One opening due to a late cancellation!
Traveling to Lecce in the Puglia region of Italy in 2008 to attend a cooking school was an incredible experience. I loved the region so much I’m taking another group of women in April. I do all the planning and perparation for these trips, and help you organize everything from how to pack to what to wear and how to book your flights. I’ve had a cancellation for this year’s trip, so contact me asap if you’d like to join the others.
Rome
We’ll begin our adventures with two days in Rome (my favorite city in the world), adjusting to the time change, sipping our espresso macchiatos, seeing the sights with a culinary slant, dining in a local home of a Cesarina in Rome, and practicing our Italian. We’ll be guided through a tour of the Jewish ghetto, essential to understanding much of the culinary history of Rome, and optional guided tours are available for the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery.
The Awaiting Table
After our short visit in Rome, we’ll travel south by train to Lecce, located in the very southernmost heel of Italy, where a lovingly restored former stable serves as the kitchen for The Awaiting Table cookery school run by Silvestro Silvestori (above). The week-long program provides the perfect mix of cooking, wine-ing and dining, sightseeing, relaxing, and generally becoming one with the charming locals who make Lecce their home. You’ll be awed by the beauty of the baroque architecture in Lecce, and warmed by the friends you will make during the week.
Lecce
While in Lecce we’ll stay at a lovely B&B right in the center of the preserved historic city, just steps away from Antonio’s wonderful bar where he’ll make us cappuccino in the morning and his wife will serve us little snacks. You’ll grow so fond of him you’ll hate to even think of returning home and making your own coffee each morning! We’ll have the opportunity to tour this gorgeous baroque city with a guide who specializes in the history and architecture of the city. Along the way, you’ll make friends with the town’s dog Nina and fall in love with the pace of life in this part of Italy.
Details
Schedule
Depart for Italy – our group is arriving anywhere between Monday April 5th and Thursday April 8th. At a minimum, you will need to arrive in Rome by Saturday morning, April 10th.
Thursday, 4/8/10 – Casual touring as a group through Centro Storico (Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Chiesa del Gesu, Il Vittoriano, Piazza Navonna)
Friday, 4/9/10 – Guided group tour of the Jewish ghetto, optional guided tour of the Borghese Art Gallery, optional headset-guided tour of Ancient Rome (Coliseum, Forum, Palatine Hill)
Saturday, 4/10/10 – Optional guided tour of the Vatican, optional self-guided walking tour ( Trastevere, Gianicolo Park, Spanish Steps, Santa Maria della Concezione), optional headset-guided tour of Ancient Rome (Coliseum, Forum, Palatine Hill), Home Food Italy dinner with Cesarina Flavia in Rome
Sunday, 4/11/10 – Train to Lecce
Sunday through Friday – The Awaiting Table Cookery School
Saturday, 4/17/10 – Train to Rome, Farewell dinner in Rome
Sunday, 4/18/10 – Depart for home or continue your travels on your own
Estimated Costs
The Awaiting Table – $2600-3000 (double vs single occupancy
Hotels in Rome – $140-224 per night (double vs single occupancy)
Meals, Taxis, Tours in Rome – $500-600 (depending on meal choices and which tours you opt into)
Train to Lecce – $275
(Airfare not included – many clients on use miles for free flights. I am happy to provide assistance booking flights.)
