CULINARY TOUR OF ITALY
CULINARY TOUR OF ITALY ROME, TUSCANY, CINQUE TERRE & PARMA
Culinary Tour of Italy
Day 1: Rome Airport – Vatican City
Arrival at international airport Rome Fiumicino. Transfer by private Mercedes-Benz Minivan/to the hotel located in Rome down-town area.
This morning our guided tour (depending on flight arrivals ) will start exploring the most sacred site in Italy and the center of Christianity: Saint Peter Basilica and the Vatican Museum. You will have a chance to admire the masterpiece of Michelangelo: The Sistine Chapel. After the morning tour, we will visit the city center of Rome, where you will have a chance to visit the marvels of Renaissance Rome, such as the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona. This is also the best area for shopping and has some light lunch.
Check-in at Hotel is after 2.00 pm usually.
Day 2: Rome – Assisi to Florence
Transfer by private Mercedes-Benz Minivan/Sedan to the hotel located in Florence. Stop on the route in Assis for a guided tour of St Francis Basilica. Lunch included at Il Frantoio.
Arrival in Florence around 5.30 pm, check-in and rest of day at leisure. (B, L)
Day 3: Florence
This morning our city tour begins at the majestic Piazza del Duomo where we will visit the famous Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery with Ghiberti’s splendid bronze “Gates of Paradise.”
Then, we will make our way to visit the renowned Academy of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo’s breathtaking David is displayed. The tour ends at Santa Croce square to visit. The remainder of the day is yours to savor the Tuscan capital at your own leisure. (B)
Day 4: Friday Siena, Chianti Winery
Today we explore the heart of Tuscany to Siena and San Gimignano. In the morning visit medieval Siena, known for its famed Palio horse races, Saint Katherine and Piazza del Campo.
Travel to the Wine region of Chianti Classico for wine tasting, visit and lunch at an exclusive Wine estate.
Tonight enjoy dinner out on your own. (B, W, L)
Day 5 : Florence – Val d’Orcia & San Gimignano
Departure to Montepulciano in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Visit a top winery of Nobile di Montepulciano & Brunello di Montalcino and time at leisure in Montepulciano and Pienza medieval villages. In the afternoon visit San Gimignano, stroll the old center “Medieval Manhattan” famous for the fascinating architecture and towers that offer amazing views of the city and the surrounding valley.
Tonight enjoy dinner out on your own. (B)
Day 6: Florence to Lucca
Today, after breakfast transfer to Lucca. After check-in, a short orientation guided tour of the city. Balance of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 7: Lucca – Cooking class, the art of making pasta
Day at leisure. Late afternoon, Cooking class available at private Villa or restaurant depending on our Chef availability and dinner included(B)
Day 8: Lucca – Portovenere
Today, after breakfast transfer to Portovenere
Arrival and check-in, enjoy a walk along with the beautiful picturesque village of Portovenere.
Tonight we suggest you enjoy a very special original pesto and fish dinner at a local restaurant. (B)
Day 9: Cinque Terre
Enjoy the beauties of these 5 hamlets. Arrival in Rio Maggiore. Here, after a short walk to the Cala dei Pescatori, a small port, you will take a boat that will take you to the next village.
Walk along the main rod where you will experience the authentic life of a fishermen’s small village.
Suggested lunch in Vernazza at a local traditional restaurant, try Spaghetti with sea-food or Trofie with original pesto and any other specialties of the area.
Continue by boat to Monterosso al Mare, enjoy a walk along the promenade before you get to the train station and board the train to return to La Spezia (30min). Return to Portovenere. (B, L)
Return to the hotel. Dinner included. (B, D)
Day 10: Portovenere to Parma
Check-out and move to Parma, the home of Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese and the cured Prosciutto di Parma.
Today you will explore the so-called “food valley of Italy”, you will taste and learn about all the techniques & traditions of cured Prosciutto.
Tasting and lunch. Arrive at the Hotel. Evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 11: Parma – Modena – Bologna
Morning departure to a Parmiggiano cheese factory to learn how to make cheese followed by a tasting of 3 different agings 12-24-36 months.
Then move to Modena, the capital of balsamic Traditional Vinegar and Lambrusco wine.
Experience a tasting session at one of the oldest balsamic vinegar cellars followed by a light lunch at a local restaurant, try the best Tagliatelle alla Bolognese and Tortelli stuffed with pumpkin, Parmigiano and balsamic vinegar.
