The Culture of Food in Sicily with Odette Williams
September 15-21, 2024

If you look on your bookshelf, you likely have one of Odette William’s books there. Simple Cake and Simple Pasta were both NY Times bestsellers. Australian-born Odette currently lives in Brooklyn and writes a weekly super fun column in the Wall Street Journal, Party Trick. Traveling with Odette is like being at one of her parties: she is the ultimate hostess.

Odette’s relationship with Italy is strong:

You’ll be based in the romantic and ancient town of Ortigia and visit some of our favorite towns and villages while exploring the food, wine, and history of this part of Italy. The days will be full, and include activities such as visits to cheese makers, cooking classes, and olive oil tastings in ancient olive groves, sipping wine on the slopes of Mount Etna. It’s a side of Sicily that most visitors don’t access: You’ll be meeting and learning from the food producers, farmers, and cooks who form such an important part of the culinary heritage of this part of Sicily.

A few of the things you’ll be doing:

• Market walk
• Cooking class
• Guided tours of Noto and Ortigia
• Visit an almond farm
• Visit a winery on Mount Etna
• Granita tasting
• Day at an organic ranch
• Visit to an olive oil plantation
• Visit an archeological park in Syracuse
• and more…

Details:

When: September 15-21, 2024

Where: We’ll be based in Ortigia (Siracusa)

Who: The tour is limited to 12 guests

What: The tour is 6 nights and 5 very full days, with trips in our private 20-seat bus. But don’t worry, you’ll also have some down time in Ortigia, to explore on your own.

How: For more information, including the pricing and the full itinerary click the link below:

The Culture of Food in Sicily with Odette Williams

For more information or to book this tour please contact us at minchillitours@gmail.com

The post A Week in Sicily with Odette Williams appeared first on Elizabeth Minchilli.

Due to increased requests to travel to Italy, and since there is only one of me and one of Sophie, we have recently launched tour collaborations with a few of our friends (like Adam Roberts a.k.a. The Amateur Gourmet)  and colleagues who love Italy and food just as much as we (and you) do. We hope you will enjoy traveling to our best-loved places with them as much as we do.

It’s likely that you already know and follow Adam Roberts since his blog, The Amateur Gourmet, was one of the first food blogs out there. He began his blog in 2004 and has since gone on to write several cookbooks as well as contributing to publications like The LA Times, The Washington Post, and Food52. He also has a fantastic newsletter full of not just easily cookable recipes and entertaining tips but also his humorous take on life in the kitchen and elsewhere.

We are so happy that Adam agreed to lead a group along with him as he explores Puglia. Although not an ‘expert’ in Italian food, the ingredients and dishes of Italy play a starring role in his cooking and recipes and he is excited to share his enthusiasm with you.

You’ll be based in two of our favorite spots: Lecce and Monopoli. The days will be full, and include activities such as visits to cheese makers, cooking classes , and olive oil tastings in ancient olive groves. We’ll also be including stops in some of our favorite towns that are completely unique: Alberobello with its cone shaped trulli; Ostuni with its white washed buildings; Bari with it’s winding streets and pasta-making nonnas.

The tour has been curated by Sophie and me, and our trusted partner, Angelo (who is from Puglia) who will be the tour leader along with Adam.

The Culture of Food in Salento & Central Puglia with Adam Roberts: The Amateur Gourmet  | October 13-19, 2024

Fall is the perfect time to visit Salento (the southern part of Puglia) since the torrid heat of summer is past, but it’s still warm enough to go for a walk along the shore (which you’ll be able to do in Monopoli).  You’ll be based in Lecce and Monopoli and visit some of our favorite towns (Ostuni, Gallipoli, Galatina, and Bari) as you explore southern and central Puglia’s food, wine, and history.

A few of the things you’ll be doing:

• Welcome drinks and dinner in Lecce
• Market tour, cooking class, and lunch
• A day learning all about olive oil
• A guided visit and lunch in a cave in Ostuni
• Cheese and pasta-making class at a farm
• Visit the Unesco-protected, Trulli-filled, town of Alberobello
• Seafood feasts in Monopoli and Gallipoli
• Visit the pasta ladies in Bari
• and more

Details:

When: October 13-19, 2024

Where: You’ll be based in Lecce and Monopoli, staying in your private room

Who: The tour is limited to 12 guests

What: The tour is six nights and five very full days, with trips in our private 20-seat bus. But don’t worry; you’ll also have some downtime in Lecce and Monopoli to explore on your own.

How: If you’d like more information, including the pricing and the full itinerary, just click the link  below to download the brochure:

The Culture of Food in Puglia with the Amateur Gourmet

If you have any questions or would like to book this tour please contact us at minchillitours@gmail.com

The post A Week in Puglia with The Amateur Gourmet appeared first on Elizabeth Minchilli.