UMass Amherst Alumni Association

Travel

Culinary Adventure Teaches More than Just Cooking

Join award-winning cookbook author, cooking teacher, and fellow UMass Amherst graduate, Joanne Weir ’75, for an unforgettable week of cooking, wine tasting, and exploring the Veneto region of Italy.

This exclusive learning adventure for UMass Amherst alumni will start in a magnificent family-estate-turned-resort, La Foresteria Serego Alighieri, owned by Joanne's friend, Count Serego Alighieri (a direct descendant of Dante). Experience several hands-on cooking classes at the villa, where we'll use the estate-produced wine and other ingredients to prepare delicious regional recipes, including Spicy Mussel Stew with Tomatoes and Basil, Beef Braised in Two Courses, Risotto with Amarone, and a Caramelized Chocolate and Almond Budino - just to name a few!

Tour the area and sip espresso at a famous coffee roastery in Verona. Travel down the Grand Canal to explore the legendary Rialto fish market, sample antipasti at the wine bars in Venice, and go wine tasting in the caves of Soave. We'll visit an artisanal rice mill outside Verona, and then eat a multi-course dinner prepared by the chef who produces some of Italy's finest rice.  We'll taste all of the local wines and visit the vineyards of Joanne's friends!

The trip is limited to 15 and will take place May 16-22, 2008. The cost per person is $4,300.00, based on double occupancy (single room supplement $1,750.00). Join your fellow UMass Amherst alumni for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Click here for more information about the Culinary Journey to the Veneto with Joanne Weir.