This tour is a perfect blend of food, culture, and history, designed especially for food enthusiasts who would like to explore the culinary delights of Naples, Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Florence. On this tour, you will embark on a gastronomic journey that will take you through the streets and markets of these iconic cities, where you will relish the authentic flavours of Italian cuisine. From the savoury street food of Naples to the gourmet delights of Bologna and everything in between
Itinerary Highlights
Trastevere food adventure in Rome
Localised Food Tours
Shop for local produce
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
Learn the art of Italian cuisine
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
17
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Arrive in Naples
Day 1
naples
Upon arrival at Naples airport, meet your driver for your private transfer to your hotel. At the foot of Mount Vesuvius, Naples has been subject to the volcano’s perilous wrath for centuries, yet it is still considered one of Italy’s most vibrant cities. Naples’ historic city centre is the largest in Europe, covering 4,200 acres and enclosing 27 centuries of history. One of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world with Bronze Age Greek settlements dating back to the second millennium BC, the area was re-founded as Neápolis (‘new city’) in the sixth century BC, becoming a lynchpin of Magna Graecia and played a key role in the merging of Greek culture into Roman society. Naples is also a great base for visiting Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, towns frozen in time since their burial in AD79 under the molten ash of Vesuvius. The excavations reveal everyday life held transfixed – the villas, the brothels, the marketplaces, temples and even its people.
Day 2
Naples
Head into the heart of the historic city centre with your expert guide to explore one of the best food markets. Your guide leads you through the stalls and shops, where you can sample some of the delicious local specialties. Continue along the alleys to discover the most picturesque corners of Naples. Sites include the Greek ruins of Piazza Bellini, the musical and bakery-filled street of San Biagio dei Librai, Via San Gregorio Armeno (renowned for the elaborate nativity scenes on sale in its shop windows), the Decumani junctions, and magnificent old churches decorated in Rococo style.
Along the way, enjoy a bite of Naples’ famous ‘frittura’ street food, a sinfully delicious mix of deep-fried aubergines (eggplant), courgettes (zucchini), mozzarella, arancini (rice croquettes), cauliflower, or potato croquettes. Your tour includes a stop for a delicious pizza fritta at Nonna Fernanda’s.
Day 3
Amalfi Coast
Today’s excursion takes you along the romantic Amalfi coastal road, considered the most scenic in all of Europe. The road twists, turns, and loops along the full length of the coast from the glamorous resorts of Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. Once reachable only by mule, the isolation of this stunningly scenic region attracted writers and artists in abundance even before the completion of the coastal route in the twentieth century.
Enjoy lunch at LO SCOGLIO, where you can taste spaghetti and zucchini dishes like spaghetti alla nerano. Continue to the small town of Minori to taste the delicious creations of the world-famous pastry chef Sal De Riso. Make sure to try a bite of his Delizia al Limone, a revolutionary confection otherwise known as Lemon Delight!
Day 4
Free Day in Naples
Today is yours to spend at your leisure. Explore your surroundings at your own pace, or simply relax and enjoy the amenities your hotel has to offer.
Day 5
Transfer to Rome
Today, meet your driver for your private transfer to Rome. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 6
Explore Rome’s Trastevere district
After a light breakfast, transfer with your expert local guide to the lively Trastevere district for an unforgettable food adventure tailored to your individual tastes! Discover the lesser-known side of Rome as you get a sense of the city from a local’s perspective, with its bustling market and ancient maze of streets. It is so-called because it lies across the River Tiber. Trastevere was once the city’s bohemian quarter and still retains its arty edge today.
Start with a maritozzo at BAR SAN CALISTO before perusing the displays of fresh produce at a local food market, where you taste mouth-watering traditional delicacies. Your next stop is LA REGINELLA for lunch (payable locally), where we recommend you try the traditional carciofi alla giudia (deep-fried artichokes). At the end of the tour, you are transferred back to your hotel.
Day 7
ROme
Explore the labyrinth of narrow streets and wide-open piazzas of central Rome today. Discover a lively hub of Roman life at the Campo dei Fiori marketplace before the spectacle of the Piazza Navona opens before you. This stunning oval-shaped piazza maintains the form of its original purpose as a Roman athletics track. Today, it is flanked by cafés and restaurants enjoying views of its centrepiece, Bernini’s famous Quattro Fiumi fountain. A short stroll away is the Pantheon, the city’s best-preserved Roman monuments. Have lunch nearby at ARMANDO AL PANTHEON for a classic Roman lunch (payable locally). You may like to taste the traditional rigatoni all’amatriciana, one of Rome’s famous four pastas (the others being gricia, cacio e pepe, and carbonara).
