Cove

Style & Sophistication in Milan & Rustic Flavors in Sicily

15th– 22nd October 2010

This October travel to Italy for a weekend of fun in Milan, the Italian capital of style and sophistication, before relaxing with Spork Foods at a beautiful organic farm estate in Sicily to learn the secrets of rustic cooking from local Sicilian mammas. Take part in the olive harvest, pick organic vegetables fresh from the estate, create delicious vegan dishes from the wonderful choice of Sicilian ingredients and enjoy the beauty of the nature reserve on the edge of Mount Etna.

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Day 1 & Day 2: Arrival: Friday 15th October 2010 (Welcome to Milan)

Departing the US on Thursday fly through the night to Milan Malpensa where you arrive the next day.

2-1_building_lamp A private transfer will be arranged to meet your flight and bring you to the city centre hotel where accommodation has been reserved for two nights. You can check in from 2pm, but let us know if you are arriving earlier and we can request early check- in.The 4-star Townhouse 31 is a modern luxury boutique hotel within easy reach of the main attractions in the city centre. The stylish hotel is decorated with ethnic motifs and cream colors to enhance a sense of well being and peace. A unique feature of the hotel is the long breakfast bar, where you can meet and strike up conversations with other travelers.

2-2_trolly On arrival we will supply you with a welcome pack, including tips on the best night spots in Milan, vegan friendly dining, shopping hints, a city map and 48- hour travel pass for use on the trains, Metropolitan line, bus and tram network within the city centre. The hotel is an excellent base to explore Milan by public transport, hopping on the train at nearby Piazzale Dateo.

Day 3 – Saturday 16th October 2010 (Style and Serendipity in Milan)

3-1_woman This morning enjoy an includedshopping tour of Milan starting from the Vittorio Emanuele gallery, the large and iconic 19th century shopping arcade in the historic centre of the city, next to the great Gothic cathedral which towers over the main square.

See La Scala, the famous Milanese opera house before strolling past the great names of style in the fashion district.

Saturday is market day providing many opportunities to pick up a bargain. Be sure to visit the navigli – the canal district with its characteristic shops and bars.

Optional tickets can be booked to visit Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

This evening celebrate the Milan weekend with a gala dinner at Restaurant Muscolo di Grano accompanied by organic Italian wines, mineral water and coffee. Muscolo di grano is an Italian alternative to seitan– made from organic wheat and lentil flour mixed with water. Dinner is inspired by the classic flavors of Milan.

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Day 4– Sunday 17th October 2010 (Borgo Alcantara & Cooking lesson)

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4-2_cooks This morning a coach will transfer the party to Milan airport to fly to Catania where we will meet our Sicilian trip leader, Pietro. We transfer by coach to Borgo Alcantara farmhouse, set on an organic farm estate amid beautiful scenery in the midst of a nature reserve on the edge of Mount Etna.

On arrival a selection of Sicilian tapas using fresh local produce.

Afterwards meet cooks Concettina & Pina (pictured)to learn some wonderful dishes inspired by the great local ingredients, such as a delicious local salad of Etna oranges prepared with Bronte pistachios. This will be a great way to meet everyone and enjoy wine before sitting down to dinner.

Day 5–Monday 18th October 2010( Olive Harvest & Gole)

5-1_fruit This morning take part in harvest the olives on the estate, and see the olives taken to the press before lunch at the estate.

This afternoon there will be a visit to the waterfalls at the dramatic gorge of the Alcantara river nearby.

This evening there will be a comparative tasting of the olive oil produced on the estate before dinner.

Day 6–Tuesday 19th October 2010 (Etna volcano & Bronte pistachios)

This morning there will be an excursion to Taormina for a guided tour in the morning followed by free time for lunch (independent) and shopping in the afternoon.

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Taormina sits high up on a cliff top overlooking the Bay of Giardini Naxos with views up to Mount Etna. The resort became popular in the early 1900s, with Victorians searching for warmer climes to spend the winters. Taormina is particularly celebrated for its Roman theatre which has spectacular views.

This evening we return to the farmhouse for dinner.

Day 7– Wednesday 20th October 2010 (Borgo Alcantara & Catania by night)

6-1_people After breakfast Francesca, the estate manager, will show us around the estate and explain all about the organic food and wine, produced here. Afterwards return to the kitchen to prepare more classic Sicilian dishes, such as “Caponata” a sweet and sour blend of eggplants and tomatoes, followed by lunch (included).

Later this afternoon, there will be an excursion to the historic city centre of Catania. The centre has many beautiful Baroque buildings created during the rule of the Spanish in the 18th century. There will be a visit tothe Cathedral and the main shopping area.

6-3_building This evening dinner is included at Haiku restaurant in the historic centre, run by Gabriella and her husband who has been a professional vegan chef for fifteen years. At Haiku they have introduced vegan cooking not only as a lifestyle choice but as a culinary discipline that provides great flavors and pleasure to be celebrated.

Day 8–Thursday 21st October 2010 (Taormina or Mt Etna)

After breakfast today there will be two optional excursions.

Either book an excursion to return to Taormina for further shopping, or book our special excursion for a trek across the slopes of the Mount Etna volcano.

