Cook with Great Home Cooks at Their Homes
in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Tour # DFB6

Sample Itinerary
Tour dates and prices
To Reserve

Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia

Setting:

Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of Italy's undiscovered regions for tourists and gourmets alike. Slovenia lies to the east, Austria to the north and the Veneto region to the southwest. Its wines rival those in Piedmont and Tuscany with world class wines in eight DOC areas. The region's cuisine mixes middle European, seafood, mountain fare and Italian with dishes like: potato gnocchi with plums, minestra with beans, potatoes and sauerkraut, fish soup served with white polenta, frico (a crisp cup of Montasio cheese with soft polenta and sauteed pancetta inside) and strudel. You'll savour the famous San Daniele prosciutto and genuine peasant dishes based on grains, pasta, beans, leafy greens, polenta, cheeses, sausages, game dishes and sweet desserts like Gubana, an exquisite cake with a filling of dry fruit and grappa.

A few years ago, I heard Fred Plotkin, long time food author, resident of Italy and author of "La Terra Fortunata: The Splendid Food & Wine of Italy's Great Undiscovered Region" (Friuli Venezia Giulia) say that the best food in Italy was in the Riviera, Emilia-Romagna and Friuli Venezia Giulia, and the best wines of Italy in Piedmont, Tuscany and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Your home base is the enchanting, medieval gem of Cividale del Friuli, on a river in the eastern foothills of Friuli and founded in 54 BC by Julius Caesar. Now it's known as the capital of the Colli Orientale wine district and its top wines, as well as its delicious food like Gubana, an exquisite type of strudel filled with apples, pine seeds and raisins. The town has a lively atmosphere around the narrow, cobble stone streets leading to the charming main square.

B & B accommodation on Italian owners' properties so they make you feel at home
You live at B & Bs owned by the cooks or other local families. All rooms have private bathrooms, but please be aware there are not the hotel services like maid service. On the other hand, the owners do their utmost to welcome you and make you feel like part of their families.

One B&B is in a historical palazzo in the centre of Cividale, just 50 metres from the National Museum and the Colli Orientali Wine Association Centre.

While the B&B was getting restored 4 years ago, they found lots of ruins and remains dating back to Roman and pre-Roman times (old walls, arches, charriot tracks below the floor level, etc.). The owners incorporated some remains into the building. The ground floor has both tiles and glass so that you can see genuine Roman ruins and fragments below. On the walls too you can see normal paint together with old arches and columns beautifully restored. You'll feel like living in a museum !!!

On the ground floor there is a nice entrance and a kitchenette at guests' disposal. Near the kitchenette the owners serve breakfast at a couple of tables.

On the first floor are 2 bedrooms, one double room and another one with a double bed plus 2 other beds on a "soppalco" (a sort of higher platform). Each room has a private ensuite bathroom and TV. Separately, there is also at sauna.

The entrance to the B&B is separate from the entrance to the owner's house.The owners speak English.

Tour Director
During your week, you'll explore this fascinating region with Sonia and/or her staff. Sonia, born and raised in the Friuli, opened her tour company in 2000 and wants you to experience the best her beautiful region has to offer in history, art, culture, nature, cuisine and wines. She personally visits and chooses all the destinations and services to give you the best in comfort, charm, efficiency and interesting activities. She lived in the USA, England and Australia and speaks perfect English, fluent French and Spanish.

Cooking Teachers You'll cook with Rosina and/or Licia, two delightful ladies and excellent home cooks, in their homes. Rosina began cooking at the age of 15, when she started helping in the kitchen of her aunt's hotelrestaurant. Today she is very passionate about sharing the many classic Italian and traditional Friulian recipes passed down to her from her family. Licia is a self-taught, enthusiastic home cook with formidable cooking abilities as she is able to combine fresh ingredients, simple preparation and a harmonious blending of ingredients to bring out the natural flavors of food.

