Dinner with Friends Abroad
Around the Umbrian Table with Nancy Silverton & Friends
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You're Invited!
Nancy Silverton spends part of every year in a medieval walled village high in the Umbrian hills. Now she is inviting you to spend a week meeting the many food friends she has made in this very special corner of the world.
This intimate tour begins at Nancy’s home in Panicale and then moves on to her favorite cheesemakers, olive growers, farmers, salumi artisans, chefs and truffle hunters. Along the way you will cook with local chefs and dine in both Michelin-starred restaurants and neighborhood pizzerias. Between meals you’ll explore Renaissance masterpieces in Arezzo, Assisi (this year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis) and Orvieto – and shop in local markets.
Your traveling companions will be a small group of passionate food lovers hosted by Nancy and her close friends, Ruth Reichl, Laurie Ochoa, and Alec Lobrano, whose deep curiosity, generosity, and perspective make this a gathering of old friends rather than a traditional tour. Conversations wander, sumptuous meals linger, and each food experience is enriched by shared laughter and insight.
Trip Details
Dates
October 3-11 2026
Duration
9 days, 8 nights
Prices Per Person
Sold Out: $13,990 per person, Double Occupancy
Sold Out: $15,880 pp single occupancy
Deposit
$1,000 per person
Highlights
- Travel with extraordinary company: Share the journey with likeminded food lovers alongside beloved hosts Nancy Silverton, Ruth Reichl, Laurie Ochoa, and Alec Lobrano, whose warmth, stories, and deep culinary knowledge enrich every meal and moment.
- Immersion in Umbrian foodways: From olive oil mills and regenerative farms to cheese producers, salumi masters and truffle hunters, experience the very best of the region.
- Remarkable meals, simple to sublime: Dine everywhere from beloved local pizzerias and trattorias to Michelinstarred restaurants.
- Handson culinary experiences: Cook, taste, and learn directly from local producers and chefs. Art, history, and sense of place: Explore medieval hill towns. Assisi is celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, Arezzo is famous for its Renaissance frescoes and Orvieto, with its wonderful Duomo and markets is often overlooked by tourists.
Itinerary
Arrive in Rome this morning and transfer to Panicale, a beautifully preserved medieval hill town overlooking Lake Trasimeno. Check into the Hotel Rastrello and explore Panicale’s quiet piazzas and sweeping views of the countryside before gathering at Nancy’s home for wine and her signature antipasti. Then stroll through the historic center to Masolino to continue dinner.
Included Meals: Reception, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Rastrello, Panicale
Head into the neighboring region of Tuscany to visit Arezzo, a charming city known for its medieval streets, rich artistic legacy and monthly antiques market. Take a guided tour of the town where Life is Beautiful was filmed and then browse the famed antiques market; the streets are filled with stalls filled with vintage linens, ceramics, silver, prints, furniture and collectibles. Continue to a countryside lunch of classic Tuscan fare before returning to Panicale. Later head out for a casual pizza dinner at Nancy’s favorite local pizzeria.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Rastrello, Panicale
Take a behind-the-scenes tour with one of the world’s most passionate cheesemakers. On a walk through his fields he will introduce his animals and then demonstrate the time-honored methods he uses to craft his cheeses. After joining him for a lunch of cheese, vegetables, salumi, rustic bread, and regional wines you will drive through the beautiful Val d’Orcia mountains. Arrive at Monteverdi, a medieval stone village that has been lovingly restored into a luxurious hotel for a class on cooking regional dishes. Relax with a glass of wine on a terrace overlooking the dramatic landscape and then gather around the table to enjoy the dinner you’ve just helped cook.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Rastrello, Panicale
Visit with one of Nancy’s favorite olive oil producers who will lead a tasting of the region’s prized extra-virgin oils. Then it’s on to Quintosapore, a remarkable family farm famous for its radical regenerative farming philosophy and commitment to biodiversity. Walking through these fields you will encounter many unfamiliar plants – and taste familiar ones that have an extraordinary depth of flavor. Sit down to a leisurely lunch made with products grown on this land: just-pressed olive oil, just-picked vegetables, herbs, and wines. Return to Panicale for a rest before heading to Città della Pieve for dinner at Silvana, a proudly Umbrian restaurant where local meats are grilled in the huge open fireplace that dominates the dining room.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Rastrello, Panicale
Check out of the hotel and head off to visit legendary wine-producer Paolo Bea in Montefalco, where you’ll taste powerful, ageworthy Sagrantino wines shaped by a natural, terroirdriven philosophy. Continue to Norcia, birthplace of Italy’s famed norcineria tradition, for a tasting of the prized salumi the region is known for. Arrive in Orvieto late in the afternoon and check into the centrally located Emme Palace Hotel. Take a short stroll to Ristorante I Sette Consoli, a beloved local restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide for its outstanding Umbrian cuisine and regional wine list.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Emme Palace and Spa, Orvieto
