Happy New Year to All!

Peggy Markel's Culinary Adventures is going into its 19^th year! 

In that time, at least 300 litres of extra virgin olive oil have been produced from the one tree that a circle of us stood around to commemorate our first trip in 1992. That's a huge harvest from one tree over the years... It gives perspective on what we have experienced in the realm of delicious and spirited culinary adventures in Tuscany, Amalfi, Spain, Sicily, and Morocco since then!

Curiosity is what drives our sailboat to a small bay off the coast of Capri, what draws us down alleyways in the Medina of Marrakech, and into the hills of the Allpujarras. We want to know what goes on off the beaten path. We are not looking for the ordinary. We are searching for essence, that intrinsic quality that moves us; something extraordinary that we want to see, get to know or taste! It can be in a person, a place or a particular flavor.   

It's called 'Ordinary magic.'

 Our long-standing relationships in the countries we visit give you confidence that you will find what you are looking for. We'll take care of you each step of the way. We also leave room for discovery, paying attention to what presents itself.

We want to make your trip unforgettable, for all the right reasons.  On these long winter nights, imagine the discoveries that await you in Morocco, Italy, Spain, and India. Let them dance like the sugarplum fairy in your dreams (or at least, panettone or ginger coffeecake!)

With tender gratitude I reflect on each and every one of you that have joined us over the years and I look forward to the new year, your return and meeting new friends with great anticipation.

We wish all of you the happiest new year and we'll keep our eyes open for you in 2011!

Love,

Peggy

p.s. Image at top is the cieling of the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, which we visited during our Fall program to Spain.

Join Us! An Update on This Year's Upcoming Programs.

Bring your willingness to explore and to learn--on the road--with your hands in the pasta, scooping spring water from a fountain in the Spanish hills, collecting chestnuts for soup, sharing a meal at sunset in a quiet bay. Use your "spoon of goodness" to taste the wonders of the Mediterranean.

To inquire, email us, or please do leave a message at 1-800-988-2851. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.

Sign up for any of our Culinary Adventures before January 1 and get your choice of hand made Panettone or a Ginger Coffeecake from Zingerman's to enjoy for the holidays!

 Morocco: Feast of the Senses
March 20-29 (with Zingerman's)*
April 3-12 (three rooms left!)
November 6-15

  

"Thank you for a glorious trip-it was splendid all around. Your first class treatment was grand and very kind. Jnane Tamsna the perfect respite, and Essouira and Imlil 'must see' experiences. Thank you for all the planning, juggling and mastermind behind the logistics. It was such a treat to land in Marrakech to be swept away for ten days of bliss!" ~ Lucy Penfield (Morocco 2010)

In 2009, Ruth Reichl joined Peggy in Morocco for her television show with PBS and Gourmet Magazine, "Adventures with Ruth." Watch the full episode here.

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 Sailing and Savoring the Amalfi Coast
June 11-18
June 18-25


Recently featured in Tasting Table's Best Epicurean Dream Trips of 2011:

"Join Peggy Markel, consummate traveler and Slow Food devotee, aboard a luxurious sailboat making its way along Italy's Amalfi Coast. Each day, the boat docks at a new town, where guests will learn about the local cuisine (baked whole fish, limoncello) and take in the gorgeous coastline while giving the captain a hand with the sails."

"We can't stop talking about the trip and how special it was. Peggy definitely delivered the 'local flavor' and gave us so many unique experiences and opportunities that we could have only enjoyed because of her and her connections." ~ Jane Stweard (Amalfi 2009)
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Tuscany: La Cucina al Focolare
(with Zingerman's)*
October 2-11


"Being with Peggy in Tuscany is a rare treat. She leads extraordinary, classy, transcendent culinary tours... I had the good fortune to experience her magic in Sicily ten years ago and had a totally life changing experience." ~ Lawrence Kampf

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Andalucia, Spain: Grenada and the Alpujarras Mountains
October 20-29


"The highlight for me was those rich-yet simple-days around Casa Ana, cooking, eating, wandering, and meeting various village inhabitants; they made such a vivid, treasured impression on me that I will carry the place in the deep tissues of my heart ... until I return again!"
~ Gabrielle Edison (Spain 2010)