Morning at the Market
Monday - Friday, Year-round
I adore the food markets. To me, they are the heart of a city and the first place I want to visit to see what the local specialties are and what’s in season.
The San Lorenzo Market, called Mercato Centrale, has been the main market since it’s opening in 1875, when Florence was the capital of Italy.
Downstairs is the city market with butchers, bakers, cheese stands, deli stands as well as some places to eat. It closes at 2pm The upstairs is now an artisan food market/food court, open until midnight. The outdoor market stands are now no longer food, but a fun place to grab some gifts.
Street Food + Street Art
Year-round
Join me for a foto walk around Florence with small bites and trivia about art, artists and a chance to take some great fotos.
One of my favorite passtimes is the passeggiata, when the locals come out to stroll.
Florence has a collection of Buchette di Vino, wine doors which often act as “frames for street art”. There are several Florence based street artists each with their own style. I will also share the address of a few studios as well where you can get their works.
Sicily with Divina Cucina
Yearly for St. Joseph's Day- March 19
Sicily is my new love. It is a combination of all the places I adore, Mexico,Italy and Greece. I’ve been going down for around 10 years discovering more each trip.
Sicily has been occupied over the centuries by over 14 different cultures and here you can find some of the best Greek ruins, Spanish style chocolate, the noble cuisine of the Monzu, inspired by the French chefs and Tunisian Couscous. An intense week of food and wine. The tour is centered around a Festival for San Giuseppe, it’s Father’s day and the local tradition is to create beautiful bread sculptures for the altars and celebratory meals.
We begin in Palermo and then will explore the southwest coast of Sicily. Based in Menfi we will visit the San Giuseppe altars in Menfi, Gibellina and Poggioreale. We will also visit Porto Palo, Sciacca for ceramics, the Greek temples at Selinunte and the salt flats in Trapani. Getting off the beaten track and delving in to the culture.
Sicily with Susana Trilling
May 17-27
I am collaborating with Susana Trilling of Seasons of My Heart cooking school in Oaxaca. The island of Sicily is made up of many diverse cultures and people. There are so many signs of the Spanish Occupation and introdution of new world foods brought from Mexico to Sicily.
Starting in Palermo, we travel around the island, coast to coast,staying in two classic old city hotels and an oceanfront family inn. The trip ends in Catania.
Wonderful Sicilian families, Judy’s friends, generously share their knowledge and homes with us. We will visit ruins and wineries, local markets, take cooking classes, explore salt flats, make a special couscous meal, grind chocolate in a stoneground mill, and shape pistachio paste into delectable sweets. We will meet local Slow Food cheese producers, wheat growers, fishermen, and chefs to get a stimulating view of what Sicily has to offer.
Umbria with Divina Cucina
June 2-12
Discover the Green Heart of Italy. We will based in Bevagna and tour many of my favorite small towns and villages. Norcia, Spello, Montefalco, the Tuscan town of Anghiari Lago di Trasimeno and Perugia.
It’s a perfect time to tour, the lentil fields should be at their best with the multicolor blooms. Umbrian wines are some of my favorites and their country-style cooking. We will visit Deruta for ceramics, Anghiari for woven fabrics and Norcia for truffles. Cooking classes, wine tasting and incredible meals.
This tour starts in Rome. We will meet and overnight in Rome and then visit Orvieto on our way to Montefalco.
Private Tours in Italy with Divina Cucina
Year-round
Are you dreaming of a villa in Chianti or a farmstay in Puglia? A coast to coast trip to Sicily?
I can make your dreams come true. I offer private trips as well. From a couples trip or a group of friends. Let me know your dreams and we can create the perfect holiday for you.
If you would simply like me to help curate your trip I also offer a planning service.
Morning at the Market
Monday - Saturday, Year-round
I adore the food markets. To me, they are the heart of a city and the first place I want to visit to see what the local specialties are and what’s in season.
The San Lorenzo Market, called Mercato Centrale, has been the main market since it’s opening in 1875, when Florence was the capital of Italy.
Downstairs is the city market with butchers, bakers, cheese stands, deli stands as well as some places to eat. It closes at 2pm The upstairs is now an artisan food market/food court, open until midnight. The outdoor market stands are now no longer food, but a fun place to grab some gifts.
Street Food + Street Art
Year-round
Join me for a foto walk around Florence with small bites and trivia about art, artists and a chance to take some great fotos.
One of my favorite passtimes is the passeggiata, when the locals come out to stroll.
Florence has a collection of Buchette di Vino, wine doors which often act as “frames for street art”. There are several Florence based street artists each with their own style. I will also share the address of a few studios as well where you can get their works.
Sicily with Divina Cucina
March 17-25
Sicily is my new love. It is a combination of all the places I adore, Mexico,Italy and Greece. I’ve been going down for around 10 years discovering more each trip.
Sicily has been occupied over the centuries by over 14 different cultures and here you can find some of the best Greek ruins, Spanish style chocolate, the noble cuisine of the Monzu, inspired by the French chefs and Tunisian Couscous. An intense week of food and wine. The tour is centered around a Festival for San Giuseppe, it’s Father’s day and the local tradition is to create beautiful bread sculptures for the altars and celebratory meals.
We begin in Palermo and then will explore the southwest coast of Sicily. Based in Menfi we will visit the San Giuseppe altars in Menfi, Gibellina and Poggioreale. We will also visit Porto Palo, Sciacca for ceramics, the Greek temples at Selinunte and the salt flats in Trapani. Getting off the beaten track and delving in to the culture.
Sicily with Susana Trilling
May 17-27
I am collaborating with Susana Trilling of Seasons of My Heart cooking school in Oaxaca. The island of Sicily is made up of many diverse cultures and people. There are so many signs of the Spanish Occupation and introdution of new world foods brought from Mexico to Sicily.
Starting in Palermo, we travel around the island, coast to coast,staying in two classic old city hotels and an oceanfront family inn. The trip ends in Catania.
Wonderful Sicilian families, Judy’s friends, generously share their knowledge and homes with us. We will visit ruins and wineries, local markets, take cooking classes, explore salt flats, make a special couscous meal, grind chocolate in a stoneground mill, and shape pistachio paste into delectable sweets. We will meet local Slow Food cheese producers, wheat growers, fishermen, and chefs to get a stimulating view of what Sicily has to offer.
Umbria with Divina Cucina
June 2-12
Discover the Green Heart of Italy. We will based in Bevagna and tour many of my favorite small towns and villages. Norcia, Spello, Montefalco, the Tuscan town of Anghiari Lago di Trasimeno and Perugia.
It’s a perfect time to tour, the lentil fields should be at their best with the multicolor blooms. Umbrian wines are some of my favorites and their country-style cooking. We will visit Deruta for ceramics, Anghiari for woven fabrics and Norcia for truffles. Cooking classes, wine tasting and incredible meals.
This tour starts in Rome. We will meet and overnight in Rome and then visit Orvieto on our way to Montefalco.
Private Tours in Italy with Divina Cucina
Year-round
Are you dreaming of a villa in Chianti or a farmstay in Puglia? A coast to coast trip to Sicily?
I can make your dreams come true. I offer private trips as well. From a couples trip or a group of friends. Let me know your dreams and we can create the perfect holiday for you.
If you would simply like me to help curate your trip I also offer a planning service.