Adriatic Cooking Experience
Adriatic Cooking Experience
September 28 to October 4, 2025
Many weeks before the start of the tour, feeling like simple tourists, we contacted “Laura Selection”. Then shortly after beginning the weeklong tour, we felt like family. Copious tears filled our eyes when we had to say goodbye.
Our small, intimate group consisted of mom and dad, son and wife. Our host team proved flexible, very capable, and willing to adjust the itinerary as needed.
From the prearranged hotel and pickup in Rome to our smooth arrival in beautiful Termoli, Molise, we were met in a small plaza and helped with luggage to the beautiful Albergo Diffuso Residenza Sveva inside the medieval city. We were greeted with a wonderfully warm welcome before being shown to our magnificent, clean, and spacious rooms overlooking the Adriatic. The very first evening we were taken to a wonderful welcome dinner at Ristorante Federico II. Here the enchanting medieval architecture was only outdone by the master chef’s fabulous seafood dinner served by him, his wife and daughter. We were very well taken care of that evening! How special!
Among the wonderful excursions was a private tour and tasting at the Jasci Winery featuring their many wines joined by exquisite local cheeses, and “ventricina” salami (out of this world!). The incredibly personable Marina, of Marina Colonna Oleificio, shared a tasting of her very own olive oil production, and her very especial own prepared lunch. She introduced us to the delightful use of Marina Colonna infused olive oils (lime, chili, orange, etc.). Not only did she take us through her groves' extensive variety of olive trees, but she also shared her knowledge of the olive production process. We even became acquainted with a simple, hand-held tool to pit table olives. The family run, award winning Di Nucci Cheese Lab, along with a taste of freshly made cheeses, and the tour of Marinelli Bell Foundry of Agnone were distinctive highlights. Marinelli is the exclusive maker of bells for the Vatican! The scenery of the “over-the-Adriatic“ Trabocco perfectly complemented an amazing seafood lunch.
We enjoyed Termoli, magnificent, medieval, enchanting, with ancient ruins and catacombs underneath the cathedral. Walking along the wonderful cobblestone streets, squeezing through the narrowest street in all Italy, and enjoying delicious food at local restaurants on our own or with our host team, took us back in time. Cooking with Master Chef Massimo was a fantastic experience. We made fresh pasta, several delicious Molise creations and desserts, that we then enjoyed for lunch. It would have been wonderful to squeeze in more of these amazing cooking classes. Our succulent, farewell “Ciao Ciao” dinner at the Ristorante Svevia wrapped up the well thought out experiences of the week.
The excursions were interesting and entertaining. We always felt special and were treated with much respect and consideration. Different drivers took us to various excursions. On several occasions, on the way back home, they took it upon themselves to treat us for coffee and/or some nice cold beer… That was a treat!
The tasting, the landscapes, medieval places, friendships, the team’s personal attention to ensure we were fine, and the family time we shared was all above what words can express.
We enjoyed an incredible week, memories of the cooking, the beautiful scenery, the many historic buildings and settings, along with such friendly people made this a “must-do-it-again” tour. The host team was fantastic and made us feel comfortable and safe. All the ingredients for an amazing week!
Many thanks to our host team for your friendship and for making us feel so welcome every moment. Grazie Mile! Arrivederci!
Don and Maria "The American Family"
September 28, 2025
Unprompted review