The Cooking of Umbria with Mary Ann Esposito 05-16 October 2022
About this Tour Known as the Green Heart of Italy, the extraordinary region of Umbria is rich with fascinating ancient hill towns, lush countryside, silver-green olive groves and vineyards. Home of Saint Francis of Assisi, Umbria has an almost mystical serenity, with a storied tradition of artists and craftsmen. Famous for black truffles, superb olive oil, and outstanding meats, the genuine regional cuisine is regarded as one of the best in Italy.
What better way to discover the delicious cooking of Umbria than with Mary Ann Esposito, host of the longest running cooking show on public television, Ciao Italia, now entering its thirty-first season. Mary Ann will travel with the group throughout the entire tour and conduct two hands-on cooking lessons in which she'll help you to prepare her favorite Umbrian recipes. Her husband, certified wine educator Guy Esposito, will also provide an ongoing course on the wines of Umbria as we travel through the region.
We'll spend five nights in the countryside near Montefalco, our base for exploring beautiful Umbrian cities like Spoleto, Foligno, Bevagna and Spello, hunting for black truffles, lunch at a privately-owned castle, and winetastings at a local winery. Then it’s on to elegant Perugia, the regional capital, where our four-night stay will include a visit to the famous Perugina chocolate factory, a daytrip to mystical Assisi, an excursion to the medieval town of Gubbio, and a stop in Deruta, famous for its ceramics. So don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to travel, cook with and get to know Mary Ann as we explore the wonders of Umbria!
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Toll Free 800.594.2901 www.italiansun.com [email protected]
About Your Host This is our twenty-second tour, now bi-annual, with Mary Ann Esposito, host of the longest running cooking show on television, Ciao Italia, now entering its 31st season. Since its debut in 1989, Mary Ann has brought her knowledge and passion for Italian food and culture to 1.4 million weekly viewers nationwide on more than 400 PBS public television stations. Mary Ann is the author of twelve best-selling cookbooks and has appeared nationally on NBC, the Food Network, FOX, the Discovery Channel, and numerous commercial and public television stations across the country. She has been featured in many national publications and metropolitan newspapers, and she has appeared beside chefs Julia Childs, Todd English, Daisy Martinez, Sara Moulton, Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan, and countless others. By order of the Italian president, Mary Ann has received the prestigious Star of Italy award (“Stella d’Italia”) from the Italian government for outstanding contribution to the promotion of the Italian culture abroad.
Four & Five Star Accommodations
MONTELFALCO Hotel Villa Zuccari This large country villa, surrounded by the vineyards of Montefalco, has been the Zuccari family residence since the end of the 15th century, now transformed into a lovely four-star hotel. The grounds of the villa extend over an area of 40,000 square meters, including a large swimming pool. The meticulously decorated rooms have Carrara marble bathrooms, Wi-Fi internet access, and king size beds. Common areas are furnished with a unique collection of antiques, and include a fireplace room, a library, an Art Nouveau bar, and a large veranda overlooking the park. The restaurant is called “Le Zuppiere” because it houses part of the owners' large collection of 18th century soup tureens.
Hotel Brufani Palace Hotel Villa Zuccari
PERUGIA Hotel Brufani Palace In 1884 Giacomo Brufani of Assisi decided to open a hotel in Perugia. With a perfect location on the edge of the historic center and magnificent panoramic views of the valley below, the five-star deluxe Hotel Brufani Palace immediately became a home away from home for aristocrat families from all over Europe. The spacious hall includes the original parquet floors, stone fireplaces which are lit in the winter time, precious chandeliers and antique furniture. The hotel has 94 elegantly appointed rooms and suites equipped with all the modern amenities including air conditioning, satellite television, Wi-Fi internet access and mini-bar.
Toll Free 800.594.2901 www.italiansun.com [email protected]
Daily Schedule 2022
Wed 05 Oct: Departing flights from North America to Rome (air transportation not included).
Thu 06 Oct: Arrival at Rome FCO airport and hello to tour director Massimo Pontesilli! (Day 1) Driver transfers to Hotel Villa Zuccari near Montefalco (5 nights). Free afternoon to relax. Evening meet Mary Ann Esposito and tour overview with Mary Ann and Ciao Italia staff. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant (included).
