Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures

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Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures

Discover Italy with a native Italian. Join us on a small group food and wine tour to Italy!
(11)

06/22/2024

If you don’t cook, you don’t eat! That was today’s motto during our pasta and tortelloni making class with our dear friend Helena!

After learning all about the pasta-making techniques, we enjoyed our ricotta filled tortelloni in a butter and sage sauce, and our fettuccini with a local asparagus and prosciutto sauce. All topped off with a favorite Bolognese dessert, zuppa inglese.

06/21/2024

And we’ve arrived to our second half of the private tour: Bologna!

Bologna is another favorite city of mine, and I’m looking forward to a great, indulgent week here!

Bologna is the largest city in the Northern region of Emilia-Romagna. Bologna is also the capital of the region. A rich city, known for its prestigious schools, medieval towers, churches, and art, Bologna is a well-respected and important city for Italy.

If you walk around Bologna, a pedestrian friendly city, you will immediately notice the beautiful porticoes. Some 25 miles of the city center is sheltered from the elements of rain and sun, thanks to these beautiful and picturesque porches. They connect churches and other city buildings. The city is also renowned for some of the country’s best schools and universities and is also home to the world’s oldest university. Dante was a student in Bologna in the 13th century.

If you are walking around Bologna, you’ll certainly notice the famous towers of Bologna. While only about 20 remain from some 200 that were built between the 12th and 13th century, the towers were once used as a status symbol of wealth. Le Due Torre, or Two Towers, are the most famous ones in Bologna and stand practically next to each other. If you’re looking straight at them, don’t worry, you’re not getting dizzy. They have a slight “Pisa” effect as both lean a bit. And if looking at them reminds you of New York City’s fallen twin towers, it’s because Minoru Yamasaki, the architect for the magnificent structures is said to have been inspired by Bologna’s Due Torre.

Stay tuned for lots more pictures to come!

06/20/2024

Fun on the waters tonight for this private group!

When we organized this private tour, the client (who over the years of traveling together has turned into a dear friend) asked to end our time on the Italian Riviera with a sunset cruise, and so tonight we sailed over the Marina of Portofino for a lovely evening taking in all the sights this amazing area has to offer. We then followed with a delicious dinner right in Portofino square.

Tomorrow we check-out from this area and move on to our next stop. Stay tuned!

If you like what you see, be sure to reach out and organize your own private adventure on the Riviera, or anywhere else in Italy!

06/20/2024

This morning we visited the lively and lovely town of Rapallo! We met our amazing guide Guido, and he walked us around his town sampling a few local products. We also learned how to prepare several types of walnut sauce. I mean, any time you get to walk around with a wine glass holder strapped around your neck, you know it’s going to be a good time! 😂

This evening we have another fun adventure planned, stay tuned!

And tomorrow we depart from the amazing Italian Riviera for another region! Where do you think we’re headed?

06/19/2024

Today, the group headed into the depths of the Portofino National Park to learn to prepare real and authentic pesto! With ingredients all grown on the property, we made pesto using a mortal and pestle.

We then enjoyed various foods such as cheeses and salami, vegetable pies, and trofie pasta with pesto. A lovely and delicious meal in a most authentic environment!

After lunch, we enjoyed a guided tour of Portofino visiting several local churches, as well as the main piazza.

Tomorrow is our last full day on the Italian Riviera before heading towards another amazing city on Friday. Stay tuned!

06/18/2024

Cinque Terre!

Today the group visited two of the famous Cinque Terre fishing villages, Riomaggiore and Monterosso al Mare!

After walking a bit in Monterosso, we were rewarded with a delicious lunch on a hidden spot with amazing views! 🤩

Tomorrow, we make pesto! Stay tuned!

06/17/2024

Today, the group headed to the vibrant city of Genova where we took part in a food tour and cooking class.

After never-ending samples of local specialties like pesto, infarinata, focaccia, panera gelato and salami, we headed into the family kitchen of a local cookbook author where we learned to prepare the local specialty of Recco focaccia!

After a full day, we retuned to our home base of Santa Margherita in preparation of tomorrow’s fun day!

Stay tuned!

06/16/2024

Sunday funday!

Today, the group enjoyed a tasting tour of Santa Margherita and Camogli. We started in Santa Margherita with cappuccinos and Ricci cookies at Seghezzo. Then moved on to tasting Ligurian olive oil with various vegetable pies.

