It’s been a full few months since Italy opened up to tourism again. Sophie and I have been all over the place eating, drinking and cooking. At the same time we’ve also been keeping up with the new regulations regarding travel restrictions. Things that have changed? We now leave a pack of masks in everyone’s room along with the other goodies like wine, taralli and biscotti. We’ve also gotten very good at arranging to have tests done at local pharmacies if needed for your return trip. A whole new skill set for sure!
As I’ve said in the past, everyone has their own level of comfort and risk they are balancing when traveling these days. What seems clear is that the current situation is going to be here for a while – in one form or another. But at the same time people do want to travel. It is certainly a different situation than it was a year ago and we have many more ways to mitigate the risk: vaccines, tests, travel insurance and masks just for starters. Also, traveling to places that aren’t so crowded seems to be a no-brainer.
But our own biggest take away from the last three months has been that our week long explorations into the culture that surrounds food in Italy are still the same. Despite things like masks, vaccines and ever-changing rules and forms to fill out, our tours were as fun – and delicious – as ever.
We’ve also seen a huge increase in the number of people who would like to join us in the out-of-the-way places we go to. And in fact, all of our previously scheduled tours for 2022 and 2023 were already booked by last month. With this in mind Sophie and I have decided to start offering some tours on our own, so that we can fit in a few more weeks next year. Sophie is offering a week in Puglia (without me) and I am offering a two weeks in Umbria, (without her). A few more trips will be posted in the next weeks, but for now, here they are. I hope you can join us on one of our new tours in Umbria and Puglia!
PLEASE NOTE: Since the tours tend to sell out quite quickly, I let the Premium Subscribers to my newsletter know first. I then post a notice to our free monthly newsletter subscribers. And finally, I post them publicly here on this website. This is why some of the tours are full or have limited spaces already. I am, however, more than happy to add you to the wait list!
May 22-28, 2022:
Spring in Umbria with Elizabeth & Robin
A twist on our regular Umbria tour, I partner with my sister, Robin, who founded her own travel company in New York. She knows Umbria well, having spent part of each summer there for the last 30 years. We pair up to show you around Umbria at this perfect time of year: countryside and gardens are full of flowers; dining mostly outside and I’ve also added some special visits to private homes!
June 12-18, 2022:
Summer Cooking & Crafts with Evan Kleiman & Elizabeth in Umbria
I’ve known radio host and cookbook author Evan Kleiman for too many years to count. We spent a glorious week in Abruzzo this past September, and have lead other food tours together in Umbria and Rome. Join us as we explore the food and craft traditions of Umbria. The summer dates mean that we’ll also be able to have most of our meals outside, and there may be a few dips in pools.
October 23-29, 2022:
Week in Puglia with Sophie & Angelo
Sophie partners with her friend and colleague Angelo to offer this six-day feast through Puglia. You’ll be based in Lecce and Monopoli and visit some of their favorite towns (Ostuni, Cisternino and Fontana Francavilla) to explore the food, wine and history of southern and central Puglia.
FIND OUT MORE
I’m not posting these tours on the website until next week, since as a subscribers to this newsletter are the first to know about them. I’m happy to email you a brochure:
If you’d like to receive all three brochures, just send me an email.
I hope you can join us!!
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