+ What is an archaeo-culinary^SM tour?

Mainly it’s a trip with a theme. It’s a cultural tour with a double focus on ancient remains and traditional Italian food. To the extent possible, we choose sites and artifacts that have some connection with cooking, eating, food production, or food supply in the ancient world. It also means that our curated meals are as much a part of the tour as the sites—not only for the food and conviviality but also as expressions of the local culture. Every tour includes some food-related activities, such as olive-oil or wine tastings or visits to producers.

+ What does a typical tour include?

Every tour alternates intellectually stimulating visits to archaeological sites and museums with top-quality local meals and food-related activities presented in their cultural context. Liz talks about each archaeological destination on-site, and Maureen introduces each meal. On some evenings, over wine and nibbles, we offer casual illustrated talks to preview our itinerary or dig deeper into topics of special interest. Occasionally a local guide or invited expert joins us.

+ I’ve already been to all the important sites. Can you still amaze me?

Yes! Many of our travelers have already seen the wonders of the ancient world and great capitals of the Mediterranean, though it doesn’t matter if they haven’t. Since our tours are thematic, that is, even the archaeological part is connected to food, we’re sure that you’ll look at even familiar places a new way and discover much that is new and delightful (and delicious).

+ I’ve been everywhere in Italy. Don’t you go anywhere else?

Really? Everywhere? Have you been to Viterbo? Matera? Lecce? Amiternum? Peltuinum? Benevento? Morgantina? Trapani? Marsala? San Giovenale? Portus? Treviso? Alghero? Seriously, no, until we’ve exhausted Italy, we don’t intend to expand. Plus, we speak Italian and know Italy better than anywhere else, and we do all the planning ourselves, so that matters.

+ I’m sociable enough, but I’m single. Will everyone else be paired off?

We certainly hope not. These small-group tours are perfect for solo travelers, sociable or shy. Couples and pairs of friends are encouraged to mingle, and we find they do. Nobody need ever feel lonely or left out.

+ What is included in the price?

The tour price includes seven (sometimes eight) nights bed and breakfast, at least one full-scale Italian meal with wine per day and others as indicated in the itinerary for each tour, transport and admission to all activities described in the itinerary, airport or train station transfers at the start and end of each tour, and tips. It does not include your travel to the starting point of the tour (and from the end point), your personal travel insurance (recommended), or your personal extras.

+ How small is your small group?

Usually 10 to 12 guests.

+ Are all Elifant tours both archaeo and culinary?

Yes. That’s who we are. We think every tour should offer both culture and good food. The exact mix varies.

+ Is this going to be over my head?

No, it isn’t. It’s true we start at a higher level than most tours, but that just means we skip the condescending baby talk and get right to the point. Everything you need to know will be explained, and if you have any questions, you can ask without apology and without judgment. No homework is required or needed. Liz is great at bringing the ancient world alive even for people who studied the stuff for years. And Maureen assumes the local food culture is new for everybody.

+ When I hear “archaeology,” I think rocks. What’s the comfort level?

Generally high. Our ideal is luxury without glitz. We usually choose four-star boutique hotels, but sometimes can’t resist a five-star. In more remote destinations, some accommodations may tend toward hree-star rustic, but never without a private bath, WiFi, a great location, and plenty of charm. When feasible, we prefer to make day trips from a base to avoid packing and repacking. Group travel is by private bus. Restaurants cover the whole range from unreconstructed tradition to cutting-edge gourmet, with the emphasis on casual but comfortable.

+ Can somebody pick me up at the airport?

Of course. Once you reach our gateway city, you’ll be met at your plane or train and whisked to the hotel or meeting place, and you’re entitled to your transfers even if you come early or stay later.

+ Do we have cooking lessons?

Most tours include one more or less intense encounter with a kitchen. Sometimes it’s a demo, sometimes hands-on. In general, we prefer to concentrate on food culture rather than skills. If you’d like a market-based cooking class in Rome, look at what Maureen does.

+ I’m not as spry as I once was ...

Who is? You’ll need good walking shoes for the stretches of uneven terrain typical of archaeological sites, and there may be city walks up to about half a mile, but no hiking. Many participants bring walking or trekking sticks. Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.

+ Is all food included?

