France & Italy: Studying the Mediterranean Diet

 

Students will discover the cuisine of France & Italy while enjoying the French Riviera and the beautiful art & architecture of Italy.

This program was designed with Winthrop University as the travel component to their course: Nutritional Biochemistry of the Mediterranean Diet.

Program Highlights

 

Shop local markets

Practice your French as you negotiate with local vendors at the Cours Saleya Market shopping for fresh ingredients for an afternoon cooking lesson.

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Get a behind the scenes look

Learn about the production of many of the ingredients of the Mediterranean diet on visits to a cheese factory, a vinegar cellar, an olive oil press, and a pasta factory.

Marvel at Iconic Sites

Beauty, history, culture and art will surround you on this program - from the stunning beauty of the French Riviera and glamorous Monaco to seeing Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the David in Florence to the Colosseum and the Forum in Rome.

 

“…Eating together is the foundation of the cultural identity and continuity of communities throughout the Mediterranean basin. It is a moment of social exchange and communication, an affirmation and renewal of family, group or community identity. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes values of hospitality, neighborliness, intercultural dialogue and creativity, and a way of life guided by respect for diversity. It plays a vital role in cultural spaces, festivals and celebrations, bringing together people of all ages, conditions and social classes.”

— Inscribed in 2013 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - UNESCO

Day-by-Day Details

 

 DAY  1: Overnight Flight

  • Fly overnight to France.

DAY  2: Nice

  • Arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur airport and meet your travel director, board a private motor coach.

  • En route to Nice you will stop for a visit to Nicolas Alziari oil mill (moulin a huile ).

  • Later, enjoy a walking tour and dinner, at local Brasserie.

DAY  3: Nice

  • Head out to the heart of the Vieille Ville, to visit the bustling and colorful Cours Saleya Market. Wander through the stalls of beautiful flowers, fresh local produce, spices and much more. Pick out ingredients for your lunch. Your Travel DIrector will pick out the perfect spot for your picnic.

  • Later take an excursion to beautiful clifffside Eze and the Principality of Monaco.

DAY  4: Modena

  • Meet your private motor coach at the hotel and departure to Modena with a stop en-route for lunch on your own.

  • Dinner in Modena at a local restaurant.

 DAY  5: Florence

  • Visit a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese farm, to learn about the production process from start to finish. Enjoy a tasting at the completion of the visit.

  • Proceed to a traditional Acetaia (vinegar cellar) located in the countryside of Modena that has produced balsamic vinegar in the traditional fashion for four generations. Enjoy a tasting at the end of your visit.

  • Return to Modena city center to visit a small but very typical pasta factory, “Il Chicco D’Oro” which produces egg-pasta. Learn all about pasta preparation and enjoy a sample of Tortelloni with butter and sage.

  • Transfer to Florence followed by Dinner at a local restaurant.

 Day 6: Florence

  • Half day guided tour of Florence including a visit to the Accademia Gallery.

  • This afternoon experience a traditional Tuscan lunch.

  • The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the city and make your own culinary discoveries for dinner.

 DAY 7: Rome

  • Transfer to Assisi and enjoy a half day guided city tour including a visit to the The Basilica of Saint Francis.

  • Continue to Bevagna for a tasting at “Antico Frantoio Nunzi” (oil tasting with bruschette, red local wine and mineral water included).

  • Continue on to Rome followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

 Day 8: Rome

  • Full day Guided tour of Vatican City and Rome including the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Cathedral, a visit to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill.

  • Dinner in Rome at a local restaurant.

 DAY 9: Rome 

  • Visit Eataly Roma for a specially arranged tour which will include demonstrations and tastings.

  • Visit the Bakery (pizzas and breads tasting will follow).

  • Visit the Brewery(beers tasting with salami and cheeses will follow)Visit to the Mozzarella cheese Laboratory (mozzarella tasting will follow)

  • Visit to the Fresh Pasta Laboratory followed by a practical test of the students and pasta tasting.

  • End the visit at the coffee shop with coffee and dessert.

 Day 10: Return Home