Italy is almost synonymous with food and that’s especially true in the Emilia-Romagna region. During the course of the week, I had the chance to get crafty and I enjoyed every minute of it. Below are five of my favorite interactive experiences that I recommend for any bohemian traveler heading to Northern Italy. In a perfect world, I'd suggest spending three days in Bologna and then spending the remainder of the week driving through the region and staying at various agricultural spots, some of which I’ve mentioned below.
1) Learn the Art of Gelato-Making
Did you know that there’s an actual Gelato University? Well, I sure didn’t and this was easily the coolest thing I learned that day. The Carpigiani Gelato University and accompanying museum (former factory) is located just outside of Bologna so it’s a quick drive away. I popped into the museum to get a feel for how much effort actually goes into making and selling gelato.
Course-wise, there are a few options and the scheduling is fairly flexible. Students need 150 hours of training (90 hours in the classroom, 30 hours of hands-on practice and 30 hours in the on-site Gelateria), and this is usually done over the course of four weeks. Don’t speak Italian? Don’t worry. Classes are offered in English and French as well. Plus, most of the students come from abroad.
If you can’t commit for a month, you can do what we did, which is an hour demonstration. Recognize that bright-eyed girl behind the counter? That’s me in all my Gelateria glory! Ever wondered why gelato tastes so different (better) than regular ice-cream? It comes down to three main factors: fat, air and serving temperature. Gelato is served slightly warmer than ice-cream, therefore making the texture softer and lighter.
2) Make Handmade Pasta of Every Shape and Size
