Chef Tour with In Bocca al Lupo's Beau Schooler
Emilia Romagna & Tuscany
October 19-27, 2024
Welcome to the culinary journey of a lifetime! Join James Beard-nominated Chef Beau Schooler of Juneau's In Bocca al Lupo and explore the gastronomic treasures of two of Italy's most enchanting regions: Emilia Romagna and Tuscany.
On your tour, you’ll travel alongside Alaskan chef Beau Schooler to experience the amazing culinary specialities of these regions, visiting various food artisans, wineries, producers, and of course - enjoying some delicious meals! With an expert chef as your guide, you'll not only savor the region's finest flavors but also learn the secrets behind traditional Italian cooking.
Get ready to embark on a journey that combines culinary excellence with the timeless beauty of these two iconic Italian regions.
Keep scrolling for more tour details, pricing, and specific Trip Notes for this particular tour.
Tour Highlights
Tour a fifth-generation, family run producer of authentic Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena to see the labor of love that goes into this special product.
Walk the wine cellar of a 7th century castle in Tuscany, before tasting the famous Chianti Classico while overlooking the rolling Tuscan hills.
Visit an olive oil producer to learn how this famous product is made, followed by a professional olive oil tasting and light lunch with delicious pairings.
Visit a caseificio (cheese maker) to see how Parmigiano Reggiano, the "king of cheeses," is made, from milk to the final aging process.
Visit the 8th generation butcher shop of Dario Cecchini, the famous Butcher of Panzano and enjoy a 'meat feast' of a dinner at his restaurant!
Live like a local and explore a town's weekly market.
About Chef Beau Schooler
Beau Schooler is a highly skilled and innovative chef based in Juneau, Alaska. With over two decades of experience in the culinary industry, Beau has become renowned for his ability to create unique and delicious dishes using local Alaskan ingredients. Beau began his culinary journey at the Italian Culinary Institute, where he honed his skills and gained a deep appreciation for the craft of cooking (and where he met David & Rynn Caputo!).
In 2013, Beau took on the role of Executive Chef and co-owner of The Rookery Café. During his time there, he helped establish the restaurant as one of the top dining destinations in Alaska, earning numerous accolades and awards for his inventive and flavorful cuisine. Beau has since continued to push the boundaries of Alaskan cuisine as the Executive Chef at In Bocca Al Lupo, a popular Italian restaurant in Juneau. He has also been a vocal advocate for sustainability and supporting local farmers and fishermen, helping to build a more resilient and vibrant food community in the region. Today, Beau is recognized as one of the most talented and influential chefs in Alaska, and continues to inspire others with his passion for cooking and commitment to using local, seasonal ingredients.
Double occupancy: $4,875/person
Single supplement: $600
Deposit of $2,000/person is due upon booking to reserve your spot, along with a signed & completed registration form. Booking is not considered confirmed until deposit has been received.
Payments can be made by check (made out to Curata Travel) and mailed to: Curata Travel, 245 N. Main Street, Spring Grove, PA 17362.
Credit cards are accepted with a 3.6% fee.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Pricing includes:
- Eight nights of accommodations (3 nights in Bologna, 4 nights in Panzano, 1 night near the MXP airport)
- All planned excursions & classes
- Experienced tour directors and local guides
- Meals included: daily breakfasts at our accommodations, all lunches & dinners (with the exception of 1 lunch on your own)
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout the tour
- Airport transfers on specified arrival/departure days/times. We include one group transfer for your arrival and departure at specified times. Any additional transfer will be at your own cost.
Not included:
- Airfare
- Gratuity for driver and guides, at your discretion
- Any spending during free time, personal purchases, extraneous hotel charges (minibar, laundry service, etc.) and any alcoholic beverages not included with meals.
Once you complete the Booking Request Form (click the button at the top of the page), a member of our team will contact you.
You'll receive our Terms & Conditions/Registration form to complete, along with instructions for making your deposit.
Each member of the tour will be responsible for booking their own flight in & out of Milan Malpensa (airport code: MXP). Flights are not included in the tour cost.
You will be picked up at the Milan Malpensa airport on October 19 at 12:00p.m. One group transfer for arrival will be provided. Multiple transfers for departure day will be available.
A few items of note for some of the destinations and the trip as a whole to help set expectations and better prepare you for the trip. Some of the expectations are outlined in the Terms & Conditions form that you will use to register (see specifically the Traveler Code and Traveler Expectations sections), but to reiterate some as they specifically relate to this itinerary.
Cuisine - As hopefully most of you know, our tours focus heavily on the culinary specialities of each region and town we visit. So when we arrange a lunch/dinner or culinary experience, we are working with those restaurants to plan menus in advance that highlight the seasonal produce, and dishes that reflect the region we’re in. You can expect plentiful pasta dishes, cured meats & cheeses, beef dishes (we are visiting a butcher, after all!) and fresh, local ingredients. Plus plentiful red wine in the land of Chianti!
We will be collecting some of this information at a later date from you, but if there are food allergies we need to be aware of, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them. If there are entire categories of food that you just don’t eat (and are not willing to try), this might not be the tour for you!
Terrain: As you'll find throughout Italy, walkways are often made up of cobblestones and limestone paving. Tuscany is known for its hills, so good walking shoes, being sure on your feet, and staying alert are all key to getting around!
Good walking shoes, being sure on your feet, and staying alert are all key to getting around! You should be able/comfortable walking at least 15 minutes at a time.
Excursions: With all of our excursions, you are not forced to participate if something like this is not your ’thing.’ You always have the option to stay behind and enjoy some free time on your own (please note, as mentioned in the Terms & Conditions, there is no compensation or refund for any portion of the tour or excursion you do not participate in).
Destinations
Bologna - Located in the heart of the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, rich cultural heritage, and as a culinary hub famous for its traditional Italian cuisine.
Panzano in Chianti - A quaint Tuscan village with an idyllic location in the heart of the Chianti wine region, offering panoramic vineyard views and a relaxed atmosphere.