The Culture of Food in Parma with Sophie Minchilli

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While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region – lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle – that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.

Our home base will be Parma, where we’ll spend six nights and five immersive days diving deep into the flavors, traditions, and culture that make this region a paradise for food lovers. Each day, we’ll visit bustling markets and passionate food producers, cook, feast, and explore different corners of Emilia-Romagna. And don’t worry — you’ll have your late afternoons and evenings free to wander Parma at your own pace. Since our days will be filled with generous tastings, we’ve kept most evenings open so you can discover the city’s culinary delights as your appetite allows.

I hope you’ll join me in one of Italy’s most mouthwatering regions to savor some of its most cherished ingredients. – Sophie

Autentico Florence with Elizabeth Minchilli & Rolando Beramendi

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Rolando Beramendi has built a career around introducing people to the food of Italy. Since he was 22, he has been foraging for one of the most beloved Italian food importers in the USA. If you’ve ever purchased high-end olive oil, pasta, or other specialty pantry items, there’s a good chance many of them were lovingly imported by Rolando’s company, Manicaretti. For much of the past three decades, Rolando has called Florence home, and now he’s opening his doors—and those of his friends—to a select group of lucky guests, offering an opportunity to discover the culture of food in this delicious corner of the world.

Elizabeth Minchilli, food writer and co-founder of Via Rosa, is fortunate to count Rolando as one of her closest friends. Together, they are hosting a week-long event in Florence. Elizabeth, who lived in Florence during the 1980s while working on her Ph.D. on 16th-century gardens, returns as often as possible, documenting one of her favorite cities in her books, on her website, and through social media.

Rolando and Elizabeth invite you to join them for a completely unique, food-focused, exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience of the Florence they love most.


The Culture of Food Puglia with Justine Doiron

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Food has always been a huge priority for me when I travel. I’m not just out to see new places, I’m here to eat my way through them (obviously!). So when I first came across Elizabeth Minchilli’s TikTok videos, I felt an instant connection. I was immediately drawn in by the detail of her work and the richness of her food tours.

A year later, when Elizabeth and I connected and began chatting about hosting a food tour in Italy, everything clicked. Italy is a country I love exploring one bite at a time and I hope to do that with some of you who share the same passion for pairing food and travel.

Although I’ve visited Italy many times, my trips have often centered around Rome and Napoli, where I have family ties. Discovering a whole new side of Italy – especially one as rich in flavors and traditions as Puglia – has been on my bucket list forever. I’m absolutely thrilled to host this tour to Puglia!

This is my second time hosting for Via Rosa, and I can’t wait to host this incredible journey and share all the delicious moments with you. Let’s eat our way through Puglia together – Justine Doiron

The Culture of Food in Parma with Elizabeth Minchilli

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While Italy’s culinary treasures come from every corner of the country, nowhere is the pantry richer than in Emilia-Romagna. When most non-Italians dream of Italian food, it’s the iconic dishes of this region – lasagna, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle – that come to mind. All of them were born here. It’s no accident that Emilia-Romagna boasts more DOP and IGP (officially protected) foods than any other region in Italy.

Our home base will be Parma, where we’ll spend six nights and five immersive days diving deep into the flavors, traditions, and culture that make this region a paradise for food lovers. Each day, we’ll visit bustling markets and passionate food producers, cook, feast, and explore different corners of Emilia-Romagna. And don’t worry — you’ll have your late afternoons and evenings free to wander Parma at your own pace. Since our days will be filled with generous tastings, we’ve kept most evenings open so you can discover the city’s culinary delights as your appetite allows.

