Join Us!
Traveling to Italy with chefs Jeff Michaud and Ryan Poli offers a unique glimpse into Italian cuisine.
Jeff’s extensive experience living and cooking in Italy showcases his respect for regional traditions and local connections. Ryan brings creative energy and an intuitive approach to ingredients that enhance every dish.
Together, they create an unforgettable experience that combines culinary expertise, cultural exploration, and inspiration.
Discover Traditions
Michelin Star Nights
Memorable stellar evenings: a tasting dinner by the proud holder of a Michelin star for over 40 years and an exclusive cooking class in a Michelin Guide kitchen
Private Cruise on Lake Garda
The best way to discover the magical atmosphere of Lake Garda is from the water! With Capitan Pier will explore the spectacular coast and its suggestive coves and islands
A Half day in Verona
Explore Piazza delle Erbe, shop, and savor a typical lunch called "Cicchetti e Ombre" --an extravaganza of regional delicacies served bite-size and paired with a glass or two of wine
Your Experience
Experience the fascinating atmosphere of our Italian home. An ancient monastery overlooking the lake, completely restored and surrounded by a lush green garden and olive trees
Exceptional raw material compose Michele's dishes like the Mantuan Friesian with 40 days of maturation (similar to Japanese Kobe)
Uncover authentic creations in 3 fun-filled hands-on cooking classes with chef Ryan Poli and Jeff Michaud
Discover Tenuta San Leonardo, a thousand-year-old abbey renowned for producing one of Italy's finest Bordeaux-style wines. It is a must-visit for any wine lover's bucket list!
Itinerary
Day One
We can't wait to go back to Villa Arcadio, a luxurious oasis with beautiful views of Lake Garda. The villa sits on a hillside above the old Roman town of Salo' in a 14th-century building with some gorgeous fresco details. Contrasted with the villa's modern accommodations--elegantly appointed rooms, a spa, bar, and restaurant --the history of the place makes gazing upon the lake from the stone terrace truly exceptional.
Our first experience is the traditional Italian Sunday lunch. For four generations the Zanola family has served the region's signature spiedo Bresciano, featuring all manner of skewered meats and vegetables seasoned with sage and butter, then slowly cooked on a revolving spit.
After our convivial lunch, we find our rooms and get comfortable at Villa Arcadio. We meet again early in the evening for an aperitivo basking in the last sun of the day.
Tonight, we enjoy a gourmet dinner with a stunning view of Lake Garda and the surrounding mountains from the villa's restaurant. A refined menu orchestrated by the executive chef to savor his interpretations of classic regional preparations like Sarde in Saor and Tortello di Castel Goffredo.
Day Two
No Monday mood on this trip!!
After our gourmet breakfast, we head to the Lugana wine region.
You meet our friend Mattia Vezzola, the owner of Costaripa Winery and one of the most prominent enologists of Italy. Nicole, his daughter, is taking us for a private tour of the cellar before we delight in Mattia's rosé and signature sparkling wines while hearing how their family is taking rose wine to the next level.
When we get back to the villa, we find a light lunch waiting for us.
We have a couple of hours to relax at the pool or in the gardens in anticipation of our cooking class.
Tonight, Chef Felter welcomes us into his Michelin Guide restaurant for an engaging cooking class in his kitchen. Following his style and the distinctive produce of the territory, we learn to prepare past dishes revisited in a modern key as sommelier Ottavia pours delectable wines she selected from the region.
A hands-on cooking class with 3 talented chefs? Now, this is our kind of Monday!
Day Three
Lake Garda is not only beautiful--it's the largest lake in Italy.
Today, we get our private boat tour of this magnificent lake with Capitan Pierpaolo. We go from Salo' to Punta San Vigilio, a water lovers’ haven on a little cape of land that juts out into the water. We admire the unspoiled Island of San Biagio and the aristocratic Isola Borghese.
What time is it? It’s Spritz Time! After sipping a favorite Italian drink with a light lunch in the piazza in Salo', we leisurely spend the afternoon enjoying the grounds of our Villa and the scenic surroundings.
Our evening then begins with a sunset toast celebration before heading out for a very serious pizza-making demo at our friend Mattia's pizza lab. He makes one of the best pizzas we ever had! With the help of our chefs Jeff and Ryan, create your signature pizza by choosing from 4 different styles of dough and learn all the secrets behind one of Italy’s most famous foods. We then feast on our creations sipping artisanal beer and wines.
Day Four
After a delicious breakfast, let's head to Verona, the “Gateway to Italy”. A city that showcases and foreshadows all of Italy's beauty and cultural wealth to visitors arriving from the north. You have the morning to explore on your own and enjoy great shopping on Via Mazzini or join our guide for a walking tour of this romantic city.