Sample Dishes You Could Create:   Group Size: 1-4 Type of Class: hands-on

Day 1
Arrival at Udine train station. Transfer to your B&B by private vehicle.
Check-in and free time to explore the surroundings before your cooking lesson #1 followed by dinner of your creations.

Day 2
Breakfast.
Morning: Cooking class # 2 on 3-4 different recipes followed by lunch.
Afternoon: Guided visit of your host town, Cividale. Visit to a winery and wine tasting.
Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3
Full-day free for independent sightseeing. Sonia is glad to offer assistance in suggesting things to do, and places to visit.

Day 4
Breakfast.
Morning: Cooking lesson # 3 on 3-4 different recipes followed by lunch of your efforts.
Afternoon: Departure to Aquileia for a guided visit of this Roman jewel, the most important archaeological site in northern Italy. You'll see the forum, remains of public baths and private houses, Roman roads with visible chariot tracks and the ancient Basilica which hosts stunning Byzantine frescoes and one of the largest and most spectacular early-Christian mosaic floors of the West! Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Alternatively

Afternoon: Departure to San Daniele del Friuli , known all over the world for its exquisite prosciutto. Visit to a prosciutto factory followed by a walking tour of the town center, nicknamed the Siena of Friuli because of its architectural beauty and because of the rolling hill country that surrounds it. Tour continuation towards Venzone , a charming medieval town with a beautiful piazza, historical cathedral and imposing walls that were completely destroyed during the 1976 earthquake and bravely restored as it had been for centuries.

Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5
Breakfast.
Morning: cooking lesson # 4. Prepare 3-4 different recipes followed by lunch of your creations.
Afternoon: guided visit of Udine, an enchanting city in the heart of Friuli with a distinctive Venetian flavor. Its beautiful castle located on a hilltop offers wonderful views over the town and the unique countryside with the gorgeous Alps on the background. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6
After breakfast, check-out at your leisure, taking with you lots of great recipes, new skills and ideas to prepare at home what you've learned during this unforgettable culinary experience!

2008 Dates		2008 Prices Per Person
Dates by request for a min of 1 person or join a group already booked. Oct 5-10, 2008		1 person 1695 Euros, about $2510 CAD, $2490 US 2-3 people 1245 Euros, about $1845 CAD, $1830 US 4 people 1110 Euros, about $1645 CAD, $1630 US Single supplement: none! Includes: 5 nights in B&B or 3*** pension with private bathroom Daily breakfast 4 hands-on cooking classes followed by meal of your creations 4 dinners Daily guided excursions Visit to a winery & wine tasting Roundtrip transfer to and from Udine train station Taxes and service Not Included: meals other than stated & anything not specifically mentioned under "included". . . .

To Reserve:

Reservation policy: In order to confirm your space the booking form and deposit must be faxed to us 7 days from when you received it. Otherwise we may cancel your space on the cooking tour. We will only re-confirm your space once we receive your booking form and deposit.

Deposit: 25% of the tour price is due at the time of booking. Deposit is non refundable.

Balance due: balance due no later than 60 days before the start date. If the balance is not paid 60 days before the course starts, the school reserves the right to cancel the booking.

Cancellations and Refunds: Cancellation fees are as follows:
- 10% of the full amount from the date of confirmation up to 60 days before departure
- 50% of the full amount from 59 to 45 days before departure
- 75% of the full amount from 44 to 30 days before departure
- 100% of the full amount from 29 days to date of departure

No exceptions for any reason including personal emergencies. Cancellations must be made in writing by the person who signed the booking form and will be effective from the date the school receives the cancellation notice. There is no refund for leaving the program early or arriving late.

Prices may be affected by international exchange rates fluctuations.

Do you have questions? Just e-mail or call "Mama" Margaret Cowan

E-mail: margaret@italycookingschools.com
Phone: 1-800-557-0370 or 604-681-4074 (Pacific Time)

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