culinary trips to italy

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Food & Culinary Tours in Italy

Head out on a truffle hunting adventure in Tuscany , sip on the freshest limoncello at the Amalfi Coast or indulge in the finest berried blends in Sicily . Ignite your inner epicure with melting Margherita pizzas and spoon-swirling spaghetti on an Italian food tour. Whether you're indulging at a bàcari in Venice or celebrating la dolce vita with an aperitivo in Milan , there's no competition for the best food experiences in Italy.

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114 food & culinary tour packages in italy with 672 reviews.

• Food & Culinary

Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Tour (Maximum 8 Guests)

From the time we lasted until we were dropped off, the whole tour was beyond excellent. The food and wine tours were varied from small plates at different restaurants to large meals at scenic settings. We ate at a seaport and at a farm house (the setting was far from rustic), in markets, and wineries. We had a cooking class where we prepared a traditional Sicilian meal. We stayed in wonderful hotels and had terrific tour guides. The tours were fabulous but they were short enough to allow for sometime to explore on our own. I would highly recommend this well managed and well planned tour.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Taste of Salento-Authentic Culinary Experience

A wonderful experience in a relaxing setting. The tour offered variety and covered a broad range of activities across the region allowing the opportunity to explore the area well. Michele and Emilo were excellent hosts. Very flexible and accommodating and created a warm and homely environment,

• Wine tasting

Italy Real Food Adventure

Italy Real Food Adventure tour is amazing! I'm happy to travel around the cities in Italy and eat all of the food there!

Private Sicily Food & Wine Lovers Tour

This private tour of Sicily one of the most fun, relaxing, beautiful, and delicious (!) vacations we've ever had--the perfect way to break out of the Covid "lockdown" blues after not being able to travel for 17 months. If you are considering this vacation, stop looking and book this tour before it sells out--you will not regret it!! I originally thought I would book the small group tour, but because of covid--and more importantly because the private tour price was so reasonable--we booked this as a private tour, and it couldn't have been more perfect. Massimo is the SINGLE BEST travel agent we've ever used. I don't say this lightly--First, I'm extremely picky (I'm a professor and scientist, and I tend to analyze everything; I want only the very best experiences; second, we have traveled all over the world, and we have very high standards and expectations. We have always had wonderful local travel agents, but Massimo went "above and beyond" in every way imaginable. His communication was phenomenal; with Covid restrictions, we weren't sure we were going to be able to make the trip happen at all, and at every stage Massimo would send me the latest information on Italy, and also he basically said we could cancel for a full refund even a week before our trip, which is an extremely generous policy and eased a lot of my stress. I ask a lot of questions, and he answered every question very quickly with detailed answers. He treated me more like a friend or family member than a "client."If he hadn't been so friendly, reassuring, and had such a flexible policy, we probably wouldn't have taken the trip. The trip itself was absolutely perfect in every way. When local travel agents plan trips for us, I meticulously read reviews of all the hotels and activities, and I end up making suggestions for revisions or alterations. In this case, all of the reviews were stellar, so I didn't ask fora single revision. And yet, every single tour, activity, and hotel Massimo planned was FABULOUS. I wouldn't change a thing! The care with which Massimo puts into his tours--and especially his clients--is amazing. He would what's app me every evening to remind me of the pickup time the next morning, and again during the day to check in to see how our day was going, whether we were enjoying an activity, and if he could do anything to make things better. I noticed that every tour we went on, they took pictures of us and sent them to Massimo, which I believe was his way of making sure we were always well cared for, and where we were supposed to be. I truly felt like he deeply cared about us and wanted to make sure we were having the best time possible. His drivers, guides, and tours were also top notch. Every single driver (without exception) was early to pick us up, spoke great English, and was incredibly friendly and informative--it's as if he chose to only work with contractors who have his same wonderful personality. Each and every tour guide was also incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging, some of the best guides we've had in any city. All of the activities -- from cooking classes to food tours to wine tasting -- were incredible as well. What I loved most of all was that I literally never had to worry about anything, because everything was so perfectly chose and planned and because Massimo was always watching over us to make sure everything went well. I will absolutely recommend this tour of Sicily and especially Massimo to all of my friends and family!

Discover Matera and Taste of Salento Tour

SOLETO TRAVEL: First of all, Omar at Soleto Travel was great, from my first inquiry to the last day of the trip. He returned emails promptly, answered questions clearly, made suggestions and generally made the whole experience very easy. I highly recommend Soleto travel and would not hesitate to book any of their tours. The trip I took was Discover Matera and a Taste of Salento. I was a solo female traveler on this tour and just took a leap of faith - it was well worth it. TASTE OF SALENTO: Pretend that someone told you that you had long lost relatives who owned an olive oil farm in Salento and wanted you to come visit for six days? That is exactly what this felt like. From the moment Antonio (the father) picked me up at the train station to the moment Emilio dropped me off in Matera, I could not have been treated more warmly. This did not feel like a “tour”, it felt like a “stay”. Don’t get caught up in the printed itinerary and stated activities. Emilio adjusts the schedule based on the season, the weather and other circumstances. You might not get every single thing listed, but you will get a lot more that are not. Emilio fixes a light breakfast every morning and explains where we’re going and what we’re doing that day. Because this experience is capped at four people (we had two), Emilio drives you in the family car to all the cool places (many that would be inaccessible by a tour bus). You walk around while he explains the history of the place or his experiences there. You set the pace (the other woman in my tour had hurt her foot and couldn’t walk very fast - no problem. We were still able to see everything). And you get free time to walk around, grab a bite, shop or just sit and appreciate the experience. The highlight of every day was dinner. Emilio is a fabulous chef and prides himself on cooking fresh, organic, local food paired with local wine (all served with his family’s organic olive oil of course). His passion is evident and every meal was excellent. Two of the days we had Carlo as a guide, who was fun and knowledgeable. One day Emilio’s wife Clara took us wine tasting and sightseeing. And of course Antonio, who was a character, popped by to say hi and stir up trouble! I could go on and on but I will stop and just say this: If you want a 4-star hotel with a “farm” theme in a big city, this is not for you. This is an actual farm in a very small town with very comfortable accommodations run by a sweet and generous couple (plus four kids and a dog) who want nothing more than for you to learn about, experience, and hopefully appreciate, the land they love. No tour buses, no guides with hankies tied to poles, no one-size-fits-all restaurants or cookie-cutter tours. Live like a local, with locals, for a one-of-a-kind experience. I highly recommend it. DISCOVER MATERA: I knew nothing about Matera so I was excited to arrive and see this beautiful city. The only thing I would mention is the whole city is practically stairs, including up to the room, so it might be a difficult city for some people with mobility issues so keep that in mind when booking. That said it is such a beautiful and unique city and I loved just wandering around and getting lost in all the little streets and passages. The accommodations were fabulous and so unique (a room built into a cave!) My guide was Cosimo, who took me one day on a city tour and the next on a tour of Murgia Materana, the park across the ravine. He was so knowledgable, friendly and patient with all my questions. Even though I was the only one, our tour went beyond the allotted time and he did not complain or try to rush me. I also got a private food and wine tasting with Lucca who was also wonderful, knowledgeable and generous. The place I stayed had a restaurant, but because I was the only one there, I would have my breakfast on site and then they would book dinner for me at a nice local restaurant. I loved Matera and wish I had a couple more days there. All in all this was the perfect vacation. The people were wonderful, the food and wine delicious, the history fascinating, the scenery breathtaking and the experience unique. I highly recommend this tour and Soleto Travel to anyone!

Charming Sicily Food & Wine Small Group Tour - 8 days

I really enjoyed the tour!

Sicily Food Adventure

Sicily was great, the transportation was very good, fellow passengers were a great bunch who mixed well. Food and wine experiences were good, but for me the highlight of the trip was ancient and modern Sicily. The tour guide was lovely and tried very hard but with limited English understanding, was not able to provide any significant on board commentary or quell the frustrations that accrued as we drove from place to place. Accommodation throughout the tour was average to good and the weather was just perfect.

8-Day Foodie Tour Of Northern Italy

• €50 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Christmas & New Year

5 Days Italian Cookery Getaway in Umbria

This whole experience was outstanding! Raffaella was great, the food was and the learning experience was wonderful, and the tours were a really cool compliment to the week. I cannot say enough good things about this tour - 100% recommend, 100% would do it again!

South Italy Campania Escape

Hotel room was large and comfortable = 5* Hotel location was difficult : NO buses, NO subway close by. We had to walk a LOT , even to reach meeting points for daily tours !! (2*) Staff was VERY friendly and helpful. (5*) TOUR to POMPEI / VESUVIO was excellent, considering the conditions... Excellent LUNCH and wine testing (5*) We did the VESUVIO hike, all the way to the TOP ! (5*) TOUR of NAPOLI was good. / We saw many more places, and took the subway (5*) Note : we had problems with the street food . Difficult to find good, relaxing places to have dinner in NAPOLI. ..Next time we will consult a TOUR GUIDE BOOK.

• In-depth Cultural

A Taste of Tuscany - Hilltop Towns and Vineyards

5 Luxury days on the Sacred Land of Umbria

Northern Italy Gourmet Luxury Tour - 8 Days

Everything about our tour was just amzingly great... from the tours, to the arrangements, to our chaufered driven Mercedes. One suggestion about our last stay at Locandia Marquesi di Alfieri. It is a very small village, and no nearby restaurant open on Mondays. Without a vehicle, it can be difficult, so it would be good to inform your clients. Also, the goodbye dinner was at Blue Rose, which would require a walk down to and back up the steep road. At night it can be a challenge and even dangerous, with no sidewalks. I would suggest either Osteria il Re degli Ignoranti or Ristorante Concordia, which are much closer to the Locandia Marquesi di Alfieri Hotel.

Grand tour of Veneto, from Venezia to Verona

Campania Wine, Food & Heritage Experience

What people love about food & culinary tours in italy.

I can’t say enough good things about our experience in Sicily thanks to Mossimo and his team. Excellent, informative tour guides…Denise, Carlos, Antonio and Sem. The cooking class may have been the highlight, but all of the activities were fun and the pace of the tour, planned activities/free time mix was perfect. Will definitely recommend!

Continued.. Besides both Carla and Emilios own knowlege and history of each place they had Profesional guides to take you around to the other places. Nice to be in a private car. Great food like I said before. Emilio really takes care and you can see the passion in every dish he makes. Very well put together tour. Loved my stay at the farmhouse learning about the olive trees. Overall a Wonderful experience during my week in brindisi. Will visit again! Crystal

Italy Real Food Adventure tour is amazing! I'm happy to travel around the cities in Italy and eat all of the food there!

Food & Culinary Tours

• Wine tasting (12)
• Cooking classes (8)

Regions in Italy

• South Italy (42)
• Central Italy (26)
• Northern Italy (23)
• Tuscany (17)
• Puglia (13)
• Apulia (13)
• Campania (12)
• Sicily (11)
• Amalfi Coast (11)
• Emilia Romagna (10)
• Lazio, Marche & Abruzzo (9)
• Piedmont (6)
• Prosecco (6)

Travel Styles

• 10 Best Food & Culinary Tours 2024/2025
• Italy Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Itinerary Ideas for 10 Days in Italy, 2022-2023
• Best 7 Day Italy Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Discover the Best Italy Vacation Packages 2024/2025
• What is the best time to visit Italy in 2024/2025?

