La Via Gaia

Name: La Via Gaia
Address: Philadelphia, PA, 19146, US
Telephone: 267-528-6496
Rating: 3.7

La Via Gaia We specialize in Exclusive Experiential getaways that immerse you in the dynamic culture and captivating flavors of Italy.

Born in Bergamo Italy, 10 years ago I followed my husband Jeff Michaud back to the United States. Our love and passion for the food of Italy rewarded him with a successful culinary career, a Best Chef James Beard Award and his cook book "Eating Italy". And inspired me to launch LA VIA GAIA and design exclusive culinary experiences in Italy to discover the dynamic culture, wine tradition and elevated cuisine of my land.

02/10/2025

🍹 Sipping aperitifs in the garden 🍃
Welcome to our exclusive boutique hotel in Bergamo! Warmth, privacy, and elegance: these are the elements that characterize the hotel at the highest point of the city.

The entire retreat is exclusive to our group. Let’s unwind sipping apertifs on the terrace surrounded by centuries old vines.

There’s only a few seats left for this adventure to Bergamo with April 27- May 3

Laviagaia.com

Link in bio!

02/06/2025

We love reuniting with our travelers from Italy to Philly! Val and Dave from our 2024 Piemonte Trip were cooking with again at for Mama Pina’s Pasta class!

02/04/2025

✨ A TASTE OF ITALY AWAITS ✨

🇮🇹 7 Days / 6 Nights | April 27 - May 3, 2025

On Day 3, an unforgettable culinary experience unfolds as you step into the kitchen of Michelin-starred Chef Pierantonio Rocchetti—one of Chef Jeff Michaud’s earliest mentors.

🍽️ Where It All Began
LoRo in Trescore Balneario is more than a Michelin-starred gem—it’s the very first kitchen Jeff Michaud worked in after moving to Italy, where he trained alongside the best in Bergamo.

👨‍🍳 Hands-On Cooking Class & Elegant Dinner
Savor a lavish Italian aperitivo before rolling up your sleeves for an intimate private cooking class with three top chefs. Then, prepare to be wowed by a Michelin-starred feast, featuring:
✨ Buffalo Mozzarella Ravioli with Black Truffles
✨ Roasted Duck Stuffed with Chestnuts
✨ Crème Brûlée on a Raspberry Merry-Go-Round

Join us for an extraordinary journey: https://laviagaia.com/trips/italys-treasures-of-bergamo-lake-iseo/

01/23/2025

✨ Congratulations to our Culinary Guests and long-time friends, Chef Greg Vernick and Chef Gerard Craft for being nominated for a 2025 James Beard Award! Greg also won the 2017 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

2025 marks an incredible milestone: the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards. Considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, the awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, sustainability, and creating a culture where all can thrive.

01/21/2025

La Via Gaia has been offering an insider look at Italy for 14 years ❤️ Travel with and our Culinary Guests like , , and . Thank you

https://www.inquirer.com/food/philly-chef-culinary-tour-italy-thailand-20250116.html

01/16/2025

Last nights kickoff 20 for 20 dinner series benefiting x

This menu curated by and is in honor of their trip to Bergamo together this year!

Thank you team it’s was a blast cooking in NYC.

01/09/2025

🍝 🇮🇹 Everything tastes better in Italy! Send this to someone you want to share a plate of pasta with.

Featuring Pike Tortelli with Burrata from our trip to Bergamo and Lake Iseo with Franklin Becker APRIL 27 - MAY 3, 2025

Tortelli is a type of stuffed pasta that originated in the Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Tuscany regions of Italy. It can be rectangular in shape, and is usually between 2 and 3 centimeters in size. Tortelli can be served with a variety of sauces, including broth, Bolognese sauce, or melted butter.

View all our itineraries for 2025: https://laviagaia.com/

01/08/2025

🏙️ We're going to NYC Point Seven ! Join us for a special dinner hosted by our Culinary Guest to Bergamo - Chef Franklin Becker. Franklin's journey as a proud father to a young adult on the autism spectrum adds a deeply personal touch—this evening promises to be as meaningful as it is delicious, benefiting

🌟 Our very own Jeff Michaud has teamed up with Chef Franklin to create a one-of-a-kind menu featuring exquisite dishes like Schisola with polenta, crescenza, caviar, and chives. 🍷 Each course will be perfectly paired with wines hand-selected by Wine Director Luke Boland, ensuring an unforgettable culinary experience.