The afternoon continues to Bologna, considered the seat of the oldest Universities of Europe. Visit the Torre degli Asinelli. Shopping under the “portici bolognesi” and enjoy the magnificent Piazza Maggiore with the Neptune fountain. Return to Parma. Get ready for your dinner out at a famous traditional gourmet Ristorante COCCHI in Parma (B, L, D)
Day 12: Parma to Milan Malpensa airport or Bologna Airport
This morning transfer to the Airport. Ciao Ciao Italia! (B)
|
Brief Daily Itinerary *B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, W = Wine Tasting |
|||
| Day | Activity | Hotel | Meals |
|
1 |
Arrival in Rome Arrive at Rome Fiumicino FCO airport. Transfer by private minivan to your hotel. Afternoon Guided tour of Vatican Museums including Sistine Chapel and St Peter Basilica. |
Hotel Adriano – 3stars Sup Boutique Hotel – Rome | |
|
2 |
Rome to Assisi to Florence Welcome by your escort driver. Transfer by private minivan to your hotel located in Florence. Stop on route for a tour of Assisi. Lunch included at Ristorante Il Frantoio in Assisi |
Hotel Santa Maria Novella 4* or similar – Firenze | B, L |
|
3 |
Florence city tour City tour of Florence, visit the Academy gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. Time at leisure for shopping. |
Hotel Santa Maria Novella 4* or similar – Firenze | |
|
4 |
Siena & Chianti Winery Morning guided visit of Siena, wine tasting at Chianti winery in the Tuscan countryside Late Afternoon return to Florence |
Hotel Santa Maria Novella 4* or similar – Firenze | B,W,L |
|
5 |
Val d’Orcia & San Gimignano – Tuscany Excursion to the Val d’Orcia, the most emblematic area of Tuscany, visit a top winery of Nobile di Montepulciano & Brunello di Montalcino and time at leisure in Montepulciano and Pienza. Lunch and wine tastings not included. Afternoon stop on route in San Gimignano for a visit and to taste the best gelato |
Hotel Santa Maria Novella 4* or similar – Firenze | B |
|
6 |
Florence to Lucca Transfer to Lucca. Time at leisure. |
Hotel San Luca Palace (4*) or similar – | B |
|
7 |
Lucca – Cooking class, the art of making pasta Day at leisure. Late afternoon, Cooking class available at private Villa |
Hotel San Luca Palace (4*) or similar – | B |
|
8 |
Florence to Portovenere (district of Cinque Terre) Transfer to Portovenere, a resort town in Liguria Region. Arrival and check-in. Dinner by the harbor on your own. |
Grand Hotel Portovenere or similar – | B |
|
9 |
Cinque Terre |
Grand Hotel Portovenere or similar – | B, L |
|
10 |
Portovenere to Parma – Emilia Romagna Parma is the home of Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese and the cured Prosciutto di Parma. Today you will explore the so-called “food valley of Italy” visit at Prosciutto factory and lunch. |
Hotel Palazzo dalla Rosa Prati 4* or similar – Parma | B, L |
|
11 |
Parma, Modena & Bologna |
Hotel Palazzo dalla Rosa Prati 4* or similar – Parma | B, L, D |
|
12 |
Parma to Milan Malpensa MXP airport or Bologna Airport After breakfast, transfer to the Milan Malpensa MXP airport for your return flight home. |
B | |
TOUR FEATURES
• First-class hotels for 11 nights – double room superior/deluxe
(free upgrade where is possible)
• Included meals:
-
-
- Daily buffet breakfasts
- 1 included gourmet dinner with renewed wines at Cocchi restaurant in Parma
- 5 included lunch with renewed wines
- EVO oil tasting in Chianti Classico
- Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese Tasting
- Prosciutto di Parma tasting
- Balsamic traditional vinegar of Modena tasting
- 1 Wine tasting in Chianti – Tuscan countryside
-
- Touring by luxury private air-conditioned Minivan 8 seats Mercedes-Benz
-
- water on board daily and wifi included
- Parking fees, Motorway tools, City permits fees, Fuel
-
• Parking fees, Motorway tools, City permits fees, Taxes
• Transfers IN & OUT – Private transfer from/to the Airport
• Boat Tour Portovenere to Cinque Terre one way
- Professional Driver/Assistant during your stay English speaking
- Sightseeing as indicated & professional licensed English speaking guide
- Entrance fees with skip line at Academy Gallery, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter Basilica
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Baggage handling
The quote excludes:
- Hotel City tax not included according to new regulations and where applicable
- Items of a personal nature: telephone calls, faxes, laundry, room service and other items of a personal nature not specifically mentioned.
