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 Adventures in Education - Fam Trips
We are very pleased to be able to offer excellent fam trips every year. Some are air inclusive, and others are land only. All of them are as much a vacation as a working holiday- we gurantee that you will be well rewarded with first class food, wine and hotels. If you join our fam trips, and subsequently do a group with Bella Vista Tours (minimum number applies), we will refund the cost of the fam.
FAM TRIPS FOR 2005
Fam trips generally include: bilingual escorts, most meals, wine tastings, Italian phrase books,all taxes, accommodation in three to five star hotels and country inns, and some include airfare. Please read the details carefully or ask for more information.
BELLA VISTA TOURS FAM TRIP
Due to the high level of value for these trips & the cooperation of the suppliers involved, we require a letter outlining your experience with active, and gourmet group travel. Regretfully selection is limited and companions may be allowed upon request.
*Cooking Class and Spa Fam (no walking)
Cooking in Italy's distinct regions - October 23 - November 2 - Land only $1750.00
Hotels: Corona d'Oro (Bologna), Villa Luppis (Rivarotta), Villa D'Este (Como), Grand Hotel Croce di Malta & Grand Hotel Bella Vista (Montecatini), Hotel La Badia (Orvieto)
Our wonderful cooking tour will begin in the region of Emilia-Romagna, the original heart of Italian food. Easily accessible by regular non-stop trains from both Milano and Rome, you should arrive in Bologna by the afternoon of October 23rd . The fascinating University City of Bologna is rich in medieval architecture and history, renowned for its cultural life and famed for its cuisine. On our first afternoon, we will have an introductory wine and cheese presentation hosted by a local chef, where we'll sample the local products: "Parmigiano Reggiano, "Prosciutto di Parma", "Balsamic Vinegar" (the real stuff!) and the famous Lambruscolo Wine from this area. Recipes specific to Bologna and Emilia Romagna will be given in preparation for the next day's cooking class.
The next morning, we'll transfer to Modena, the home of Balsamic Vinegar, where we hope to visit a Balsamic Vinegar factory. After the visit, our cooking class will begin in the private home of our Chef, Stefania Farina. She'll take us through a full menu of Emilia-Romagna cuisine, where each of us will make ravioli and tortellini "hands on" and wonderful sauces and desserts. After we've eaten, we'll polish it all off with Stefania's family hazelnut liqueur. Return to Bologna for late afternoon, free time to explore the town, visiting sites that deserve a visit such as Piazza Maggiore, the famous towers of Bologna, and the via della Galliera where you'll see the lovely arcaded streets.
The following day, we'll take the shuttle to the outskirts of Parma where we'll have time to visit either the Parmesan "Parmigiano" Cheese factory, or the "Prosciutto di Parma" factory before heading on our way to the Veneto region.
Upon our arrival in Rivarotta di Pasiano, you will have a few hours free to explore the magnificent twelve acres of parkland that our hotel is situated on. Originally an old Monastery, it maintains the original character from the 11th Century.
In the late afternoon, we will enjoy our next cooking class given by the Chef of the hotel in a special kitchen inside the Villa. The cooking program includes both demonstration and "hands on", with recipes, and cooking procedures in the respect of the Mediterranean diet. You will have many opportunities to ask questions, and garner tips from your class here. The dinner following will include wine tastings paired by various reds and whites compliments of the professional sommelier.
The next day is free for you to enjoy the surroundings of Veneto. The hotel is only 45 minutes from Venice, so you have the option of taking the private shuttle that departs the hotel every morning for Venice and returns in the late afternoon. (A small charge applies) If you prefer to go for a hike, rent bicycles, or explore the village of Rivarotta, Verona or Padova the hotel can help to arrange all of those activities. We'll meet again in the evening for dinner.
Bright and early the next morning, we will meander through the valley of Northern Italy (the Lombardy region) and arrive in Como by early afternoon. After checking in at our hotel in Cernobbio, the Villa D'Este, we'll walk to our next cooking class - this is a dessert class! Hosted in her home, the Chef Giulia Casartelli will fill your ears and notebooks with as many secrets and instructions as you can handle. Accompanied by delicious dessert wines and fruit, we will learn how to prepare a number of different Italian desserts - and then of course, someone has to eat them!! Return to Villa D'Este early evening with time left to enjoy an aperitif at what has been called "the greatest cocktail hour in the world", or a spa treatment. (These are optional).