Afterwards we moved on to the beautiful fishing village of Camogli. After a tour of this little town, we sat down to enjoy another local specialty: Recco Focaccia. This particular type of focaccia is not like the traditional thick focaccia, but two thin layers of dough, filled with stracchino cheese. We had the traditional type, the pesto type and pizza style.

Tomorrow we learn to prepare it! Stay tuned!

06/16/2024

We live in a beautiful world, get out and explore it.

06/15/2024

Tonight we kicked off our private tour in Santa Margherita Ligure! 🇮🇹🍷💃🕺

I’ve been traveling with these wonderful folks for years now, and they wanted their own private adventure. Now that all the work of planning this adventure has been done, this just feels like traveling with dear friends more than anything else. We celebrated a birthday, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and tomorrow we hit the ground running! Stay turned!

And if you’re interested in your own private tour, be sure to reach out! [email protected]

06/14/2024

Greetings from Santa Margherita Ligure! I’m on the Italian Riviera for a private tour, stay tuned for pictures from another amazing Italian destination! If you like what you see, I’ll be running another tour here next May! A few rooms remain, so be sure to reach out!

06/12/2024

And that’s a wrap for the second Amalfi tour. In my dreams I couldn’t have asked for a better group. When the night ends in limoncello shots, hugs, tears and promises of meet ups, than I have done my job, and done it well.

A new adventure begins tomorrow! Stay tuned! Any guesses to my next region?

06/11/2024

Capri is always a good idea!

Today, we took off on our private boat to the island of Capri! We enjoyed a loved boat ride with Aldo, our captain, who took us around the island. The blue grotto was closed as it was a bit overcast, but we did stop at the green and white grottos. Folks who wanted too had the opportunity to jump off and swim!

After a lovely group lunch, folks had a bit of time to shop and wander around one of the world’s most beautiful island before we headed back to Amalfi.

Our week together is winding down, this has been and absolutely amazing week with wonderful folks, a great mixed group!

06/10/2024

How fresh is the seafood in Italy?

Glad you asked!

These are langostines. They are in the lobster family but much smaller. They are not “just larger shrimps,” in fact they are not in the same family.

06/10/2024

And today, we had an amazing cooking class with chef Vito! We had an elaborate menu of zucchini parmigiana, roasted potatoes gnocchi in zucchini sauce, handmade ricotta ravioli in fresh tomato sauce, lemon chicken, and sandblasted potatoes, all accompanied with local wine, of course! To top it off, chocolate caprese cake!

The group really loved today’s activities in the kitchen!

Tomorrow, we sail to Capri!

06/09/2024

Sunday for the group started with a few pastries in the hotel lobby, because, why not? It’s Sunday!

We then moved on to Tramonti for a delicious wine tasting and home cooked lunch. The group said the wines were some of the best they’ve ever had in Italy!

After lunch, we met our wonderful guide Rossella in Ravello for a history lesson on this lovely town and a tour of the Rufolo Garden, along with some shopping time.

Tomorrow we cook again, stay tuned!

My Amalfi 2025 tour is already sold out, but we have a few spots on the Italian Riviera and Tuscany, join us next year! 🇮🇹🍷

For info email me at: [email protected]

06/09/2024

Buona Domenica! Happy Sunday from Amalfi!

Enjoyed breakfast with my young tour participant, attended Mass at the Duomo, and took a little stroll in town before everyone wakes up. Perfect day to be grateful!

Our activities for the day kick off soon. Stay tuned. 🇮🇹🍷

06/08/2024

Positively Positano!

Yes, it’s touristy and crowded, but you can’t come to the Amalfi Coast and not see Positano!

We took a scenic drive to Positano from Amalfi, enjoyed lunch there, then some shopping time before heading back by ferry.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s activities!

06/07/2024

Nighttime in Amalfi. The busyness of the day is gone and calm has taken over the little seaside town.

Picture credit to my client and friend Thom M - who takes better pictures than I do. 😅

06/07/2024

Fun on the lemon grove today!!

Today the group enjoyed their first cooking class! After a short hike up to the grove, we prepared handmade pasta, eggplant parmigiana and lemon cream pasticciotto! All savored with local wine, espresso and limoncello, of course!

06/05/2024

And that’s a wrap for the first Amalfi group! Loved meeting this wonderful group of folks, and seeing some of them for the second time.

My other group arrives tomorrow. A number of repeat clients again, and lots of new faces.

Feeling so grateful that I get to do what I do! 🇮🇹🍷

06/05/2024

The group has time on their own today to spend it as they wish. For some, we scheduled a morning in Pompei, while others took to the waters for a boat ride.