🗓️ Reservations on Opentable: https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1318882&restref=1318882&experienceId=397228&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared

✈️ Love this experience? Join Chefs Franklin and Jeff for a weeklong culinary retreat in Bergamo, Italy, 4/27–5/3. Relax in a luxurious castle & immerse yourself in authentic food and wine with local artisans. Book now at laviagaia.com!

12/29/2024

✨ Buone Feste! ✨Claudia and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our guests from 2024, who made unforgettable travel experiences possible. As we celebrate the holidays in Italy with our family in Bergamo, we reflect on the incredible memories we created together this year, and we are truly thankful for each and every one of you who joined us on this journey.

Our love for Italy has grown even deeper through the wonderful friendships forged in 2024.
We introduced you to the region of Emilia Romagna, showcasing its exceptional food artisans, and we are continually strengthening our connections in our beloved destinations.
Exciting new travel adventures await us next year, and we can’t wait to share even more of the magic that Italy has to offer!

From our Family to Yours, our Warmest Wishes for a New Year full of Wonder and Exciting Adventures. May 2025 bring you all the marvels you dream of!

- Jeff & Claudia Michaud

12/24/2024

Our passion for Italy comes naturally with making new friends. In 2024, we forged a new relationship with a father-son cheese maker in Piemonte and introduced a new destination: Modena, Bologna, and Parma!

This cheese making experience is one of a kind like all of our experiences - they do not typically offer tours and tastings but for us and we were invited inside. Our group got to meet the sheep, see inside their home and process, and enjoy a tasting of sheep cheese and wine in their hillside chalet.

We only have 3 Destinations left for booking in 2025!

Bergamo and Lake Iseo
April 27 - May 3

2 seats just opened up for Puglia
May 18 - May 25

Friuli and Slovenia
June 22 - June 28

12/19/2024

🎄 All she wants for Christmas is - a trip to Italy! A few seats are left for Bergamo & Lake Iseo April 27 - May 3. Explore Europe's famous island on a lake. Lake Iseo divides the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia with its clean blue waters, lush green mountains, and ancient medieval architecture. On a private boat, we'll reach the picturesque island of Montisola on Lake Iseo. We will lunch on freshly caught fish while marveling at the lush mountain landscape and the charming villages!

https://laviagaia.com/trips/italys-treasures-of-bergamo-lake-iseo/

12/18/2024

Did you know Bergamo was just named the best place to live in Italy?! Bergamo marks the beginning of our incredible journey. It’s where Chef Jeff Michaud relocated to Italy, igniting his culinary passion and meeting his wife, Claudia—our other half!

What makes Bergamo the best place to live in Italy:
Historic beauty: The "Città Alta" (Upper Town) boasts well-preserved medieval walls, cobbled streets, and historic squares, giving it a unique charm.

Strategic location: Situated close to Milan, Bergamo offers easy access to other major Italian cities.

Quality of life: Excellent healthcare, education, and a diverse cultural scene make Bergamo highly desirable for residents.

Compact size: The city is easy to navigate due to its manageable size.

There are only a few seats left for Italy’s Treasures of Bergamo & Lake Iseo with APRIL 27 - MAY 3, 2025

Discover the itinerary and book your seat, link in bio! DM us if you have any questions about the trip or email [email protected]

12/12/2024

🌎 SWIPE to discover the UNESCO and Michelin adventure in Bergamo with and ! Only a few seats left for Italy’s Treasures of Bergamo & Lake Iseo | April 27 - May 3, 2025

12/08/2024

❤️ What we love about Italy’s Treasures of Bergamo & Lake Iseo with Franklin Becker Aril 27 - May 3, 2025 : Because Claudia grew up in Bergamo and her relatives still live there, we feel most connected to this historic walled city, where we spend most of our personal family time in Italy.

🍴 Explore Lombardy's culinary culture, inspired by the bounty of the surrounding countryside.
🏠 Stay in a truly enchanting retreat in Bergamo's old town, famous for its charming narrow streets and picturesque squares.
🌾 Share traditional specialties like Acquarello carnaroli rice, veal ossobuco and bergamascan polenta, and the distinctive regional cheeses of the Orobic Alps.
🛥️ Cruise the hidden gem of Lake Iseo, situated in the Franciacorta wine region, producing some of Italy’s best sparkling wines.
🍹 Settle into Milan’s stylish Navigli neighborhood for a classic aperitivo in a canal-side bar, followed by a traditional Lombardy dinner.

Best of all, experience the cooking classes of award-winning chefs and friends and , as they reveal the secrets of the area’s quintessential flavors and even arrange a dinner with Jeff's mother-in-law, a true Italian home cook.

