel day to Italy
or travel a day early to acclimatise (extra room fee)
Wednesday Arrive in Venice
Hotel check-in
4:00 pm Parade of Masks - St Mark's Square
Gondola Tour / Dinner - in costume
Thursday Artisan tour of Venice and Rialto Market
Lunch at the market
Afternoon free
5:oo pm - masks on parade - St Mark's Square
Venetian Pub Crawl "bacari lunga"
Friday Guided visit to Murano by glass expert
Lunch on Murano at famous local restaurant
Afternoon - guided shopping
4:00 pm masks on parade - St Mark's Square
Ballo Maschero - dance in costume
5:00 pm selection of best mask of Carnival
9:00 pm - Baroque Concert
Saturday Cooking Class / Lunch in Palazzo
Afternoon free
5:00 pm masks on parade - St Mark's Square
Attend Grand Doge Ball in costume
Sunday Morning at leisure
Lunch - free
4:00 pm - masks on parade - St Mark's Square
4:00 pm - hot chocolate at traditional restaurant in costume
Dinner - Pizza Party
Monday Cooking Class /Lunch in Palazzo
4:00 pm - masks on parade
Artists' Carnival Party - costume
Tuesday Artisan paper making demonstration
Cooking class / farewell Dinner in Palazzo
Special private grand finale party - costume
Wednesday End of Tour
Depart Venice
or extend your stay to enjoy la serenissima
     
Venice Carnival Venice Carnival Venice Carnival

For information or help see Gourmet Traveler web site - click here

   CULINARY TOURS TO VENICE   

The Magic of Venice ~ this is a custom tour with dates arranged for 4 or more

Venice - culinary tourVenice is a unique city with waterways for streets, a history rich with past intrigues, power and pageantry. A city steeped in traditions, such as lace making, glassblowing, prosecco, seafood, risotto, unique architecture, casinos, water taxis, pigeons, music, art and, of course, the dashing gondoliers in their sleek black gondolas. Venice is, indeed, magic.

You will manage to squeeze in time for some wonderful culinary experiences - prosecco tasting, pub tours and other products unique to the area. You will take culinary tours and have cooking classes in a beautiful old Venetian Palace with a ninth generation Venetian lady who happens to be an extraordinary cooking instructor.

Special visits to renowned artisans of Venice are part of your experience - the eighty-eight year old glassblowing maestro, still actively blowing glass . The paper maker demonstrating his ancient art, the pasticceria demonstration of traditional donuts and sweets!

The hotel where you will stay is a charming, family owned three star hotel with easy access to St Mark's but located in a quiet neighbourhood, within easy walking distance to the vaporetto. Rooms are light and airy, all with private bath.

     Example Culinary Tour Itinerary ~ available Spring and Fall

Saturday

Travel day to Italy

Sunday Hotel Check In
Welcome dinner
Monday Tour of Rialto Market
Lunch - local
Afternoon free
A Night on St. Mark's
Private visit to the Basilica
Aperitifs at Cafe Florian
Dinner at Cafe Quadri
Tuesday Cooking class / lunch (best Tiramisu ever)
Afternoon free
Dinner - Venetian Pub Crawl
Wednesday Tour of the Veneto
Verona
Lunch - Verona trattoria
Tour - Antique Rice Mill - Vicenza
Cooking class / dinner
Thursday Artisan Tour - Murano (eighty-seven year-old glassblowing Maestro)
Lunch - on your own
Afternoon free
Dinner - local trattoria
Friday Culinary Tours - Grappa Maker
Lunch - hill town of Asolo
Afternoon free to shop in Asolo
Dinner - local osteria
Saturday Artisan Tour
Pasticceria demonstration
Papermaking demonstration
Cooking class
Farewell dinner
Sunday End of Tour - Depart Venice
     
Venice - culinary tour Venice - culinary tour Venice - culinary tour

For information or help see Gourmet Traveler web site - click here

CULINARY TOURS IN SOUTHERN ITALY
CLICK ON HOLIDAY TO VIEW DETAILS
   
Cooking in Paradise - Amalfi Coast Arrivederci Roma
The Tastes and Traditions of Sicily The Sunny South - Puglia - CUSTOM TOUR
   
 
   CULINARY TOURS TO AMALFI COAST  

Cooking in Paradise

Amalfi Coast culinary tourSouth of Naples is an area ranked among the most beautiful in all of Italy - the Amalfi Coast. Lush mountains and steep rocky cliffs which drop to the edge of the deep blue sea. As you drive along the serpentine road the scent of orange and lemon blossoms hangs in the air. Gardens, vineyards and roses, with cascading purple and pink bougainvillea, are everywhere.

The loveliest of all the towns of the Amalfi Coast is Ravello, home base for this week in paradise. Ravello is perched high above the sea with one hundred and eighty degree panoramic views that will take your breath away. The friendly people of this area are eager to share their wealth. Once you have experienced this Mediterranean way of life, you will return over and over.

And the food! Who has not heard of the famous pizza, mozzarella, limoncello, seafood and, of course, the ubiquitous tomato? This is truly a culinary paradise and the centre of it all is the wonderful chef and teacher Mamma Agata. She is a dynamo of activity whose warmth will capture your heart. She makes or raises everything used in the classes - chickens, eggs, vegetables, fruits, marmalades, olive oil, wine - the best of everything. She is so modest you would never guess she hass cooked for luminaries such as Jackie Kennedy and Henry Kissinger. The cooking classes are held in her three hundred year old country house located on a cliff top one thousand feet above the sea, with magnificent views. As Mamma is fond of saying "simplice" equals simple and wonderful.

Excursion opportunities are fabulous: You will visit Pompeii, Naples, Positano, Amalfi, see hand-pulled mozzarella being made, visit a limoncello producer, olive oil, ceramics.

The hotel is a beautiful, four star hotel, offering panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast. It is located just a few steps from the centre of Ravello. The swimming pool is wonderful. Rooms are light and airy, all with private bath. The weather is balmy even in November when average temperatures are in the sixties.

     Example Culinary Tour Itinerary ~ available Spring and Fall

Saturday Leave US
Travel day to Italy
Sunday Arrive Naples airport or train station
Van transfer to Ravello
Hotel Check In
Welcome dinner and orientation
Monday Guided tour of Ravello
Panini lunch - in the Town Square
Pasta sauces cooking class - at Mamma's
Dinner - dine on class creations
Tuesday Culinary tours - see Mozzarella made
Limoncello production
Van to Amalfi - free time in Amalfi
Lunch - wine / food pairing lunch in Amalfi Cantina
Return to Ravello
Fish cooking class - in Mamma's Kitchen
Dinner - dine on class creations
Wednesday Guided tour to Capri
Lunch - view restaurant
Afternoon free to shop in Capri
Dinner - on our own
Thursday Van to Minori
Pastry cla