Our most popular cooking vacation destination: from the food to the wine to the people, Italy offers it all…

Experience Italy for foodies! We offer private and small group Italy cooking and wine vacations with the best cooking courses in Italy. The International Kitchen’s Italy food & wine tours let you explore this amazing country through hands-on cooking classes taught by charming local chefs, as well as foodie tours to visit artisanal food producers, olive mills, and wineries, and visits to the cultural sites that make Italy one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

Top 50 Cooking Vacations in Italy 2024

• All Regions
• Amalfi Coast
• Emilia Romagna
• Friuli Venezia Giulia
• Lombardia/Lakes Region
• Multiple Regions
• Rome (Lazio)
• Active Trips
• Best Sellers
• Best Winter Cooking Vacations & Tours 2024
• Family Friendly
• Good for Solos
• Hidden Gems
• Intensive Cooking
• Luxury Line
• Michelin Star Experiences
• Off the Beaten Path
• Romantic Getaways
• Staff Favorites
• Wine Themed

TRIP LENGTH

PRICE RANGE

Small Group Culinary Vacations in Sicily

7 Nights Starting At $4,900

Chianti Cooking Vacation and Wine Tour

6 Nights Starting At $5,975

Authentic Tuscan Cooking in the Val d’Orcia Valley

5 or 6 Nights Starting At $4,850

Ultimate Italy Culinary Vacation with Dorothy Tague

9 Nights Starting At $5,980

Northern Italy Cooking Vacations: Piedmont and Liguria

6 Nights Starting At $5,580

Best Food & Wine Tours in Rome, Italy

3 or 5 Nights Starting At $1,630

Discover Sanremo Culinary Vacations in Italy

4 Nights Starting At $2,925

Best Genoa and Portofino Culinary Vacations in Italy

4 Nights Starting At $3,150

Best 2024 Cooking Vacations in Molise, Italy

6 Nights Starting At $4,135

Best of Sorrento and Naples Food Tour

6 Nights Starting At $5,890

Splendid Five-Star Sorrento Food Tour on Amalfi Coast

6 Nights Starting At $6,750

Best of the West: Sicily Cooking Vacation

6 Nights Starting At $6,390

Cooking and Walking in Umbria

6 Nights Starting At $4,530

Cooking Under the Tuscan Sun: Best Food & Wine Tours in Cortona 2024

3 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,175

Food & Wine Tasting Tour in Puglia, Italy

6 Nights Starting At $4,600

Amalfi Coast Culinary Vacations: Mediterranean Cooking Experience

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,550

A Five-Star Retreat in the Veneto

6 Nights Starting At $3,670

Best Bellagio Cooking Tour on Lake Como

5 Nights Starting At $5,270

Italian Food & Wine Tours and Cooking Courses in Piedmont

5 Nights Starting At $3,600

Emilia Romagna Food & Wine Tasting Tours 2024

4 or 7 Nights Starting At $2,875

Weekend in an Italian Villa

3 Nights Starting At $910

Culinary Tour of the Italian Countryside: Discovering Authentic Flavors

3 Nights Starting At $1,975

Sapori d'Abruzzo: Best Abruzzo Cooking Tour and Vacation in Italy 2024

6 Nights Starting At $2,750

Michelin Star Cooking Tours on the Prosecco Road

2 or 3 Nights Starting At $1,150

Secrets of Spoleto: Food Tour & Wine Tasting in Spoleto

6 Nights Starting At $3,465

Elegant Taormina and The Eastern Coast

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $4,800

Don Alfonso

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,760

A Food Lover's Paradise in Norcia Cooking Vacations

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $3,150

Luxury Chianti Cooking Vacations in Tuscan Villa 2024

7 Nights Starting At $5,490

Luxury Lucca Villa Cooking Vacations & Food Tours

7 Nights Starting At $4,500

Tuscan Splendor - Luxury Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,990

Luxury Italian Lakes Foodie Vacations

6 Nights Starting At $4,950

All-Inclusive Cooking Vacations in Italy - Cooking in the Sabine Hills

6 Nights Starting At $3,900

Friuli Venezia Giulia Food and Wine Tours at Villa Luppis

3 Nights Starting At $1,785

Insider's Venice

3 Nights Starting At $1,025

Authentic Italian Cooking Vacation in Piedmont

3 Nights Starting At $1,100

Tuscany Wine Tasting Tour on The Western Coast: Truly Tuscany

5 Nights Starting At $4,180

Tuscany Cooking Vacations at Torre del Tartufo, Casa Ombuto & Villa Bellorcia

3 or 7 Nights Starting At $2,750

Best Food Tour in Florence, Italy 2024: Florence For The Food Lover

5 Nights Starting At $3,675

Roman Countryside Cooking Vacations in Italy

Sorrento Cooking Adventure

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,875

A Culinary Vacation in Vasto

6 or 11 Nights Starting At $1,855

Authentic Amalfi Cuisine in Minori

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,200

A Venice Cooking Odyssey

5 Nights Starting At $4,880

Authentic Sicilian Experience for the Food Lover

7 Nights Starting At $6,450

Cooking Vacations In Italy

There’s a reason our culinary tours in Italy are so popular.

Explore Italy for foodies on an Italy food tour with The International Kitchen.  You can delight in the best cooking courses in Italy, in which you learn to make regional specialties and traditional Italian staples such as homemade pastas, flavorful sauces, succulent meat dishes, scrumptious seafood, and out-of-this-world desserts. Your teacher might be a professional Italian chef or a “nonna” (grandmother) who passes along generations of family recipes and a passionate dedication to Italian cuisine.

Italy culinary tourism has grown in the years since we started the niche of cooking and wine tasting holidays in Italy. And it’s easy to see why: who is not tempted by the thought of gourmet holidays in Italy?

We have been organizing the best private, custom, and small group cooking tours in Italy for 25 years, and we have thousands of satisfied culinary travelers that we consider friends. Many of them return year after year to explore new foodie destinations with us on our Italy food tours. We are a small company, dedicated purely to foodie trips, and personal service is one of the hallmarks of our business.

So whether you are a foodie looking for cooking travel tours Italy, an avid home cook searching for cooking school Italy vacations, or simply someone who thinks food is the best part of every trip, we have culinary tours in Italy that will satisfy every culinary traveler. Moreover, if you’re looking for a good wine tour Italy is a perfect choice.

All in all, Italy is well-known for wine tasting, our company is good at vacation packages. Why don’t we combine these?

More about our cooking vacations in Italy

Our cooking vacations in Italy will also include:

• Food and wine tours in Italy including cheese and local products tastings
• Visits to open air fruit and vegetable markets, vineyards, or olive oil mills
• Cultural and culinary tours to local sites of interest
• Our many years of experience and personalized service while planning your foodie trip to Italy

Accommodations for our cooking holidays in Italy are in everything from cozy B&B properties to private villas, farmhouses, and luxurious hotels.

Cooking with the locals during an authentic Italy cooking vacation with The International Kitchen.

FAQ about cooking holidays in Italy

Where can i learn to cook in italy.

Tuscany, Umbria, Campania, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Lombardy, Lazio, Puglia, and the Veneto, are only a handful of the places where you can learn to cook in Italy. Italy’s 20 regions all offer amazing opportunities to learn regional and traditional Italian cuisine. Each region has its own pastas, sauces, main dishes and desserts, and you will learn to make them on our cooking courses in Italy.

Which city has the best food in Italy?

Italians might fight to the death over the answer to this question! Many would say that the city of Bologna has the best food in Italy. It is definitely one of the culinary capitals of Italy, and Emilia Romagna, the region in which it is found, is known for its incredible wealth of gastronomic products such as prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano, aceto balsamico di Modena, and pastas like tortellini, tagliatelle, and lasagne.

We think that each of Italy’s regions, however, has something truly unique and unforgettable to offer on our culinary vacations in Italy.

Which city in Italy has the best pizza?

Most Italians would agree that Naples has the best pizza in Italy. Naples, the capital of the Campania region, is also the birthplace of pizza! The main ingredients of pizza also come from this region: fresh mozzarella cheese and San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the sun-drenched volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius.

Read more about Italian food and travel tips

Recipes from Sarteano: Pici al Ragù Toscano

February 21, 2024

Meet Chef Chiara, the culinary instructor behind our Authentic Tuscan Cooking in the Val d’Orcia Valley and this recipe for Pici al Ragù Toscano! Chef…

Travel Memories: My First Trip to Italy

March 24, 2021

It's hard not to wax nostalgic about travel these days. As the effects of COVID-19 keep us all at home, with no clear indication of…

Autumn in Italy: Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

April 4, 2022

We eat soup year round, but there is something about soup in the fall and winter that is particularly appealing. And if you pair that…

Regions We Visit on our Food and Wine Tours in Italy

• Abruzzo : Bask in the beauty of ancient and authentic Abruzzo during an Italy food tour. Enjoy hands-on Italian cooking classes with simple regional cuisine full of flavors, and explore the miles of seaside, mountains, and national parks during our culinary trips to Italy in the Abruzzo region.
• Amalfi Coast : Learn the secrets of Mediterranean cuisine and enjoy the lifestyle of Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento, and Capri on an Italy food tour to the Amalfi Coast. Revel in a mix of spectacular coastlines and famed sites like Pompeii and the Blue Grotto on our unique culinary tours to Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
• Emilia Romagna : Taste the famous aged Parmesan cheese and Prosciutto di Parma on our gastronomic tours of Italy. Visit Bologna, Parma, Modena, and more and explore the local cuisine during hands-on cooking classes on an amazing Italy food tour to Emilia Romagna.
• Friuli Venezia Giulia : Explore the unique geography and equally unique cuisine of a region that borders Austria, Slovenia, and the Veneto during our food and wine tours in Italy in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
• Liguria : Charming port towns such as the famed Cinque Terre and all the pesto and pasta you could dream of make our gourmet holidays in Italy in the Liguria region extra special. Check out Genoa, Portofino, and miles of hiking trails on an Italy food tour to this charming area.
• Lombardia/Lakes Region : Enjoy the gorgeous lakes and rustic foods of the north on our cooking vacations in Italy’s Lombardy region. Savor the risotto, polenta, and famed Franciacorta sparklers on our food and wine tours in Italy and the Lakes region.
• Piedmont : One of our favorite regions is home to some of Italy’s most famous wines, which you will taste on our food and wine tours in Italy and the Piedmont region. From Barolo to Barbaresco, an Italy food tour in Piedmont will satisfy every appetite!
• Puglia : Home to classic Italian breads, olive oils and wines – you’re sure to fall in love with Puglia (Apulia) on our cooking vacations in Italy at the southern part of the peninsula. Some of our best Italy wine tours are in this sunny and beautiful region.
• Rome/Lazio : Authentic villages and delectable regional dishes will capture your heart on our culinary tours in Italy near the capital city. An Italy food tour in Lazio will include hands-on cooking classes, foodie excursions, and more.
• Sicily : The heart of Mediterranean food lives on this exotic island, and you can explore it on an Italy food tour to Palermo, Taormina, Agrigento, and more. Many of our most popular Italy wine tours take place in authentic Sicily.
• Tuscany : Explore breathtaking landscapes and enjoy the renowned food of this region on our Italy wine tours and cooking vacations in Italy in the Tuscany region. Rustic Tuscan food and wine are the staples of some of our best cooking vacations in Italy.
• Umbria : The laid-back locals will welcome you like a family friend on our culinary tours in Italy and its Umbria region. An Italy food tour in Umbria will include hands-on cooking classes featuring delicious regional recipes.
• Veneto : Discover the fine cuisine and legendary wines of this magical region on our Italy wine tours and cooking vacations in Italy and the Veneto region. From the lagoon of Venice to the Dolomites, the Veneto is a perfect destination for our culinary tours in Italy.