The following morning, our first visit will be a private tour of the Mantero Silk Factory.
Como is famous for its silk and textiles, and the Mantero family was one of the founders of the silk trade. The factory visit is fascinating, and if you are interested in purchasing silk scarves and silk bedding at discount prices, there is an outlet store that you can visit in Como. In the afternoon we have a few hours to shop and sightsee in Como's city center, before going to our evening cooking class. This class is taught in one of the most beautiful private homes in Como. Our Chef Maria has been the family cook for over forty years, she speaks little English but with translations, sign language, and a little wine, we'll all understand her sauces and gnocchi technique! Our menu will be Potato Gnocchi, with two different sauces, and a Tiramisu for dessert.
Return to Villa D'Este after dinner.
In the late morning, we will shuttle to the city of Montecatini. This is one of the longest drives we'll have, so we'll be sure to make plenty of restroom stops and snack stops at "AutoGrills" on the way (you will love the "Rustica" Sandwiches)
After checking in to our hotel, we have the afternoon free to enjoy the town's Thermal Spa treatments. The Baths of Montecatini are hundreds of years old, and have always been associated with beauty treatments, health treatments, and general psychological well being. Meet for dinner in the hotel.
After our day of spa treatments, it's time to learn some Tuscan cooking - now we are in the region of Tuscany. After a curvy drive to the hills above the village of Pistoia, we'll introduce you to our Chefs, Stefano and Alessandra who will bring you into their kitchen and cook a complete Tuscan menu. After lunch, we'll have the chance to visit Pistoia before heading home to Montecatini.
Aahh!! The next day we arrive in Chianti - still in Tuscany, but famous for its wines and olive groves. We'll stop to buy Picnic provisions for lunch and at the same time explore the cities of Panzano, Radda, and Greve in Chianti before our visits to wine cellars of the areas. After our wine cellar visits, we'll enjoy our picnic lunch and do some painting before we prepare for our final cooking class of the tour. A farewell class taught by Giulietta in her farmhouse, we'll sing Opera, drink wine, and get silly while learning to make a different Tuscan menu from another perspective.
One last shuttle to arrive at our Hotel for this evening, near the city of Orvieto now in the region of Lazio. Tonight we'll walk through the caves of Orvieto, a jewel of Italian villages, and explore the town's rich Etruscan past. A farewell dinner introduced by the town's most famous Chef will cap our final meal!
Our tour ends the following morning after breakfast. Trains leave for Rome every hour from Orvieto, and the time of travel is one hour to Rome Termini. (From there, you must take another shuttle train to the airport) We hope you will have had a Magnifico, Stupendo, Visit in Italy and will want to send all your clients and book many groups!!
*Walking & Cooking in Tuscany
November 5 - 15
November 6: Depart New York
November 7: Arrive Rome, pick up and transfer to Volterra.
Check in at Villa Nencini. In late afternoon enjoy a one-hour guided walk detailing Etruscan involvement, the history of Volterra including a visit to the Roman Theatre and finishing with Etruscan museum visit. Welcome dinner and overnight
November 8 :After breakfast, stop at a deli "alimentari" for picnic supply. Today we walk through a countryside of rolling hills and vineyards, and pass charming stonefarmhouses stopping for a rest at the gardens of Villa Palagione, an ancient country residence built in 1598. Return for late afternoon cooking class and dinner. Three hour walk/ four miles.
