Dear Friends
Big news: I've just added two new Culinary Tours for 2024: Southern Spain and Tuscany!
These are two of my favorite culinary destinations, and I can't wait to cook, taste and explore them with you! Registration is now open, so read on for more details.
Southern Spain and Seville*
April 29- May 5, 2024
Southern Spain and Enchanting Seville! I love every region of Spain, but whether it's the food or the sensuous Flamenco, the southern part of Spain surrounding Seville's historic and vibrant city melts my heart every time.
Spain is a place filled with history, vibrancy, and flavorful cuisine, and for this uniquely curated tour, we're heading to the sun-drenched coasts of Andalucía and our home for the week, a spectacular XVII country estate just minutes Seville! Each unique room has been lovingly restored and decorated in the traditional Andalusian style, and we won't have to travel far to take the best of this region.
Seville is an architectural gem, and many say that the concept of tapas—bite-size samplings of a variety of typical Spanish foods, ranging from seafood to ham and from vegetables to a myriad of cheeses -- began in Seville. With more than a thousand tapas bars, it's no wonder that locals make a meal of them by moving from bar to bar and trying one dish at a time.
We'll walk through whitewashed alleyways past orange trees in historic Seville, experience tapas like the locals, and learn about Spain's most extraordinary wines and Sherry. One day, we could venture to historic Cádiz, which people have been calling home for more than 3,000 years, making it one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities! Just up the hill, we can visit Jerez de la Frontera to see the makings of sherry and sherry vinegar. On another day, we can head to beautiful Jamón de Huelva, where the famous dry-cured Serrano ham is produced, or the stunningly situated city of Ronda.
Fresh local ingredients will guide our menu, and we'll be sure to prepare some of the region's best dishes. And let's not forget the wine. From full-bodied reds, quality Sherries, and delicious dessert wines, we'll be sure to taste our way through some of the best wineries in the region. My team and I are so excited to be able to curate such a unique experience for you!
The rich blue Mediterranean coastline, delicious food and outstanding wines of Southern Spain await!
Tuscany, Italy*
May 11- 17, 2024
You've heard the hype: Tuscany is as beautiful as a postcard; the food is incredible; the landscape is breathtaking; the streets are vibrant and full of charm and history; the wine is, arguably, some of the best on Earth....and it's TRUE!
Imagine spending the morning overlooking the vine-covered hills of Tuscany as the sun peaks through the mist, cooking with the best locally produced ingredients, and then enjoying meals al fresco with exquisite wines we've discovered along the way. Here the aromas of basil and garlic abound, and a simple meal can call for celebration.
This is a place to slow down while enjoying delicious food and wine with new friends who feel like family. It's where one seemingly simple meal at a trattoria can miraculously represent an entire tapestry of Tuscan cuisine. You may never want to leave once you've immersed yourself in the Tuscan lifestyle!
Our home for the week is a meticulously renovated 16th-century villa! It's located minutes from the historic walled city of Lucca, and this exquisite estate is one of my favorites worldwide. Take a virtual tour and see for yourself! And the best part? We will be in excellent hands, as my dear friend, Valentina, proprietor of this lovely villa, will guide us throughout our week together.
We'll explore the Tuscan culinary scene, visiting artisan cheese makers and olive mills. Then it's off to vineyards that produce some of the best wines in the world and enjoy award-winning wine like "Super Tuscans" in the Bolgheri region. Once we've worked up an appetite, we'll have to invite the best local pizzaiolo or master pizza maker to make pizzas with us in our villa's wood-fired oven!
This will be an unforgettable trip; if you've never been to Tuscany, now is the time!
I cannot wait to share these magical and mystical destinations with you, and whether you travel with friends, family, or solo, these trips will be unforgettable. Let's go!
*Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. |
