From Our Clients

We had the most wonderful time on our tour. I knew I would enjoy myself but I was blown away by how much Bryan enjoyed himself. I have not seen him so relaxed. We all got on so well and loved all the things we did and saw. Just wanted to say thank you for organising such a great tour. I would recommend it to anyone.

This is a tour for those who want to get below the surface. You will meet extraordinary people, share meals with them in their homes and watch as they keep ancient traditions alive. Heather's knowledge comes from her love for the Garfagnana and its people and it is infectious.

It was an absolute delight to be able to experience a cooking lesson in a real Italian home with Gabriella and her husband.We really got an idea of what it is like living in Tuscany and the traditions that are still held, like getting up early to go and pick mushrooms and salad leaves, seeing the yellow paper that is used to drain fried food, tasting the amazing spices and flours, and learning some of the traditional cooking methods.

Just a quick note to tell you HOW MUCH we enjoyed our cooking lesson. Alessandra was exceptionally ambitious, energetic, and talented--and we loved every minute of our time with her. She is an authentic Italian gem!! In addition, the meal we prepared was molto delizioso! It was truly the highlight of our visit to Italy. Thank you for being such a user-friendly enterprise, and we were delighted to benefit from your knowledge and expertise.

You provided a memorable evening with a wonderful chef. Even though I spent another whole week at a cooking school, which was very, very interesting, I think Linda did the best job of sharing her love for the country and the style of cooking so important to the people of the Barga area. It was a night to remember and the favorite of our week in Barga.

I want to thank you for arranging such a fantastic course. Both Andrew and I have returned to England with a much greater knowledge of salumi. You provided us with a real insight into Tuscan food culture. We thoroughly enjoyed all the extras you arranged; the meal provided by Gabriella and the soup competition were fantastic experiences which we would never have had the opportunity to enjoy as tourists. We look forward to putting all our new found knowledge into practice.

I learned so much from the week Curtis and I spent with you. I would certainly call it an excellent beginning, and I’m sure that we will have a much better outcome from our efforts now.

Thank you so much, Heather, for your marvelous hospitality and for giving us a delectable “taste” of the wonders of northern Tuscany. While many have taken Italian "trips", they don’t realize that they’ve missed an Italian "adventure".

I had a really unforgettable tour with you. I appreciate all the extra attention to details, and special attention you gave us. I will never forget it. ...My thank you doesn't even begin to describe what I recall regularly; last night I was thinking about the workers’ lunch...that was fun...so fitting since we had just picked olives and it was different.

It was a day, and a meal, we will never forget.

Many thanks indeed for the superb day you put together for us. There is no way we would have seen so much without you.

I made farro salads and fried polenta at home and will be trying to make the bread before too long. Great to have my culinary horizons expanded, with the understanding of the context that the produce and the food has risen out of.

We all enjoyed everything about the day. It is surely one we will remember forever! Going to the farm and having lunch there was so very special. It was fabulous — we all loved what you did and all the stories and your knowledge of the area.

I had two wonderful days with you – Making pasta and pork and zucchini slice and secondly the organic farm where we made bread, focaccia and fried bread and CELEBRATED my birthday. I had an absolute ball.

Thanks so much for a most incredible day. We just loved it & your terrific company!

It was a trip to remember for a lifetime.

Eva [9-yrear-old daughter] has not stopped talking about the entire week, truly we found it all so wonderful.

I want to thank you so much for giving us a wonderful four days. We all really enjoyed ourselves and you have definitely inspired the children, and given the adults a new appreciation of good food. James [age 7] and I made tagliatelle last night and he has announced he no longer wishes to buy egg pasta, but wants to make it all himself.

Special thanks for introducing us to such wonderful characters. We have gained an insight into the lives of passionate people who have a real love for family, place and way of life. Stefano’s restaurant is truly an extraordinary place. We’ll never forget the two rock ‘n roll Dannys on that fabulous hillside, Massimo’s generosity and pride for his town, Francesca’s industry and hospitality and all the other wonderful people.

Your tour was the highlight of our seven-week absence from home. There were so many highlights that it is difficult to single out one experience above another, but I must say that the contact with the olive trees was very special. Above all it was your preparation and organisation and great communication with us all that will remain with me forever.