We’ve written before about Context, the tour company specializing in walking tours led by scholars.  The company has now joined with Insider’s Italy to provide not only a family tour, but one with a sustainable bent.  Whoo-hoo – get your family travel on AND be (relatively) earth-minded? We love it!

The “Farm to Fork, Roman Food Culture for Families” tour was designed for families to bring a new twist to attacking that bastion of cultural travel – Rome. Not forgoing the scholarly aspect, the tour will be led by scholars, cultural historians and yes, food professionals, all of whom have specific experience dealing with children.  Kids will get fantastic opportunities to experience the history and culture of Rome through such unique experiences as visiting the Markets of Trajan, tasting ancient Roman recipes, and preparing basic Italian cuisine at the home of a noted Roman chef. Kids should also enjoy the one day set aside to exploring a seasonal product; depending on the time of year, they could make cheese in the countryside or pick olives and watch the production of olive oil.  And they’ll love the excursion to Naples to make that kid-friendliest of foods – pizza!

With a max of 8 people or 2 families per trip, the trip can really be customized to fit both the interests and the ages of all travelers.  Should you want to make it even more special, Context will happily arrange a private tour just for your family.  For more information, visit the Context website.

Children can be downright picky when it comes to food, but most of them love to help out in the kitchen. While many families think of a culinary vacation as an adults-only experience, the truth is that a trip centered around a kitchen can be a great way for families to spend time together amassing some new skills, and, of course, having a lot of fun.

At the Forconi estate in Tuscany, the whole family can pitch in when it comes to cooking. Featuring Fabrizio’s Kids Cooking Course, the family-run estate offers kids the chance to get their hands “dirty” making gnocchi, pasta, and pizza which they then, hopefully, will eat. Budding Emerils and Rachael Rays can also learn the tricks of the trade for non-alcoholic aperitifs and easy hors d’oeuvres (making them a lot more helpful when you entertain!) (more…)

A whirlwind weekend of culinary extravaganza awaits you at Monterey County’s Great Wine Escape Weekend, presented by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. For its 11th year, the event includes seminars featuring local vintners, and over 20 winemaker dinners at restaurants around the county. There will also be self-guided and bus tours to tasting rooms at several wineries. (more…)