CUCINA CARA MIA.......Random thoughts from "my dear kitchen" about food, travel, Italy, San Diego and life!

Monday, November 15, 2010

COOK IN ITALY WITH PANINI GIRL


Yes, I know its been a while since I have posted, more focused on the Farmers Market and coming up with new food ideas for Cucina Cara Mia - but back to the reason for this post.

My friend Janie, who has a wonderful blog, Panini Girl, has decided to pursue her dream....teaching cooking classes and touring in Italy. Her first tour in Lucca, Tuscany, starts next May and it sounds like an amazing trip. Read on from Janie's blog about this wonderful, fun and unforgettable opportunity:

"We will be staying in a beautiful, large apartment in a recently restored 15th century building located in the heart of the historical center of Lucca. It’s just a short walk to the ancient walls surrounding the centro storico. Our week will focus on food and wine of Lucca and the surrounding area. No trip to Tuscany is complete without visit to Florence, so we will spend a day there exploring, tasting and shopping!

What’s Included:
3 days with cooking classes (with participation)
Day trip to Florence with a tour of the Mercato Centrale (historic food market), lunch and time for shopping
Day trip to the countryside of Lucca to visit a winery, with tasting, visit to a frantoio to sample the famous olive oil of the region, lunch in a trattoria outside of town
Another day trip out of Lucca (still being planned)
All transportation for day trips out of town
Seven nights’ accommodations
All breakfasts
5 lunches and 6 dinners
Wine with meals
Water, coffee, wine and snacks stocked in the apartment
More details to come about other activities in Lucca
What’s Not Included
Airfare, transfers from airport to and from Lucca, travel insurance, phone calls, laundry services, alcoholic beverages other than host ordered."

Contact her at paninigirl4@gmail.com for more info or reservations.

She has always encouraged me in taking the risk to start the business of Cucina Cara Mia, and I want all of my readers (maybe there might be 2 or 3 left-LOL!) to imagine themselves in Italy with Janie!