Great food filled with passion and tradition makes Italy the perfect place for foodies who want to immerse in a one-a-kind gastronomic experience. The famous European country has a variety of delicious dishes. It also has a rich and extensive culture and friendly people ready to show tourists how they do things the Italian way.

See Also: A Tiki Bar That Embodies Miami's True Spirit For Latin America And The Caribbean Is Opening

This time, guests have the chance to join Miami's award-winning chef and restaurateur, Michael Schwartz, and Modern Adventure on a culinary-focused trip to Sicily and Naples from September 5 to 11, 2022. An excellent opportunity to travel with a favorite local and nationally acclaimed chef.

Chef Schwartz has five restaurants and counting. He grew up working in high-end Italian kitchens. He went on to write a pizza book, so he's looking forward to meeting vintners, cheesemakers, and pizzaiolo cooks as he and the rest of the travelers delve into the history of what makes southern Italy so delectable.

To better understand the trip dynamic, Modern Adventure teams up with a tastemaker to give tourists the chance to have a travel experience with someone at the pinnacle of their profession in a location that exemplifies it. The company creates and guides the journey based on the tastemaker's distinct viewpoint.

Why did you decide to partner with Modern Adventure?

Chef Michael Schwartz: Modern Adventure partners with some of the top tastemakers of their craft, so being able to travel with this team is an honor.

What does it mean to be traveling to Italy?

Chef Michael Schwartz: My roots began in Italian cooking. I started my career working in Italian restaurants and learning from excellent chefs. Traveling to Italy with a group of people who share an appreciation and passion for Italian cuisine is a dream come true.

What are the culinary aspects of the trip you are most excited about?

Chef Michael Schwartz: Farmers' markets, meeting the people, the wine, the culture. The PIZZA!!

What excites you the most about this trip? Do you think it is an excellent opportunity for innovation in your restaurants?

Chef Michael Schwartz: I'm most excited to meet vintners, cheesemakers, and pizzaiolo chefs. Traveling to Southern Italy (or anywhere) is always an opportunity to gain inspiration and fresh ideas to bring back home.

What do you hope to bring back from Italy, and what are you looking to learn from this experience?

Chef Michael Schwartz: I hope to learn alongside the travelers joining me on the trip. I look forward to weaving the things I learn and taste on this trip into my brainstorming sessions for new dishes in our restaurants.

You have written a book about pizza making, so who are you excited to meet the most that takes part in pizza making and why? (vintners, cheesemakers, and pizzaiolo chefs)

Chef Michael Schwartz: I'm always excited to learn new concepts and become inspired by new recipes and ideas to bring back to Harry's Pizzeria and my other restaurants. There's nothing like learning more about pizza in Italy.

Have you ever been to this part of Italy before? If you have, what do you think will be different this time?

Chef Michael Schwartz: It'll be my first time in Sicily, so obviously, I'm extremely excited. I have been to Naples but only for a day trip so I'm really looking forward to digging in and experiencing the culture, sights, sounds and smells.

How do you think Italy will impact how you ideate and maintain your restaurants in Miami?

Chef Michael Schwartz: I always aim to keep my menus fresh. Hopefully, I can take certain flavors and ingredients I'm inspired by and create new and exciting menu items.

What do you like about Italy, if you have visited already?

Chef Michael Schwartz: If you are a fan of what we call "farm to table" in this country then being in Italy really crystallizes what that actually means. Eating locally and seasonally is a way of life.

Do you think Italy will help you launch new restaurant concepts?

Chef Michael Schwartz: Only time will tell!

How would you encourage people to go with you? What's in it for them?

Chef Michael Schwartz: Anytime you experience a place with a group of like minded people you see the place in a much different way. You'll make new friends for sure!

What is your favorite Italian dish?

Chef Michael Schwartz: Lol. I will NOT answer that question. At least not until i return from this trip

How do you think Miami is revolutionizing the Italian food scene? Also, the restaurant scene in general?

Chef Michael Schwartz: Miami wasn't always known for its food scene. I'm proud of how the food scene here has evolved.

---