View our full itinerary - https://laviagaia.com/trips/italys-treasures-of-bergamo-lake-iseo/

12/04/2024

Two seats just opened up for Puglia! One of our most popular destinations this year. Travel with us this Spring from May 18–25. Explore stunning coastlines, master the art of pasta-making, and create traditional delights like burrata and stracciatella with Jeff Michaud!

https://laviagaia.com/2025-trips/

12/03/2024

✈️🎁 This year give the best gift of all- TRAVEL! Experiences and memories are priceless. We only have a few seats left for 2025 www.laviagaia.com/2025-trips

Jeff Michaud

12/01/2024

Let’s get cooking 🧑🏻‍🍳 travel to Chef Hometown in Italy!

Bergamo marks the beginning of our incredible journey. It’s where Chef Jeff Michaud relocated to Italy, igniting his culinary passion and meeting his wife, Claudia—our other half!

This trip holds a special significance as we’ll participate in three distinct hands-on cooking experiences offering an authentic taste of Italian culinary heritage.

There are only a few seats left for Italy’s Treasures of Bergamo & Lake Iseo with APRIL 27 - MAY 3, 2025

Discover the itinerary and book your seat, https://laviagaia.com/trips/italys-treasures-of-bergamo-lake-iseo/

DM us if you have any questions about the trip or email [email protected]

11/20/2024

✈️ Piemonte, in the fall, just SOLD OUT! There are only a few seats left for our 2025 Destinations. Give the ultimate gift of Italian travel, food, and wine. Book the trip of a lifetime with La Via Gaia for your loved one. https://laviagaia.com/2025-trips/

Address

Philadelphia, PA
19146

Telephone

267-528-6496

Website

http://www.LaViaGaia.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when La Via Gaia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to La Via Gaia:

Videos

🇮🇹 2025 is all about manifestation - let’s go on a journey together to Italy. Between our cooking experiences, Michelin star meals and wine tastings we always create time in our itinerary to unwind. During your week long stay we have one home base, our boutique hotels have lavish amenities and attentive staff. There’s only a few seats left for our 2025 Destinations! www.laviagaia.com

✈️🎁 This year give the best gift of all- TRAVEL! Experiences and memories are priceless. We only have a few seats left for 2025 www.laviagaia.com/2025-trips Jeff Michaud

🇮🇹✅ pov: you booked your bucketlist trip to Italy with La Via Gaia! We still have a few seats left for our 2025 Destinations! www.laviagaia.com

In Piemonte we not only enjoy a Michelin Star Dinner at Ciau del Tornavento but we are invited to explore the largest wine cellar in Italy. Followed by an incredible meal by Chef Maurilio Garola in the heart of Langhe @laciaudeltornaventoWe still have a few seats left for our 2025 Destinations! Modena, Bologna, & Parma @chef.joe.sasto March 30- April 52 seats left!Bergamo & Lake Iseo @chefbeckernyc April 27- May 3 Friuli & Slovenia @katieparla June 22- 28 Piemonte Wine Region @cimarustila Oct 19- 252 seats left!

Piemonte Dishes Voiceover.mp4

🍂 Fall in love with Piemonte! Find out why @jeffmichaud loves this region. Join us in 2025 with Michael CImarusti!

🐕 On our adventure to Piemonte with Michael Cimarusti and Jeff Michaud in October 2025 you will venture into the wild patches of forest on a truffle hunting mission!Piemonte is the truffles birthplace! See how our trifulau Natale finds these hidden gems, then taste fresh truffles while learning about the history of the prized tubers in a truffle museum. View the entire itinerary for Genuine Living in the Piemonte Wine Region October 19 - 25, 2025 https://laviagaia.com/trips/genuine-living-in-piemonte-wine-region/

Tantos Taste Test with Gaia

Puffed Pasta?! We know who’s supplying allll the snacks on our trip to Emilia-Romagna March 2025. Thank you Joe Sasto for sending us some Tantos 🍝 👏🏻 Want to travel with Jeff Michaud and the Food Network star Joe Sasto?! There are still a few seats left! Info: https://laviagaia.com/trips/artisanal-italy-in-modena-bologna-parma/ #italiantravel #luxurytravel #cheftravel #privatetravel #italy #foodandwine #laviagaia #foodnetwork #puffedpasta #pastachip

Shortcuts

Our Story

We are your culinary insiders, northern Italian native Claudia Michaud and James Beard award-winning chef Jeff Michaud. In 2019 we launched LA VIA GAIA to continue to personally craft and led custom culinary trips to Italy offering face-to-face experiences with the most acclaimed winemakers, cheesemakers and food artisans. Come, meet our talented food friends and taste their incredible gastronomic riches in a land full of history!