Gourmet Italy

Your 9-night Gourmet Italy tour starts by flying into Rome’s airport. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our driver who will provide private transfer to your hotel. You’ll enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, ideal for relaxed exploring. Perhaps beat jet lag by taking a stroll out in the fresh air while soaking up atmospheric vibe. There are many enticing streets to wander along with wine bars and cafes that have outdoor seating, ideal for unwinding with a glass of wine while people watching. Or simply take advantage of the facilities at your hotel, resting up before the adventures that lie ahead.

Half-Day Private Ancient Rome Colosseum & Roman Forum

Discover two of the most iconic landmarks in Rome on a private, half-day tour that explores the city’s ancient past. You’ll start with the Roman Colosseum, used for over 500 years from the 1st-century to 6th-century AD. It stay more than 50,000 spectators who came to watch the infamous battles between man and beast, gladiatorial competitions, and dramatic performances. Lying nearby between the hills of Palantine and Capitoline, is the Roman Forum which includes some of the oldest structures in the city. Dating back to 500 BC, it was a place for public meetings, with law courts, markets, shops, monuments, and temples.

Private Trastevere Food Tour

It’s time to delve into some of Rome’s delicious local flavors. Your private food tour will take place in the bohemian Trastevere neighborhood, renowned for its culinary scene and a hotspot for enjoying aperitifs. Join your local guide for an immersion into local life, strolling the narrow cobbled streets with their ivy-draped buildings and homes with flower-filled balconies. Along the way you’ll stop for light bites, sampling many tasty eats everywhere from artisan shops and trattorias, perhaps favorites like pizza al taglio which is often folded up like a sandwich. You’ll have time to capture plenty of photos too, with lots of fantastic photo-ops here.

It’s time to travel to your next overnight destination, Florence, the “cradle of the Renaissance.” You’ll take private transfer to the train station, catching the highspeed train, and upon arrival, you’ll be met by another driver who will bring you to your hotel. With the rest of the day enjoyed at leisure, you might want to begin exploring this magnificent city through its flavors. A visit to Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo District is ideal. The first floor offers everything from Cristian Beduschi chocolates to gelato, and on the ground floor the many vendors sell a variety of traditional produce. 

Full-Day San Gimignano & Siena Tour

A day trip with your private driver/guide brings you into the Tuscan countryside to explore two of the most alluring medieval hilltop towns. Start in the walled village of San Gimignano, best known for its skyline with 14 towers that have survived the test of time, built in the 14th-century. After exploring you’ll visit a farmhouse to enjoy a meal featuring local products. Siena is your next destination where a local guide will bring you on a walking tour that includes famous Piazza del Campo, its most famous symbol. World-renowned for hosting the biannual Palio di Siena horse race, it’s also home to several landmarks.

This morning, private transfer brings you to the Santa Maria Novella train station to catch the highspeed train to Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region known for its rich cuisine, ancient architecture, and the seaside. It’s legendary for its traditional fare like Lasagna alla Bolognese and Tagliatelle al Ragu. Upon arrival to your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy the many delights here. A short stroll will bring you to magnificent medieval towers, ancient arcades, baroque and Renaissance monuments, and more. You’ll find many authentic eateries for enjoying a meal – you might try one of the aforementioned signature dishes.

Private Walking Tour and Cooking Class

Today you’ll get to know Bologna more in-depth on a guided walking tour. You’ll see many of the highlights while learning more about them from your knowledgeable local guide. Discover the medieval tombs at the University of Bologna and the 13th-century gothic-style Basilica di San Francesco at Piazza Malpighi. Visit Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuna which host medieval palaces, and the Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, once used for anatomy lectures and medical school displays. Enjoy tastings in bakeries, food shops, and produce stalls in the market district too. Later in the day, join a cooking class featuring regional fare and traditional Bolognese dishes.

This morning you’ll travel to Venice, taking a private transfer to the train station in Bologna for a ride on the highspeed train. Upon arrival in Venice you’ll enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Venice is known for it’s stunning canals, bridges, and architecture, which have earned it the nickname “The Floating City”. Stroll through the historic center to admire palaces, churches, and piazzas. Visit the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. For lunch, indulge in seafood risotto or cicchetti, and try Venice’s famous Bellini cocktail. Explore museums and galleries or simply wander the streets. Take a romantic stroll through the city at night and admire the canals’ lights and reflections.

Half Day Tour of Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Cathedral & Glass Showroom

An in-depth half-day tour explores many of the highlights of Venice, including St. Mark’s Square where it all begins. You’ll meet our guide at the square to begin your walking tour that includes the remarkable landmarks here like St. Mark’s Cathedral. As there can be no narration inside, before entering your guide will tell you all about the basilica’s history and then you’ll get to explore the beautiful interior. There will be time to visit the glass showrooms as well where you can browse or purchase authentic Venetian glassware. Visit Doge’s Palace, a fine example of gothic-style architecture with an ornate façade, climb the golden staircase and cross the Bridge of Sighs that links the palace to a historic prison on the other side of the canal.

Departure

Linger over breakfast this morning, savoring your last moments in Venice as your private driver will meet you at your hotel upon checkout, providing transfer to Venice’s airport. If you’d prefer to spend more time here, discover another destination in Italy or just about anywhere else, our travel experts can help. Otherwise, we hope you enjoy a safe trip home with many memories and photos to take with you.