As the locals do, we savor a typical lunch in Verona called "Cicchetti e Ombre" --an extravaganza of the best regional delicacies served on small plates and paired with a glass, or two, of wine--
Then we reach the Valpolicella wine region to meet winemaker Graziano Pra. His family has been dedicated to their craft steeped in the region's wine-making history and we'll indulge in his celebrated Soave, Valpolicella Superiore, and Amarone wines.
After returning to the Villa for a restoring break, we reconvene to start our evening.
Tonight, our friend Michele will welcome us to his Dispensa and will guide us in a tasting of delicacies expertly paired with local wines. Think fish tartare with candied lemons, local wild radish salad, and lamb shoulder cooked over burning olive branches.
Day Five
This morning, we travel north to the neighboring region of Trentino to meet Marquis Guerrieri Gonzaga and learn the history and identity of Tenuta San Leonardo - a thousand-year-old abbey where they produce one of the best Bordeaux-style wines of Italy. Named 2025 "Winery of the Year" by Italy's Top Wine Guide Gambero Rosso, this is a must-visit wine producer for any wine lover's bucket list!
Lunch today is at an Enoteca in the middle of the Valpolicella Vineyards offering a wine cellar of more than 800 labels from the region’s winemakers
The rest of your afternoon can include a spa treatment, a walk in the olive groves, or a nap before we get ready for our magical evening.
Dinner tonight is a Michelin-star experience in the square overlooking the harbor right in the center of Gargnano. This small, charming gem of a restaurant is run by female staff in its kitchen and front of house and has been the proud holder of a Michelin star for over 40 years! The cuisine here focusing on simple and precise cooking methods, interprets the highest sense of tradition.
Day Six
Today we head to Gardone Riviera. With our chefs Ryan and Jeff, we take another deep dive into the regional cuisine inside our restaurant kitchen. Put your apron on, have fun, cook, and ask the culinary questions you never dare to ask before we sit down to enjoy our lunch.
After an espresso, we return to the Villa for a restoring afternoon break and pack or spend some time in Salo' and enjoy a yummy gelato!
Our last dinner of the week is at the celebrated Chef Bertani’s restaurant on the lakefront facing the small port of Salo'. Some of his signature dishes are potato and beet gnocchi with goat gorgonzola fondue, porchetta rabbit with bitter-sweet vegetables, and his legendary dessert Gargnano amore mio.
Our tasting menu reflects the essence of his style. A perfect balance of authenticity and creativity!
Day Seven
Take in the Lake Garda sunrise one last time. Breathe deep. Enjoy breakfast. And return home with some of the most amazing memories to share with friends and family.
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What You Need To Know
Read our FAQs below. Or email us at travel@laviagaia.com.
What does the price include?
Six nights luxury accommodation in double occupancy at the Hotel Villa Arcadio; private van with driver for all trips and excursions in itinerary; airport group transfer at arrival and departure (see arrival & departure details below); private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners with wine; gratuities.
What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service, and personal hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in the itinerary.
What are the arrival & departure details?
The trip starting and ending point is the Milano Malpensa Airport. We recommend that you arrive, on or before Saturday, June 6, 2026. On Sunday June 7, we’ll meet as a group at 8,30am at the Airport. The last day of our culinary trip is Saturday, June 13, 2026. You should schedule your flight home after 11 am from Milan Malpensa Airport.
Who is going on this trip?
We limit the group to no more than 16 travelers, your host Jeff Michaud and our guest chef Ryan Poli. In this culinary trip, you can expect to be joined by a diverse group of like-minded people who share a passion for Italian food, wine, and culture – including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This trip is recommended for travelers aged 18 and above.
Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by our founder, Chef Jeff Michaud. He traveled extensively through this region and crafted your itinerary for the week. Our culinary guest will be our friend and celebrated chef Ryan Poli. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel on or before January 8, 2026 and receive a full refund minus a $1500 per person booking fee. If you cancel between January 7 and March 8, 2026 there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after March 9, 2026 there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (See our Terms and Conditions for full details).
What Travel documents are needed?
U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa for tourist visits to Italy but are required to show a valid US passport. It is recommended that your passport is valid for at least six months after your travels are over.
Can this itinerary be booked for a private group?
Of course! We can customize this trip and itinerary at a time that is most convenient for you and your friends. The minimum number of participants for a private trip is 10. For more information contact us at travel@laviagaia.com.
Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
Yes, there is a $1600 supplement for solo travelers, to be paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. Single spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. (See our Terms and Conditions for full details).
Still have questions?
Email us at travel@laviagaia.com
