La Via Gaia

What we love: This relatively overlooked region introduced us to the legacy of craftsmanship in its heritage foods, and the authentic character of Modena Balsamic Vinegar, Prosciutto di Parma, and its delicate fresh pasta.

• Visit the village of Savigno, meeting artisans who carry on family traditions, including Guido, transforming the local Mora pig and Bianca Modenese cow into mouth-watering cured meats and steaks for 3 generations.
• Walk the streets of Parma to discover and taste the gastronomic delicacies that will delight eyes, nose and palate.
• Learn about Italy’s luxury racing automobile at the Enzo Ferrari Museum with classic models on display.
• Become acquainted with the Spigaroli family, makers of Culatello di Zibello, and share lunch at their Michelin-star restaurant, dedicated to the Po River territory’s culinary heritage.

Best of all, join the chefs Nicholas Elmi and Jeff Michaud in 2 pasta-making classes and learn how to use a matterello (or wooden pin) to roll out the yolk-rich dough and then shape regional specialties like Tortellini, Tortelloni, and Tagliatelle.

What we love: Our family's connection to this region, particularly Bergamo, is profound. This historic walled city is where we spend most of our time in Italy and where our dream began.

• Stay in a truly enchanting retreat atop Bergamo's old town, famous for its UNESCO site and picturesque squares.
• Explore Lombardy's culinary culture, inspired by the bounty of the surrounding countryside.
• Share traditional specialties like Acquarello carnaroli rice, veal ossobuco, bergamascan polenta, and the distinctive regional cheeses of the Orobic Alps.
• Cruise Lake Iseo to explore Montisola, Europe's largest island on a lake, known for its stunning landscapes, charming villages, and peaceful atmosphere.
• Meet regional winemaking families in Franciacorta and Val Calepio, where sparkling wines, elegant reds, and rare native expressions reflect Lombardy’s distinctive terroir.

Best of all, step into the kitchen with chef Jeff Michaud alongside Donato Poto, a master of Michelin-starred hospitality, whose deep-rooted sense of conviviality elevates every meal, tasting, and gathering. From hands-on cooking to a special meal with Jeff’s mother-in-law, the week unfolds as a true celebration of Italian family, flavors, and shared moments.

What We Love: Surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Puglia is a fertile farming region where artisans uphold centuries-old traditions, crafting unforgettable bread, olive oil, cheeses, wines, and beloved specialties celebrated throughout Italy and beyond.

• Luxuriate at an exclusive Masseria in the Itria Valley, a beautifully restored 17th-century villa surrounded by private gardens, vineyards, and olive groves.
• Taste culinary heritage in every bite of Pane di Altamura, the famed crusty bread baked in ancient wood-fired ovens.
• Explore the maze of alleyways and staircases in historic Ostuni, the “Città Bianca,” known for its dazzling whitewashed architecture.
• Watch master norcini craft authentic Pugliese Black Pig capocollo in Martina Franca before an alfresco feast at the Caroli family olive mill.
• Become an artisanal cheesemaker at an organic farm with owner Mariangela, followed by an intimate countryside lunch.

Best of all, cook alongside chefs Joe Sasto and Jeff Michaud as we explore the flavors of Puglia—learning to prepare regional favorites like focaccia barese, orecchiette, and panzerotti paired with the region’s food-friendly wines such as Primitivo di Manduria, Susumaniello, and Negroamaro.

What we love: Friuli Venezia Giulia sits at a fascinating crossroads where Italy, Austria, and Slovenia meet—and you can taste that blend of cultures in every glass of wine and every plate of food. It’s a region that feels authentic, uncrowded, and deeply rooted in tradition, where family-run wineries, alpine villages, and seaside cities all exist within a short drive of one another. It’s also a place filled with friends who welcome us like family and share their stories, kitchens, and vineyards with our travelers.

• Experience the elegant café culture of Trieste, sipping a classic nero (espresso) in the historic port city once known as the “Capital of Coffee.”
• Meet legendary winemakers of the Collio and nearby Slovenia, tasting iconic varietals like Ribolla Gialla directly from the families who have cultivated these hills for generations.
• Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime dinner at three-Michelin-starred Hiša Franko, where visionary chef Ana Roš transforms the flavors of the surrounding mountains and valleys into extraordinary cuisine.
• Discover the alpine village of Sauris in the Dolomites, where centuries-old traditions—from cured hams to mountain herbs—continue to shape daily life.

Best of all, the journey begins with a magical half day in Venice and continues with two hands-on cooking experiences led by award-winning chefs Jeff Michaud and Michael Schwartz. Together you’ll explore Friuli’s culinary heritage while preparing beloved local dishes like frico and cjarsons, staples of the region’s rustic cucina povera.

What we love: We launched our La Via Gaia trips here, taking over a farmhouse to welcome our very first guests. Since then this region has became our Summer weekend getaway to enjoy stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and some of our favorite foods.

• Enjoy Sunday Supper by savoring the local Spiedo ritual, a traditional method of slow spit-roasting meat, one of the oldest techniques in the world.
• Meet Veneto wine masters and learn to appreciate the difference between regional superstars like Amarone and Valpolicella.
• Appreciate the magic of Chiaretto di Bardolino, the rosato/rose famously produced in the Alpine-Mediterranean environment of Lake Garda.
• Find yourself square in the middle of Verona’s Piazza delle Erbe, the crossroads of city life.
• Experience fine dining at a remarkable restaurant run exclusively by women, which has proudly maintained a Michelin star for over 40 years!

Best of all, join award-winning chefs Jeff Michaud and Antimo DiMeo for three exclusive cooking classes, where you’ll get hands-on guidance and immerse yourself in the art of crafting authentic dishes. Don’t miss this unique opportunity for culinary inspiration!

What We Love: Piemonte is one of the world’s great food and wine destinations, famed for its prized white truffles—and a place our family returns to year after year for its vineyard-draped hills, romantic hill towns, exceptional cuisine, and quietly refined way of life.

• Cruise the storied Strada del Vino in a classic Fiat 500, winding through the Langhe and Roero wine regions.
• Savor elegant regional cuisine at Chef Garola’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where each dish reflects the depth and sophistication of Piemonte’s culinary tradition.
• Experience the nuance of Barolo and Barbaresco, crafted from the intensely aromatic Nebbiolo grape, through tastings with some of the region’s most respected winemakers.
• Venture into the forest on a truffle hunt, guided by local experts and their trained dogs, in search of one of Piemonte’s most coveted treasures.
• Discover Beppino Occelli’s world of artisan cheese in Valcasotto —aging caves, rich flavors, and a memorable mountain lunch in the Maritime Alps.

Best of all, we’ll bring Piemonte’s cuisine to life through hands-on cooking classes led by our founder, alongside celebrated chefs Amanda Shulman and Alex Kemp, complemented by unforgettable meals at both beloved trattorias and Michelin-starred restaurants.