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TOUR COMMENTARY

CINQUE TERRE/RIVIERA
The Road Less Traveled

One of the best!, Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Written by PBF 

 

Since I am from an Italian family and have toured Italy on my own a number of times, I was very reluctant to participate in a food based "tour". But my wife and I along with two other couples wanted to give it a try and selected Gourmet Traveler based on what appeared to be a very interesting and unique itinerary in and around Rapallo, Portofino and Cinque Terre.

We a spent a week with Bev Gruber and her small but well connected group of folks, enjoying the sights, tastes and true culture of the Liguria region. It was a wonderful balance of cooking classes and demonstrations, food and wine experiences, art, culture and even a little shopping. Best of all, it was authentic and not your normal organized tour. You felt like you were experiencing Italy as friends, with friends.

The highlight of the trip for me were the days we spent in Fausto's kitchen helping to prepare the bread, entrées and desserts that would be served that night in his restaurant. As the morning sunlight danced through the open kitchen window with the scent of fresh basil from his garden and focaccia cooking in the oven, we learned, we laughed and we embraced being a part of his daily cooking ritual. To come back in the evening to enjoy the dinner we helped prepare (as well as seeing local Italians enjoying the same) was both rewarding and delicious! Fausto is wonderful, fun and most of all, an outstanding chef. We are still using many of his recipes and techniques we learned while there to this day. Yumm!

If you are considering a food and wine oriented trip to Italy and want to enjoy the country, the people and the culture as a "local", you should serious consider giving Bev Gruber's Gourmet Traveler a call. You will not be disappointed!

 

From PM, Seattle

My husband and I have done SIX of Bev's tours (Cinque Terre twice, Rome, Tuscany, Venice Carnival twice), so that in and of itself speaks pretty well of our impression of her tours.  Her groups are small and Bev has so many local contacts in the areas she visits that one gets to see and experience the "real" Italy and do things that the normal traveler on a group tour does not - such as cooking and dining in private homes of her contacts, visting small private cheese factories or wineries.

Of course, there is always ample time to hit the "must-sees" of each area as well. There is really a great mix of cooking classes, touring and free time for shopping, etc.  Her cooking classes are always fun and you can participate to the extent you wish or just observe - never any pressure.  There is enough time devoted to cooking classes, usually only a half day each, but not so much that you feel that's all you've been able to do on your vacation.

Beverly is very detail-oriented, organized and thinks of everything both before and during her tours - but what's even more important is that she's just a FUN lady to travel with!  There's always lots of good food, good wine, and more laughs than anyone is entitled to (and fortunately, a fair amount of walking which is good to help burn off all that good food and wine!).

I really can't say enough good things about Bev's tours and I know we're looking forward to traveling again with her.  Her tours are all that her website depicts and more and I would recommend them to anyone.


Incomparable Scenery and Food, Tuesday, 01 April 2008

Written by JW

 

Because this is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy ( and the world )and because the cuisine here is exquisite,one might say that one can have his cake ( (or in this case, pasta), and eat it too. One of the most enjoyable trips I have taken.

 

 

Contact Beverly |  Registration & Info