The Culture of Food in Sardinia

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Italy is a country where every region tells a unique story, rich in history, culture, and flavors. Even after a lifetime here, I’m still amazed by how different each region feels, as if every trip takes you to a whole new world. Sardinia, or Sardegna as it’s known in Italy, left that exact impression on me during my first visit as a child—an experience filled with wonder, as if I had stumbled upon a hidden land brimming with magic and new discoveries.

Sardinia is one of Italy’s two largest islands and is often celebrated for its stunning, crystal-clear beaches. But beyond its postcard-worthy coastline lies an island with a distinctive soul, shaped by centuries of traditions. With its own language (Sardu), unique recipes, rare ingredients, and a vibrant connection to music, dance, and crafts, Sardinia offers an unforgettable cultural experience unlike any other in Italy.

Over the years, my love for Sardinia has grown as I’ve explored more of its hidden treasures, venturing beyond the usual tourist paths. Now, I’m excited to share this passion with you through a carefully crafted week-long journey designed to showcase the heart of Sardinian culture. We’ll explore both the central and southern parts of the island, diving deep into its culinary traditions while uncovering its rich history and local customs.

I hope you can join me for a week filled with authentic flavors, off-the-beaten-track experiences, and a genuine taste of Sardinian life. By the end of our journey, you’ll not only gain a deeper understanding of this enchanting island, but also a love for the people and their traditions. 

— Sophie Minchilli

The Culture of Food in Sicily

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Food has always been a huge priority for me when I travel. I’m not just out here 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 instantly captured by the detail of her work and the layers of her food tours.

A year later, when Elizabeth and I connected and started chatting about Sicily, everything clicked. This was the region I wanted to explore, one bite at a time—hopefully with some of you who love pairing food and travel as much as I do!

Although I’ve visited Italy many times, my trips often center around Rome and Napoli, where I have family ties. Exploring a whole new side of Italy—especially one so rich in unique flavors and traditions—has been on my bucket list forever.

I can’t wait to host this amazing journey and share all the delicious moments with you. Let’s eat our way through Sicily together!

– Justine

Autentico Florence

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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 owner 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 in Parma

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I am thrilled to announce that I am once again heading back to Parma. Parma sits at the center of one of the greatest culinary traditions in Italy. Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto, Culatello and Balsamico are all made in the area. The region of Emilia Romagna has the greatest number of DOP and IGP (recognized and protected foods) in Italy. It’s also the region that developed and is famous for the most familiar Italian foods, think lasagne, ravioli, tortellini, tagliatelle.

Based in Parma, we will spend six nights and five very full days diving deeply into the culture of food that defines this region and makes it so delicious. We will visit markets and food producers to eat, cook, laugh and have fun.

Each day we will head out to visit different parts of Emilia Romagna, but you will have time in the late afternoon and evenings to explore the town on your own. Since we will be eating a lot during the day, we’ve left you most of the evenings free to explore the culinary landscape of Parma according to your own appetite

There are so many reasons to get excited about dining and exploring this extraordinary food culture. I hope you can join me! – Evan Kleiman 

The Culture of Food in Western Sicily

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Although I live in Rome and Umbria, I visit Sicily regularly. Palermo is not only my favorite city in Sicily, but perhaps in Italy. I’d love to show you why, sharing some of my favorite places with you.

During this 6-day tour, we’ll have the time to truly explore this rich corner of the island, from a completely food-centric point of view, of course. Our base is Palermo, but we will also be taking day trips into the countryside to explore the culture of food that is tied to the landscape. From breakfast through dinner, we’ll wander in small towns, the countryside, and the streets of Palermo, tasting, drinking, eating, cooking, learning, and having fun.

The days will be full, but don’t worry, you’ll have some downtime as well to head off on your own to explore. I hope you can join me! – Elizabeth

The Culture of Food in Western Sicily

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Although I live between Rome and Umbria, I visit Sicily regularly. Palermo is not only my favorite city in Sicily but perhaps in Italy. I would love to show you why, sharing some of my favorite places with you. .

During this 6-day tour, we’ll have the time to truly explore this rich corner of the island, from a completely food-centric point of view, of course. Our base is Palermo, but we will also be taking day trips into the countryside to explore the culture of food that is tied to the landscape. From breakfast through dinner, we’ll wander in small towns, the countryside, and the streets of Palermo, tasting, drinking, eating, cooking, learning, and having fun.

The days will be full, but don’t worry, you’ll have some downtime as well to head off on your own to explore.

The Culture of Food in Puglia & Matera

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Sophie Minchilli has been spending time in Puglia since she was born. Her father, Domenico, is from Puglia’s capital, Bari, and his family home there has been her base to explore the entire region. She has since built a career there, sharing her passion for the region through social media, tours, and her book, The Sweetness of Doing Nothing.

Matera, in Basilicata, is one of Italy’s most magical towns. Built amid ravines, the cave-filled Unesco World Heritage site is unique in the world. Join Sophie to spend two nights in a luxurious 5-star hotel as your base to discover this magical place.

During the 6-day tour, you’ll explore all Sophie loves about this region, from a completely food-centric point of view. Your base for the first 4 days will be Bari, Puglia, before moving on to Matera, Basilicata for 2 nights.

During this week you’ll visit some of her favorite places and meet friends — in small towns, through the countryside, and by the sea— tasting, drinking, eating, learning, and having fun. The days will be full of adventures, but don’t worry, you’ll have downtime as well to head off on your own to explore.

The Culture of Food in Umbria

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For the last 25 years, I’ve been lucky enough to divide my time between our apartment in Rome and our home in Umbria. During summers and most weekends spent at our Umbrian villa, I’ve come to fall in love with this unspoiled corner of Italy. Through my books and articles, I’ve been able to share my passion in words and photographs. Now, with my daughter Sophie Minchilli, I would like to share the experience in person, and invite you to join me in Umbria for a week.

During this six-day tour, we’ll have the time to truly explore the region, from a completely food-centric point of view of course. From breakfast through dinner, we’ll travel all over Umbria: tasting, drinking, eating, cooking, learning, and having fun.

We’ll be based in the small hill town of Todi, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. You will be staying in a charming, family-owned hotel right in the center of town, where you will have your own room. Each day we will be heading out to explore, while also spending time at my own villa nearby. – Elizabeth