- Gratuities to Tour Manager, driver, and local guides.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance. (available and highly recommended).
- Airport taxes, excess baggage, meals not included in the attached itinerary.
- Passports and or visas necessary for entry into countries on the itinerary. (Note: passports must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay.)
- Flights
Not included:
City tax / Tourist tax – average cost 4,80€ per person per night at Hotel 4 stars to be paid on spot locally
All that is not mentioned in “included” The last day of the tour is the customary time to extend gratuities to your guide and driver. The schedule is subject to change. An update will be given at the end of each day for the next day’s activities. Your escort will be available throughout the tour for any questions or assistance.
Hotel Adriano 3*Sup (LAZIO)
Via di Pallacorda, 2, 00186 Roma
DISCOVER THE IDEAL PLACE FOR ANYONE STAYING IN THE CAPITAL CITY, FOR PLEASURE OR BUSINESS, THE HOTEL ADRIANO IS LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC CENTER OF ROME.
Housed in an elegant 17th-century building in the historic center of Rome, Hotel Adriano is very close to the pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Spanish steps.
It’s just a few steps away from parliament, the trevi fountain and from the most elegant shopping district. it’s the ideal location for anyone staying in the capital on business or pleasure. Deluxe rooms with a view of the rooftops of Rome.After a busy day, relax with an aperitif on your terrace.
Take a breathtaking view of the marvelous rooftops of Rome, the monuments and domes that make Rome the most beautiful city in the world.
It’s just a few steps away from parliament, the trevi fountain and from the most elegant shopping district. it’s the ideal location for anyone staying in the capital on business or pleasure. Deluxe rooms with a view of the rooftops of Rome.After a busy day, relax with an aperitif on your terrace.
Take a breathtaking view of the marvelous rooftops of Rome, the monuments and domes that make Rome the most beautiful city in the world.
Hotel Santa Maria Novella 4*Sup (TUSCANY)
Piazza Santa Maria Novella 1, 50123 Firenze
Central and panoramic, the Hotel Santa Maria Novella is a traditional 4-star accommodation characterized by an environment brimming with charm. It can be found in an ancient building rich in history and art, strategically positioned in one of the most beautiful squares of Tuscany’s capital. It is furnished in a classic style with lacquered wood paneling, French furniture and important antique items.
Rooms and Cav, all luxurious and different from each other, are decorated with taste and refinement, having romantic four-poster beds and bathrooms in fine marble.
All 71 rooms of the Hotel Santa Maria Novella are decorated with elegance and extreme attention to detail so as to ensure that sleeping in the centre of Florence is the epitome of taste and style. The refined lacquered panelling and classic wooden flooring render the rooms warm and welcoming.
Each room is different from the others, with drapery and décors that render each accommodation unique and special. The canopy beds add a touch of romance to each room. Unique and luxurious bathrooms with precious marble have duo-tone inlays that recall the Church of Santa Maria Novella.
The experience of guests’ stays is enriched by the fully-equipped gym, sauna and the terrace on the sixth floor with a panoramic view over Piazza Santa Maria Novella and out to the Florentine hills.
The traditional Tuscan art of hospitality distinguishes a discreet yet impeccable service. This is why the Hotel Santa Maria Novella has long been the first choice for those seeking true Florentine style.
San Luca Palace Hotel 4*Sup (TUSCANY)
Via San Paolino 103, 55100 Lucca
A luxurious hotel in Tuscany with excellent and friendly customer service, The best hotel in Lucca
The hotel that combines privacy and prestige
Since opening in 2007, the San Luca Palace Hotel has set the standard among luxury hotels in Lucca. The importance of traditional hospitality is matched by Italian architecture in a historic building dating from 1540.
The 26 luxurious and beautifully furnished rooms and suites offer premium comfort, guaranteeing our guests the very best possible experience during their stay.
The warmth of the classic but custom-made furnishings by Swarovski and Baga, the enviable position in the pedestrian area at the entrance to Lucca’s historic center, as well as the beautiful Renaissance city walls that offer breath-taking views of the city and are used for unmissable events and shows, make this the ideal destination for your stay.
Why choose the San Luca Palace Hotel?
In a quiet position in Via San Paolino, right at the start of the historic centre, the hotel is in the immediate vicinity of all the wonderful monuments, cultural and artistic sites on offer in Lucca and Tuscany beyond.