Day 8
Rome at leisure
Today is yours to spend at your leisure. Explore your surroundings at your own pace, or simply relax and enjoy the amenities your hotel has to offer.
Day 9
Transfer to Florence
Today, meet your driver for your ongoing transfer to Florence. Upon arrival, you may like to enjoy lunch at BABAE (payable locally). Florence casts a spell in a way that few cities can. Perhaps because of its sublime art, the views at sunset over the Arno, or the way Florentine food and wine delight the palate! Or maybe it’s because the city has not changed much since the 16th century… A monument to the Renaissance, visitors will delight in the architectural masterpieces of the Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Brunelleschi’s magnificent Duomo, whilst for art lovers, the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia and the Bargello Gallery represent a cultural pilgrimage.
Day 10
Florence and the Renaissance
Along with your expert guide, enjoy an introduction to Italy’s favourite Renaissance city: Florence. Listen to intriguing tales of feuding painters, Medici rulers and religious fanatics, who all left their mark on the city. The excitement, artistry and intrigue of Medieval and Renaissance Florence truly come alive as you stroll through the glorious city and maze of backstreets. Your guide highlights Florence’s most important highlights, including the gigantic Duomo, the city’s most famous cathedral with its iconic dome. Your tour includes a visit to the Mercato Centrale, Florence’s central market, where you can discover the main ingredients of Tuscan food. At the end of your tour, sit down at the Osteria Delle Belle for a traditional Florentine lunch (payable locally).
Day 11
Explore a local market
Today, with your expert guide, head to the impressive Church of Santa Croce, which contains the tombs of many famous Florentines including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo. Inside you can see stunning frescoes by Giotto and one of his pupils, Taddeo Gaddi. Buzzing with local life, the area around Santa Croce is also of interest and boasts many quality leather boutiques. During your excursion, visit the liveliest market in Florence: the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. Just next door to the market, visit C.BIO), the latest creation of acclaimed chef Fabio Picchi, where you can peruse and buy the best local and seasonal produce of a typical Tuscan delicatessen.
Day 12
Transfer to Bologna
Today, you are privately transferred to Bologna. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 13
Explore Bologna’s Cuisine
Meet your guide at your hotel for a half-day gourmet tour with your expert guide. During your tour, discover Bologna’s finest fares at the bustling medieval markets of the city – the Quadrilatero, Mercato di Mezzo, and Mercato delle Erbe. You also visit some of the city’s best-loved food stores to chat with some of the families who have worked hard to preserve Bologna’s food traditions for generations. As you wander around the medieval markets, sample a selection of mouth-watering delights such as mortadella, ciccioli, salsiccia passita and chocolate. You also have the opportunity to watch a traditional pasta-making demonstration. With their expert skills and patience, local ladies share the secrets of making and rolling out pasta; beautifully-shaped tortellini, tagliatelle and lasagne suddenly appear as if my magic!
Day 14
Modena and Balsamic
Today, you are met by your driver and privately transferred to Modena, where you will meet your local guide. In addition to the city centre’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Modena is well known for its opera heritage and balsamic vinegar. Discover its splendour in the graceful historic centre, learning about its in-depth and interesting history. Visit Modena’s monumental treasures including the cathedral, which is one of the finest masterpieces of European Romanesque architecture and Piazza Grande, with its Palazzo Comunale. Your tour includes a stop for lunch (payable locally) at Franceschetta 58, the newest restaurant of multiple Michelin-star chef Massimo Bottura. Before returning to Bologna, stop at Gran Deposito Aceto Balsamico Giuseppe Giusti to visit the balsamic vinegar museum. This kind of vinegar is aged in barrels, which are stored away in a number of attics throughout the Modena province. The vinegar then undergoes a rigorous procedure of decanting and topping up through a number of barrels, each made from a particular wood to enhance the flavour. This lengthy process for even the ‘young’ product takes 12 years of aging, while the ‘extravecchio’ vinegar requires a minimum of 25 years!