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Welcome to your greatest culinary adventure

Join us for a memorable week of gastronomy, art and culture. Discover the roots of Italian cuisine in the region where it all began, Emilia-Romagna . Tour the farms, meet the artisans, and learn from the masters during your week-long journey with Italian Culinary Adventures. We’ve thought of everything, including luxurious accommodations, exclusive access to culinary and cultural destinations, English-speaking guides, and memorable meals in highly-coveted Michelin-starred restaurants.

Come hungry. Leave sated, mind, body and soul.

Our program

Sample itinerary, featured recipes.

Our calendar

Frequently asked questions, experience an immersive culinary tour of italy.

There are few gastronomic regions in the world that rival Emilia-Romagna. Located in the northern part of Italy, this area offers a wealth of culinary delights. Its fertile soil is ideal for cultivating prized ingredients like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma – not to mention one of the finest wines in the world. The region is also well known for its rich traditions of quality food production.  Perhaps its most famous export is authentic balsamic vinegar. If your balsamic wasn’t made in Modena, then it’s not the real deal!

To this day, many of Emilia-Romagna’s cities are still surrounded by vineyards and olive groves that produce incredible local wines and sumptuous oils. By living off the land, the Emilia-Romagnesi have perfected their cuisine over hundreds of years.

Italian Culinary Adventures takes you on your gourmet tour of Emilia-Romagna, featuring the best food and wine Italy has to offer. The region’s gastronomic excellence can be attributed to its rich history of artisanship – a legacy that dates back before Roman times. Our hosts have been traveling to the region for years, fueled by a passion for the unique history and culture that characterize the incredible food.

Preparing for an Italian Culinary Tour

Once you’ve booked an Italian culinary tour with Italian Culinary Adventures, it’s time to start preparing. Being away from home for one week requires some planning. Especially when you are in a country you’ve never visited. Be sure you pack the following in preparation for your culinary tour in Modena Italy:

• Power adapters for all of your chargers
• A pocket USB charger for your phone
• An umbrella
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Clothes appropriate for the weather the time of year you visit Italy
• An open mind, heart, and mouth!

What Can You Bring Home from Italy?

No trip to Italy is complete without bringing home something to commemorate it, especially if you can bring home a sampling of the food you enjoyed. Since you will be visiting Modena, Bologna, and Parma, make sure you bring home Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar. Getting these coveted specialties from their native towns in Emilia-Romagna is the ultimate souvenir.

How to Enjoy Your Italian Culinary Tour

Well, let’s start by saying- this is the easy part! Once you arrive in Italy, the first day will allow you to check into your hotel, relax a bit from the travel, and begin to explore the picturesque city of Modena. The next handful of days will include tantalizing tours through restaurants, markets, farms, wineries, and other areas of the iconic Emilia-Romagna region. This isn’t just a standard food and wine tour. It’s a true cultural immersion experience that will authentically show you the best of everything the region has to offer.

We recommend getting plenty of rest each night and wearing comfortable walking shoes for the tour. We are on our feet for a lot of time, exploring every unique niche of the Emilia-Romagna region.

Ready to Experience the Ultimate Food and Wine Tour Through Italy?

If you have a passion for food, wine, and culture like we do – or if you’re looking to make new friends in Italy with the same interests – then you’ve found the right place! Our gourmet tour of Emilia-Romagna will take you on an unforgettable culinary adventure through some of the most delicious cities in all of Italy. We’ll show you how we eat; what we drink; where we stay; and who we meet along the way. Get ready to indulge! Call us today at 1-818-438-2346 or contact us online by clicking here and book your trip today.

Call us at 1-818-438-2346

©2024 Italian Culinary Adventures. All rights reserved.

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La Via Gaia

Authentic and Experiential Culinary Tours of Italy

Main Content

Welcome to the culinary heritage of Italy, a regional food and wine travel experience with award-winning chef Jeff Michaud. Come meet our friends.

A new look into an old world.

Adventure with us to Northern Italy

Italy’s Treasures of Bergamo & Lake Iseo

What we love: Because Claudia grew up in Bergamo and her relatives still live there, we feel most connected to this historic walled city, where we spend most of our personal family time in Italy.

• Explore Lombardy's culinary culture, inspired by the bounty of the surrounding countryside.
• Stay in a restored medieval fortress in Bergamo, famous for charming narrow streets and picturesque squares.
• Share traditional specialties like Acquarello carnaroli rice, balsamic vinegar, and the distinctive regional cheese, Grana Padano.
• Cruise the hidden gem of Lake Iseo, situated in the Franciacorta wine region, producing some of Italy’s best sparkling wines.
• Settle into Milan’s stylish Navigli neighborhood for a classic aperitivo in a canal side bar, followed by a traditional Lombardy dinner.

Best of all, experience the cooking classes of award-winning chefs and friends Dominic Piperno and Jeff Michaud, as they reveal the secrets of the area’s quintessential flavors, and even arrange a dinner with Jeff's mother-in-law, a true Italian home cook.

Artisanal Italy in Modena, Bologna, & Parma

What we love: This relatively overlooked region introduced us to the legacy of craftsmanship in its heritage foods, and the authentic character of Lambrusco, its delicately sparkling red wine.

• Visit the village of Savigno, meeting artisans who carry on family traditions, including Guido of Bottega del Macellaio, transforming the local Mora pig and Bianca Modenese cow into mouthwatering cured meats and steaks for 3 generations.
• Walk the streets of Modena, encountering Mercato Albinelli, the city’s oldest covered market, redesigned in Art Nouveau style.
• Learn about Italy’s luxury racing automobile at the Enzo Ferrari Museum with classic models on display.
• Become acquainted with the Spigaroli family, makers of prosciutto’s unsung cousin, culatello, sharing lunch at their Michelin-star restaurant, dedicated to the Po River territory’s culinary heritage.

Best of all, join the sfogline (the masters of fresh pasta) in the traditional art of pasta making at their legendary school in Bologna. Assisted by chefs Colin Lynch and Jeff Michaud, learn how to use a matterello (or wooden pin) to roll out the yolk-rich dough and then shape regional specialties like Tortellini, Tortelloni, and Tagliatelle.

Best of all, join the sfogline (the masters of fresh pasta) in the traditional art of pasta making at their legendary school in Bologna. Assisted by friends and chefs Colin Lynch and Jeff Michaud, learn how to use a matterello (or wooden pin) to roll out the yolk-rich dough and then shape regional specialties like Tortellini, Tortelloni, and Tagliatelle.

The Romance of Lake Garda & Verona

What we love: We launched our La Via Gaia trips here, taking over a farmhouse to welcome our very first guests, and enjoying a concert evening spent under the stars at Verona’s Arena, a Roman amphitheater built in 30AD.

• Meet Veneto wine masters and learn to appreciate the difference between regional superstars, Amarone and Valpolicella.
• Appreciate the magic of Chiaretto di Bardolino, the rosata/rose famously produced in Alpine-Mediterranean environment of Lake Garda.
• Find yourself square in in the middle of Verona’s Piazza delle Erbe, crossroads of city life.
• Spend Sunday Supper with an olive oil producer for the Spiedo ritual of slow spit-cooking meat, among the world’s oldest techniques.
• Embrace the ritual of café life, socializing over a glass of wine and traditional chicchetti e ombre, savory bites and side dishes.

Best of all, play a part in making authentic creations with award-winning chefs Jeff Michaud and Missy Robbins in intimate classes designed to give you first-hand experience.

The Good Life in Piemonte & the Langhe

What we love: Every year our family returns here, to the town of Alba known for its white truffles, to drink in spectacular vistas, romantic hill towns, wonderful food, and finely crafted wines.

• Roam through world-famous wine regions, The Langhe and Roero's small DOCG wine district, to the hills of historic Monferrato.
• Buzz through vineyards on a Vespa, or "Wasp", icon of stylish Italian design.
• Experience robust Barolo and Barbaresco, produced from the intensely aromatic Nebbiolo grape in bottlings from top winemakers.
• Venture into the wild patches of forest on a truffle hunting escapade.
• Discover what a cheese refiner does in the storage caves where flavor happens.
• Float above vine covered hillsides and storybook villages in a sunrise balloon ride over Barolo, the heart of the Piedmont region.

Best of all, learn about Piemonte's unique cuisine in dinners at trattorias, Michelin-star restaurants, and in two memorable cooking classes, held by award-winning chefs and friends, Nicholas Elmi and Jeff Michaud and discover that, here, every meals tells a story.

Genuine Living in Piemonte Wine Region

What we love: We could not pass the opportunity to travel alongside Anthony Giglio and dive even deeper in this amazing wine region. So this year we return to Piemonte twice! Sleepy villages, hillsides blanketed in grapevines, pasta dusted with shaved truffles, and wines that are some of the finest of the world.

• Venture into the wild patches of forest on a truffle hunting mission.
• Roam through world-famous wine regions, from The Langhe and Roero's small DOCG wine district, to the hills of historic Monferrato.
• Taste the lush, buttery mouthfeel and a depth of flavor of Giorgio Cravero's Parmigiano Reggiano, a fifth generation cheese refiner in Bra.

Best of all, learn about Piemonte's unique cuisine in menus specially curated by the best chefs of the region and expertly paired by wine connoisseur Anthony Giglio, and in two fun filled cooking classes with award-winning chef Jeff Michaud.

What our fellow adventurers have to say

You feel like a true family member everywhere you go. Winemakers, cheesemakers, prosciutto makers, chefs, farmers, agriturismo proprietors, musicians all welcome you with very generous open arms like you've known them forever to share their talents, secrets. Their passion for what they do is contagious as is Jeff's love of Italy and his infectious smile and ability to connect everyone in the group to each other and bring out the adventurous spirit in all of us. Already booked another trip for next year!