November 9: After breakfast, stop at a deli for picnic supply, then on for our five-hour walk/seven miles to San Gimignano. We follow a vineyard downhill with distant views of the ruins of Castelvecchio, passing San Donato village. Upon arriving in San Gimignano, we will have a welcome cocktail and dinner. (Including a site inspection of Leon Bianco and Antico Pozzo)
San Gimignano is known as the town of the beautiful towers and has dominated the hill above the Elsa Valley since Etruscan times. Return to Volterra by shuttle (45 minutes)
November 10: check out of Villa Nencini today. After breakfast, we will drive to the hilltop village of Monteriggioni for some shopping time and to enjoy the beautiful views of the Tuscan Valley. Our next stop is Siena, where we will check in to the Hotel Jolly and have lunch. In the afternoon, we'll do a city walking tour, including a visit of the medieval towers, and the history of this area of Tuscany. Then, it is on the the Enoteca Italiana for an afternoon snack and wine tastings. Dinner at the hotel.
November 11: After breakfast, we'll take the shuttle to Chianti where we have a full day of sightseeing and cooking ahead of us. Stops will include: a visit to Radda-in-Chianti, Greve-in-Chianti, and Panzano. (We'll stop at the Wine Estate Castello d'Albola for a visit of the cellars and a wine tasting on the way) Upon arrival in Panzano, we will have a two hour walk/three miles in the countryside, taking us to the door of our cooking class with Giulietta. Dinner and cooking class, with the evening finishing off by transferring back to Siena.
November 12: Free day in Siena for shopping.
Dinner at the hotel.
November 13: Check out of hotel. Transfer to Cortona for a day's visit of Frances Maye's famous city. Afternoon walking tour of Hannibal's route to Lake Trasimeno. Three hour walk/four miles. Check into hotel.
November 14: Morning transfer to the town of Trevi where we will pick olives in the fields with the farmers and then enjoy lunch at a Frantoio with Olive Oil tastings and wine. After lunch, we'll walk the Olive Way through the beautiful silver trees. (Two hour walk/three miles)
Return to our Umbria hotel for final farewell dinner.
November 15: Up early and transfer to Rome airport for flight back to USA.
Educational Trips for 2005
Please inquire for details
*Walking & Cooking in Veneto
Only one hour from Venice, we'll explore the vine clad hills of Valpolicella, overnighting in a Palladian villa and wine estate. (The chance to visit Venice for the day is also possible) Imagine walking right intot he city of Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet! That's what we'll be doing on this walk. We travel from Bardolino on the shores of Lake Garda, to the top of Monte Baldo to see stunning views across the Garda Aalley and the Adige Valley. We also walk into the medieval town of Soave, and to Monteforte for a wine estate visit and further tasting. After a short transfer to Asolo, in the foothills of the Dolomites, we follow the Prosecco route to Valdobbiadene and Follina Abbey before spending our final two days cooking and eating in the Friuli region. Included: Accommodation in three and four star hotels, most dinners and lunches, all breakfasts, walking sticks, transfers on-trip, maps, wine tastings.
*Walking & Cooking in Chianti
Upon your arrival in Florence, you will make your way to Certaldo, a lovely medieval hilltown where we will have our first cooking class. The next day we will walk the Elsa valley and slowly continue our way to the Chianti region. Walking from village to village such as Radda-in-Chianti, Panzano, and Castellina, we will enjoy a wonderful cooking class at Il Fagiolari, pick olives with the locals, and spend our days idling the time walking over the country roads. Our final three days will be spent in Cortona, on the Umbrian border. We will visit some lovely wine estates, and you will have a chance to antique shop in Arezzo, or visit the village of Assisi. Included: Accommodation in three star hotels, most dinners and lunches, all breakfasts, walking sticks, transfers on-trip, maps, wine tastings.
*Walking, Cooking and Spas in Southern Tuscany
On this route we pass the thermal springs of Bagno Vignoni, spend a day in the spa town of Chianciano Terme, and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Val d'Orcia, with superb monasteries and Renaissance towns. The route is through many of the most important wine villages of the regions, including Montepulciano and Montalcino. Learn how to cook Tuscan food and come out for a morning Truffle Hunt! Tour begins in Chiusi (one hour from Rome) and walks visit Aquaviva, Montepulciano, Pienza, Buonconvento, Murlo, Barberino val d'Elsa and Siena. Included: Accommodation in three star hotels, spa treatments, cooking class, most dinners and lunches, all breakfasts, walking sticks, transfers on-trip, maps, wine tastings.
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