Saffron cultivation has survived in a few areas of Italy, notably the Abruzzi and Sardegna, and now people are working to reestablish the saffron crop in Sicily, San Gimignano and Città della Pieve. Città della Pieve is famous for being the birthplace of Perugino, Umbria’s most important 15th century painter who used saffron to create…
Trips
Flavor of Italy Food Trips: from Sicily’s diverse Arab and Greek influenced cuisine to the Marche’s unique dishes like ‘brodetto anconetano’ and ‘olive ascolane’, we showcase Italy’s finest culinary traditions in the most charming spots. We offer culinary programs throughout Italy and are continually exploring new locations.
Customers have the choice of day and weekend trips, or one of our longer 7-10 day options.
You can choose a self-guided trip or one led by Flavor of Italy.
We combine food tours and cooking classes with sightseeing to ensure that you will fully experience the cities or towns you are visiting. The food tours and cooking classes vary based on the region of Italy you choose. At the end of your trip, you'll have a deeper knowledge not only of Italian culture and cuisine in general, but you'll have also had a taste of the different regions of Italy and the culinary and cultural aspects that distinguish them.
The Colors of Mallorca
This past month I’ve spent the bulk of my time strolling through the streets of Palma, enjoying the colors of Mallorca, the winding streets, the unique building facades. Mallorcans love color and paint window shutters, doors, and the buildings themselves in bright and bold colors. Each and every one is unique, and it’s the exploration…
Eating in Palma de Mallorca
If you’re eating in Palma de Mallorca…the choices abound. You’ll find local Mallorcan and Spanish cuisine and just about every other choice of cuisine you can imagine. Sobrassada is a fundamental element of tapas served everywhere in Palma! My favorite foodie area is Santa Catalina, and in particular Carrer de Fabrica (Fabrica Street). This year…
The top ten things to do in Palma, Mallorca
Mallorca is a great vacation spot that offers the best of Spanish life and culture, along with the unique flavor of the island. It’s well worth it to explore as much of the island as possible, but don’t miss out on Mallorca’s capital city, Palma. Here are the top ten things to do in Palma,…
Positano
I’ve been in love with this gorgeous Amalfi coast hill town that spills down to the sea with a blast of Mediterranean colors for decades. It’s all about the winding narrow streets and steps so full of charm, the amazing views that change with every step you take, the outstanding seafood, ceramics and quaint shops. Enjoy…
The Best of Sperlonga
Sperlonga captured my heart more than three decades ago when we first started spending the month of June here each year. Some of Sperlonga’s appeal is intangible, it occupies your senses in ways you can’t even describe. Yet, so much of what there is to love in this amazing coastal hill town is easy to quantify….
The Tornesi Brunello Winery
About twenty years ago we first visited the Tornesi winery on a Brunello wine buying trip. Since then we’ve been back every year. The owner, Maurizio Tornesi, has become a friend, and we’ve watched his winery grow and transform…always for the better. On our visit last week we joined the family for lunch in their home….
Eating in Contigliano, northern Lazio
Contigliano is Maurizio’s hometown. He was actually born in nearby Terni but every single relative on his mother’s side was born in Contigliano. And more than that: they were all born in the same family home, in the same iron frame bed, that I have kept and moved to our present home north of Rome….
Oysters at Nick’s Cove, Tomales Bay – Marshall CA
Oysters aside, the drive up to Marshall is enthralling; a stark and beautiful coastline with a back drop of mountains and blue skies. You occasionally pass through charming, yet humble towns that appear to have been untouched for decades: a small white clapboard church with its steeple reaching up to the sky, a general store,…
Maryland crab cakes at Timbuktu
I took Maurizio and Annie to buy take-out crab cakes at this unlikely crab cake venue on Dorsey Road in Hanover, Maryland: an out of the way, side of the highway restaurant and take-out joint. A place, if I were hungry and looking for a place to eat, I would not drive into. The name…
Handcrafted Wine Bottle Stoppers
Outside of San Francisco’s ferry building I often find more artisanal creations of interest than within. Yesterday, my only day in town on this visit, I ran across some beautiful woodworked items ranging from vases to bowls to cutting boards to wine bottle stoppers. I enjoy taking a bottle of wine to a dinner at…
Calvi, Umbria – the Festa di San Pancrazio
Calvi in Umbria lies just barely north of the Lazio region, along the Via Flaminia. If you happen by the area it’s well worth making a stop to take a look at this medieval borgo. From the hill town you can look down upon the rolling Umbrian countryside, as pictured above. The town’s major festival,…