The trip we took to Piemonte exceeded my expectations. It was clear from the start that at every place we went, the chef, owner, guide had a deep relationship with Jeff and they all went out of their way to make the trip one of the most memorable I have ever taken. La Via Gaia carefully put together the right blend and flow of activities to make every day perfect. I wouldn't change a thing

LA VIA GAIA highly curated experience in Piemonte was executed flawlessly with Jeff whisking us from cheese caves to wineries to unique dining experiences that would typically only be available to those in-the-know. His knowledge combined with command of the language and culture enables a plunge into Italian culture that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Bring your appetite, sense of adventure, and passion for luxury meets farm to table. Highly recommended...!

While over the top gastronomic experiences were expected and delivered what was most surprising was the laughter and friendships that flowed in even greater quantities that the exceptional wines and will last far longer.

This was one of the most remarkable trips we have ever taken. What made it so special was Jeff's over-sized, charming personality and the personal touches that went into the trip. From his intimate knowledge of the Bergamo & Lake Garda area's wineries, cheese makers & restaurants, the way he related to & looked out for the needs of everyone on the trip, to the extraordinarily special times like lunch at his mother-in-law Pina's to eating a home-cooked meal with the family that runs an olive oil business. Loved it all!

A private trip with La Via Gaia in Piemonte was an adventure I didn't even know I was missing! I was hesitant to go on an expensive trip with my colleagues but after the amazing comradery, wineries with views, a cheese tour/tasting, beautiful balloon ride, truffle hunting, vespa and convertible fiat driving, three Michelin restaurants, chef led cooking classes, shopping in Milan, Turin and Alba, incredible local restaurants, three amazing guides, and lots of fun I deem this trip priceless. The warmth exuded by Jeff and Claudia Michaud, and their guest Sommelier Matteo Donadoni added to a jam-packed itinerary (with some relax time included). Anyone can go to Northern Italy but these three shared their love of Italy with all of us.

La Via Gaia's culinary and wine tour is not to be missed. Chef Jeff Michaud and his beautiful wife sparkle as they share their love of all things Italian. Days are filled with private tours of wineries and a Parmigiano-Reggiano aging cave, a hot air balloon ride, a drive through the gorgeous Piemontese countryside, and a tour of Turin. The meals include simple regional dishes shared by local cooks, dinner made by the group participants during a cooking lesson at a winery, and spectacular dinners prepared by Michelin starred restaurants. Truly fantastico- grazie!

La Via Gaia has taken us on 2 unique and unforgettable trips filled with amazing food, wine and experiences. The key is Jeff Michaud’s infectious love of Italy, its people, its culinary traditions, and Italian life in general. The warm relationships he has built over the years with chefs, wine makers and shop owners flow onto the group and make us feel we are cared for in a way we have never experienced with any other trip.

Jeff and Claudia have thoughtfully created a traveling and eating experience that opens the window into the world of Northern Italy. It builds on their personal relationships and experiences, accumulated over many years of living in there. It is not a sterile tour, one lived out of a bus. Rather it is meeting the people that make Italy come to life on a daily basis.

Jeff and Claudia have created an experience like no other for folks who are truly passionate about food and wine. Jeff is the consummate host and, for one week, you are part of his family which includes not only your fellow travelers, but all of the amazing artisan producers and talented chefs that go to great lengths to make your time with them very special and memorable. Jeff's passion for everything culinary, along with his well established relationships, are what make this trip unique. This is more than a culinary tour - this is an immersion into the very best of what Italy has to offer.

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“It’s a Dream Place – Stories of Food, Love and The Amalfi Coast”

By lauren birmingham.

This is a dream cookbook. Who in the world wouldn’t want to try ‘Catch of the Day for a Beautiful Woman of the Sea?’ But in addition to being a cookbook, it’s a slice of life from the impossibly beautiful Amalfi Coast: how it looks, how it feels, how the interactions with the people there are so soulful and rewarding. It takes a particular kind of person to attract the kinds of magical stories Lauren Birmingham Piscitelli does. And it takes something more to get chefs to give up their recipes. Call this author not only a charming writer, but a sorceress whose company in these pages we are privileged to keep,” Elizabeth Berg, award-winning New York Times bestselling author.

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Ecco La Cucina Culinary Tours In Italy

Ancient Puglia

Medieval Tuscany

Elegant Piedmont

Stay up to date on food, wines and our latest tours in italy with our monthly newsletter, experience italy through its food & wine.

Taste and see the best of Italy with our luxury culinary vacation tours. With winery tours, local food tours and guided visits to ancient hill towns, along with hands on cooking classes and delectable meals in traditional local restaurants, you will be immersed into Italy’s foods and wines, and its culture and history.

In Italian, Ecco La Cucina means “Here’s the Kitchen” and during our tours we explore all aspects of the Italian table, from the local food and wine to the history of this beautiful country.  Our small group culinary tours in Italy are expertly designed to give you an insider’s view and stress-free vacation where you can relax and enjoy the foods, wines and stunning landscapes. It truly is an experience of a lifetime and one that will become a cherished memory.

If your dream is to explore the foods, wines and culture of Italy without the crowds and live like a local, then travel with us, experts in Italian food and wine. We will show you the enchanting regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Campania-Amalfi, and Puglia during our culinary tours in Italy. Each of our small group tours are designed to provide you with knowledge and special insights to this beautiful, rich culture. We can help you fulfill your dream as you taste and experience Italy, allowing you to truly understand the rhythm of Italian life.

Choose your culinary adventure:

Medieval Tuscany Culinary Tour

Elegant Piedmont Culinary Tour

Ancient Puglia Culinary Tour

• Sparkling Veneto Wine Tour
• Bologna & Emilia-Romagna Tour
• Campania – Naples, Sorrento Amalfi Tour

Mary Stipo Potter

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  (+1) 972-342-8308 (CST - Dallas)

Cooking Vacations in Tuscany with TN&M

At Tuscany Now & More, we believe that the best way to learn about any local culture when travelling is through their cuisine. Far beyond mere sustenance, food is a tale of a country's history and culture. 

To give you a feel (and taste) for Italy, we've created an enriching cooking vacation that transforms your villa holiday into a gastronomic adventure . Under the guidance of an in-house chef in some of the finest villas in Italy, you'll immerse yourself in Italian food culture through a series of hands-on cooking classes, food and wine tastings and culture tours . All of this (and more) included in the villa rental price and available exclusively through Tuscany Now & More. 

Gastronomes have the choice of picking one of three programmes: The Art of Pasta Making, Nonna's Traditional Italian Recipes, and Italian Classics for Vegetarians. Each programme is designed to introduce you to Italian ingredients and cooking techniques , leaving you with knowledge of the essential flavours and secrets that transform simple ingredients into mouth-watering Italian classics. You will learn to make some popular Italian dishes like Pappardelle al Ragù, Parmigiana di Melanzane, Pappa al Pomodoro and Tagliatelle ai Porcini, among other recipes. Behind each great recipe lies a great story waiting to be told.

Pick your programme:

The Art of Making Pasta

Learn to make authentic, fresh pasta from scratch and the secret to pairing pasta textures, fillings and sauces.

Nonna's Traditional Italian Recipes

Explore a collection of Italian recipes, traditions and anecdotes passed down through countless generations

Italian Classics for Vegetarians

Learn to make a collection of meat-free, plant-based recipes that stay true to the culinary heritage and cooking traditions of Italy

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One-of-a-Kind Culinary Adventures to Italy Led by a Native Italian

Welcome! Benvenuti!

My name is Francesca Montillo, the founder of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures. I'm a native Italian who's made it my career to show you the time of your life in my native land! Join me on my next culinary adventure or book a private, custom trip with me. No matter what, I'm here to be your Chief Travel Planner and Escort. Allow me to ensure your needs are met every step of the way while you see, taste, and experience all the flavors of Italy.

Our Culinary Adventures:

Le nostre avventure culinarie:, christmastime in tuscany, fall in tuscany’s countryside, the italian riviera, don't put off having the time of your life a day longer., you deserve this, i want you to join me here, how to know if you'll love traveling with us, come sapere se ami viaggiare con noi, you love food, fun & friends.

Get ready to share food and break bread with strangers who will become dear friends and future travel buddies. Traveling with me is like traveling with your long-lost cousin who knows the ins and outs of Italy. I’ll tell you where to shop, where to eat, how to haggle for a discount at the market, and may suggest you don’t order that decaf cappuccino after lunch! Fun is always guaranteed!

Same Home Base for The Week

We're not into hotel hopping or cramming a bunch of to-dos every day. This is not a hop on/hop off tour - this is a culinary adventure. This means you only unpack and pack once, and spend the rest of your valuable time immersing yourself in the Italian culinary culture.

You Can Appreciate Our Travel Philosophy

Our aim is to engage you in regional and local Italian cuisine and culture. You’ll sample local products, meet local cooks and producers, and can appreciate family run establishments, local gems, small shops, and authenticity. You’ll savor every moment you’re traveling with us, both literally and figurately.

Nancy Weingartner Monroe and Dennis Monroe

Christmastime in tuscany, 2023.

Robin Tottis, CSW, CSS and Gary Tottis

Cindy and Ron DiVincenzo

Amalfi, 2023.

Judie and Rob Zamborelli

Tuscany 2022, bologna, 2023.

Carol Douglas

Amalfi 2022, christmastime in tuscany 2023.

Lynda Umbro

Bologna, 2018.

What to Pack for Italy

Cosa mettere in valigia per l'italia.

Everyone is always asking me what they should pack for Italy, so I’ve created a quick reference guide that you can use for your next trip.

Hint: You don’t need nearly as much as you think you do!

Follow @lazyitalianculinaryadventures on Instagram

Italy Real Food Adventure

8 days | uncover the secrets of fresh italian cuisine.

Italians are the masters of creating simple dishes that burst with flavour. Inspired by nonnas’ kitchens all over the country, this food is regional, seasonal and as fresh as possible. On this eight-day food-focused adventure through everybody’s favourite culinary hub, you’ll discover that pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse array of unforgettable street eats, meals and cicchetti from the postcard-perfect Venice to Rome, where medieval meets modern. Delight in local wine, fresh produce, homemade dinners and seasonal favourites in San Gimignano, Tuscany and Bologna.

