Trip or Vacation Premier Host

The Food, Wine And Culture Of Beautiful Northern Italy

Mon, September 27, 2021 (Departure Date)

Cost: $3900 US Double Occupancy, $4400 Single

SEVEN BEAUTIFUL Italian NIGHTS, EIGHT DAYS

to enjoy the best of Northern Italy

The Wine: Visits to wineries where winemakers themselves will greet us and treat us to the best they can offer; Franciacorta, Valpolicella, Amarone, Cabernet, Prosecco and more. We’ll explore the entire range of wine, from local consortiums to world fabulous vintners. You’ll return with a solid appreciation of the grapes, the wines and the winemakers of Northern Italy.

The Food: We’ll taste the beautiful artisan foods of Lombardi,

Veneto and Emilia-Romagna like Polenta, Risotto, Tortelli, Balsamic vinegar of Modena, Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. In Verona we will visit a groundbreaking bakery, numbered among the best in Italy as well as making our own tortelli for lunch in a

spectacular local restaurant. All our meals will be paired with the best local wines – maybe even breakfast!

Your Hosts: 

Healthy Chef Partyologist Nancy Waldeck hosts over 100 wine and food events every year, having fun translating the craft of pairing to eager audiences. A holder of the WSET 3

certifi cate from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, since 2015 she has shared her enthusiasm for travel, food and wine by leading small groups to interesting destinations.

Demet Guzey writes about food history and culinary travel, lectures

on Food Writing at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and teaches Food and Culture at USAC Verona. She has a Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts, a Diploma in Gastronomy from University of Reims, and a Level 3 certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Demet lives in Verona with her husband and hosts frequent culinary courses in the area. 

“You just couldn’t put a trip together like this on your own.”

We don’t believe in over-scheduling you; transit and hotel transfers are kept to an absolute
minimum. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.

The group is purposefully small and limited to 12. Seats have already been booked – so expect the remaining to book very quickly – so here are the key details:                                          

Dates: September 27– October 4 2021

Location: Arrive Milan’s Malpensa Airport depart from Venice

Two nights in Valpolicella - Two nights in Modena

Two nights in Valdobbiadebe - One night in Venice

Cost: $3,900 pp/double occupancy - $500 single supplement.

Includes: Ground transportation, hotel rooms, all breakfasts, 5 dinners, 7 lunches, all with specially selected local wines, winery visits, tastings, admission fees, tours, and presentations. Airfare and travel insurance are not included.

Deadline: $1,000 pp deposit to reserve your seat due by July 15.

Final Payment Due August 15.

Detailed Description of ALL the Food, Wine and Culture you will experience as our guests.

Day 1 – September 27 Monday

Arrival in Milan, where we will greet you with our comfortable transportation – you can relax now, we have a fabulous trip in store for you! First stop, Franciacorta where the owners of a unique and famous winery will host us for a personal visit and lunch. Then on to Verona for a welcome dinner featuring local food and wine. and a two-night stay in a lovely hotel nestled right in the heart of Valpolicella wine region.

Day 2– September 28 Tuesday

Wine tasting day in Valpolicella! A special Porchetta lunch just for us in Negrar and wine tasting at TWO of our favorite, (contrasting), wineries for a full immersion wine experience of the area. Then a stop at one of the Veneto’s most famous bakeries where our friends will give us a behind-the-scene tour and tasting. We’ll end the evening with a fun dinner in an authentic pizzeria where you can create your own favorite pizza.

Day 3– September 29 Wednesday

Tortelli making at an extraordinary restaurant, taught by a famous Slow Food Awarded Chef. You’ll get hands on with the pasta making and then enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine at lunch. Followed by an afternoon walk, guided by Demet and an engaging presentation at the archeology site of ancient Verona, led by the head Archeologist. After an Aperitivo in the square, a short drive to Modena for a unique dinner experience at one of the oldest butcher shops in Italy along with a 2-night stay in Modena, the heart of Italy’s famous “Market Basket” region. 

Day 4 – September 30 Thursday

Today we are exploring all the wonderful foods and wine of Emilia-Romagna. Starting off with a visit to one of our favorite Parmegiano Reggiano producers, you’ll learn just why the “King of Cheeses” is so special from the artisans who make it. Before lunch we’ll be tasting wine with a special Lambrusco producer – his wines are served at Osteria Francescana, the restaurant named best in the world. After a beautiful alfresco lunch, we’ll visit to our favorite Balsamic vinegar producer to learn how this rare product is made. Then, we’ll return to the city of Modena so you can enjoy an evening on your own to taste, tour and shop. (Of course, we do have ideas for you!)

Day 5– October 1 Friday

We are headed to a shopping, eating and learning mecca in Bologna on our way to Valdobbiadene. We’ll take part in a fun class to learn about and enjoy tasting the remarkable foods of the area. More cheese please, we’ll end the day with a Prosecco tasting at our agriturismo, then off to an exploration of other Italian cheeses, and a dinner with cheese, wine and local charcuterie.

Day 6 – October 2 Saturday

On the Prosecco road, where we will have unique visits at two wineries, sipping not only wine but also the UNESCO heritage listed scenery and fascinating local history. Our lunch today will be an experience to remember, overlooking the sparkling hills. We’ll end the day with special dinner in an authentic setting of an agriturismo.

Day 7– October 3 Sunday

Off to Venice where our water taxis will pick us up and deliver us to a hotel in the middle of the city. Then, time for our celebration lunch with cicchetti and spritz at a typical Venetian bar – afterwards you’ll have the freedom to explore and enjoy a light dinner on your own.

Day 8– October 4 Monday

Departure from Venice airport via water taxi.

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