October 1-10, 2026
Insieme in Italia
Join us for our very first culinary journey through Italy—curated exclusively for q.b. Cookbook Club members.
At a Glance
- Timing: October 1-10, 2026
- Duration: 10 days, 9 nights
- Pricing: $8,500 single occupancy | $16,000 for double occupancy
- Group Size: 12–20 travelers
- Destinations: Emilia-Romagna + Tuscany (with possible Rome and Florence extensions)
- Includes: All accommodations, meals, and culinary activities (see more details below)
Why Join This Trip?
These 10 days in Italy are an invitation to pause, taste, and connect.
Insieme in Italia is a gathering curated just for our q.b. Cookbook Club members: part hands-on culinary adventure (think pasta-making, truffle hunting, wine and olive oil tastings), part cultural immersion with local producers, artisans, and culinary experts – and part pure joy in good company.
My hope is that this trip reminds you why we cook in the first place—to savor, to learn, and to share it together.
When I first experienced Italy, I was hooked. The way food seems to slow time. How something as simple as an olive or a tomato can feel like a revelation. I knew it was something I wanted to share someday.
I’ve been dreaming about creating a trip like this for quite some time now. And cookbook club members have, to my delight, actually hinted at (okay, more like begged) for a group travel experience to Italy. A slow trip—not a whirlwind—one that brings our Italian Cookbook Club community together not just online, but around an actual table…in Italia!
I can't wait to experience my favorite place in the world with you. Andiamo!
-Sarah Ubertaccio
q.b. Cucina Founder
Illustrative Itinerary
Below is a glimpse of the kinds of experiences and places you can look forward to on this journey. While the itinerary isn’t final just yet, it offers a clear sense of the spirit and rhythm of the trip—hands-on, flavorful, and full of discovery. The final itinerary will be confirmed about six months before departure, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way, especially with details around arrival and departure.
Arrive in Bologna
- Arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) Airport
- Private airport transfers upon arrival to host hotel
- Check-in to host hotel and stop by welcome desk to get oriented
- Early evening afternoon welcome cocktail reception followed by a private group welcome dinner at restaurant in Bologna
Explore Bologna
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Mid-morning, meet the group for a private foodie walking tour of Bologna, including food and wine tastings throughout.
- Afternoon at leisure. We'll provide optional sightseeing and shopping recommendations.
- Meet for dinner at a local restaurant.
Prosciutto, Parmigiano & Balsamico
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Day trip through the countryside focusing on prosciutto, parmigiano, and balsamico, including tastings and lunch.
- Free time to explore Parma or Reggio Emilia, before enjoying a group dinner.
Pasta Day
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Mid-morning, a hands-on pasta making class followed by pasta lunch.
- Afternoon trip to Modena to visit pasta tool artisan.
- Dinner at an upscale restaurant.
Into Tuscany
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out.
- Enjoy a final morning at leisure in Bologna.
- Transfer from Bologna to private villa in Tuscany via luxury sprinter van; on the way, stop in the small town of Dozza to view its famous murals. Enjoy lunch in Dozza.
- Arrive at Tuscan villa in the early evening to get settled in and explore property.
- Family-style dinner with wine pairing at the villa .
Wine Country
- Enjoy breakfast at the villa and an optional morning yoga class or leisurely walk.
- Spend the day wine tasting at 3 different wineries in the region, including a special private luncheon.
- Return to the villa for a casual wood-fired pizza dinner with a private chef.
Truffle Hunting
- Early wake-up and breakfast boxes to go on the way to truffle hunting.
- After truffle hunting, enjoy a multi-course truffle themed lunch.
- Return to enjoy some down time at the villa.
- Early evening, a workshop/class with a well-known Tuscan cookbook author.
Florence Market Adventure
- Enjoy breakfast at the villa.
- Spend the morning exploring Florence and shopping for produce and ingredients for dinner.
- Return to the villa to spend the afternoon in the kitchen, cooking and preparing with fellow cookbook club members.
- Family-style meal designed and prepared with love by and for the group.
Farewell Dinner
- Enjoy breakfast at the villa.
- Visit a local olive oil oil producer, followed by a traditional Tuscan lunch.
- Return to the villa in the afternoon to pack and prepare for the farewell dinner.
- Early evening, meet at the villa for an elegant farewell cocktail reception and dinner.
Departure
- Enjoy a final breakfast at the villa.
- Private transfers to the airport or train station for flights home or continued travels.
What's Included
- 4–5 star accommodations (city hotel + countryside villa)
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- All group excursions, classes, and tastings
- Airport transfers and group transportation
- Local guides and expert hosts
- Tips for guides and drivers
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from Italy
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal incidentals (such as minibar, laundry, or room service)
- Alcoholic beverages outside of group meals and activities
- Meals during free time, if you choose to dine away from the group
- Optional activities not listed in the group itinerary
Your Hosts
Sarah Ubertaccio
Founder of q.b. Cucina and the q.b. Cookbook Club, Sarah lived in Bologna for three years and fell head-over-heels for the food, people, and rhythm of life in Emilia-Romagna. A devoted fresh pasta aficionado, she’s most excited to share her favorite hidden corners of Italy—the long lunches in the countryside, the artisans who still make everything by hand, and the simple, everyday magic that inspired her to build this community in the first place.
Domenica Cerasaro
A passionate traveler and q.b. Cookbook Club member, Domenica believes the best trips are the ones that feel like they could only happen to you. She specializes in crafting ridiculously well-curated experiences—those usually reserved for locals—and always finds the sweet spot between thoughtful planning and spontaneous discovery. Having grown up in kitchens and around tables, food has always been her love language. She’s most excited to dream up a long, candlelit dinner for the group at our Tuscan villa.
Ready to join us?
Reserve Your Spot
We can’t wait to share this experience with you. To bring Insieme in Italia to life, we need at least 12 Cookbook Club members to confirm their spots by December 1, 2025. Reserve your place with a 20% deposit—it’s your way of saying I’m in!—and help us turn this long-dreamed-about Italy trip into reality.