Trip overview

• Stay in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse near San Gimignano, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, and tour the grounds, indulging in tastings of their local wines and rich organic olive oil.
• Take a cooking class and watch a demonstration of how Bologna pasta is made right in the heart of this culinary namesake before sitting down to enjoy the fruits (or pasta sheets) of your labour for dinner with your host.
• Swap stories with a Roman local as you feast on seasonal dishes, homecooked for your group for dinner right in their home.
• See Italy’s iconic sights, like the canals of Venice, the romantic streets of Rome and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in San Gimignano.
• Find foodie bliss with a food tour that lets you taste all the regional highlights, like gelato, cicchetti, pasta, vinegar, cheese, seasonal fruit and veg and organic meats.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio. Donations help them regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.
• The cuisine of Italy includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans, we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Italy which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
• The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are comfortable and all have toilets but can be quite busy. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.
• Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure starts in the iconic city of Venice. If you arrive early, take some time to get lost in the narrow cobblestone streets and spacious piazzas, crossing the tiny bridges to find shops, markets, galleries and churches. Stroll past St Mark’s Square, the Campanile and the Doges Palace. Cross the Rialto and admire the Bridge of Sighs. You’ll have a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm. After, head out for a welcome aperitivo – the spritz and the bellini are local favourites. Venice's distinctive culinary heritage goes back to ancient times and features rich risottos, saline baccala (salted cod) and creamy polenta. If you're hungry, follow your leader to an atmospheric restaurant for your first introduction to Venetian flavours.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Venice - Welcome Aperitivo

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

It's an early start today. Walk down to the canals and watch farmers unload their produce from canal boats, ready to be sold at Venice's famous Rialto markets. This tradition is more than 1000 years old. Next, you’ll swing past the fish market, where the day’s catch might come directly from the Venetian lagoon – the enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea. Finish with an Italian cafe alongside the market. You'll also be treated to a specialty dessert of the region – tiramisu. The afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening, discover the Venetian answer to tapas on a cicchetti crawl through the city's fabulous bacari (wine bars). Snacking is an important pastime in Venice, with many people stopping for cicchetti both before and after meals.

• Venice - Cicchetti tour
• Venice - Venetian Breakfast and Market Tour
• Venice - Traghetto Ride
• Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
• Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
• Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
• Venice - San Giorgio Bell Tower - EUR6

If you are interested in visiting the Doge Palace, Venice, we strongly suggest planning your visit in the afternoon and pre-booking your tickets at muve.vivaticket.it/en/tour/palazzo-ducale/2478

Travel to Bologna by train this morning – this city's culinary claim to fame is significant, thanks to the ragu alla bolognese. Home of tagliatelle, mortadella and a range of other cured meats and salamis, Bologna, along with the surrounding Emilia Romagna region, is a foodie’s paradise. When you arrive, maybe wander past the beautiful old terracotta buildings and lively streets and acquaint yourself with the area. Later, you'll discover the real food of Bologna with a hands-on cooking class in the fine art of pasta-making. Feast on your handiwork over dinner with your host and your group, celebrating your new skill.

• Bologna - Pasta class
• Bologna - Eataly World - Free
• Bologna - Torre degli Asinelli Tower - EUR5

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today you’ll discover the flavours of the renowned Emilia Romagna region. Visit a factory dedicated to producing one of Italy's most coveted culinary exports – Parmigiano Reggiano. Learn how this cheese is made, and then try it for yourself. Continue to the town of Modena and visit an acetaia – a house where the family produce fine-aged Modena balsamic vinegar in the attic. You'll see how the vinegar is aged in barrels made from different woods, learn why it’s never less than 12 years old and then see the difference between the factory-made vinegar and the real stuff with a tasting. Head to a trattoria for a delicious lunch of the best local produce and farm-fresh seasonal dishes. Wash it down with a glass of Lambrusco – the town's famed sparkling red. Stroll around the town and admire the Palazzo Ducale before returning to Bologna in the late afternoon.

• Modena - Acetaia Visit
• Modena - Trattoria Lunch
• Modena - Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory visit

Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.

This morning, travel to the village of Pancole in the heart of Tuscany. The region is renowned for a cuisine that celebrates simplicity and the bounty of locally grown produce in hearty, rustic dishes. Pecorino cheese, farro (an ancient grain) and artisanal cured meats like lardo di colonnata are just some of the many local ingredients you can expect to indulge in during your stay. Your accommodation is a traditional Tuscan farmhouse near the enchanting village of San Gimignano. The farmhouse is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees that the family has been producing excellent wine and olive oil from by organic methods for over fifty years. Enjoy a guided walk through the vineyards and cellars of the estate, followed by a tasting of some signature Tuscan wines and olive oils. Dinner tonight will be seasonal favourites, made with ingredients freshly harvested from the farmhouse garden beds. This could include homemade pasta, salads, finocchiona salami, crostini toscani (chicken liver pate on lightly toasted bread) and seasonal vegetables.

• Agriturismo (1 night)
• Agriturismo - Tour with wine and olive oil tasting

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

This morning, walk along a portion of the Via Francigena – the major pilgrimage route to Rome during the Middle Ages. Explore the medieval walled town of San Gimignano – a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the Town of Fine Towers due to the preservation of several impressive torre (tower houses) within its walls. Stop past an award-winning gelateria, where intriguing flavours like gorgonzola cheese and walnuts await your tastebuds. Spend the rest of your time exploring the walking paths around the farm or, weather permitting, relaxing by the pool, enjoying beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside.

• San Gimignano - Leader-led orientation walk
• San Gimignano - Gelateria visit
• San Gimignano - Walk a section of the Via Francigena

The walk along the Via Francigena is about 7 km (4.5 miles) and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The terrain is nice and easy, although you can elect to take a taxi to San Gimignano if preferred (at own cost).

Today, jump on a train to Rome – Italy’s capital famed for its deliciously fresh food and scattered ancient ruins. When you arrive, take a leader-led orientation walk through the historical city centre, past the Spanish Steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, Roman Forum, and Colosseum. After taking in all the big (and small) highlights of this magical city, you’ll head to a local’s home for a special homecooked, plant-based dinner experience. Swap stories with your host and sit down for a feast of seasonal dishes, which could include local favourites like cacio e pepe, saltimbocca, artichokes or porchetta. After, maybe head to a local bar and cheers to a trip well-travelled over a glass of local wine.

• Rome - Leader-led orientation walk
• Rome - Home-cooked dinner

With no activities planned after breakfast, your food adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

If you are interested in visiting the Colosseum, we strongly suggest planning your visit today as there is very limited time on Day 7 and pre-booking your tickets at coopculture.it/en/products/ticket-colosseum-roman-forum-palatine_24h/

If you are interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, we strongly suggest planning your visit today as there is very limited time on Day 7 and pre-booking your tickets at museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Train, Metro, Private Vehicle, Bus

Hotel (5 nights), Farmstay (2 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Days 5 and 6 (Agriturismo) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 2. While we endeavor to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip. 3. As of April 2024, Venice will implement a visitor’s fee for all travellers visiting the city between 25 April and 15 July 2024. This fee is not payable by Intrepid customers, however you will need to apply for an exemption before arrival at https://cda.comune.venezia.it/en/richiestaEsenzione . For further information, please see the “Passports, visas and entry requirements,” section of your Essential Trip Information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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Italy Food Tours

Home > Italy Tours > Italy Food Tours

Italy should be devoured! Find all five of your senses being captivated as you indulge on your next vacation to Italy. Please your palate with tastes from impressive vintners, with wines that range from full-bodied and fruity to smooth and delicate and food that sings and melts in your mouth. Enjoy Italy wine tours and culinary experiences all the while soaking in the scenery of Italy and its diverse regions; the rolling hills of  Tuscany , or Piedmont and its mountains, each destination enticing you to absorb every element around you. Italy is attractive not only for its quaint countryside villages or its diversity of destinations but for its encouraged slow pace allowing you to smell the grape soaked barrels, see the vintage land where vineyards produce the wine, and to taste the final product. Foodie tours of Italy will be an experience that you’ll never forget.

Food Tours in Italy

Tuscany E-Bike Adventure: Montalcino & Brunello Wine 🚴‍♂️🍇

🍝 Sorrento Cooking Class: Traditional Recipes Experience 🍷

Tuscany cooking class and Winery Visit

🍇 Tuscany Winery Visit with Organic Lunch 🍷

Sorrento Lemon Grove Tour and Tasting 🍋

8-Day Sicilian Delights: Culture & Cuisine Group Tour

8-Day Small Group Sicily Foodie Tour

Eating Your Way Across the City of Milan

Cooking Class in a Florentine Home

Fantastic Cooking Classes in Rome: Fresh Market Experience

Bologna’s History, Food and Wine Walking Tour

8-Day Sicily Wines & Foods Tour

8-Day Foodie Tour of Rome, Amalfi Coast, Sorrento & The Region of Apulia

8-Day Foodie Tour of Northern Italy

7-Day Wine Food Tour of Tuscany from Rome

7-Day Emilia Romagna Foodie Tour

7-Day Cooking In The Abruzzo Mountains Tour

Testimonials

“Perfetto!”

We had such a wonderful trip. We had knowledgeable tours, transportation was flawless, hotels wonderful, cooking class, wine tasting, shopping, all were perfetto! Traveling abroad can be stressful, but Rem and Italy4Real made it easy. I highly recommend using this travel agency for an Italian food tour.

“Our trip to Italy couldn’t have been any better.”

Dear Rem (Owner of Italy4Real), Our trip in Italy couldn’t have been any better. Every detail you arranged was perfect. The hotels you chose were great, I so appreciated having people to get me from point A to B, the Opera in Venice was simply outstanding. The Tuscany tour was priceless, the tour in Florence was exceptional, the tour guide for the Vatican was excellent and also I appreciated the extra guide for Siena. I love that Village! Rem, you helped us do exactly what we wanted and needed. I can’t tell you how deeply my heart holds gratitude for what you did for us! Thank you!!

- Peg & Hilary

“You all have been great to work with!”

We had a fantastic trip and everything came off without a hitch thanks to you. You were so helpful in adjusting arrangements mid-trip, making suggestions, keeping us informed, etc. and you have all been great to work with!

Thank you again for helping make this a truly memorable trip!

- Pat & Pasquale

Get in Touch

If you can't find what you want here, or just have some specific questions about your vacation in Italy, our team of travel specialists are ready to help.

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Italy Food Highlights

Get ready for an Italian food adventure like no other! Imagine strolling through Rome’s lively markets, soaking up the smells of fresh herbs and bubbling sauces. It’s all about diving into the real deal of Italian cooking – we’re talking handmade pasta, super fresh seafood, and dishes that are like stories of old traditions and serious passion.

Then picture yourself in the heart of Tuscany, where food’s pretty much an art form. You’ll get to dig into some seriously good eats, like rich wild boar with pappardelle, all jazzed up with world-famous local olive oil and herbs. And while you’re eating, just look around – the Tuscan hills at sunset are a sight to behold, all golden and gorgeous.

With Italy4Real, every single Italian food tour is a journey through amazing flavors, stunning views, and the heart of Italian culture. Whether you’re chilling with a gelato in a cute café in Florence or sipping some top-notch Barolo wine in a Piedmont vineyard, our tours are all about giving you a taste of the good life, Italian style. We’re talking about experiences that’ll wow your taste buds and feed your soul. Want to check out our Florence food tours ? Look no further.

Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna, often hailed as the heartland of Italian gastronomy, is a region where culinary tradition and innovation converge to create an unparalleled epicurean paradise. Nestled in northern Italy, stretching from the rugged Apennine Mountains to the serene waters of the Po River, Emilia-Romagna is a treasure trove of culinary delights, making it a must-visit destination for any food enthusiast.

