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Judith Cullen’s |
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Cooking classes, tours and books |
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What
People Say |
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In
all my travels I have found this the tour I did with Judith the BEST way
to achieve all I wanted to achieve on a trip. Being a ‘foodie’ means I
really wanted to explore this side of the culture as much as was possible
in the time available. I certainly did that and then some. To have a range
of experiences all organised, all language difficulties taken care of and
all accommodation and travel sorted was wonderful and the icing on the
cake –and then there are the people traveled with. I eagerly await my
next trip with Judith, and although I usually seek new ways of doing
things have no intention of doing this when it comes to my culinary travel.
I have no reservation in recommending Judith’s tours and lining up again
myself for one. Jacquie
Hills --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How
best do you interpret journeys that leave one emotionally, intellectually,
and physically fulfilled? For
me, two tours: the "Culinary and Culture Tour of Italy" and “A
Taste of Sicily” hosted by Judith Cullen, who runs cooking classes in
Dunedin and who has become a close friend, and special and expert Italian
tour guides Isabella and
Luigi Dusi from Montalcino, brought to reality my every dream of
travelling in Italy, filling me with intense emotion as I reflect on these
two amazing tours. One
our journeys began with early morning Italian caffe and brioche, then a
visit to a thousand year old basilica in the small Lazio village of
Grottaferrata. We went on to continuously stunning landscapes, excellent
accommodation, Italian gourmet cuisine, enchanting Tuscan hill top
medieval villages and were special guests at a village festival.
Marvellous art and sculpture in Florence (and loads of shopping)!
We learned about wines, butchers, breads, in fact everything that
represents Italian lifestyle and cuisine.
Memories of fabulous meals and cooking demonstration with Marisa at
Montagnana near Verona will never fade. And of course Venice with Isabella
is altogether another way of looking at Venice! In
Sicily we took four-wheel-drives up Mt.Etna volcano and watched red-hot
lava flow metres from our feet; incredibly exciting!
The aroma of fresh fish, mountains of colourful fruit and
vegetables, and the outdoor markets in Palermo (while keeping a look-out
for mafia deals) is an experience not to be missed.
I was introduced to Campari in the piazza in Taormina – and I’m
hooked! The fresh almonds of Siracusa, delicious gelati and figs – all
part of the taste sensations. Off to white washed Puglia and a sea of
olive groves, the ancient Trulli and traditional bread making in this
isolated region was stunning. Meeting the buffala, seeing the production
and tasting real Bufala mozzarella at the home of a Baronessa was another
highlight. Both
tours were organised with outstanding professionalism by Judith, Isabella
and Luigi. Tireless,
fun-loving Isabella is a privilege to meet. Her knowledge of Italy is
exceptional and her storytelling refreshing and captivating - she makes
history come alive. Luigi,
Italian, host extraordinaire leads from the rear and is our survival
blanket and our friend. Judith’s
excitement every time she explained an ingredient or a regional recipe was
always evident – and infectious – she is an excellent host. Our coach drivers were so skilled, patient and shared great local knowledge, always exceeding beyond their normal duty. If these tours are the only journeys you take to Italy, or Europe, then I assure you that your expectations and experiences will be overwhelming. Happy and safe journeying. Ciao
Liz Harris, Queenstown, N.Z. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several years ago, on a
freezing midwinter’s day, I went with friends to one of Judith Cullen’s
popular cookery demonstrations. Judith
cheerily entertained thirty rural women while preparing us a delicious
lunch of hearty Ribolitta soup. We
chatted briefly about Italy; we both loved it and had plans to return. When we met again,
I’d discovered the delights of travelling with Isabella and Luigi. A
stunning tour of cultural
treasures and village life had opened my eyes to authentic Italy. I had been given privileged glimpses into the everyday lives
of real people. I’d
wandered tiny unspoiled places, charmed
by beauty, serenity, and all those thrilling echoes and presences from the
past that so seamlessly exist amid contemporary Italian life. I’d sat at sidewalk cafes observing, listening, absorbing
the atmosphere . There were superb meals and countless lovely wines.
There was shopping and photographing.
We learned that kiwi hairdryers can blow fuses and plunge 3 star
hotels into darkness. We
learned to be forgiving toward modern
plumbing superimposed onto ancient buildings.
We discovered Etruscans and grappa and the beauty of the pale
Tuscan earth ploughed for winter. We walked in Florence and Venice and
Rome while Isabella brought history alive with fascinating stories. We
hadn’t felt like tourists. We
had felt like welcomed visitors, even friends.
I was captivated. I
was elated and humbled and grateful and utterly hooked. I knew that Isabella and
Luigi, with their flair, would be perfect to co-host Judith’s proposed
tours. Contact was made - and the rest, as they say, is history.
I’m now looking forward to
my third tour with Judith, Isabella and Luigi - and it can’t come soon
enough. Once again it will be the absolute highlight of my year. Mille
grazie. Ros,
Dunedin, NZ
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