Join us for the most delicious

culinary retreat in Italy!

July 2-8, 2023

 

Culinary Adventure in Abruzzo!

July 2-8, 2023

Grab your partner, BFF or just come solo and let’s go! Six nights accommodations with five full days of custom cooking and food experiences in Abruzzo, Italy. Includes dining, cooking, tours and more. Space is limited so don’t miss this foodie adventure in the gorgeous Abruzzo region of Italy right off of the Adriatic Sea! It’s going to be the trip of a lifetime. Let’s make memories!

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This unique culinary experience is for you if:

  • You are a foodie and want to experience the most delicious Italian food you have ever tasted

  • You love red wine that is sulfite (and headache) free

  • You love to eat and experience a region through their food

  • You like to have a trip planned to include the best spots to visit

  • You love to eat and talk about food and have a chef as your guide

  • You like to take hands on cooking classes

  • You like hanging out with culinary likeminded people

  • You want to getaway in early July for the trip of a lifetime to kick off your Summer

What is included

  • 6 nights accommodations at a beautiful palazzo located in the mountains of Abruzzo which is much cooler than most of Italy (perfect for July)

  • All meals and all the red wine you can drink at lunch and dinner

  • Four in house cooking classes, including pasta and pizza making and traditional foods from the region

  • A visit to the Trabocci fishing house on the Adriatic Sea and lunch

  • Beach excursion on the Adriatic Sea

  • Olive oil tour and tasting

  • Truffle hunting

  • A trip to Agnone for a Caciocavallo cheese tour, and a historic bell foundry and lunch of traditional sausage sandwiches

  • Full time access to Chef Debbie and all of her food knowledge

  • Group transfers to and from the Rome airport

  • Pre trip virtual cooking class to meet the group and learn Chef Debbie’s famous bolognese recipe

  • FUN and connection

 

Olive oil tasting, Abruzzo 2022

Why travel with Chef Debbie?

I live to and love to travel and started going on family trips at a young age which laid the groundwork for a lot of International travel as a young adult. I was always fascinated by the tastes and smells of the places we visited and as someone obsessed with food, I wanted to try it all. Early on, I realized the best way for me to explore a new region is through their food and food culture and my mission now is to share that with others through these culinary retreats. Traveling with me is like having your very own food guide.

Don’t take my word for it. See what past culinary retreat participants have said:

“The retreat to Abruzzo with Chef Debbie was fantastic! I learned a lot about cooking, food and the Italian diet. The Palazzo is in a beautiful, restful location and its owners were very welcoming. Everything was well planned and coordinated. I would love to travel with Chef Debbie again!”

— Cathy S.

“Although I have been to cooking classes in Italy in the past, this recent retreat to Abruzzo surpassed them all. Debbie’s leadership and involvement with every detail made the trip run flawlessly. The palazzo offered views of the snow capped mountains while getting aromas of the most delicious foods being prepared in our classes. The chef was great with his step by step instructions presented in a very entertaining way. This trip was not just enjoyable but will bring my cooking and way of eating to a new level. Brava Debbie- all your hard work paid off for a once in a lifetime experience!!”

— Susan Basta

Pricing

 

2,600 euros per person, double occupancy (plus $600 deposit upon registration)

Rooms can accommodate two travelers in two single beds or one large bed

All rooms have en suite bathrooms

Single room upgrade available for the solo traveler for 300 euro surcharge- limited number of spaces

FAQs

 

Where are we staying?

In a renovated palazzo in Carunchio, Italy. It’s a small town and everything is in walking distance from the palazzo.

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 and drop off times are 1pm at the FCO airport both days. Depending on flight times in and out of Rome, a hotel stay may be necessary the day before the trip and/or on the last day of the trip.

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)

What is the cancellation policy?

After booking, any cancellation forfeits the $600 deposit and 300 euros deposit per person. It is recommended to purchase travel insurance through our travel concierge to cover the bulk of your cost. The balance is due 60 days before the trip.

What is the refund policy?

If the trip is cancelled by The Effortless Kitchen after payment is received, you will receive a full refund, less the 300 euros deposit.

What are the Covid restrictions?

We will follow the local government guidelines. We will however, request that you have received your initial Covid vaccinations prior to arrival in Italy. We will be an exclusive group at the Palazzo and in a small region of Italy so once we arrive at the Palazzo, I am told that we are fairly Covid safe. 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. Due to the nature of the cooking classes, the chef instructor cannot accommodate gluten free or vegan diets. It is very helpful to know foods, especially vegetables, you don’t enjoy eating as well.

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?

Not many. Breakfast includes coffee, tea, cappuccinos and lunch and dinner include red wine. If you want beverages other than these or outside of the designated meal times, you can run a “bar tab” and pay at the end so you never have to carry money. Drink pricing is lower than we are used to in the US. It is recommended that each guest contributes 50 euros at the end of the stay to distribute to the Palazzo staff. You will see that this is a well deserved gratuity. Bar tab can be put on your credit card. Euros are preferred for gratuity, however, they will accept USD. Optional boat trip is not included.

What should I pack?

This is a very casual vacation in Carunchio. No need for dressy clothes or shoes. Outfits can be casual and comfortable. It is recommended to bring comfy clothes to hang out in during the down time or to walk around town in. You may want athletic sneakers for walking the hills of town. Please bring closed toes shoes for the cooking classes. You will want to pack a bathing suit if you choose to participate in the beach excursion.

Isn’t Italy is hot in July?

Yes, Italy can typically be warm in the Summer, especially mid July to mid August. We have the benefit of being situated in the mountains of Abruzzo so the average temperatures are cooler than elsewhere in Italy and the views cannot be beat. An additional benefit of being there in the Summer is we will have some time to go to the beach on the Adriatic Sea.