Keep checking to see if you've won a trip for two to Italy.
500 people won a $25 Olive Garden gift card. 
In March of 2010, four winners and their guests traveled to Italy for an 8-day guided tour.
My favorite city
My favorite city was San Gimignano. Walking through the main street, you can envision how the buildings were in the 1300s. The town itself seems to emerge from the hills of Tuscany with its 14 towers, and the view from the top of the towers is amazing.
-- William C., Edgewater, NJ
I believe Florence was our favorite city in Italy. We had an amazing guide whose knowledge was beyond comprehension. He took us to all the wonderful sites, answered our questions and accompanied us to the best shopping and restaurants..... of course the food was amazing.... the whole cultural experience was extraordinary, the food, the museums, the architecture, the artwork, and sculptures, the people; it was all beyond our wildest imagination.
-- Judith W., Spanish Fork, UT
Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany
Chef Paolo is one of the greatest people I've had the pleasure of knowing. He is good natured, funny, approachable, and very knowledgeable. I'd love to have him as an advisor any time I have a cooking question. Chef Romana is a wonderful teacher and chef. The facility was my favorite stop during the trip. The food was phenomenal and the staff was gracious.
-- Jacob C., Ville Platte, LA
The Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany more than surpassed any of our dreams. It was set right in the heart of Tuscany and it was absolutely beautiful. Olive orchards and grape vineyards surrounded the reserve where we were located. You could walk out the door of your room and step into the middle of Tuscany vineyards. It was incredible! Chef Paolo and Chef Romana cooked side by side with us, it was great. They made us feel like we were actually skilled enough to make these meals for our family and friends.
-- Judith W., Spanish Fork, UT
Italian food and wine
It was amazing to be exposed to so many different types of Italian foods and wine (although I couldn't have any because I'm pregnant). I was excited to try foods that I've never had before, e.g. rabbit, black cabbage, wild boar sausage, fried artichoke heart, and osso bucco. I'd have to say not all of them were my favorite, but I was more than happy to try everything! Every meal was like a dinner party because we were served 3-7 different entrees each time.
-- Jennifer K., Woodridge, IL
Italian food and wine is all about simplicity and tradition. Let the flavor of the fresh ingredients come through and build upon each other. I also learned about how the foods of various regions are similar, yet divergent.
-- Jacob C., Ville Platte, LA
A trip of a lifetime
We've told our stories of our trip it seems hundreds of times to friends and family and even some strangers in the airports, and the one thing that stands out is that the experience was well beyond our most optimistic expectations..... by 1000%. This just wasn't a trip/tour with the Olive Garden family, it was an experience of a lifetime. Our travel companions and the Olive Garden staff were great company.... and fun to be around. We thoroughly enjoyed all the staff and guests. When we found out the new contest for 2010 had started while we were in Italy we called our friends and family and urged them to enter daily.... the trip was so fabulous.... and we don't say that lightly!
-- Judith W., Spanish Fork, UT
It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime and unforgettable trip. Everyone in the group really clicked well together right away even though we just met and I couldn't imagine experiencing the trip with any other people. … I think it's really great that Olive Garden sends their chefs and does trips like this because it really shows their commitment to their customers. I know I'm telling everybody I know about this year's sweepstakes because the trip was just amazing and everybody should have the opportunity to experience it.
-- Jennifer K., Woodridge, IL
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