An archaeo culinary tour means you'll explore the very best of Italy's archaeological sites - many of them off the beaten track - and top that up with curated and delicious regional food. That's what you can expect when you join an Elifant Archaeo-Culinary tour.
About Elifant Archaeo-Culinary Tours
If you're looking for an Italian culinary experience with an archaeological twist then look no further than Elifant.
Elifant food-related itineraries are built around archaeological routes. You'll experience outstanding Italian regional food through fabulous meals, encounters with chefs and local niche producers. Each and every menu is curated and carefully planned to highlight local specialties and traditions. All the ancient ruins you visit offer an historical backdrop into how the local food culture evolved. There's plenty of opportunity during daily aperitivi and meal time to talk about the archaeological sites you visit each day and the history behind every dish you taste. Elifant owners Liz and Maureen both have connections into the worlds of archaeology and food culture that gives them access to unique food and archaeological venues.
You can find Elifant Archaeo-Culinary tours on their website, Facebook and Instagram. Find Elizabeth Bartman on Facebook, and find Maureen on her website.
About the owners
The company name, Elifant, comes from a combination of owners Elizabeth Bartman's and Maureen Fant's name: Eli from the first syllable in Elizabeth and Fant from Maureen's last name. It's a charming and unique name and as we know elephants bring prosperity, health, wisdom and good luck.
Elizabeth Bartman, Liz, is a recent past president of the Archaeological Institute of America. She's an expert in ancient Roman art and archaeology. Over the years she's developed a solid network of archaeological contacts in Italy so she's in the know about everything worth visiting. Liz believes that food is a great medium to understand society so along with Maureen count on curated and amazing meals throughout the tour.
Liz says she is "committed to bringing an understanding of the achievements of antiquity to the curious non-specialist".
Maureen Fant also studied archaeology and that's what first brought her to Italy many decades ago. Although archaeology is still her passion her professional life has taken her on a culinary path and she's published about a dozen books including cookbooks, translations and historically-focused books. Maureen considers herself a food writer and she agrees with Liz that archaeology, food history and good food absolutely belong together.
Maureen's book Sauces and Shapes won an IACP award, and if you're looking for a deep dive into Italian pasta check out the Encyclopedia of Pasta.
Tour dates
Maureen and Liz lead two archaeo culinary tours per year, one in the fall in late October and one in the spring sometime before Easter. Both of the 2022 tours are already fully booked – Elifant tours usually book up in a week. Don't despair because occasionally there are cancellations and you can jump on board so get yourself on the waiting list.
The 2022 Elifant tours
The Shepherds and Samnites archaeo culinary tour will take tour participants to South-Central Italy and the tiny rarely traveled Molise region, neighboring Abruzzo and back up into Rome.
The October 2022 tour is an Eastern Sicily tour. Think Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, plus six of the UNESCO world heritage sites. The gateway for this tour is Catania, Sicily's second largest city with a bustling international airport. You can download the brochure here.
2023 Elifant tours
If you're wondering what's around the corner for 2023 both of these archaeo culinary tours are already scheduled with places available: Emilia-Romagna in the spring and Western Sicily in October.
Past archaeo culinary tours and new tour ideas
Liz and Maureen constantly design new tours, but also repeat some of the favorite archaeo culinary tours from the past. Here are some of the past tours:
Beyond the Greeks: Sicily’s Western Corner
A Taste of Ancient Rome
Southern Etruria: From Rome to Orvieto
The Heel and the Hinterland: Sights and Pleasures of Basilicata and Puglia
Pozzuoli to Paestum: Bay of Naples and Beyond
Sardinia: Italy’s Other Island Region
Emilia-Romagna: Across the Rubicon, Along the Po
If there's an archaeo culinary tour that strikes your fancy, including a brand new wishlist idea, let Maureen and Liz know. If you have a group of six participants or more a past tour can be repeated.
The nitty-gritty of Elifant tours
Maureen and Liz offer tours for groups of 6 to 12, or a maximum of 13 people. Most of the tour participants come to Elifant by word of mouth although occasionally they advertise in archaeological magazines.
As the tours are offered when school is in session tour participants tend to be older, and sometimes retired, people in the 50 to 80 years old range.
You'll need your solid shoes for trekking around archaeological sites but make no mistake about it: Maureen and Liz will pamper you! From fabulous accommodation to delicious, often Michelin star meals, you'll definitely enjoy yourself!
Maureen and Liz like to keep up a good pace throughout each day, but an enjoyable pace. If someone wants to stop for a coffee or beverage no problem. Not every single moment of the day is planned out.
On a day that tour participants have enjoyed an abundant Italian-style meal then you might be on your own for dinner and a sandwich if you're still hungry. You'll have downtime to stroll on your own and make purchases.
Generally speaking the rooms are double occupancy but it's also possible to pay a supplement and have your own room.
Maureen and Liz have a 19 person bus, and sometimes slightly larger, to get around from location to location. It'll be the same bus throughout the tour, with the same reliable and cordial driver. When it isn't possible for the bus to enter a city location there may be some walking involved, or occasionally a taxi.
More information about the 2022 archaeo culinary tour destinations
Check out my posts and podcast episodes about the Molise region:
Molise: Italy's magical secret region
Molise region food and wine guide: 5 foods you have to try
Artisanal organic cheese at the Alba farm in Molise
The Abruzzo region and cookbook author Domenica Marchetti:
Domenica Marchetti and Abruzzo food
All about Sicily and Sicilian food:
Eating your way through Sicily
Sixth generation owner of the oldest chocolate company in Modica Sicily
Flavor of Sicily
Sicilian Food and the Monsù Cuisine
The Best Palermo Street Food
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