The region’s gastronomic richness is rooted in its diverse landscapes, from fertile plains to lush mountains, each contributing unique ingredients to its food tapestry. Emilia-Romagna is renowned for its exquisite array of local products and dishes, many of which have attained global acclaim. Parmigiano-Reggiano, the king of cheeses, hails from this region, its nutty and savory flavors a testament to the art of cheese-making perfected over centuries. Similarly, Prosciutto di Parma, a delicately cured ham, embodies the region’s mastery in charcuterie.

Bologna, the vibrant capital of the region, is affectionately known as “La Grassa” (The Fat One) for its rich cuisine. Here, the legendary Bolognese sauce, a meat-based pasta sauce, was born. It is best savored with the region’s fresh, handmade tagliatelle or in the classic lasagna al forno, layered with béchamel and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Modena, another culinary gem, is the birthplace of traditional balsamic vinegar, an elixir aged for years, sometimes decades, acquiring a complex sweetness and depth that enhances any dish it graces. The region is also home to the succulent Mortadella, a finely ground pork sausage scented with spices.

The cuisine of Emilia-Romagna is a celebration of simplicity and flavor, where the quality of ingredients speaks for itself. From the hearty piadina flatbreads to the sumptuous tortellini, each dish tells a story of the land and the people who have cultivated its culinary heritage.

Explore a culinary trip to Italy and visit Emilia-Romagna, it’s not just a destination; it’s an experience, a journey through the flavors and traditions that form the soul of Italian cuisine.

Tuscany’s food? It’s like getting a big, comforting hug from your Italian grandma. The magic lies in whipping up something utterly delicious from the simplest things. Take Ribollita – it’s this amazing soup that takes stale bread, beans, and a bunch of veggies, and turns them into a bowl of heartwarming goodness. And let’s talk about the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. If you’re a steak fan, you’re in for a real treat. This isn’t just any steak; it’s a giant, perfectly grilled T-bone that’s all about the flavor and the perfect sear. And the olive oil here is something else – a little splash of this peppery gold, and even the plainest bread tastes like heaven. Eating in Tuscany is more than just good food; it’s those long, relaxed meals where you chat, laugh, and just enjoy the moment – it’s what makes you fall in love with this place.

Sicily’s food is like a big, vibrant party on a plate. It’s all about bold flavors and hearty laughs around the table. Picture waking up to a sweet, icy granita and a fluffy brioche – it’s like a morning high-five from the island itself. The seafood here? It’s a big deal. Take pasta con le sarde – it’s a dish where fresh sardines and wild fennel come together like old friends. And you’ve got to try arancini – these little fried rice balls stuffed with cheese and ragù are basically bites of happiness. Then there’s caponata – this sweet and sour eggplant dish is like a zesty little party in your mouth. And desserts here are a whole other level of awesome, especially cannoli. Crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside, they’re basically happiness rolled into a pastry. Eating in Sicily is more than just great food; it’s like joining a big, loud, loving family feast.

Rome is like the Italian food tour that you envision in your dreams, but here at Italy4Real we can make it reality. When in Rome, you’re in for a real treat with the food. Carbonara? It’s the bomb – creamy, cheesy, with a nice kick of pepper and some amazing pancetta. Then there’s Cacio e Pepe – it’s just pasta, cheese, and pepper, but oh man, it’s good. And Amatriciana? It’s pasta in a kicky tomato sauce with guanciale, which is basically the best kind of bacon. For a quick bite, you’ve gotta try Supplì. These are like little fried balls of heaven, stuffed with tomato sauce and melty mozzarella. And don’t even get me started on Pizza al Taglio. It’s this awesome, thick, slice-as-you-like pizza with all kinds of toppings. Eating in Rome is like a non-stop flavor party – simple stuff, but so, so tasty.

In Venice, the seafood is just out of this world. Walking around, you’re gonna bump into some amazing fishy dishes. Definitely give Sarde in Saor a try – it’s this funky sardine dish with a sweet and tangy twist, plus onions, pine nuts, and raisins. Really hits the spot with its unique Venetian flavor. And oh man, you can’t skip spaghetti al nero di seppia – it’s spaghetti in this awesome squid ink sauce that’s full of flavor and looks pretty cool too. For a quick bite, fritto misto is where it’s at. It’s like a mixed seafood fry-up, all crunchy and delicious, perfect for snacking on the go. Seafood in Venice isn’t just eating; it’s like diving into the city’s culture. Each dish has its own flair and the flavors are as lively and fun as Venice itself. Explore food travel in Italy with our Venice food tours .

Amalfi Coast

If you’re heading to the Amalfi Coast, do yourself a favor and try the limoncello and Buffalo mozzarella – they’re absolute musts. The limoncello is this zingy, sweet lemon liqueur that’s like a mini vacation in a glass, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. And the Buffalo mozzarella? It’s insanely good. This cheese is all about the creaminess, coming right from the local Mediterranean buffaloes. Just grab a chunk, maybe pair it with some fresh tomatoes and olive oil, and you’re in for a real treat. Seriously, these are the flavors that make the Amalfi Coast an experience unforgettable.

Let Us Design Your Dream Trip

Food & wine tours small groups, local experience

Food N’ Wine Vacations ™is a tour designer company, specializing in culinary, cooking and wine tours in  Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain & Slovenia.

We create and operate our own tours, the kinds that feel like traveling with knowledgeable friends. Our programs, which led by local guides, include places and experiences you couldn’t find on your own or in a guidebook.

Our tours are known for immersing our guests in the local lifestyle. To ensure you will have a complete personal experience, our groups are small and we stay in privately owned estates in unique settings.

Explore Italy – Culinary & Wine Tours

Secrets of Tuscany

Tuscany wine Tour

The Best of Sicily

Dreamin' Amalfi Coast

Discover Piemonte

Colors of Puglia

Veneto Food & wine Tour

Culinary Paradise

Explore france – culinary vacations & wine tours.

Best of Provence Tour

Bordeaux Classique

Enchanting Dordogne

Taste Burgundy Like A Local

Champagne Tour

Explore spain culinary vacations.

The Splendor of Andalucia

Spanish Roads adventure

Rioja Wine Tour

Explore greece, explore portugal, explore slovenia.

Greek Islands Fantasy

Heart of Portugal Tour

Explore Slovenia Tour

Explore greek, best of provence.

Just got back from this group’s tour. We can say enough about the owner’s ability to get our small group to private artisanal tastings, amazing markets and local special meals and wonderful settings. Had the best time. My husband and i were wowed by the experiences, and all our packed local salts, spreads, wine, and ceramics made it home safely.

Food and wine Tour Tuscany

Our trip to tuscany was truly a vacation. Every day was a unique and fulfilling experience on none stop food, wine and site seeing. The villa and Valter, our host, chef and tour guide made it even more special. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to experience Italy.

(Peggy, NC)

David and I can’t begin to tell you what a trip of a lifetimethe trip to Provence was for us. You took care of everything down to the slightest detail. All we had to do is show up and enjoy!!!! All the people that were involved were exceptional!!! The people, the wine, the food and places we visited were tops!!!!!!! We highly recommend the trip and also highly recommend you to everyone. We feel like family.

Smadar, what a wonderful trip!  You really have put together the best of Provence.  I don’t think I’m speaking just for myself when I say we loved the Bastide.  Our tour guide was the best.  She loves her region so much, and that came accross in all that she did to show us Provence. We are all still talking about the wonderful experience of lunch at Lolo’s, lunch in Les Halles in Avignon, dinner in the butcher shop, cooking with David, etc. etc.  Can you tell that we enjoyed the food?  The travels to the hill towns, the Sunday market, Cassis . . . . everything was special.

I’m so glad we found you and Food N’ Wine Vacations.

Ben and Kirsten (PA)

Our trip was fabulous and our tour guide was the very best.  She was vivacious, showed her love for all things in Provence – the people, the history, and of course, the food and wine.  This was no cookie cutter trip – we felt like we were the only tourists wherever we went.  I would recommend this trip to all my friends.

Monica & Henry (NJ)

We are excited to put on paper how much we loved our “Food and Wine”vacation to Provence. From the moment we found your site on  by Vid-Saver" href="/review-food-and-wine-vacations-2/">the internet  and spoke with you, everything was handled so efficiently and professionally. You were always concerned with our particular needs and requests and you went out of your way to accommodate us.

Our week in Provence was awesome and everything went like clockwork. We loved our guide.  We enjoyed all the towns and villages you chose for us to visit.  The restaurants, the lunch picnics our cooking  by Vid-Saver" href="/review-food-and-wine-vacations-2/">classes  with chef Philippe  were all amazing and the food delicious.

We look forward to another one of your trips in the near future.

Food and Wine Tour Tuscany

Wendy &david (ohio).

Everything was amazing! Definitely a trip of a lifetime (so far!) The villa was absolutely beautiful. We cooked and ate so much amazing food and wine. It was certainly a packed itinerary, but Dan and I really enjoyed getting to see so much in such a short amount of time.  Our chef/guide was an absolute treasure. He made the experience priceless! The weather was perfect. It rained one day, but it was the day we went to the market in  by Vid-Saver" href="/review-food-and-wine-vacations-2/">Pistoia  and came back to the villa to make lunch and lounge all day so it really didn’t interfere with anything.

The other couple on the trip couldn’t have been better. They were a great couple from New Hampshire.

Dan and I are actually going to try to make a couple of the dishes from our trip for dinner tonight!

Tuscany Wine Tour – Private Group

We had a marvelous time in Italy!  Tuscany was our favorite part of the trip—the food and wine tour.  We enjoyed every minute of it from staying at the villa and sharing great times with all of the other people to our daily adventures touring the wineries, having fantastic lunches, visiting the villages and learning about their history to the cooking classes.  We could not have asked for more!

Thanks to you and Ben for making it a memorable trip of a lifetime!

Hope to see you again in the future!

Customized Tour To Tuscany

Smadar, We had the trip of a lifetime.  Paolo and the family were absolutely wonderful.   Each day was a new and exciting.  Thank you so much for providing us such a beautiful experience.  I will send you a link with photos.  Thank you again.

One day wine tour for a wedding group in Tuscany

We all had a wonderful time on the wine tour.  Our guide was excellent and really knew her stuff.  I would say that we liked the second winery much better than the first, but I think for comparisons sake it was good to see the smaller one and then the castle one.  We did not get back to the villa until 6:30 that evening so I would certainly say that we all got our money’s worth.  WE appreciated the walking tour of Castellina and we saw the Etruscan tombs as well.  Thanks so much for arranging this for me and I would definitely use your company again.  Everything went off without a “hitch”.

Many, many thanks,

Tuscany Wine Tour

Diane and ken.

Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip to Tuscany. The Villa was beautiful and the food was excellent. The hosts at the villa couldn’t have been nicer. We loved the wine tours and Paolo was an outstanding tour guide. Having the opportunity to be part of two cooking classes also made us feel that we were experiencing the real Tuscany. We also very much enjoyed our side trip to Cinque Terra. Thank you for all your help and for organizing  the trip. It was a pleasure to meet you.

