MelissaBrooke's Profile
Culinary tours?
Just a quick update for those of you who may be planning a similar day -- Rosetta with Parmagalosa has been GREAT! Really patient with all my questions and logistical wrangling. We're finally confirmed for the Parma ham and Parmesan Reggiano tours and Lunch B for the two of us. Rosetta has arranged the driver and all the details, so we feel confident it's going to be a spectacular day. Will report back when we return to the states. Thanks again for all your tips!
What to wear - restaurants in Italy
Thanks everyone! I think I'll end up bringing more dresses than jeans, so it sounds like I'll be fine. Appreciate the guidance!
What to wear - restaurants in Italy
I've been combing all your posts over the past few weeks and have some really, really great restaurants lined up for our trip next week (thank you!!). I know every city and every restaurant is different, but if you had to make a sweeping generalization, what's the appropriate dress? I'm bringing a mix of dressy jeans with heels and simple black dresses (not cocktail dresses; more like flowy cotton dresses). Does this seem about right? I live in San Francisco which is notoriously casual, so I'm having a difficult time planning my outfits. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thank you.
Culinary tours?
Thanks everyone. Rosetta has been super-helpful in helping me work through all the logistics. I think it's all going to work out. Will keep you posted.
Culinary tours?
Thanks everyone. I hate to dominate this thread, but not sure we can send personal messages thru Chowhound, so I'll just run with it.....
(1) Parmagolosa: seems to be the highest recommended tour. The challenge is that we're going to have to take a taxi from our hotel in Bologna to the train, train to Parma, taxi to meeting point, and then hop on with our hired driver. All of that to start the tour by 8am. That's a really early morning for vacation!! Price of 340 Euro for two tours, for the two of us seems doable.
(2) Via Emilia: includes a driver who will pick us up from Bologna, but only includes Parmesan factory tour. No Parma ham. Not ideal to miss the ham. Price is comparable to above.
(3) Viator.com: they have a pre-fab tour that includes balsamic vinegar, wine and Parmesan cheese tours/tastings (but again, no Parma ham). They depart from Bologna, which is ideal for us. Price is a lot higher than the two above: 495 Euro.
Because #1 is still our #1 choice, I would love to figure out if the logistics are way too complicated, or if it's all manageable. Indy67 -- seems you'd give this tour 11 stars out of 10, so is it worth it? What's your take?
Thanks everyone!
Culinary tours?
Thanks, Coombe. That is the one of the tour operators I have contacted and they seem to have a good set-up. I'll let you know what we decide to do. Thanks!!
Culinary tours?
My husband + I will be spending 2 weeks in Italy, and wondering if it's worth the time and money to do one of these full-day cooking classes and/or culinary tours? Specifically, I've read a lot of wonderful things about the full day tour from Bologna to Parma and Modena for ham, parmesan and balsamic vinegar factory tours and tastings. Is it worth the expense (with car, driver, tasting charges and tour expenses, roughly Euro 370 per person), and the time away from the city (8 hours)?
