FAQs

Where are we staying?

Two centrally located 4 star hotels in the cities of Parma and Bologna.

Is the flight included?

No, flights are not included. Please do not book any flights until you confirm your spot on the trip with Chef Debbie. Please note that group transport pick up time is 11am at the Bologna airport on October 22 and drop off time to the airport is flexible on October 28. Depending on flight times in and out of Bologna, a hotel stay may be necessary the day before the trip. For the return transport, if your chosen flight time is very early morning or mid-late afternoon, you can opt to take a taxi at your own expense.

Can I get travel insurance?

Yes, once registered and confirmed with Chef Debbie, travel insurance is highly recommended. The best kind to get is the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance purchased through an independent carrier (so bypass the insurance on the airline website if you are going for CFAR). CFAR must be purchased before any deposits are paid or flights are booked for the trip. If you prefer to instead purchase insurance for the trip based upon a dollar amount or other coverage, there are a number of carriers that can help. I used Allianz for mine and purchased for my household for a full year since I travel often.

What is the cancellation policy?

After booking, any cancellation forfeits the $500 deposit per person. It is recommended to purchase travel insurance (CFAR) to cover the bulk of your cost. The balance is due by August 30, 2023 and cancelation needs to be done by September 6, 2023 to recover the balance less the deposit.

What is the refund policy?

If the trip is cancelled by The Effortless Kitchen after payment is received, you will receive a full refund..

What are the Covid restrictions?

We will follow the local government guidelines. If at the time of travel, there are Covid testing requirements, any costs associated are the responsibility of the individual traveler.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Each situation is unique and we will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs. Please indicate on the allergy section of the retreat agreement your preferences and indicate whether it’s an anaphylaxis allergy. It is very helpful to know foods, especially vegetables, you don’t enjoy eating as well.

Are all meals included?

The dinners for the 4 nights in Bologna are not included by design. We want to give you the opportunity to explore the city at night and sample a variety of local restaurants at your leisure. All other meal times are covered.

What is a no host dinner?

A no host dinner is where everyone pays for their own meal. The reason this meal is not set and paid for is that it would be considered a group dinner by the restaurant and we would have a limited menu of options to choose from. Please make sure you have enough euros at the end of the trip for this dinner as the restaurant does not split checks.

How many people are going on this trip? I have not done a group trip before.

This is going to be a small group and the plan is to have a maximum of 12-16 people to keep it intimate. Chef Debbie will reach out to each participant prior to registering to ensure they are a good fit for the group experience. There is also free time built into parts of the itinerary to allow for down time or independent exploring.

Are there additional expenses I should know about that are not indicated on the itinerary?

Besides the obvious expense for shopping and souvenirs, alcohol is extra with the exception of a glass of wine at group meals that are included in the itinerary. Tipping is optional but should also be a consideration when thinking about how much euros you will need for the trip.

What should I pack?

No need for dressy clothes or shoes. Outfits can be casual and comfortable. Layers are helpful as nights can be cooler. Comfortable shoes are the most important in Italy as the streets tend to be cobblestone.