Seth Zurer
Marketing Coordinator

Select Italy
328 Linden Avenue - Wilmette, IL 60091-2877
Phone: 847-853-1661; Toll-Free: 800-877-1755; Fax: 847-853-1667
www.selectitaly.com; seth@selectitaly.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SELECT ITALY AND ACADEMIA BARILLA JOIN FORCES ON UNFORGETTABLE PARMA CULINARY TOUR

Leading Italy Agency and Legendary Italian Pasta-makers team up for Luxury Culinary Adventure

CHICAGO, IL -- May 31, 2006 – Select Italy has recently announced a new and exciting culinary adventure in Italy. In partnership with Parma’s Academia Barilla (recently featured on the Food Network), the Chicago-based tour operator and travel agency has created a luxury culinary getaway in the heart of the Italian bread-basket: Parma. This seven-day luxury tour features cooking classes, gastronomic excursions, five-star hotels and deluxe amenities.

Increasingly, travelers to Italy are relying on niche specialists with insider information and unique contacts to help them create the perfect vacation. Select Italy has long been known for its in-depth knowledge of the Italian travel market. Recognizing the increased popularity of educational cooking courses overseas, Select Italy has worked to use their contacts to increase their repertoire of unique culinary activities. Their relationship with Barilla puts Select Italy in the perfect position to offer an unforgettable tour.

This small group tour features accommodations at the Grand Hotel de la Ville, Parma’s finest five-star hotel, two in-depth cooking lessons from experienced chefs in Barilla’s professional cooking school, and visits to producers of world-renowned local products such as Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, balsamic vinegar and local wine.

Also included in the tour is an excursion to visit the Ferrari Museum in nearby Maranello, where guests will learn about the world’s most famous sports cars by viewing Ferrari models from the whole gamut of the manufacturer’s history, from early 20th century roadsters to a 2006 Winter Olympic-themed Formula One racer. In addition, clients will enjoy an optional stop at a retail shopping outlet featuring VIP discounts on some of Italy’s most recognized brands: Versace, Frette, Furla, Trussardi Jeans and more. This tour offers something for everybody.

Select Italy president and owner, Andrea Sertoli says, “We are very proud to be able to offer this group tour. Academia Barilla is recognized throughout the world as one of the premier cooking academies and it is an honor to be able to offer our clients a chance to explore the world of some of the greatest chefs and really be a part of it.”

The tour is scheduled to start on October 21, 2006 and to end on October 27, 2006. Tour registration closes on August 18, 2006 ­ the group is limited to a maximum of 20 participants. A complete description of all the features of the tour can be found on Select Italy’s website at the following link: http://selectitaly.com/tours.php?product_id=21

For more information on Select Italy’s culinary services log onto www.selectitaly.com. To discuss story ideas or to request high-resolution images, contact Seth Zurer at 1-800-877-1755 or by email at seth@selectitaly.com.

------
About Select Italy:
Select Italy is an award winning travel agency specializing in Italy. Select Italy offers a wide array of products and services, which include customized itineraries, museum reservations, tickets to music & cultural events, private guided services, transportation and accommodations. All of these are available for purchase online at www.selectitaly.com. Select Italy has been on the Travel+Leisure “A-list of Super Agents” for 4 years, and in 2005 its website won an Ultra Web Award and was also nominated as a Webby Award finalist. Founded in 1997, company President Andrea Sertoli said, “Italy remains an unmatched destination with the warmth of its people, its heritage, its sheer physical beauty. With our specialized knowledge and inside information behind every travel plan we make, our clients enjoy everything Italy has to offer.” More information can be accessed through http://selectitaly.com/pressroom.php or by calling (800) 877-1755.