Marilyn Rudolph and family

We were delighted to meet you as well – so glad your trip coincided with ours. I’m happy to share some feedback – could go on and on and on, but won’t do that to you 🙂

Our entire experience, from first contact with you helping me to decide between Provence or Tuscany, through all of the planning, and then certainly, our amazing trip to Provence, was above and beyond expectations.

Everyone in my family agrees that our trip could not have been better – the personalized itinerary, the excellent accommodations, the foods, wine and beautiful scenery, and certainly, having Claire as our private guide for the week. Time went all too quickly – it was very hard to leave Provence – we would do it all over again without hesitation.

Thank you so much for helping to create very special experiences and memories that will last a lifetime for my family. I look forward to planning a trip to Tuscany with you – we’ll be back! Again, thank you, and please pass on our very big thank you to Claire!!

Food & Wine, Chateaux & Bordeaux

We had a fantastic time! Champagne was very nice – the lunch was delicious,  the champagne very tasty (we both purchased a bottle to take home), the guide friendly and knowledgeable,  and the group we were with quite fun.

Bordeaux was amazing the chef and the driver were so friendly and accomodating and the itinerary was much more than we even imagined.  Both Laura and I had thought before the trip that we were getting to do quite a bit,  but the experience itself was even better (like the walking tour of Bordeaux – we didn’t know prior to arriving that was on the schedule,  but we were so pleased with the tour). All the chateaux we visited were beautiful, the wine fantastic and the food (especially the food from the cooking classes) delicious. What really pushed this holiday over the top for me though was the chef and the driver (who besides driving us, was full of information and used our camera to get pictures everywhere we went, so Laura and I could enjoy the tours without worrying about getting pictures).

I would definitely recommend this trip to friends and colleagues (and in fact already have). If this is indicative of your other tours, I can’t wait to go on more!

Paula (Israel)

I just got back from Umbria, Italy. We were a group of friends celebrating our 50th birthdays. The trip was very well organized with attention to details. I can definitely say it was a trip of a lifetime. We truly experienced Italy in a most authentic way. We got to visit many places that were less touristy and off the beaten path, which was amazing, small family-owned farms, wineries and of course fantastic restaurants that were not full of tourists. So we really got the feel of an Italian experience. The day tours were filled with beautiful sites, we got to experience 2 great festivals as well, one was the flower festival in Spello, which words cannot even begin to describe. The other was a medieval festival where the whole town was transformed to that period of time.

When we chose Umbria, most of us had never really heard of it. But it turned out to be one of the most beautiful areas I had ever visited in Italy. I would definitely recommend it. The only negative thing I can say about this trip was that it was too short ! I will definitely be going back there. Thank you Food N’ Wine Vacations for organizing the best trip ever !!

Tuscany Trip Sep 2014

Joe and pam (new jersey).

We want to thank Sam for creating such a unique and wonderful vacation experience to Tuscany for us and our two friends. We had an amazing time and it far exceeded our expectations. We stayed at the magnificent Villa in Chianti. Our hosts did everything to make us feel welcome and at home. Jada’s cooking of traditional Tuscan dishes were delicious. We spent a week experiencing the region including Florence, Chianti, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Montalcino, and Montepulciano with its wonderful and unique history, wineries, restaurants, and points of interest.  Each day was full of different adventures and surprises. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the region and made it fun by allowing us to experience it as a local would. It would have been very difficult to create such a special itinerary on our own. We highly recommend Food & Wine Vacations.  Thank you for a terrific time!

Amy and Samuel (ilinois)

We took the Culinary Paradise tour in Italy and it was magical. Our guide was perfectly fluent in English, warm, and knowledgeable. We visited out of the way places such as the gorgeous Sibillini Mountains and Bevagna, enjoying the feel of the small medieval towns. Going on a truffle hunt, learning to make pasta (we’ve since made it at home!), and dining outdoors on a farm were among the many wonderful experiences. The delicious food was plentiful—almost endless. (But so healthy I only gained one pound on the trip.) I think my most memorable meal was at a restaurant where there was no menu—we just ate whatever the owner’s mother felt like cooking that night, which I think ended up being eight courses. There were also plenty of vegetarian dishes with fresh produce. A truly authentic experience. Thank you!

if you have Tuscany on your bucket list, this has to be one of the best vacations you could chose – it was one of the best we have ever taken. It offers a great balance of sightseeing and culinary activities.  One is treated as a special guest by the gracious staff and experiences the Tuscan lifestyle at a more relaxing pace and informative level offered by the small group size.  Also praiseworthy are the lovely accommodations, the pleasant and leisurely travels through picturesque Tuscan countryside, excellent food and fun-filled hands on cooking sessions.  Indeed it does deliver on the promise to “make you feel as if you were staying in a home of good friends” and to provide an “unforgettable experience of REAL Tuscany”.

Brigette, PA

My Family and I had the absolute pleasure of exploring Umbria in September. The trip was beyond amazing. Food and Wine vacations offered us an extraordinary opportunity to actually experience Umbria without being “tourists”. Everything was planned perfectly. Our accommodations were magnificent. We were blessed with such an amazing Guide. Luc’s passion and adoration for Umbria made our trip perfect. She treated us as her friends, rather than her clients. The people we met were so passionate about their land and culture and eager to share their food, wine and traditions with us. Everything was a highlight. The truffle hunt and lunch at Stefano’s restaurant was something we will never forget. We even had the amazing opportunity to spend time with his Family watching them made homemade ricotta and pecorino cheese…at their home! 

Our afternoons at the organic farm and the Winery, cooking with our hosts, was just wonderful. 

Driving to the hilltop town of Casteluccio was indescribable…just amazing beauty. 

Our day in  Orvieto was a favorite…lunch at Cantina Foresi and then gelato in the square on a outstanding sunny day…blue skies, warm sun and gelato…

The food in Umbria…delectable. We never ordered from a menu… each Chef prepared their specialties for us and everything was divine!

Everything about our trip was magnificent!  Such amazing memories.

Thank you Food and Wine Vacations for EXCEEDING our expectations.

Tuscany Tour

Shelley, tzell travel group.

I can say on my behalf that you were a pleasure to work with.  You were on top of every detail and returned all calls and emails promptly.

Your company is definitely one that I will use again and will let my colleagues at Tzell know of your exception service for a client looking for a Villa as well as a trip with Food and Wine.

Thank you again for all your assistance in making this a special vacation for my clients.

We had a wonderful week in Provence!  Mar was such a great guide.  She kept us busy everyday, taking us places and telling us things we would never have experienced had we not been on the tour.  I really felt more like a local and not so much like a tourist.  The week was a wonderful combination of food, wine and exploration and I felt that I had certainly gotten a lot for my money.  I will definitely consider another tour with Food N’ Wine Vacations and will highly recommend it to friends.

Thanks for your attention to detail – you should be really proud of your company and the services your provide.

Tuscany and Umbria

Thank you Sam for such a beautiful trip. My mom and I had the best time ever. We will remember it forever. Thanks again. By the way, what is the name of that palace we stayed at in Umbria? I want to mention it in social media but don’t know the name of it. also I attached a short video of the pictures we took. They came out great there are a couple of you in there they came out super cute too! thanks again

Dreamin’ Amalfi

Dearest Sam, on behalf of our group I would like to tell you how much we enjoyed our day with Salvatore! From the soccer chant singing fish monger to the last limoncello, from the Andrea Bocelliand-like singing on the ride up to the tearful goodbyes (not to mention the food. Mangia, mangia!) absolutely fabulous experience! Grazie!

Piedmont and Lake Como

Rosemary and nick.

We enjoyed Amalfi very much.

The Residenza was lovely – our room was large, the balcony overlooked the town, it was air conditioned and the breakfast was tasty and diverse.

The town was fantastic, as were all the cities.  The food, the scenes, the wine, the history . . .

Your guides, Christina and Gianni were personable and knowledgable.  We enjoyed our day on Capri/AnaCapri and the tour of Pompeii was so much better than trying to figure it out on our own.  Great stories and interesting facts.

Sal was the icing on the cake.  What a character!  Il mio cugeni Nuovo.  He was the perfect person to drive us through the windy switchbacks and cliffs of the coast.  We got our share of Nino d’Angelo, but we are fans, now.  Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the fish monger (I even gutted an aliche) with him.  The day at La casa di Sal on his balcony will not soon be forgotten.  Evita and he prepared a fantastic meal.

The winery was historic and quaint.  were lovely hosts with excellent food and wine.

Thank you for arranging this tour.

We had a wonderful time!  The accommodations were superb, Francois was terrific, and our fellow tour members became instant friends.  The choice of vineyards was outstanding–we experienced the spectrum from a small, family-owned, organic vineyard to a large, corporate-owned, prestigious one.  The lunches, settings and food, were amazing  and the one at Phelan Segur was one of the highlights of our trip.

Taste Burgundy like a Local

Our time in Bourgogne was absolutely perfect!  First of all, the house is simply lovely- so beautiful. We were lucky with near perfect weather and enjoyed the beautiful gardens and views. louis and Fabrizio were so welcoming and attentive to our every need.  Jean took us on our day tours which were perfectly balanced (just like a Grand Cru!) in terms of history, education, natural beauty and, of course, tastings!  It really was a “locals” experience, as we were treated to completely unique people and places off of the beaten path.  The wine makers obviously have great respect for Louis and they made us feel so welcome.  Beaune is an absolutely delightful town – perfect in every way: GREAT food and wine, adorable little streets with gorgeous old architecture, friendly and welcoming people and just enough to do! We simply had the best time- a wonderful, mother daughter experience!

You made this so easy for us- all we had to do was show up, and everything that you arranged was perfectly suited to us! And when we were fearful that the train strike might affect us, you were there for us despite it being the middle of the night! Thank you, again, Food n Wine Vacations! We are ready to book our next adventure with you!

Tuscany wine tour

Ken and juliana, greek islands, rory & hallie.

Dear sam, this was such a fun trip. The food was to die for, the wine tasting spot in Santorini is unforgettable. We loved loved cooking at katarin’s home and the food tour around Naxos. So happy that the weather was good and we were able to have dinner under the stars. Well done!

Sam, i wanted to send you a note to let you know that my mom and i had a trip of a lifetime. The different activities, places, and hotels way exceeded our expectations. We could have not known about these places and experienced these activities without your local contacts. Every day was like a new adventure. Thank you so much! we are waiting for your Greece trip!

Best of Sicily

Elizabeth, nc.

My Sicilian experience was extraordinary and one I will n ever forget.  Thank you for such an exciting itinerary executed to perfection.  Hopefully I will be able to schedule another trip with you in the future.

Bordeaux & Dordogne

We loved the trip.  Our hotels in Sarlat and Bordeaux were great and the town of Sarlat was the perfect place to base our travels in the Dordogne.  Both Jean and Franc were great tour guides.  Jean knows history and Franc certainly knows wines.  You are to be commended for finding such excellent locals.  And you are also to be commended for adding the Dordogne to our itinerary since that was not part of the original plans.  We were amazed at the chateaux in Bordeaux that you lined up for us.  I have been telling our friends about visiting so many world renowned wineries but some of my personal favorites were the less famous ones.  I guess of all of the things that we did on the trip my personal favorite was the visit to Cap Ferret and the amazing lunch by the sea.  The beautiful weather that day certainly helped.  Our group made 3 trips:  Provence, Umbria, and Bordeaux.  All have been wonderful.

