SICILY - ISLAND OF ENCHANTMENT - SOLD OUT
September 11-21, 2019
Mighty Mount Etna dominates the skyline of Sicily, the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Join me for a 10 day exploration of the cuisine, culture and history of Sicily. The wines of the Mt Etna slopes. Couscous. Bottarga. Palermo. Siracusa. Ancient artifacts, stunning beaches, unsurpassed Baroque architecture. The bounty of the Mediterranean Sea.
We start in Palermo, visting this gritty and ancient city for two nights. Then its off to the royal cathedral at Monreale and then the west coast for two days to visit Erice, the famous salt flats of Mozia, Trapani and Marsala. Then south for one night to enjoy a visit to the monumental Valley of the Temples at Agrigento where you have a private guide, then to the south eastern region where we take up residence near Noto and a lovely villa in the country side. We spend five nights here. We take in Syracuse, Marzamemi, Ragusa and taste wines at the humble but spectacular Zisola. We visit a friend of Michaels for breakfast in Acireale and take a drive over the moonscape that is Etna. This is a world apart, and worthy of every minute.
(Fly into Palermo and out of Catania)
Maximum 8 people (10 days/nights pp/do CDN$5500) Single Supplement $750
September 11-21, 2019
Mighty Mount Etna dominates the skyline of Sicily, the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Join me for a 10 day exploration of the cuisine, culture and history of Sicily. The wines of the Mt Etna slopes. Couscous. Bottarga. Palermo. Siracusa. Ancient artifacts, stunning beaches, unsurpassed Baroque architecture. The bounty of the Mediterranean Sea.
We start in Palermo, visting this gritty and ancient city for two nights. Then its off to the royal cathedral at Monreale and then the west coast for two days to visit Erice, the famous salt flats of Mozia, Trapani and Marsala. Then south for one night to enjoy a visit to the monumental Valley of the Temples at Agrigento where you have a private guide, then to the south eastern region where we take up residence near Noto and a lovely villa in the country side. We spend five nights here. We take in Syracuse, Marzamemi, Ragusa and taste wines at the humble but spectacular Zisola. We visit a friend of Michaels for breakfast in Acireale and take a drive over the moonscape that is Etna. This is a world apart, and worthy of every minute.
(Fly into Palermo and out of Catania)
Maximum 8 people (10 days/nights pp/do CDN$5500) Single Supplement $750
EMILIA - ROMAGNA
MAY 2-16 - 10 days ALL-INCLUSIVE (except airfare)
Our first visit to this gastronomic epicentre. We will visit the great culinary centres of Bologna and Modena, explore the history culture and cuisine of the country side. We'll take a day trip to San Marino. We will explore and taste Parma Ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Visit authentic Balsamic producers. And we will visit TWO of the worlds greatest restaurants in addition to enjoying Chef Michaels cuisine each evening back at our villa. Exact dates and itinerary coming soon
$6500 pp/do single supplement $850
MAY 2-16 - 10 days ALL-INCLUSIVE (except airfare)
Our first visit to this gastronomic epicentre. We will visit the great culinary centres of Bologna and Modena, explore the history culture and cuisine of the country side. We'll take a day trip to San Marino. We will explore and taste Parma Ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Visit authentic Balsamic producers. And we will visit TWO of the worlds greatest restaurants in addition to enjoying Chef Michaels cuisine each evening back at our villa. Exact dates and itinerary coming soon
$6500 pp/do single supplement $850
PUGLIA and southern italy - Truly Trulli
Truly Trulli beautiful
Back to my favourite region of Italy. 10 days of exploring this vast and beautiful region. Fly into Bari, where I will pick you up the airport and whisk you to Villa Cappelli near Terlizzi, our home base while we explore the "Stiletto heel of Italy's Boot" Our hosts at Villa Cappelli, Paul and Stephen are among the most amazingly generous and fun people I have ever met.
We shop for pristine fresh seafood in Bisceglie and cook it back at the villa; visit great wineries like Tormaresca and sample the regions varietals: Primitivo, Aglianico, Nero D'avola; unsurpassed dining with Italy's best olive oil, cacciacavallo cheese, fresh mozzarella, and a luscious and healthy balance of grains, seafood and hand harvested delicacies. Explore Grotto Castellana, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, world UNESCO site Castel Del Monte and more. We visit Matera, home of the Sassi and another World Unesco Heritage site for a day and over night there in a cave hotel! Then south to the Salento for four days: Lecce - the Florence of the south, Gallipoli and Porto di Selvaggio for unsurpassed swimming in the Ionian Sea, and a graffiti art tour of Grottaglie - traversing this delightful area while we stay at an exclusive luxury masseria at Castello Monaci. (Fly in and out of Bari, Puglia)
Mid June 2020
Maximum 8 people (10 days, $5295) * Currency fluctuations need to be taken into account before final dispensation
Back to my favourite region of Italy. 10 days of exploring this vast and beautiful region. Fly into Bari, where I will pick you up the airport and whisk you to Villa Cappelli near Terlizzi, our home base while we explore the "Stiletto heel of Italy's Boot" Our hosts at Villa Cappelli, Paul and Stephen are among the most amazingly generous and fun people I have ever met.
We shop for pristine fresh seafood in Bisceglie and cook it back at the villa; visit great wineries like Tormaresca and sample the regions varietals: Primitivo, Aglianico, Nero D'avola; unsurpassed dining with Italy's best olive oil, cacciacavallo cheese, fresh mozzarella, and a luscious and healthy balance of grains, seafood and hand harvested delicacies. Explore Grotto Castellana, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, world UNESCO site Castel Del Monte and more. We visit Matera, home of the Sassi and another World Unesco Heritage site for a day and over night there in a cave hotel! Then south to the Salento for four days: Lecce - the Florence of the south, Gallipoli and Porto di Selvaggio for unsurpassed swimming in the Ionian Sea, and a graffiti art tour of Grottaglie - traversing this delightful area while we stay at an exclusive luxury masseria at Castello Monaci. (Fly in and out of Bari, Puglia)
Mid June 2020
Maximum 8 people (10 days, $5295) * Currency fluctuations need to be taken into account before final dispensation
NAPLES, AND THE AMALFI COAST
We return to one of the most beautiful and dramatic regions of Italy. Guided tours of Vesuvius and Pompeii, hike the Path of the Gods, take a private boat to Capri and the Blue Grotto. Eat spectacularly fresh seafood and meet some of Michaels long time food friends - Biagio where we make fresh mozzarella, gregarious Salvatore at the Amalfi Lemon Experience and Gennaro, who is the chef and owner of one of my favourite restaurants in the world - Vivaro Wine Bar
September 2020
$6195 - PP/DO
We return to one of the most beautiful and dramatic regions of Italy. Guided tours of Vesuvius and Pompeii, hike the Path of the Gods, take a private boat to Capri and the Blue Grotto. Eat spectacularly fresh seafood and meet some of Michaels long time food friends - Biagio where we make fresh mozzarella, gregarious Salvatore at the Amalfi Lemon Experience and Gennaro, who is the chef and owner of one of my favourite restaurants in the world - Vivaro Wine Bar
September 2020
$6195 - PP/DO
