Saturday Jul 31

Culinary Excursions to Umbria, Italy

Amelia, Umbria, ItalyJanet has combined her two longtime passions, cooking and Italy, and is fulfilling a dream by offering culinary excursions to Umbria, Italy!

She, along with her partner in Italy host week long trips to picturesque Amelia, Umbria. The next trip is planned for October 1-8, 2010.

Visit Janet's Umbria BLOG for details of the last excursion!

Please note that Janet is pleased to make customized arrangements for a private group of up to nine people.

salaazzurraGuests will be staying, creating and eating in an exquisite Renaissance castle in the heart of historic Amelia.

You will experience the beauty and culture of this region by immersing yourself in the rich culinary traditions of the region; meeting local cheesemakers; learning about olive oil from Umbria’s foremost olive oil producer, Noemio Bacci; perusing local markets; tasting wines at Amelia's vineyards and learning a little Italian.

amelia-pastaJanet is thrilled to be sharing her passions with her visitors as she cooks with fresh Umbrian ingredients; teaches basic Italian so you may shop at the local market; explores the ancient magical sights with you; brings you on excursions to visit local cheesemakers, olive oil producers and spends time simply relaxing at the dinner table, along with Italian colleagues.. See below for an itinerary (subject to modifications).

Along with her fascination for fine food & wine, Janet is intrigued with all things Italian. She studied Italian language and literature for three years at Carleton University in Ottawa, and at Leonardo da Vinci School in Florence, then taught Italian to school-aged children for the Ottawa Carleton School Board. She travels extensively throughout Italy to hone her cooking skills and source new artisan products.

The cost is $3500.00 per person, single and $2760.00 per person, double, including transfer from airport. Airfare is not included but all excursions, all meals (except dinner on Day Four) and accommodations are included.  For reservation information or for more details, please email Janet directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .'; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text95862 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Here are some of the comments from her guests on recent trips:

"Dear Janet - Bella! Bella! What can I say but "mille grazie" for a fantastic week! Thank you for introducing us not only to the delectable foods of Umbria, but to the warm and genuine Italians of the area. The incredible vistas - the winding roads, olive groves, hills, valleys, poppies - shall remain cherished memories." Tiiu Wallner.

"I absolutely loved the excursion to Italy with Janet Campbell! It was truly an experience of alifetime. Staying in the village of Amelia in a Palace was charming. I experienced amazing gourmet food to tantalize the pallet, the best wine & I met Italians doing their crafts with so much pride. Whether they were making mozzarella cheese, fresh pasta, fine wine, olive oil, merrano glass beads, linens, or painting dishes......I saw the bliss and amazing generosity of the Italian people. The countryside is forever etched in my mind...the scent of wisteria, the cypress trees, the yellow broom, wild red poppies, rolling hills, the villas... all a picturesque backdrop to the incredible history and present day life of the Umbria region. I cherish the memories of this trip. I was able to experience what most tourists never see because of Janet’s connections in Italy. I made lifetime friends with my fellow travellers on this excursion. Thank you again Janet for organizing this trip and sharing your wealth of cooking knowledge. For me it was a "trip of a lifetime. It was divine! Pamela

Itinerary

Day One: Arrival at Palazzo Venturelli. Welcome and light lunch at the palace. Relax. Walk through Amelia. Aperitivo at Cantina Zanchi. Welcome dinner and cooking with chef at palace.

Day Two: Breakfast on the terrace. Leave for Civita di Bagnoregio/Orvieto. Lunch/walk in C di B. Visit duomo and winebar in Orvieto. Cooking class with chef at the palace.

Day Three: Breakfast on the terrace. Visit market and local food shop. Pasta making lesson & lunch at palace. Afternoon at the Terme dei Papi (thermal baths). Dinner on your own at an Amelia restaurant

Day Four: Breakfast on the terrace. Visit Norcia. Visit and tasting at Urbani Tartufi truffle producer. Lunch in Norcia. Shop for local specialties. Stop at Cascata delle Marmore aterfalls. Cooking class/dinner with chef at palace.

Day Five: Breakfast on the terrace. Visit local mozzarella maker. Visit Amelia’s archeological museum and Roman cisterns. Tasting/tour at olive farm. Pizza at Parco la Cavallerizza.

Day Six: Breakfast on the terrace. Visit Montefalco’s historic centre, linen and olive wood shops, and a Sagrantino wine producer. Lunch. Dinner at a local griturismo poolside.

Day Seven: Coffee at the palace, breakfast at Pasticceria Carletti in Terni. Shopping at Giorgetti (local cashmere producer). Walk through the city. Aperitivo & lunch in Terni. Visit archeological zone Carsulae on the way home. Farewell dinner with chef.

Day Eight: Farewell breakfast, transfer to Orte train station for train to airport.