Reviews

"My wife and I just returned from Bologna with Francesca and we had a fantastic time! The hotel was in a great location, central to everything and very comfortable. Our pasta class was a lot of fun and we made some delicious pasta. The walking tours were informative and loaded with food. All the restaurants Francesca selected for our dinners were top notch. The visits to facilities that produced Parmigiano-Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar and Prosciutto were educational and tasty. Francesca is a great tour guide. She makes you feel like you’re sending time with a friend who just happens to know the area. Everyone on the tour chatted, laughed, ate and drank together. We were like family. If you are planning a trip to Italy and want a truly memorable time, call Francesca, you won’t be disappointed."

"Judy and I have been home from Sicily for almost a week now and we are starting to readjust. I wanted to take a minute and talk about the tour company we used. We traveled with the Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures, Francesca Montillo is the owner and tour guide. Traveling with Francesca is like traveling with a close friend who knows Italy and the language. The groups are small and the culinary adventures are huge! Since they are small groups, you, get to visit places, like the open air markets and cooking classes, on an intimate basis. Something you can’t do with 40 people. Francesca always ensures there is plenty of free time to explore sights and restaurants on your own. If you are looking to visit Italy, and I highly suggest it, travel with the Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures; it will be the trip of a lifetime."

"My family and I recently returned from a week trip to Puglia, Italy with Francesca. It was everything that we wanted. This trip all started with a Google search, an email and a very good phone call. After the call, I felt that Francesca was a longtime friend. Her knowledge of Italy, the long hours of research that she did to put this trip together were evident in the quality of the trip. The small groups enables Francesca to give everyone that personal treatment that the big tours can’t. We weren’t just a number, we are a new family. The food, wine, and sites were great but the best thing was the life-long memories that we have area all thanks to Francesca."

"I recently returned from a wondrous 8 day tour of Bologna and the Emillia Romagna region. Francesca Montillo, who arranged everything, refers to herself as a “host and leader.” While accurate, Francesca is so much more than that. She made sure that needs of EVERYONE in the group were catered to and that the very thoughtful tours and meals went beyond my best expectations. Whether we spent time on architecture, history, cooking, visiting exceptional food producers, restaurants or retailers, each local guide was exceptionally versed in their particular field. They also provided incredible insight into local producers (such as the producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena) and area history with humor, knowledge, truly giving us an insider’s look at both Bologna and surrounding region. After I returned to Boston, I referred to this trip as a “once in a lifetime” experience. Hopefully, joining another group with Francesca in the future, will be another “Once in a lifetime” experience. I highly recommend Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget."

"We just want you to know that Rob and I so enjoyed our travels in Tuscany with you. You did an outstanding job in planning our week. All the different culinary tastes you provided were fabulous and all so tasty. Every lunch was wonderful, so creative, and the presentations I will never forget. We have been to Italy many times but this by far was the best. You called it culinary and it was that. Our past trips have been drenched in museums and Cathedrals so this was a refreshing way to visit Italy. I couldn't tell you which day was our favorite; they were all a little different and I guess every day was our favorite - is that possible? We enjoyed staying at Villa Miranda and the hospitality. Dinners were nice and very comfortable. Our travel guides and drivers also added so much to the trip. The 4 young people were delightful and added so much laughter to our ventures. I won't attempt their names because you know who I mean. Thank you for a marvelous Italian week and we hope we will be able to travel with you again soon."

"I can honestly say this was the best trip in my life! Full of fun, new friendships, great food, great wine and memories to last a lifetime. My many thanks to you for all of your hard work and dedication ensuring everyone was well taken care of and was happy. Yes, we were all happy...all the time! We had such a great group of ladies that blended so well it made the trip even more enjoyable. My very best to you and I do hope to see you again!"