Breakfast in the hotel dining room and one full-dress meal with wine per day are always included, and often a second (smaller) meal as well as snacks served in the course of our food activities. The main meal is usually lunch, which provides a welcome rest and chance to talk after a stimulating morning. Most evenings are open, especially in cities, but each day’s logistics will dictate the meal plan. We’ll make suggestions for light evening meals, wine bars, or ice cream near the hotel.

+ Is there a choice of food? I have issues.

We expect our participants to be curious and enthusiastic eaters without major restrictions. Tell us what the issues are when you book (there’s a space for this on the booking form). We can often work around the problem, and if we can’t, we’ll tell you promptly. Our menus, most of which are set, are designed to highlight traditional dishes and local products, but we always take individual problems and preferences into consideration when planning them. If your problem is with certain foods, you can usually just skip them; there will be plenty of other things to eat. With sufficient warning, we can accommodate vegetarians, but not vegan, kosher, and other highly restrictive regimens. And if you just aren’t that into food, you won’t enjoy these tours.

+ Who organizes the meals?

Maureen and Liz personally without intermediary. We go over several drafts of each menu with the restaurants, which we choose for quality, atmosphere, and location. These are emphatically not standard bus-tour lunches.

+ Won’t there be too much food?

Menus are planned to avoid post-prandial coma (with the possible exception of our farewell Sunday lunch!). The set meals are usually traditional and will thus consist of at least three or four moderate courses. Nobody will make you clean your plate. Two such meals a day would be too much. One, possibly with something light in the evening, is just right. Think quality, not quantity, but yes, a good appetite helps.

+ Are there additional or hidden costs?

No. Your travel to/from the gateway city is not included, and we ask participants to have their own medical and travel insurance. Otherwise, the only items not included are your personal extras, such as laundry, bar, and the like. We take care of all tips and service charges except for any personal services (such as spa treatments). There is plenty of wine included with every scheduled meal, so that’s not an extra. Cocktails and meals and snacks that are not listed specified on the itinerary are extranot included.

+ How much euro cash will I need?

You can usually pay for most things inclduing taxis, by credit card, but some euro cash is handy for unscheduled stops at cafés and other small eateries. We suggest not walking around with more than about €100 at a time. Some people have been known to develop a serious gelato habit, and for that you will need cash. How much is between you and your conscience. And your secret will be safe with us.

+ Should I bring my iPad? my smartphone?

Yes. Just because we like old ruins and traditional food doesn’t mean we’re not wired. We encourage participants to bring their tablets and smartphones. We often provide pdfs of the printed handouts, and the devices are great for sharing pictures during the tour. While you shouldn’t need a phone while on the tour, it provides an extra sense of security. If your provider doesn’t offer a short-term plan, Italian pay-as-you-go SIM cards can be picked up on arrival at airports or major train stations, where the major providers have shops or stands. Italian SIM cards are good throughout the European Union.

+ Does Elifant provide additional travel services if I want to come early or stay longer?

Up to a point. While we are not a travel agency, as long as you don’t wait till the last minute, we will be happy to help you with extra nights at our start or end point as well as meals, local guides, and some general advice. For more complicated prequels and sequels, we’ll put you in touch with one or more of our trusted partners.

+ Why should I travel with a boutique company instead of an established giant?

So glad you asked! Mainly it’s that Elifant is anything but elephantine. We are nimble, flexible, and answerable only to our clients and our own very high standards. Tour participants have all the individual attention they need before, during, and after the tour—personally from the company principals.

+ Why don’t you name the hotels and restaurants on your tours?

We don’t publish the names on our website because we might change our minds and choose someplace else. With groups as small as ours we have that flexibility. But they’re not state secrets. If you need to know where we’re staying or eating before you sign up, give us a call and we’ll fill you in.

+ Are your tours suitable for families with young children?

No. We aren’t able to make the special arrangements (meals, babysitters, etc.) they would need. Mature teen-agers are welcome as long as they can sit still for long meals and are willing to try new foods—but that applies to adults too.

+ Who takes your tours?

Mostly mature seasoned travelers from all over the United States (with the occasional Brit, Canadian, or Australian). While some love high-end organized tours, for many others Elifant is their first experience of group travel.