This tour was one of the best things we did on our trip to Italy. It is a stunning old farmhouse compound that the city grew up against. And Nonna was so personal and enriching, with the process for TRADITIONAL balsamic vinegar very educational. I would most highly recommend scheduling this tour if your interests at all lie in this direction.

Very informative and interesting with lots of history! Great detail on the process and differences in the real balsamic vinegar. Would recommend! The passion of the tour guide with her family history with the vinegar made it even more special.

This is for sure a unique experience in every sense. Never had I imagined that I would be drinking balsamic vinegar on a spoon. We arrived at Il Borgio del Balsamico by car since it’s the easiest and fastest way to get there. Cristina, one of the owners of the business greeted us at the entrance of the property. The house was amazing and looked exactly like one of those boutique ancient Italian villas. The garden was really nice too, with roses exotic flowers, and even fruit trees everywhere. With Cristina as our guide, we toured the house where her family actually lives in. She showed us the offices from where they run the business. But the last floor was the real jewel of the house. It is this floor where the family keeps the balsamic vinegar stored in wooden barrels for around 15 years before it goes to the market. Cristina’s family has been in this business for over 70 years and their brand is one of the leading ones when it comes to high end balsamic vinegar. The process of making balsamic vinegar is really interesting and captivating since the vinegar can remain stored for up to 50 years before it is ready to be sold. As with wine, the longer the vinegar spends in the wooden barrels, the higher the quality. After a thorough explanation of the production process, including its history and many interesting details, we went downstairs for the tasting. Cristina made us try some of the lighter options first and left the best award winner balsamic for the end. We tried five different vinegars and I can say that each one of them tasted completely different. Cristina also explained us the variety of uses you can give to each of the options. The experience itself was amazing and unique, definitely one of a kind. The perfect way to immerse yourself in the Italian culture and it’s flavours!

Fun experience! We really enjoyed our time with Margherita! We started the morning off with a coffee and treat overlooking the towers then browsed the market for our cooking ingredients. Back at her apartment Margherita tailored the meal for us vegetarians and it was a casual and informative cooking experience. The food was delicious and we highly recommend.

We had a great trip and experience with Chiara and her family. It is a bit challenging to find, but certainly worth every minute. Chiara and her team were very welcoming and we enjoyed cooking, eating, drinking and spending time together. Highly recommend making the trip and enjoying the history of the house and family.

Massimo and Federica are the warmest hosts and take care of every detail of the experience... their lovely appartment is beautifully decorated and most welcoming... the table is set and received us with summer colors and all the elements we would need along the steps of the complete dinner...conversation is friendly and supplies information on Rome’s past, traditional cuisine and all the typical ingredients.... when it comes to food, Massimo is just the perfect chef, powered by family learned skills and all the intention of making the best of the night...Creamy ricotta, intense cherry tomatoes, peperoni with tuna, the best pecorino and prosciutto... and to round up those amazing flavors, a remarkable white wine: a great discovery for us and for Bavarian bishop Johannes Defuc back in the year 1111.After this unsurmountable “antipasti”, we found Pepino’s carbonara with local guanciale .... simply great, as only Italian grandparents can create. Perfect chiannina polpete and faggiolini followed, si soft and tasty !!! Red wine matched this explosion of flavors and enhaced delicious food.My Dad had a memourable birthday cake, so his 80’s in Rome won’t be forgotten: tante auguri Pappo! Thank you so so much Massimo and Federica... a perfect meal, top quality repies and your friendship touched our souls!

We had such a lovely time with Giovanna. Going to the markets with her was wonderful. The food and conversation was perfect!

We had a wonderful time on the cooking class and market tour with Paola. She is warm and engaging, and full of helpful tips and tricks in making delicious pasta and desert. I would highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in Bolognese history and cooking! Mary Ellen Rodgers

Cristina and her family were so sweet and inviting and so lovely to spend time in their home cooking, sharing both our love for music and sharing our cultures! Would highly recommend cooking with Cristina! Was highlight of our trip and did not disappoint!