Special Italian Language Immersion Week July 12-18, 2009! Intermediate Italian language skills required. Please inquire for details.
About the location: Widely considered the most beautiful stretch of scenery in the entire
Mediterranean, the Amalfi Coast is an spectacular blend of vertical landscapes, sharp crags and
deep green forests. One of the lesser known fishing towns of the coast is Praiano, located midway
between Amalfi and Positano. Without the renown of its neighbors, Praiano has remained relatively
untouched by tourism and therefore retains its authentic character.
In 1952 a young Donato Esposito
opened a small coffee bar next to the main church in Praiano. His bar flourished into a restaurant,
and eventually a hotel of 40 rooms with a rooftop pool. The hotel has never left the hands of the
Espositos, a family staunchly committed to hospitality. The hotel's spacious terraces boast
spectacular views of Positano, the Isle of Capri, and the sunsets for which the hotel is named.
You will be welcomed for your Amalfi Coast cooking vacation
as one of the family and accommodated in a large, lovely room complete with
a balcony overlooking the sea, where each evening you can watch the golden sunset over the Mediterranean.
About the cooking lessons: Your hands-on cooking classes will be taught by a trio of tremendously
passionate chefs, each with his own specialty. Carmine, Ciro, and Salvatore will guide you through
first, second, and dessert courses, divulging the secrets of Mediterranean regional cuisine.
The local specialties the chefs will share with you require remarkably few ingredients, and
consequently be easy to reproduce in your own kitchen.
Cooking Under a Golden Sunset
Praiano, Amalfi Coast
Cooking Vacation Itinerary
Day One - Sunday
- Transfer from Naples airport or train station to Hotel Tramonto D’Oro in Praiano.
Check in to your sea-view room.
- Time to settle in and explore the ancient fishing village of Praiano.
- Enjoy a welcome drink at sunset, on the hotel's marvelous terrace.
- Dinner tonight is in the hotel’s restaurant at approximately 8:00 PM, local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Two - Monday
- Breakfast.
- In the morning embark (weather permitting) from La Praia beach for
a boat excursion of the famed coastline. First stop will be the Emerald Grotto.
- Continue by boat to the jewel of the Amalfi coast, Positano. Time
on own to visit the town.
- Lunch on own and return to Praiano.
- In the afternoon you will have your first
cooking lesson, which is dedicated to different kinds of pasta. This
is Ciro's specialty and he will show you how to make
hand-made pasta and an array of sauces.
- Dinner to follow with local wine included.
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Day Three - Tuesday
- Following breakfast, morning at disposal for individual activities. For those who love nature there is a wonderful hike that leads from Praiano to the ancient monastery of San Domenico, the famous Sentiero degli Dei
(The Path of the Gods) or walk down to the sea.
- In the late morning enjoy a visit followed by a tasting of limoncello at a local liquor laboratory.
- Lunch on own.
- In the afternoon, meet for your second cooking lesson focusing on typical main courses of the area.
- Enjoy dinner to follow, with local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Four - Wednesday
- Breakfast.
- In the morning, enjoy a visit of the famous towns of Amalfi and Ravello, with the beautiful Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone.
- Lunch on your own.
- In the afternoon, return back to the hotel for your third cooking lesson. Learn how to make the famous Napoletan style pizza and dessert specialities.
- Enjoy dinner based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Five - Thursday
- Breakfast. For those doing the 4-night cooking vacation, transfer to Naples airport or train station.
- For those doing the 6-night cooking vacation, day at disposal to discover the island of
Capri, transportation
provided. You will have the entire day to explore the island and its ancient villas and gardens.
- Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
- Dinner tonight at the hotel, local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Six - Friday
- Breakfast.
- This morning you will be accompanied to Torre al Mare (a Saracen tower facing the seaside) to visit Mr. Sardulli's atelier, a well-known local painter and sculptor.
- The rest of the morning free — sunbathe at the local beach or travel to nearby Sorrento.
- Lunch on your own.
- In the afternoon, meet in the kitchen for your final cooking class.
- Dinner to follow based on your efforts, local wine included.
- Overnight.
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Day Seven - Saturday
- Breakfast and check out of your accommodations.
- Transfer either to the Naples train station or Naples airport.
(If your itinerary permits you may want to organize an optional visit to the ruins of Pompeii. Please inquire for details).
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2009 Price Per Person
All prices per person and based on double occupancy.
This program requires a deposit of US$1000 per person.
Six night program:
High Season (April 10-18; April 25-September 25)
US$3000 for a minimum of 4 people
US$3150 for 2-3 people
US$550 single supplement
Low Season (April 19-24; September 26-Nov. 1)
US$2650 4 or more people
US$2900 for 2-3 people
US$450 single supplement
Upgrade to a deluxe room with terrace: US$180 per person
Non-cooking companion: US$200 less either season
Special Italian Language Immersion Week
July 12-18:
US$4000 per person based on double occupancy
US$550 single supplement
Please inquire for details.
Four night program:
US$2400 per person
Single supplement: please inquire
Upgrade to a deluxe room with terrace: US$120 per person
Non-cooking companion: US$100 less
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2009 Tour Dates
April 18-24
July 5-11
July 12-18 (Italian language immersion week, please inquire for details)
September 19-25 (Sat to Fri: 4-night confirmed, 6-night available)
April 11-17, 2010
And any other week on request for a minimum of 2 people.
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Included in the six-night cooking vacation:
- Transfer to and from Naples (airport or train station) to Praiano
- Six nights accommodation in double superior sea view room with balcony
- Welcome drink
- Six dinners with local wine included
- Four cooking classes with chefs and interpreter as per programme
- One boat (weather permitting) from beach La Praia to the
Emerald Grotto and Positano
- Entrance tickets to the Emerald Grotto
- Transfer to and from the beach La Praia to Hotel Tramonto d’Oro
- Transfer to the harbor for the Capri excursion
- Round trip ferry tickets to Capri
- Half-day excursion to Amalfi and Ravello
- Entrance to Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone in Ravello
- Visit to a local Limoncello factory with tasting
- Visit to the Torre al Mare to visit Sandulli's artist studio.
Included in the four-night cooking vacation:
- Transfer to and from Naples (airport or train station) to Praiano
- Four nights accommodation in double superior sea view room with balcony
- Welcome aperitivo
- Four Dinners with local wine included
- Three cooking classes with chefs and interpreter as per programme
- One boat excursion (weather permitting) from beach La Praia to the
Emerald Grotto and Positano
- Entrance tickets to the Emerald Grotto
- Half-day excursion to Amalfi and Ravello
- Transfer to and from the beach La Praia to Hotel Tramonto d’Oro
Please note: The program may be altered slightly due to weather and opening and closing time of establishments. |
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Cooking Vacations 
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