Spend the morning discovering the lovely town of Orvieto, known for its Gothic Duomo, Etruscan roots, and lively market. During a guided walk through the historic center you’ll stop in at a neighborhood bakery to taste the city’s traditional breads. Then it’s off to the countryside for a farm lunch celebrating the lentils, chickpeas, beans, and ancient grains the region is famous for. Return to Orvieto to browse the ceramics shops, grab a gelato or visit the hotel spa. Dinner is at Casa Vissani’s TerritOri, the contemporary restaurant run by legendary chef Gianfranco Vissani and his son Luca in their remarkable Rock Dining Room.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Emme Palace and Spa, Orvieto
Spend the morning in Assisi exploring this serene hill town and its profound spiritual legacy. Continue to the countryside for a leisurely lunch at UNE, a Michelinstarred restaurant set in a seventeenth century mill surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Chef Giulio Gigli worked at some of the world’s best restaurants (Yannick Alléno’s Le 1947 à Cheval Blanc, Benu in San Francisco and Disfrutar in Barcelona), before opening this restaurant in his hometown. His creative and super-local menu highlights products of the region. Return to Orvieto in the early evening for a passeggiata, free time, and dining independence.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Accommodations: Emme Palace and Spa, Orvieto
Spend the morning learning the secrets of one of Umbria’s most renowned truffle hunters in the wooded hills around Monteleone d’Orvieto. This is the real deal: watching him work with his trained dogs is a breathtaking experience. Afterward, gather to enjoy a sumptuous meal of freshly foraged truffles, pasta, salumi – the best the area has to offer. Return to Orvieto for free time before concluding this Umbrian adventure with a final toast to the food and wine of the region. After a cooking demo featuring Umbria’s unique version of porchetta enjoy a tasting of local wines – and a porchetta feast in one of the city’s best-loved trattorias.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Emme Palace and Spa, Orvieto
Depart hotel for individual flights home
Included Meals: None
Accessibility Disclaimer
This itinerary includes historic towns, private homes, and rural farms where infrastructure has not been adapted for many mobility needs. Guests using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, rollators, or walking sticks may encounter uneven terrain, stairs, narrow spaces, and non‑accessible bathrooms, and may need to skip several key activities. As the tour is designed and priced as a fully inclusive group experience and missed activities cannot be prorated, we do not recommend this tour for travelers with mobility limitations who may be unable to participate in a significant portion of the itinerary.
Experts
Alec Lobrano
Alec Lobrano is the author of Hungry for Paris, Hungry for France, and My Place at the Table: A Recipe for a Delicious Life in Paris (June 2021). He has written about food and travel for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Gourmet and many other publications. He has won several James Beard and IACP awards.
Nancy Silverton
Nancy Silverton is the co-owner of Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza and several others in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Mexico, London, Singapore and Riyadh. Nancy received the James Beard Foundation award for “Outstanding Chef” in 2014 and was listed as the Most Innovative Woman in Food and Drink by Fortune and Food & Wine Magazines. Nancy was profiled in Netflix’s award-winning series Chef’s Table. She is the author of multiple cookbooks, including her recent The Cookie that Changed my Life.
Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl is the author of a dozen books; last year she published The Paris Novel, an adventure through food, art and fashion of Paris in the 1980s. Ruth received the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. She was editor in chief of Gourmet magazine from 1999 to 2009. Before that she was the restaurant critic of both The New York Times and the LA Times, where she was also food editor.
Laurie Ochoa
Laurie Ochoa is General Manager of Food at the Los Angeles Times and former arts and entertainment editor. Previously, she served as executive editor of Gourmet magazine, editor in chief of LA Weekly and food editor of the Los Angeles Times. She is a multiple-time winner of the James Beard Foundation Journalism Award.
Accommodations
Rastrello Boutique Hotel, Panicale (4 nights)
Hotel Rastrello is an intimate boutique hotel housed in a lovingly restored convent set within Panicale’s medieval walls. The elegant rooms overlook the Umbrian countryside and Lake Trasimeno. The small number of rooms, tranquil garden and panoramic terraces offer a very serene retreat while the warm hospitality and hilltop setting make it an ideal base for exploring Umbria.