This morning I went into the piazza and just took many random photos. Come along with me on a little photo-stroll of Amalfi.

It’s also market day in town. Those pics coming later.

06/04/2024

Pictures, of course, don’t do the beauty that is Capri justice!

Today the group sailed on a private boat to Capri! We enjoyed a lovely and very scenic ride over to one of the world’s most beautiful island. After a group lunch, some folks had a bit of shopping time, while others visited the Augustus gardens. We even got to celebrate a guest’s birthday with, what else, a Caprese cake!

Our week together is winding down, this has been an amazing week with amazing people!

06/03/2024

Monday, funday!

Today the group enjoyed another cooking class, and what a cooking class with a view!

We grabbed our aprons, and got working on an elaborate lunch! We prepared zucchini parmigiana, ricotta ravioli, fresh tomato sauce, potato gnocchi with zucchini sauce, Furore-style chicken, and sandblasted potatoes. We sat down to enjoy a delicious lunch with amazing local wines. Ended it all with Caprese cake and sparkling wine!

Folks said today was a day to remember, and I couldn’t agree more! Just another day at my “office.”

06/02/2024

Happy Sunday! Buona Domenica!

Today we visited one of Campagnia’s favored wineries for a tasting and light lunch. The first picture is the group standing by a 500 year old vine! We got to taste four of the wineries best wines, a white, a rose, and two reds.

After the winery, we visited the lovely town of Ravello. Our favorite guide, Rossella, showed us around Villa Ruffolo for a tour of this magnificent property.

Tomorrow we cook again! Stay tuned!

06/02/2024

Sunday morning ritual whenever I’m blessed enough to be in Amalfi: breakfast at Pasticceria Pansa Amalfi then Mass at the Amalfi Cathdral.

We have a great day planned with the group, so stay tuned!

06/01/2024

The sky was a little dark today, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying an amazing time in Positano! After lunch at a local favorite spot, the group enjoyed some shopping time on their own before taking the ferry back to Amalfi.

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Italy- La Festa Della Repubblica. It commemorates the day when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946 so Italy could become a republic. We will be celebrating with wine! 🍷

Stay tuned for lots more pictures to come!

05/31/2024

It was all hands on deck today as the group enjoyed the first hands on cooking class in Amalfi! We prepared handmade scialatielli pasta in lemon sauce, eggplant parmigiana, and lemon pasticciotti! All washed down with local wine, limoncello and espresso, of course!

05/30/2024

Back in Amalfi to lead two back to back sold out weeks on the Amalfi Coast! My first group of 18 is all here, ready to hit the ground running to what will be an amazing week! Stay tuned for lots more pictures. I’ll try to limit the gelato shots, but can’t make any promises this early on. 😜🇮🇹🍾

05/24/2024

Happy Friday-yeah!

Can you guess from the picture where we’re headed next week??

Follow along and stay tuned in the days to come for lots more pictures of Italy!

✈️🇮🇹

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Boston, MA

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http://www.thelazyitalian.com/

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Videos

How fresh is the seafood in Italy? Glad you asked! These are langostines. They are in the lobster family but much smaller. They are not “just larger shrimps,” in fact they are not in the same family.

Because I can't resist a beautiful Merry-Go-Round, I did get on this one in Florence. So worth the 2.50 Euros.

A 40 second walk in Pasticceria Savoia in Amalfi.

Cover Photo

Better days in Venice

Woke up to more sad images of Venice under water. Had me thinking of May 2018, when I was there on a tour with celebrity TV chef Joanne Weir. Oh the fun we had! See video!

I wanted to take you all with me today to my favorite local cafe, Soverato Dolci. This is one of my favorite spots for breakfast, gelato, or quick bites after the beach. This video was taken around 5.30 pm local time, so you’ll see some light snacks being served. Sorry for the poor video quality! See comments for what I had! 😉

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Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures: Cooking and Travel Excursions to Italy

Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures offers travelers authentic experiences in Italy's vast regions. Our goal is to connect travelers to the charm of Italy in the most authentic way possible. Francesca, the company’s founder, was born in Italy and lived there for many years, with countless trips back throughout her entire life. Living and traveling all over Italy, Francesca found herself captivated by "La Dolce Vita" and wanted others to experience the same.

Along with a range of pre-scheduled tours, we also offer custom travel planning services. Whether you join us on a tour or select a custom package, our native passion for Italy will be evident. Whether you are looking for a day excursion or planning a month-long holiday, we do it all.

Want to form your own group? Ask us how!

Looking for something more independent? We offer custom travel packages for the independent traveler.