Wine and Dine, Italian-Style
When we think of Italy many things come to mind, such as food, wine, history, art and friendly people. This tour focuses on those very things that make this country so special. While highlighting Italy's unique foods and flavors in the regions visited. The cities and locations you will visit on this tour are among Italy's most important culinary centers with prized wineries, distinguished olive groves, balsamic factories, and specialty markets featuring some of the most sought-after cheeses and cured meats. With the Travel. Your Way! programs, choose your accommodations, choose your transportation, and choose your activities, and we'll piece it all together for an unforgettable, hassle-free vacation.
Select your Own Departure Date
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Rome: The Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps, and The Catacombs
- Tuscany: Cities of Florence, Chianti, Volterra, Montepulciano, Siena and Cortona
- Turin: Turin’s “Movida”, Superga, Egyptian Museum, and the Historic Cafés, nearby towns of Asti and the Italian Alps.
- Culinary delights: Chianti winery, olive mill, balsamic factory, local cheeses, prosciuttos and salamis, truffles, Barolo and Barbera d'Asti wineries, and home-made pastas
Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive Rome Fiumicino Airport.
- Transfer to your hotel by train or private transfer.
- After checking in the hotel, you will have time to explore the amazing cultural, religious and historic treasures that a city so enchanting as Rome has to offer.
- Our recommendations to you for today: The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine, Vatican City, The Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps, The Catacombs or the Via Appia Antica.
Day 2
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Walking tour around the city of Rome with a local guide that speaks your language to get better acquainted with the ins and outs of the city. Visit the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona on this tour through medieval quarters and hidden streets.
Day 3
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Take advantage of your time in Rome and explore places like the underrated gem of Ostia Antica, the captivating home of Emperor Commodus Villa dei Quintili, or the Catacombs of San Callisto. The choice is yours!
- Do some shopping for souvenirs, that will later remind you of a city so many dream of visiting.
- Enjoy one of the city's trattorias or fine restaurants in areas such as Trastevere, the Pantheon, or Piazza del Popolo. Recommendations will be provided.
Day 4
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Pick up your rental car at the Rome train station.
- Depart for Tuscany.
- Catch a first glimpse of Tuscany on your own today, and you will be fascinated by such an artistic landscape. Take advantage of the rental car and hit the road for Cortona, the Chianti region or even Volterra. You will not regret it!
- Check into your hotel and get acquainted with the area.
Day 5
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit the city of Florence today. Walking tour around the city of Florence with a local guide that speaks your language. Visit the Piazza del Duomo, the Piazza della Signoria with the majestic Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio, and other Renaissance gems in the city.
- Ask your guide for suggestions of other places to explore this afternoon.
- You may wish to visit the Uffizi Galleries to marvel at Renaissance paintings by Italian masters or the Accademia Museum to get a close view of Michelangelo's David.
- Stop at the local mercato centrale today to sample delicious specialties carefully prepared by food artisans and local chefs. Learn about the delicious produce, meats, cheeses, pastas, and other specialties while strolling through this colorful market.
Day 6
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- This morning, it's your choice. You can head over to Siena to admire the cities carefully preserved medieval architecture or visit places like Montepulciano, San Gimignano, or even Montalcino, all famous for prized wines, amazing local cheeses and cured meats, and olive oils.
- Make a special stop at a nearby winery and olive mill to taste some of the finest products that Italy has to offer.
- Admire the natural beauty of this magical place known as Tuscany and make stops along the way at the many hill towns, small markets, and panoramic lookout points to soak it all in!
- Recommendations will be provided for great restaurants in the area for dinner.
Day 7
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart for Turin, the capital city of Piedmont, in northern Italy.
- You may want to make stops en route and the options abound. Examples include: Lucca, Pisa, the Cinque Terre, Bologna or even Milan!
- While in this fantastic city, keep in mind that it is Italy's capital of Chocolate, so, give it a try. Quality foods are part of the culture here; Turin is considered to be one of Italy's food capitals!
Day 8
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Walking tour around the city of Turin with a local guide that speaks your language. Learn more about this former capital of Italy and its importance during the Italian Risorgimento. You'll feel like you're in Paris, with an Italian flare!
- Ask for suggestions of how to spend your afternoon like a local. There are fabulous cafés and parks around the city, great for people-watching and taking in all the beauty of the city
Day 9
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- You may wish to visit the Egyptian Museum of Turn, the World's most important Egyptian museum outside of Egypt, or some unique cultural treasures and religious relics that abound.
- Take advantage of your rental car today and visit nearby towns at your leisure. Nearby are the wine growing areas of Barolo, Barbera d'Asti, and Monferrato. Explore towns such as Asti or even the towering Alps, less than one hour away.
- Say farewell to this fabulous country with a special dinner, savoring all of the region's best ingredients. Recommendations will be provided.
Day 10
- Breakfast at the hotel (time permitting).
- Drive towards Milan this morning for your return flight.
- Flight back home from Milano Malpensa Airport.