I am so thankful I took the Tuscany wine tour adventure with you!! It was a trip of a lifetime! Priceless memories! I will always be grateful!

JOIN A JOURNEY WITH A CHARACTER

The food n’ wine travel experience, small groups.

We Really mean it – 8-12 guests on scheduled group departures.

Original itineraries

We design each and every itinerary.

Honest pricing

We do not higher the prices just to ‘give’ you a ‘huge’ discount.

No ‘optional’ extras sold

No surprises during the tour. Upfront price.

Great Value

Combine all the services & experiences, and you’ll realize that you get more for your buck.

Unique Accommodations

Mostly privately-owned estates: Villas, Farms, Historic Palaces.

Exclusive activities

Discover places that are not in guide books.

Beyond the Ordinary

Enjoy real slice of European life.

Local Guides

Your guides are insiders who love sharing their region.

We know your name

We know you by your name. Not by a reservation number.

Complimentary assistance

We provide pre & post trip assistance: Flights, trains, Logistics & ideas. Take advantage of our knowledge and 27+ years in Tourism.

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We take care of all the details. Just book your trip, Pack and Go!

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Cooking Vacations & Culinary Tours in Italy, Portugal & Croatia

Culinary Vacations with the best hands-on cooking classes & cultural tours in Italy, Portugal & Croatia. Culinary Tours in Tuscany , The Amalfi Coast , Sicily Portugal and more. Learn to cook traditional Italian recipes with local Nonnas, famous chefs, pastry artisans & pizza masters. Our Italian culinary holidays are all inclusive, authentic, and include market, vineyard & cultural tours and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Make wine in Tuscany’s vineyards, go truffle hunting in Umbria, make limoncello on the Amalfi Coast, Cannoli in Sicily, Tortellini in Bologna, experience "local" Croatia, and exclusive Portuguese dishes in Portugal. You are Family in our Italian, Portuguese and Croatian Kitchens, and share our love for cooking and family on our culinary vacations in Italy , as well as our culinary vacations in Portugal and our experiential vacations in Croatia .

Featured Vacations:

• Wine & Cooking in the Heart of Chianti and Florence, Tuscany

Tuscany Cooking Vacation with Wineries, Florence, Siena, Museums, Cortona, Sightseeing & Private BBQ!

• 4 Cooking Classes
• All Inclusive
• Learn More...

• Cooking & Adventure on the Islands of Sicily

Unfortunately, we are not operating this destination at this time. We are working on a new itinerary that we hope to re-launch in 2025! Stay tuned!

Pure Adventure on the Western Islands of Sicily. Cooking Classes, Salt Harvesting, Private Night Fishing & More.

• Culinary Treasures of Bologna, Venice, Michelin Stars & Exotic Cars

Bologna, Venice, Cooking Classes, Winery, Parmesan Cheese, Prosciutto Factory. Ferrari Museum, Lamborghini Factory, Traditional Balsamic & More!

• Wine & Cooking Under the Tuscan & Umbrian Sun

Local Living Cooking Vacation with Wineries, Olive Mill, Cheese Making & Sightseeing in Tuscany, Umbria and Alto Lazio

All of Our Culinary Vacations

• Cooking in Paradise on the Amalfi Coast
• Sicily, The Motherland - Wine, Cooking, Culture & Adventure
• Wine, Cooking, Truffles & Chocolate: A Foodie's Paradise in Umbria and Tuscany
• Wine, Cooking, & The Olive Oil Harvest - Soriano
• Cities Lost in Time on the Road Less Traveled
• Medieval Chestnut Festival & Wine Harvest Season
• Portugal – Family, Culture, Wine & Cooking
• Authentic Croatia Revealed

Our Culinary Vacations in Italy, Portugal & Croatia

We promise you will fall in love with each of our all-inclusive italy cooking vacations , as well as our culinary vacations in Portugal and our immersive vacations in Croatia . They about much more than just sightseeing, food, and cooking. We create an experience of a lifetime, immersing you into the culture while giving you the sense of having found your home away from home. You will truly feel like family with us. We don’t do the traditional tour thing. When we cook, we are a group of friends doing hands on cooking classes based on traditional Italian family recipes. When we are on excursions, we are a group of friends exploring the beautiful hamlets and countryside together. It is a unique experience like none other, and time again our guests tell us it was the best vacation they had ever taken , and we had completely changed the way they will travel forever. Have a look at our hundreds of Italy Cooking Vacations reviews , and learn more about our:

• Tuscany Cooking Vacations
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• Other Italy Cooking Vacations

A Truly Authentic Family Experience

It starts with location. There is nothing quite like small town hospitality when you get away from the areas infected with mass tourism. The people are warm and welcoming, and the more you eat their food and drink their wine, the more they fill with joy. That sense of Italian hospitality is our number one priority with every guest on our culinary holidays. Our goal with each guest is not to simply show you the sights and offer culinary experiences. It is to bring you into our family . Everything we do revolves around that premise. It is all so relaxed and fun. Our guests quickly find that we don’t treat them like customers. We treat them like visiting relatives (The kind we enjoy having, that is!). Of course, this sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo, but it simply isn’t. It is one of the reasons our guests so regularly tell us we far exceeded their expectations .

"Be" The View

Small & Intimate Groups

All-Inclusive Vacations

The CDV Difference

Truly exclusive experiences.

Experiences you could never have on your own or with any other tour company...

Most of our vacations are all-inclusive. We take care of everything except gifts you bring home...

Local Living & Boutique Hotels

We choose truly special and small locations that reflect the local living wherever we go...

Truly Unique Locations

Get to know the real Italy, Portugal & Croatia as you visit the places that excite the locals, as well as bucket list destinations...

Small Groups

Nobody wants to feel like cattle, and we want to know you! So our average group size is 16 to 18 guests...

No Shop-Steering

We will never "steer" you into tourist traps that give tour company incentives or kickbacks...

Live the Local Life

All personal with true local culture at the center of it all. A true sense of family and belonging...

Farm to Table Food

Experience Italian & Portuguese Food by Local Standards, where restaurants have their own farms...

No Surprise "Options"

Everything is included in our up-front pricing. When you are with us, we have nothing to sell you...

Guest Reviews & Testimonials

Letters & Reviews From Our Guests...

   We have seen many things, cooked many things and drank many things !   

   Everything was bellisima ! The whole trip was fabulous !   

   Thank you for showing us Umbria, your home   

   The Memories, the friends will last a lifetime.   

   Thank you , thank you, thank you for everything..   

   -Wonderful way to celebrate my mom's 80th Birthday! -Rocky, Robyn, Carla and the whole team rolled out the red carpet for us!   

   The trip was packed with excursions, experiences and adventure and it kept us smiling, or out and out laughing, from morning to evening.   

   Was wonderful !! Everything and more than expectations   

   I can't put it into words what this experience means to me. You have thought of everything to make us feel welcome.   

   Ohhh the food and the wine :):)   

   Lots of great food and wine and FUN!   

   Loved every minute!   

   I will think of you often and look forward to seeing you both in the near future. So many laughs.... Thank you !!!!   

   Can't wait to come back and see even more of this beautiful island.   

   or all you solo travelers out there....book a trip with CDV. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had.   

since we started the dream

have become family

served to happy tummies

Wander With Alex

Food to Try in Italy on Vacation

Posted: December 12, 2023 | Last updated: February 5, 2024

Italy's Culinary Delights: Food, Drink, and Dessert to Try on Vacation

Vacationing in Italy is an extraordinary experience for foodies, as the country offers a wealth of traditional culinary delights and drinks to savor. Every meal becomes an unforgettable journey through Italy's rich gastronomic heritage, from the first bite of a freshly baked pizza Margherita to the last sip of a velvety espresso. 

Exploring the regional specialties is a must, whether indulging in the delicate flavors of risotto alla Milanese or savoring the robustness of a Tuscan bistecca alla Fiorentina. Accompanying these exquisite dishes are traditional drinks like limoncello, grappa, and the beloved Aperol Spritz, perfectly complementing the flavors and creating a truly immersive culinary experience. 

Italy's three major regions— Northern Italy , Central Italy , and Southern Italy —offer unique and distinct food and wine experiences. With every bite and sip, travelers are transported to the heart of Italian culture, surrounded by centuries of culinary mastery.

A Sicilian specialty of deep-fried rice balls stuffed with various fillings like ragù (meat sauce), mozzarella, and peas.

A Milanese dish of braised veal shanks cooked with vegetables, white wine, and broth, traditionally served with gremolata (lemon zest, garlic, and parsley).

Tuscan bread salad made with stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and basil and dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

A thick-cut T-bone steak from Florence, seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled to perfection, often served rare or medium-rare.

Amatriciana

A Roman pasta sauce made with guanciale (cured pork jowl), tomato sauce, Pecorino Romano cheese, and chili flakes, traditionally served with bucatini or spaghetti.

Large pasta tubes filled with meat, cheese, or spinach, baked in the oven with tomato sauce and cheese.

Cacio e Pepe

A simple pasta dish from Rome made with spaghetti, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and olive oil.

Risotto alla Milanese

A creamy rice dish made with Arborio rice, saffron, butter, and Parmesan cheese, originating from Milan.

Cassata Siciliana

A Sicilian dessert made with sponge cake, sweetened ricotta cheese, candied fruits, and marzipan, often decorated with colorful icing.

Panna Cotta

A silky dessert made with cream, sugar, and gelatin, often flavored with vanilla or topped with fruit coulis or caramel sauce.

Italy's famous frozen dessert is similar to ice cream but with a denser texture and intense flavors. Try flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, or stracciatella.

Aperol Spritz

A refreshing and bubbly aperitif made with Aperol. Aperol is an Italian orange-flavored liqueur known for its vibrant orange color and bitter-sweet taste.

A classic Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari (an Italian bitter liqueur), and sweet vermouth, garnished with an orange twist. It has a bitter and herbal flavor profile.

A sweet dessert wine traditionally produced in Tuscany. It's made from dried grapes and often paired with biscotti or other sweet treats.

A full-bodied red wine from the Piedmont region known for its rich flavors and aromas of cherry, truffle, and licorice.

A lemon liqueur made by steeping lemon zest in alcohol and sweetening it with sugar. It's typically served chilled as a digestif.

A sparkling wine from the Veneto region, light and refreshing, often enjoyed as an aperitif or used in cocktails like the Bellini.

A strong, clear brandy made from grape pomace, a byproduct of winemaking. It's often enjoyed as a digestif.

From the captivating aroma of freshly baked bread to the vibrant colors of farm-fresh produce, every meal celebrates Italy's culinary heritage. Each region boasts its own distinct specialties, inviting you to embark on a gastronomic adventure that reveals the diverse culinary traditions throughout the country. 

This article originally appeared on Wander With Alex .

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