Leave the pier at 800 AM for the ride in a luxury Mercedes Minivan arriving at Diane's favorite local market where you will join her in shopping for fresh ingredients for todays lesson. At 1030 your class begins and it's hands on. Roll up your sleeves, get ready for an interesting and inspiring culinary experience.

Only fresh seasonal  produce is used in the cooking school, therefore the dishes vary depending on the time of year. Lunch will consist of food prepared in class, local specialities and wine. Dishes such as deep fried zucchini flowers in yeast batter, Linguine with tuna, lemon and rocket, Baked pasta timballo, Pesto sauce, Tagliolini with smoked salmon and cream, Asparagus Risotto, Chicken with black olives and fennel seeds, Veal with artichokes, Pork with fennel and orange,  Stuffed, baked mussels, Octopus salad, Sweet ricotta fritters, Panna Cotta and lots more. Make any special dietary requests at the time of booking.

All too soonyour class is over and it's time to say goodbye. But the day is not over. You still have time and your driver is at your disposal and will take take you on a short panoramic tour of the sights of the Eternal City or anywhere you may want to go. A popular destination for shopping is near the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti where the top fashion stores incuding Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and too many others to mention are located. You'll be back at your ship by 500 PM with memories of an unique and memorable day with a famous author and chef.

View of Vatican Square From St Peters

Roman Forum

Updated for 2009 #2 - Rome, Vatican Museum & St. Peters -From pier to the Vatican Museum, english speaking driver for the day, meet local english speaking guide and you enter with a reserved admission without standing in line to see the Sistine Chapel, masterieces by Raphael, Halls of Maps & Tapestries, sculptures everywhere. This is the Vatican's Museum over 500 years old. Next - St. Peter's Cathedral, the Pope's main church, it's altar, the Pieta by Michelangelo and more to be seen.

After the tour (1230/100 PM) your driver will meet you and give you a panoramic tour of Rome with stops for photos, an Italian coffee or a gelato. Stop for lunch (not included), light and quick can be made along the way. You'll be able to view the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Navona Square, Circus Maximus, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps before returning to your ship at 4 PM, a 60 to 90 minute drive depending on traffic.

Note - under Italian law a driver cannot perform the duties of a guide taking you into a church, a monument, a museum, etc. under penalty of a large fine and loss off license. The driver can tell you  where you're going, what you see, etc. In other words a driver drives and a guide guides. 

Updated for 2009 #3 - Rome, Coliseum, Roman Forum, etc., to the Coliseum with your english speaking driver and meet your local english speaking guide to tour the Coliseum (admission included), Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill and its immediate area.

Your driver will meet you and take you on a panoramic tour of Rome with stops for photos, an Italian coffee or a gelato. A stop for lunch (not included), light and quick  if you prefer, can be made along the way. You'll be able to view the, Navona Square, Circus Maximus, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps, before returning to your ship at 4 PM, a 60 to 90 minute drive depending on traffic.