I hope you’ll join me in one of Italy’s most mouthwatering regions to savor some of its most cherished ingredients. – Elizabeth

The Culture of Food in Parma with Shereen Pavlides

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My first trip to Italy changed my life. Working side by side with farmers and food producers gave me a deeper connection to Italian culture and made me a better cook. That passion led me to host my first Via Rosa tour, where I could share the joy of discovering Italy through its food. Now I’m thrilled to return, this time to Parma in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, home to lasagna, tortellini, and more DOP-protected foods than anywhere else in the country. Over six days we’ll cook, taste, and explore with the people who bring these traditions to life, while also enjoying time to savor Parma at your own pace. I can’t wait to share this delicious journey with you. – Shereen

The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Elizabeth Minchilli

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Although I live in Rome and Umbria, I’ve been visiting Sicily regularly since I was twelve. My first trip was during a Christmas vacation with my parents—bouncing around in the back of a Fiat 124 with my sisters—and I’ve loved it ever since. Over the years, I’ve returned in every season, for both work and pleasure. I’ve made friends across the island: on farms, in restaurants, in the countryside, and by the sea. I’d love to introduce you to some of them and share a few of my favorite places.

We’ll be based in one of my favorite spots: Ortigia. Our days will be full, with adventures in the countryside, in the cities, and around volcanoes. But don’t worry, you’ll also have time to wander and explore on your own. I hope you’ll join me!

– Elizabeth

The Culture of Food in Puglia & Matera with Sophie Minchilli

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I’ve been coming to Puglia since I was born. My father, Domenico, is from Bari, the capital of this sun-soaked regio, and his family home has always been my base for exploring everything Puglia has to offer. Over the years, I’ve built a life and career around sharing the food, places, and people I love here, through tours, social media, and my book The Sweetness of Doing Nothing.

This six-night journey begins in Bari, where we’ll spend four days discovering the city’s hidden corners and using it as a base to explore the surrounding countryside and coast. You’ll meet many of the producers, cooks, and artisans I’ve come to know over the years, and experience the region the way I have: through meals, stories, and warm hospitality.

Midweek, we’ll head to Matera, a stunning cave-filled city in nearby Basilicata. There, we’ll stay in a luxurious 5-star cave hotel and spend two days exploring one of the most magical towns in Italy.

I hope you’ll join me for a week of unforgettable meals, meaningful connections, and a deep dive into the food culture of southern Italy. – Sophie Minchilli

The Culture of Food in Umbria

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For over thirty years, we’ve been lucky enough to call two very different but equally magical places home: our apartment in Rome and our beloved villa in Umbria. Summers, long weekends, and countless lazy afternoons have been spent here in Umbria: surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and the quiet rhythm of a life lived close to the land. Over the years, we’ve fallen hopelessly in love with this unspoiled corner of Italy, and we’d love to share it with you.

We’re inviting you to join us for a week steeped in the flavors, textures, and beauty of Umbria. For six delicious days, we’ll explore the region the way we love best: through its kitchens, markets, and vineyards. Most importantly, we will introduce you to the people keeping these traditions alive. We’ll taste, sip, cook, learn, wander, and have fun along the way.

Our base will be Perugia, the ancient hill town that serves as Umbria’s capital. We’ll stay at the elegant Brufani Hotel, recently restored and perfectly perched above the valley with panoramic views. From this enviable spot in the heart of the city, you can step outside to find museums, boutiques, and trattorie in your free time.

We can’t wait to welcome you into our Umbria, a place of beauty, generosity, and unforgettable meals shared around the table.

– Elizabeth and Sophie

The Culture of Food in Sicily

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We’re going to Sicily!! I am so happy to invite you on my upcoming trip to explore Sicily. I’ve teamed up with author, Italian food expert, and dear friend Elizabeth Minchilli, and her company Via Rosa once again. They have curated an unforgettable week for us. During this 6-day tour, we’ll immerse ourselves in the rich and layered culinary culture of this extraordinary island. Together, we’ll explore lively markets, wander through historic towns, and, of course, savor the bold, diverse flavors that make Sicilian cuisine so unique.

Based in the vibrant city of Palermo, we’ll spend six nights and five full days diving deep into the food traditions shaped by Western Sicily’s fascinating history and stunning landscape. From cheese making to seaside lunches;  visits with local artisans and hands-on cooking experiences, each day will be filled with delicious discovery. And don’t worry—there will be time built in for you to relax or explore on your own.

I can’t wait to share this Sicilian adventure with you!
– Evan Kleiman