Day 15
Transfer to Milan
Today, meet your driver for your private transfer to Milan. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 16
Food Tour of Milan
Enjoy a 4-hour food-focused tour of Milan and experience a selection of memorable tastings. An expert local guide and food enthusiast takes you to places away from the normal tourist trail to taste and learn about the finest-quality local Italian products. Appreciate the true flavours of traditional Italian pastry, ham, culatello, Mondeghili meatballs, gelato, and more, and be entertained by stories about the origins of local food products and how they are made! Travel through time on the ancient crossing ways of the city with the Navigli, the ancient system of navigable and interconnected canals where you have the chance to have an aperitivo at Mag Café.
Day 17
leonardo da Vinci tour
It was in Milan where Leonardo da Vinci spent a long and fruitful life as an artist. Immerse yourself in the cultural climate in which he lived and worked and gain a better understanding of his life and art with your local guide. There is no better place to start than at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, an artistic treasure trove that holds Leonardo’s ‘Portrait of a Musician and Atlantic Codex. The Codex is a stunning collection of studies and drawings that measure Leonardo’s genius. Continue on to the Sala delle Asse in the Castello Sforzesco, where Leonardo’s unmistakable personality and boundless creativity are also in evidence. Of course, your day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie, a Renaissance jewel where Leonardo worked closely with another artistic genius, Donato Bramante. This church contains Leonardo’s ‘Last Supper’, a masterpiece of realism and perspective.
Day 18
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, it’s important to consider the weather to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience. The best time to visit Italy in terms of weather is during the months of April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, January can be a good time to visit as long as you’re prepared for cooler temperatures. In Italy, January is typically one of the coldest months of the year, with average temperatures ranging from 3°C to 12°C depending on the region.
In January, Italy experiences cold and wet weather. The average temperature during this month is around 5°C, with lows of 1°C and highs of 8°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in January.
In February, Italy experiences cold weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 7°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 10°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is still possible in the mountainous areas. It's important to dress warmly and bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in February.
In March, Italy experiences a transition from colder weather to milder temperatures. The average temperature during this month is around 10°C, with lows of 7°C and highs of 14°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly colder than the south, but the temperature is generally pleasant across the country. Rainfall is common during this month, so it's important to bring rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in March.
In April, Italy experiences mild and comfortable weather. The average temperature during this month is around 14°C, with lows of 10°C and highs of 18°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is pleasant across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in March. April is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In May, Italy experiences mild and pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine. The average temperature during this month is around 18°C, with lows of 13°C and highs of 22°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. May is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In June, Italy experiences warm and sunny weather with longer days. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are still slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is less frequent, and the days are longer, making it a great time to explore Italy's many outdoor attractions. June is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In July, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 28°C, with lows of 22°C and highs of 32°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. July is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In August, Italy experiences hot and sunny weather with long days. The average temperature during this month is around 29°C, with lows of 23°C and highs of 33°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature can be quite high across the country. Rainfall is rare during this month, and the days are long, making it a great time to enjoy Italy's many outdoor attractions. August is a popular month to visit Italy, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
In September, Italy experiences comfortable and mild weather with fewer crowds. The average temperature during this month is around 23°C, with lows of 18°C and highs of 27°C. The northern regions of Italy are slightly cooler than the south, but overall the temperature is comfortable across the country. Rainfall is still possible, but it is less frequent than in July and August. September is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for mild weather and fewer crowds.
In October, Italy experiences cooler weather with occasional rainfall. The average temperature during this month is around 17°C, with lows of 12°C and highs of 21°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. October is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in October.
In November, Italy experiences cooler and wetter weather as winter approaches. The average temperature during this month is around 12°C, with lows of 8°C and highs of 16°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically cooler than the south, and rain is common across the country. November is a great month to visit Italy if you're looking for fewer crowds and cooler weather. It's important to bring warm clothes and rain gear if you plan on traveling to Italy in November.
In December, Italy experiences cold and wet weather as winter sets in. The average temperature during this month is around 8°C, with lows of 4°C and highs of 11°C. The northern regions of Italy are typically colder than the south, and snowfall is common in the mountainous areas. It's important to bundle up and dress warmly if you plan on traveling to Italy in December. December is a popular month to visit Italy, especially during the Christmas season, so expect larger crowds at popular tourist destinations.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add-on holiday options to this Italy itinerary. For example, you could head to Greece. Greece is a beautiful country with stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and delicious food. Visit Athens to see the Acropolis, or head to the Greek islands for a relaxing holiday. Spain offers a mix of history, culture, and beaches. Visit Barcelona, for the architecture of Gaudi, or head to Andalusia to see the Moorish influences in the region.
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