Exploring the Gay Senses in Bologna, Italy in October

NEW YORK, NY - Il Chiostro has been organizing a one-week workshop in Italy for gay men every year since 2000. Each year they select a new destination, settle in, and slowly absorb the culture, art, cuisine, wine, and traditions. In October 2011, they will explore a new, often overlooked destination - Bologna, the food capital of Italy.

Most Americans give this colonnaded city a pass, but there is much to experience in this comfortable, walkable university town. Il Chiostro wants the men to see, feel, smell, and touch the city, so they coordinate various activities around the center combined with exercises to generate attention to the senses. Those exercises are led by Don Shewey and John Ballew, both therapists and life coaches in the gay community.

For example, on a walking tour, visitors won't just look, but will also smell the aromas and feel the textures too. While eating gelato, you will pay attention to the texture of the cream, the flavor, the fruit- and let it melt a little.

You will visit the sensual outdoor food market one morning, before shaping tortellini with a local pastamaker. The plan of activities is carefully crafted by Don and John along with the Il Chiostro guides to dig inside this bypassed city, to come face to face with its history, the people, and its modern pulse.

The point of the week is to cultivate sensuality in a new place by opening the senses and training them to be aware of everything. Stop the hectic pace from life at home - and instead, appreciate everything that is all around.

"It's a real Epicurean delight," says Joe D., who accompanied the group to Venice. "When you slow down, life starts to make sense!"

Indeed, you begin to really taste that cappuccino, see that waiter's hands as he delivers your ragu, smell the wine in your glass. No one needs to come to Italy to open their senses, of course, but getting away really helps.

And Bologna certainly has plenty to seduce every man to surrender to his senses. For gay men, the camaraderie of the group is supportive and comforting. Il Chiostro opens the doors to the local customs, the men who live in the city, and the reasons why Bologna has been thriving for centuries.

While you explore Bologna, you might end up opening up to yourself as well.

Exploring Sensual Bologna happens October 1-8, 2011. The group is kept small for easy navigation. Accommodations are at a refurbished Dominican monastery right in the center of town where everything is a short walk - or bicycle ride. The week includes a side trip to Ferrara and Ravenna.

Full details at: http://www.cometoyoursensestravel.com/