Wow! It’s been busy around here even
though winter is supposed to be the dormant season. Of course, in
the Northwest we didn’t have a winter this year. That meant no
skiing so I had some extra time to work on some new activities for
EGT.
There are some new offerings on the table
now that I think are pretty exciting – hopefully you’ll like them as
much as I do.
FIRST TIME EVER – SUMMER TOURS
(June/July 2005)
For many years I’ve had requests to offer
tours during the summer months, but just couldn’t make it work.
Just recently my culinary colleague, Marcia Green, has agreed to
step in as tour leader for summer tours.
We’ve decided to start with just a few
offerings for this summer (2005) with an expanded program for next
year. The itineraries and activities are the same as our regular
spring/fall tours – the only difference is the tour leader; Marcia
instead of me. Some of you may have taken cooking classes from
Marcia in the past – she’s been teaching cooking for many years now
as well as working in industry. Plus she travels to Italy routinely
and worked as my tour assistant for several years.
Schedule for this summer is:
June 26
– July 3 Amalfi Coast (limit 8)
July 10-17 Tuscany
July 17-24 Umbria
Special Note: Hotels in Amalfi, Umbria & Tuscany all have swimming
pools.
NEW
TOUR TO PROVENCE
(May 7, 2006)
Limited
to 7
Since I lost my previous Provencal
contact to a happy marriage and s
ubsequent new baby, I’ve been
looking for just the right replacement and FINALLY I’ve got just the right man – raised
in Provence and fluent in English; the perfect combination.
Plus tons of Gallic charm.
Our chef was raised in the south of France
and began his culinary career there. He subsequently traveled far
and wide working as Executive Chef in the tropics and eventually in
the US. He now shares time between the US and Provence where he
conducts his wonderful culinary programs on the wonders of Provencal
cuisine.
We stay in a marvelous B&B in the
picturesque Luberon (the heart of Provence), surrounded by
vineyards, olive and fruit trees, housed in an 18th
century house with a view of the Alpilles (mountain range). If
this sounds idyllic – IT IS! Of course, all rooms have private
baths.
And I haven’t even touched on the cooking
classes and culinary experiences: gourmet breakfasts, wonderful
tours to markets, historical cities, Michelin Star restaurant, olive
oil mill, winery, cheeses, sumptuous class dinners with cheeses
galore and matching wines.
Our first tour there is scheduled for May
7, 2006. Size is limited, so if you’re interested, contact us for
information
VENICE CARNIVAL!
(February 22-March 1, 2006)
It may seem premature to be talking about
this now, but it really isn’t. Mainly because 2006 Olympics in Turin are
scheduled to coincide with Carnival and for
those
who want to squeeze in both events it’s not too early.
For regular readers of this newsletter,
you know that this is one of my favorite tours. I’ve fallen in love
with playing dress up and wearing a mask – it’s really great fun for
grownups. Parties, Private Costume Balls, cooking classes in a
Palazzo, tours, gondola rides, more parties, glass blowing tours -
more fun than you can possibly imagine.
Picture walking down the streets of Venice
in full costume and being stopped by numerous tourists wanting to
take your photo! Or, on the last Sunday of Carnival, parading with
the rest of the elegant attendees as you strut your stuff across the
stage. Fame is yours!
SOMETHING NEW FOR AMALFI
A new, and very special event, has
been added for the May Amalfi tours. (Did I mention that
Amalfi
has become so popular that I had to add in a second week?) We’re
doing a special Farewell Dinner at Mamma’s home, with that
spectacular view overlooking the water and coastline. How much more
fabulous can it get? I’m planning to make this a permanent
feature. A great way to end a fabulous tour.
And speaking of Amalfi, EGT has a first to
announce. We served as unofficial yenta/matchmaker for a couple on
the October 2003 Amalfi tour. They were from the same city, but
didn’t know each other. They met on the tour, fell in love,
continued dating when they came back home and now
KURT & CINDY are getting married
in October 2005! Congratulations KURT &
CINDY from all of us.
I’ll have to add “matchmaking” to our tour
descriptions. Anyway, I’m so happy to see these two lovely people
fall in love and get married. Mamma, Chiara and Anna (our Ravello
friends) are taking full credit for making this happen. When Cindy
was helping Mamma in the kitchen, Mamma told her “you’re good in the
kitchen, you should be married.” As they say in Ravello - “why
not!"
SICILY – Looking strong for Fall
(Nov. 2-9,
2005)
I’m excited that interest is high for this
new tour for fall. It’s such a m
arvelous place I’m eager to share
it with everyone. It’s such an amazing, and large, island we can
only begin to explore the richness of this ancient culture in our
time there – but it’s a great beginning.
The natural beauty is awesome – from
towering snow-capped mountains, to the arid, rocky terrain, to the
magnificent seaside beauty. Be prepared to be impressed.
Culturally, this is so different from the
rest of Italy it feels more like being in another country rather
than simply another region. I think you’ll be as fascinated as I am
each time I visit.
perfect
setting, flawless meal, convivial companions, and the perfect ending
to a fabulous week. If only it could go on forever.
However, it was a great ending to a GREAT fall season
That's it
for now - Hope to see YOU soon on a tour –
Ciao,Ciao,
Beverly
2005 TOUR SCHEDULE
|
SPRING |
2005 |
FALL |
2005 |
|
April 24- May 1 |
Sicily |
Sept. 25-Oct 2 |
Cinque Terre/Riviera |
|
April 24- May 1 |
Rome |
Oct 2 – 9 |
Rome |
|
May 8-15 |
Amalfi Coast |
Oct 9 – 16 |
Amalfi Coast |
|
May 15-22 |
Tuscany |
Oct 16-23 |
Tuscany
|
|
May 22-29 |
Riviera & Cinque Terre |
Oct 16– 23 |
Umbria |
|
May 29-June 5 |
Umbria |
Nov 2 – 9 |
Sicily |
|
|
|
Feb 22-March 1, 2006 |
VENICE CARNIVAL!! |
