Maymester Study Abroad in Italy

Italy Maymester Program Itinerary 2009
May 11 Departure Charleston. May 12 Arrival in Florence. Welcome dinner.
May 13 Orientation and presentation of the student assignments: Food Landscape of Italy -food writing and photography project. Visit to the internal part of the Duomo and Baptistry.
May 14 Visit to San Lorenzo fresh food market, Lecture on Food Writing I.
Lecture and Workshop – Introduction to Italian gastronomy and typical Italian products, rules and regulations for guaranteeing quality and tradition.
May 15 Visit to the Uffizi Gallery. Workshop - Food Photography I.
May 16 Day trip to Northern Italy in the Po Valley.
Parma – Guided tour of the Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese factory. Walking tour of the city center and lunch on own. Transfer to Modena to visit a traditional balsamic vinegar factory for tour and tastings, part of the Consorzio Produttori di Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena.
May 17 Lecture on Food Writing II, Lecture and Workshop – Regional cuisine, Tuscany and its summer specialties.
May 18 Visit the Accademia Gallery, Lecture on Food Photography II, Lecture and Workshop: Olive Oil in Tuscan Cuisine – the importance of olive oil in the Italian culture and diet.
May 19 Lecture and final review on food writing and photography project, Lecture and cooking class – Italian cuisine and the Mediterranean – Exploration of the Italian cuisine as a part of the Mediterranean culinary culture.
May 20 Lecture and workshop: The importance of pasta in Italian cuisine and the tradition of Italian meals including the preparation of fresh pasta. Lecture and workshop: Italian Baking and Pastry: breads of Tuscany and specialty breads.
May 21 Visit an organic school canteen, Lecture and Workshop: Foods for Therapy – Beyond Chocolate, followed by a chocolate workshop with the European Champion Chocolate/Pastry Chef Andrea Bianchini (with tasting), Lecture: Meal Planning and Meal Management in the Italian family followed by a real meal with Italian families. Students will be invited in small groups by Italian families to join them for dinner.
May 22 Free day to explore the city of Florence.
May 23 Field trip to Montepulciano and Pienza. The trip will include visit to the Tenuta di Salcheto vineyard with tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. At the end of the day, the group will move to San Sepolcro to check into a countyside agriturismo.
May 24 After breakfast in agrituismo, students will visit the town of San Sepolcro. Dinner in agriturismo.
May 25 Free day in the country around the agriturismo. After lunch, return to Florence. Evening free.
May 26 Free day in Florence. Farewell dinner in evening.
May 27 Departure from Florence and arival in Charleston.