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This will be a great day out including an English speaking guide and volcanologist who can reveal the fascinating story of Europe’s most active volcano.

This evening on return to the farmhouse there will be a celebratory dinner to mark the final evening at the estate.

Day 9 – Friday 22nd October (departure)

After breakfast we check-out from the hotel and depart by coach to Catania airport.

Accommodation:

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Town House 31 ( 2 nights)
(15-17 October 2010)
Via Goldoni 31
20129 Milano Italy
Tel: +39 02 70156
Fax: +39 02 713167

The 4-star Townhouse 31 is 4-star hotel in a 19th century residential town palazzo with 17 rooms located 5 minutes walk from Piazza Dateo in Via Goldoni. Piazza Dateo is served by train services of Ferrovie Nord, integrated with Milan’s Metropolitana. Breakfast, which is included, is served downstairs at a communal table, and you can also order breakfast served to your bedroom. Your hotel has a bar but no restaurant.

The hotel reception doubles as a cozy lobby with newspapers and African bric- a-brac. Service is attentive but informal, in keeping with the relaxed laid back atmosphere.

Rooms have en suite bathrooms with shower or bath tubs. Bathrooms are equipped with hairdryer. Room amenities include satellite TV, air- conditioning, mini-bar, safe deposit box and internet connection.

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Terralcantara Park (5 nights)
(17-22 October 2010)
Via regina Margherita, 82
98014 Francavilla di Sicilia (ME)
Tel: +39 0942 85010
Fax: +39 0942 85264

Our second base is located in a nature reserve on an estate which produces entirely organic food close to Etna, chosen for its friendly service, beautiful views and good food. Close to the farmhouse there is a lovely walk through the reserve to the waterfall for which the valley is famous.

Accommodation is in a refurbished "baglio" (Sicilian Estate House), located on a hill in the Alcantara Park which overlooks the valley. There are 16 air- conditioned rooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, mini-bar and safe deposit box. This is a great place to enjoy the locally produced organic food and enjoy cooking lessons with local chefs. Weather permitting it may be possible to dine outside on the spacious terrace overlooking the view.

PRICE

The price of $2725per person is based on shared accommodation of a double room, including:

Milan

Sicily

Not included: Flights, Insurance, Meals not listed, Extras and Personal spending such as bar bills and optional excursions.

Supplements: Single use of double room $295
Minimum number: 10 people
Maximum number: 20 people

Please note that the trip is based around your arrival at Milan Malpensa airport and your departure from Catania airport. Please do not book your flights before the trip is confirmed.

BEFORE YOU GO….

What will the weather be like?
The weather in Milan is likely to be cool with chances of showers – the average maximum temperature for Milan in October is 18°C and the average minimum 8°C. In Sicily the temperatures will be mild with chances of showers – the average maximum temperature is 25°C and the average minimum 14°C.

What should I pack?
Sunglasses – hats for those thinning on top – casual smart for dinner– warm clothes – waterproof and stout shoes for walking – slippers (the bedroom floors are tiled or terracotta). Electricity supply is 220V. Remember a standard European adaptor if you are bringing electrical items, such as a mobile phone recharger.

What travel documents do I need?
Your flight tickets, passport, a copy of your travel insurance policy making a note of the number for medical emergency overseas. What about the accommodations? Please refer to pages 8-9 for hotel descriptions of the Townhouse31 hotel and Borgo Alcantara and the amenities at each.

What about meals?
Breakfast is included daily. Six dinners and three lunches are included as described in the itinerary. Any other meals will be at your own cost. What if I need to change money? Italian banks open 08.30am -13.30pm and 15.00-16.00pm Monday to Friday. You also have the opportunity to change money at exchange bureaux in the airport. Alternatively you can use cashpoints in Italy, using bank cards with a valid PIN.

What if there is an emergency?
In the event of an emergency (medical or otherwise) in Italy in the first instance call Tastes of Italy on (+44) 20 8874 3490. Out of hours (17:30 – 09:30) please try the mobile (+44) (0)7867 797890 and leave a message for William Goodacre, stating the nature of the emergency and your contact details for us to return your call. You can also call your Italian host Pietro Molica on +(39) 333 3908 140.

How do I stay in touch when I am away?
To call Italy (country code 0039) from the UK: Dial the ‘0’ of the area code. To call US (country code 001) from Italy: Omit the ‘0’ of the area code.

If you bring your mobile please note call charges for ‘roaming’ can be excessive. The cheapest way to make calls in Italy is to buy a pre-charged phone card (carta telefonica) which can be used in public pay phones. Phone cards and stamps (francobolli) are available from tobacconists.

Who are Tastes of Italy?

Since 2000 Tastes of Italy has been creating bespoke trips in Italy for corporate parties, wine clubs and individuals.

Tastes of Italy specialises in arranging gastronomic trips. Our aim is to provide excellent service, genuine hospitality and enrichening travel through careful selection of the people we work with.

It has been a pleasure to work together with Jenny & Heatherto create this bespoke itinerary, which I trust you will enjoy.

William Goodacre
Director
wg@tastesofitaly.co.uk

Tastes of Italy Ltd
9 Lydden Road
London SW18 4LT
Tel: +44 (0)20 8874 3490
Fax: +44 (0)870 169 5324