Click Link Below for slide show of recent trip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gourmetravel/Amalfi93007
South of Naples is
an area ranked among the most beautiful in all of Italy: the Amalfi
Coast. Lush mountains, steep rocky cliffs drop to the edge of the
deep blue sea. As you drive along the serpentine road the scent of
orange and lemon blossoms hang 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 our week in
paradise. Ravello is perched high above the sea with 180-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
hasn't heard of the famous pizza, mozzarella, limoncello, seafood, and
of course, the ubiquitous tomato? This is truly a culinary
paradise, and the center of it all is our wonderful chef/teacher Mamma Agata.
She's 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's so modest you'd never guess she's cooked for
luminaries such as Jackie Kennedy and Henry Kissinger. Our
cooking classes are held in her 300-year-old country house located on a cliff top 1,000
feet above the sea,
with magnificent views. As Mamma is fond of saying "simplice" = simple,
and wonderful.
Excursion
opportunities are fabulous: We'll visit Pompeii, Naples,
Positano,
see hand-pulled mozzarella being made, visit a limoncello producer,
pasta maker, ceramics - you will definitely get a "feel" for the
richness of this region.
Our hotel is a
beautiful hotel, offering panoramic views of the Amalfi Coastline
just steps from the center of Ravello. Rooms are light and airy, all with private bath
and magnificent seaview. The weather is balmy even in
November when average temperatures are in the '60s.
View hotel photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/gourmetravel/AmalfiCoast2008HotelViews
INCLUDED
in tour:
Transfer from Naples airport or train station to our Ravello
Hotel
6 nights accommodation w/seaview
All breakfasts
Five (5) lunches
Five (5) dinners, w/house wine
Cooking classes as listed
Culinary & cultural excursions (listed in itinerary)
Professional guides as listed in itinerary
Gourmetravel Personal guide for ALL listed activities
Ground transportation for listed excursions
NOT included:
Airfare
Gratuities & personal expenses
Sample Itinerary
Travel Day (Sat)
Day 1 (Sun)
Day
2 (Mon)
Day 3 (Tues)
Day 4 (Wed)
-
FERRY to CAPRI
-
LUNCH on Capri
w/view
-
Free time in
Capri
-
FERRY to Amalfi
-
Light Dinner in
Ravello
Day 5 (Thurs)
Day 6 (Fri)
-
CULINARY TOUR DAY w/local guide
-
CHEESEMAKER visit -
demonstration & tasting
-
PASTA PRODUCER -
see dried pasta shaping & production
-
BAKERY -
explanation & demonstration of local production
-
WINE/FOOD pairing
lunch at view restaurant
-
Return to Ravello
-
GALA FARWELL
EVENING
-
FAREWELL DINNER
-
MUSICAL EVENT
Day 7 (Sat)