Feel pampered
You may have only just woken up but we’ve been taking great care to prepare a delicious breakfast buffet served in the “Marchese Adalberto” room or directly in one of our 3 Suites, 17 Junior Suites, De Luxe or Superior rooms, with exclusive room service that can also include snacks and light meals. We have focused in particular on guests with disabilities and their families and carers, with rooms equipped with a higher level of comfort and special accessibility.
Grand Hotel Portovenere 4*Sup (LIGURIA)
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 5 – 19025 Portovenere
Enjoy a luxurious stay at our Portovenere Hotel
The sea green, sand and yellow shades of your accommodation in Portovenere reflect the light and colors of the Italian Riviera around the Grand Hotel. Simplicity and linearity create a relaxing atmosphere, along with a mix of contemporary and classic styles.
Large windows and a grand terrace overlook the sea and the charming village of Portovenere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Cinque Terre. Mediterranean flavors and aromas ignite your senses at the restaurant. Details like the vaulted red-brick ceilings take you back in time.
Your stay at Grand Hotel Portovenere is suspended between the modern luxuries of the boutique hotel, the ancient past of the Franciscan Convent, and the unimitable landscapes of Portovenere, Palmaria Island and the Gulf of Poets.
Located throughout our historic building, Deluxe Rooms are bright and spacious, featuring large windows overlooking the Palmaria Island or the castle and surrounding hills of Portovenere. Every Deluxe room has unique architectural elements, and some include a terrace or balcony.
Our Spa, called “Portovenere Wellness”, offers you a humid zone with Turkish bath, sauna and a relaxation area with herbal teas; a fitness room, and different beauty and wellness treatments.
Hotel Palazzo dalla Rosa Prati 4*Sup Boutique (EMILIA ROMAGNA)
Strada Al Duomo 7 – 43121 Parma
Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, a period residence in Parma, welcomes you with exceptional amenities on a par with the very best hotels, featuring elegantly furnished rooms and suites that will transform your stay into a romantic and evocative moment.
You have the opportunity to sleep in a luxurious residence that is obtained from an ancient historical palace.
Nowadays a stay at Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, is not an exclusive prerogative of the Dalla Rosa marquises, an ancient Parmese lineage family. For those who want to take their own fancy to sleep in a luxury residence in the Parma centre, in one of its seven exclusive suites which make your stay unforgettable.
Hotel near the Teatro Regio in Parma
Among hotels in Parma, Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati stands out as part of the square’s wonderful Romanesque architecture, in an exclusive location that provides guests with a truly unique experience.
The hotel is situated just a few meters from the Baptistery, one of the city’s most authentic symbols, encompassed in the charming setting of the historic center, within walking distance of elegant shops and boutiques.
On this tour, you will have a chance to explore Italy’s artistic treasures and famous monuments. Discover renaissance gems and castles while visiting some of Italy’s most beautiful cities Florence and Rome, natural landscapes like Tuscany and Cinque Terre.
- Beautiful Artwork & Ancient Craftsmanship
- Famous Museums & Galleries (Michelangelo’s David Statue)
- Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Picturesque Landscapes
- Gastronomic Delights
Assisi
Basilica of St Francis
Umbriachelli nudels with black truflles
Umbria Region, the green heart of Italy
Florence
The visit of the Italian Capital of Renaissance a guided tour of the Academia museum to admire Michelangelo’s original “David” statue – Santa Maria del Fiore and the “Gates of Paradise” doors
Signoria and Santa Croce square where you will experience a leather demonstration at authentic “made in Italy” Florentine retailer
Ponte Vecchio, the goldsmith and their jewelry
Panoramic view from Michelangelo square
Enjoy the night atmosphere at one of the local centuries Cafe’
Chianti Wine Region
Vineyards and hills of Chianti
Wine tasting at famous prestigious winery of Chianti Classic – a tour of the castle and the old wine cellars
EVO Oil Tasting and Lunch in Chianti
San Gimignano
Well preserved medieval Towers
Pottery shopping – best Italian gelato – local extra virgin olive oil – wild-boar prosciutto and pecorino cheese
Siena
Medieval Village and Tuscan landscape
Portovenere
Walk along the harbor and continue up to the Medieval Church and the promontory, here admire the beautiful corniche of the bay and of the Palmaria island
Cinque Terre
The most charming and unique hamlets of Italy
Vernazza most romantic fisherman’s village
Local fresh “pesto alla genovese” and seafood at a local typical restaurant
Parma
The home of Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese and the cured Prosciutto di Parma
Explore the “food valley”, taste and learn about all the techniques & traditions Balsamic Traditional vinegar of Modena tasting
Bologna
Historical city center and shopping under the famous portici