Emme Palace & Spa hotel, Orvieto (4 nights)
Emme Palace & Spa is a refined contemporary hotel in the historic center of Orvieto. Elegant rooms feature clean lines and modern amenities, while the spa offers an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and restorative treatments which are a perfect way to end each day.
What's Included
- All accommodations and meals with drinks as outlined in the itinerary
- All ground transportation within the itinerary unless otherwise indicated
- All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
- Comprehensive educational program by your culinary hosts and professional on-site guides
- Entrance fees
- Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers, wait staff in restaurants during group meals, housekeeping at group hotels
- The assistance of an ATA tour director
- Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing while touring
- The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
- Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination
and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list. - Emergency evacuation insurance
FAQs
- How big will your group be?
Our trips have a maximum group size of 25 people. They are large enough to meet new people with diverse backgrounds, but small enough to be on a first-name basis with everyone.
- Are solo travelers welcome?
Yes, absolutely! There is always a good number of solo travelers on our trips, and they are welcomed with open arms. Group meals generally take place at medium to large tables, and our Tour Directors ensure that everyone is included in conversation. Because our trips are priced for doubles sharing a room, there is a supplemental cost for those who choose not to share.
- What are the physical requirements of this trip?
Travelers should be in good health and able to walk up to 2 miles (with stops) over uneven terrain and be able to navigate stairs unassisted. In city centers, we do try to walk from place to place due to traffic restrictions and also in keeping with our commitment to environmental sustainability.
- How much free time should I expect to have?
Our trips are designed to give our travelers special insight and understanding of the places we visit. The talks and commentary by our hosts and local guides are what make our itineraries special, and this kind of curated experience cannot be obtained on one’s own. For this reason, our trips generally do not incorporate long periods of free time during the day, although night times and some meals will be at leisure.
- Can I arrive early, or stay on after the tour ends?
Yes, absolutely! If you wish to arrive early at the first hotel on the itinerary or stay on at the last hotel, we will be happy to facilitate the reservation of extra nights. Room upgrades are also available for an additional cost.
- What do I need to bring on my trip?
We’ll send you a detailed clothing and equipment list well before departure so you know what you’ll need. We provide the rest: comfortable accommodations, an engaging daily itinerary, expert trip management and access to people and places that will thrill and delight you.
- Once I reserve my trip, what happens next?
After you reserve your trip and pay your deposit, you will be sent detailed information about your itinerary and destination, insurance information, a Participant Information Form, a packing list, and other information needed to prepare for your trip. Your Guest Services Advisor will reach out when it’s time to book airfare after a minimum of 10 travelers have enrolled on your departure. Final trip details will be sent roughly 2-3 weeks before departure, and a pre-departure virtual meeting will be held to review arrival instructions and health protocols.
- Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
Menus are typically preset to showcase the region, chef, or season. That said, every effort will be made to try to accommodate any special dietary requests you may have (e.g., low salt, vegetarian or vegan). Please discuss your requests with us when signing up for a trip.
- Are tips included?
Yes! Tips to local guides, restaurant staff, bell staff and drivers are all included in the trip price. Your Trip Experts and Tour Director however, will not accept tips. The only time tips are not included is during free time and meals on your own.
- Are drinks included?
All drinks (wine and soft drinks) are included in the trip price for all group lunches and dinners. Any additional alcoholic beverages are not included in the program price.
- What about airfare?
Airfare to and from the starting and ending point of the program is not included in the price in order to give you maximum flexibility in choosing your preferences for air travel. This way you can use frequent flier upgrades, depart from your airport of choice, or add pre- and post- trip extensions with no constraints. Please refrain from booking your airfare until your Guest Services Advisor reaches out to confirm your departure.
- What is your cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email or fax) to Academic Travel Abroad. Per person cancellation fees are based on the date of the cancellation notice reaching ATA. Up to 120 days prior to departure: refund of deposit less an administration fee of 50% of deposit. Cancellation between 119-91 days before departure: 100% of deposit is forfeited. Cancellation between 90-61 days: 50% of the trip price is forfeited. Cancellation within 60 days of departure: no refund. Cancellation on day of departure or after trip departs: no refund. No refund for unused portions of trip, including, but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing. Cancellation of program by ATA: full refund.
- Do I need trip insurance?
We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance to help protect your investment and provide you with financial recourse should you face trip cancellation or interruption due to sickness. When purchasing a policy, please consult with a trip insurance agent to review what is covered. While ATA will do its best to recover any unused portion of your trip due to sickness, it is often the case that payments cannot be refunded. We recommend using our partner insurance provider, Travel Insurance Services, which offers three different policies for you to choose from.