“Culinary Tour in Italy” – Tuscany, Emilia & Cinque Terre

Culinary and Italian Life Style

Day 1 > Venice [B, D]

Arrival at international airport Marco Polo. Welcome by your tour escort.

Transfer by private water taxi to the hotel located on the Grand Canal. Orientation tour nearby your hotel given by your tour escort. Rest of day free. Dinner in a traditional local restaurant.

Day 2 > Venice [B]

After breakfast, meet your tour director and take a cruise to the Island of Murano.

You will enjoy a nice cruise along the Venetian Lagoon. Visit a Murano glass blowing factory including a demonstration work where you will see how they make unique glass objects. Continue by boat to Venice, meet you local guide for a walking tour of the city.

Visit Piazza San Marco, St Mark Basilica, the Campanile and the Doge’s Palace.

Conclude the tour with a gondola serenade if you wish (Optional to be paid on the spot). Rest of day free.

Day 3 > Verona – Milano [B]

Transfer to Milan and stop on route to visit a famous Amarone Winery, visit and wine tasting included. Move than to Romeo and Giulietta’s city, Verona. Enjoy the beautiful city center, visit the famous Arena, a roman amphitheater, Piazza delle Erbe and finally reach Giulietta’s house. Continue to Milan. Rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy shopping at the famous “Quadrilatero della Moda,” considered a must for all visitors since Milan has been called the Fashion Capital of Italy. Evening free. Dinner at local traditional restaurant suggested, try the very best risotto alla Milanese with ossobuco, and other gourmet dishes of haute-cuisine.

Day 4 > Milan – Lake Como [B]

After breakfast meet your driver and take a ride to the magnificent lake Como. Driving along the lakeside you will enjoy its memorable views. A private boat will wait for you to reach the charming resort of Bellagio. Free time for lunch. Return to Milan in the afternoon. Visit the Castello Sforzesco, then walk to visit La Scala Opera House and conclude your tour with a visit at the majestic Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Enjoy the Milanese Happy our at one of its best cocktail bar or Hotel roof terraces. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5 > Milan – Parma – Santa Margherita Ligure – Portofino [B, L]

Transfer to your Hotel in Santa Margherita Ligure. On route stop in Parma, the home of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and the cured Prosciutto di Parma, explore the “food valley”. Private visit to learn the art of making Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Lunch in Parma.

Continue to the Tyrrhenian coast and arrive in the beautiful town of Santa Margherita Ligure.

Check-in at Hotel. Take the shuttle to Portofino. Tonight you want to enjoy a very special dinner with local products as original pesto and fresh fish at one of local restaurants. Rest of the afternoon and evening free for dinner.

Day 6 > Cinque Terre [B]

Today, after breakfast we will leave Lerici for an excursion to the 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 the next village.

Walk along the main road where you will experience the authentic life of a small fishermen’s village. Suggested lunch in Vernazza at Belforte local traditional restaurant, try Spaghetti alla Bruno and any other suggestions.

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 Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino (42min).

Enjoy one of the most beautiful promenade of the Riviera.

Day 7 > Carrara – Pisa – Florence [B, L]

Departure for your transfer to your Hotel in Florence. On Route stop to see Carrara, it is the famous capital of white marble. Visit a remarkable quarries and if you wish you might keep with you a very nice souvenir from the area.

Than move to the village area of Colonnata, learn how the most famous italian Lard is made, conclude with a nice buffet of local products.

Move than to Pisa. Visit at the famous leaning tower that stands proudly on Piazza Campo dei Miracoli (Miracles Field). Continue to Florence, the city of the Renaissance, check-in at your hotel. Evening at leisure in Florence.

Day 8 > Florence – Greve in Chianti [B]

Meet your driver and your Tour Director at your hotel and drive to Greve in Chianti.

The “Strada del Vino Chianti Classico” (road of the wine Chianti Classico), is immersed in a unique landscape made of vineyards, olive trees and oak forests.

Tour the winery estate Castello di Verrazzano or similar in Greve in Chianti will be our must-do! Return to Florence and relax the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Day 9 > Florence – San Gimignano [B, D]

Meet your local guide at your hotel to start your tour of Florence. Visit at the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The David.

Continue to the Duomo, than reach Piazza della Signoria, the most elegant square of Florence, embellished by its statues, where you will admire Palazzo Vecchio.

Stop to see Ponte Vecchio, filled with artisan jewelry shops and finish your tour at Santa Croce Square, where you can shop for leather manufactures. Free time for lunch.

Late afternoon continue to San Gimignano, driving on the lovely hills of Tuscany.

San Gimignano is known for its medieval walls, towers and smart boutiques. Spend your afternoon exploring the charming center with extraordinary views of the surrounding countryside and enjoy a farewell dinner at local restaurant.

Day 10 > Florence or Rome – Airport

This morning transfer to Florence Airport. Ciao Ciao Italia!

***on request extension of 2-3 nights in Rome available