Fri 07 Oct: Morning guided tour of Foligno with our Umbria guide. Mid-day tour of a local (Day 2) winery and lunch with winetastings (included). Afternoon tour of Montefalco center. Private dinner at Agriturismo Borgo del Rio (included).
Sat 08 Oct: Mid-morning Cooking Lesson n.1 with Mary Ann followed by lunch in Spoleto (Day 3) (included). After lunch guided tour of Spoleto with our Umbria guide. Free evening for dinner at Villa Zuccari.
Sun 09 Oct: Morning truffle hunting demonstration and olive oil lesson and tastings. (Day 4) Private lunch at La Rocca (privately-owned medieval castle). After lunch stroll through Trevi historic center with your tour director. Free evening for dinner on your own in Montefalco (shuttle service provided).
Mon 10 Oct: Morning visit to Assisi and guided tour with our Umbria guide. Free time for lunch (Day 5) in Assisi. After lunch guided tour of the Perugina chocolate factory and museum. Late afternoon visit to nearby Deruta for ceramics shopping. Free evening for dinner on your own in Montefalco (shuttle service included).
Tue 11 Oct: Morning check out and departure. Walking tours of Bevagna and Spello with our (Day 6) Umbria guide. Lunch and winetastings at Enoteca Properzio (included). Mid- afternoon departure for Perugia. Arrival in Perugia at the Hotel Brufani Palace (5 nights). Free evening for dinner on your own.
Wed 12 Oct: Morning guided walking tour of Perugia with our Umbria guide. Free time for (Day 7) light lunch in Perugia. Late afternoon Cooking Lesson n.2 with Mary Ann in Perugia followed by dinner (included).
Thu 13 Oct: Daytrip to Gubbio. Morning guided tour of Gubbio historic center with our (Day 8) Umbria guide. Lunch at a local restaurant in Gubbio (included). Mid-afternoon return to Perugia. Free evening for dinner on your own in Perugia.
Fri 14 Oct: Free Day in Perugia. (Day 9) Dinner at a local restaurant in Perugia (included).
Sat 15 Oct: Check out and departure for Orvieto. Guided walking tour of Orvieto historic (Day 10) center with our Umbria guide. Farewell lunch near Orvieto (included). Late afternoon arrival in Fiumicino at the four-star Hotel Tiber (1 night). Free evening.
Sun 16 Oct: Private transfer from the hotel to Rome Fiumicino FCO airport. (Day 11) Goodbye to your tour director and return flight to North America.
Toll Free 800.594.2901 www.italiansun.com [email protected]
The Cooking of Umbria with Mary Ann Esposito 2022 tour pricing includes:
Ten nights’ accommodations as listed, double occupancy rooms All breakfasts (buffet) All ground transportation in luxury motorcoach with commercially licensed driver Arrival airport transfer from Rome Fiumicino FCO airport to Montefalco hotel Departure airport transfer from Fiumicino hotel to Rome Fiumicino FCO airport Ciao Italia host Mary Ann Esposito to accompany the group for the entire tour Our professionally licensed tour director Massimo Pontesilli at disposition for the entire tour Our professionally licensed local tour guides for eight half-day walking tours as follows: Foligno, Montefalco, Bevagna & Spello, Asisi, Spoleto, Perugia, Gubbio and Orvieto Two hands-on cooking lessons with Mary Ann Esposito Five full-course dinners (including beverages & wine) as follows: Three dinners at local restaurants in the Montefalco area and Perugia One private dinner at agriturismo Borgo del Rio in Poreta One dinner following the cooking lesson in Perugia Five full-course lunches (including beverages & wine) as follows: One lunch following the cooking lesson in Spoleto One private lunch at La Rocca privately-owned medieval castle near Trevi One lunch with winetastings at Enoteca Properzio in Spello Two lunches at local restaurants in Gubbio and the countryside near Orvieto All special visits and special events as listed in the daily schedule All museum and site entry fees during guided tours All gratuities for local guides and drivers, all porterage, and all taxes
Tour pricing is land only and does not include: Air transportation Lunches or dinners except those listed as included Gratuity for your tour director Personal items such as laundry, beverages in hotel rooms, or telephone calls
The Cooking of Umbria with Mary Ann Esposito $ 5,940 per person land
Reservation deposit of $500 per person is required Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure Single supplement $575 (double room for single use)
SOLD OUT!! Waiting list only
Toll Free 800.594.2901 www.italiansun.com [email protected]