Gourmet Italy

Upon arrival at Rome’s airport, our driver will welcome you to Italy and bring you to your hotel in the city via private transfer. After checking in you’ll have the rest of the day to yourself, whether you’d like to rest up from your long journey or get out and enjoy a preview of what’s to come. It’s the perfect time to head to one of the medieval squares. Find a good spot at an outdoor café or wine bar to take in the scene and do some people watching with a glass of tasty Italian wine in hand.

Discover the heart of ancient Rome on this tour that includes both the Roman Colosseum, one of the greatest feats of Roman engineering and works of Roman architecture, and the adjacent Roman Forum. Your local guide will reveal the stories behind the 1st-century amphitheater that once sat over 50,000 spectators who came to witness the nearly daily gladiatorial competitions and theatrical demonstrations. That includes the famously brutal battles between man and beast that took place for centuries, through 532 AD. Head next door to visit the forum which holds the oldest structures in the ancient city, including shops, open-air markets, and law courts, with roots dating back to 500 BC.

Your private guide will bring you to the Trastevere neighborhood for a late afternoon/evening tour, the perfect time to explore the thriving food scene with many locals enjoying their aperitifs. With its narrow, cobblestone streets and colorful ivy-draped buildings with flower-filled balconies, it’s one of the prettiest areas in Rome. Your guided walk will bring you to numerous places to sample local flavors through small bites at everything from artisan shops and trattorias. In addition to savoring the delicious eats, you’ll want to bring your camera for the many photo-ops that include a backdrop of the Tiber River.

It’s time to say farewell to the Eternal City, taking a private transfer to the Rome Termini Train Station. Hop on the high-speed train to Florence – upon arrival at the “cradle of the Renaissance,” our driver will transfer you to your hotel with the rest of the day enjoyed at your leisure. With surprises around practically every corner, just wandering the streets is enjoyable here. If you want to try some of the local bites, you might head to Mercato Centrale. On the first floor, you’ll find many Italian products, with everything from Cristian Beduschi chocolates to gelato, while the ground floor offers traditional produce.

Start this full-day tour in San Gimignano, a medieval walled hilltop town with 14 towers dating to the 11th and 13th centuries. Its skyline is visible from the surrounding countryside and provides a jaw-dropping view when approaching. Your guide will take you to explore it before bringing you to a farmhouse nearby for a typical local meal. Siena, which rises above three hills, is your next stop. A local guide will meet you for a walk to visit its most famous symbol, Piazza del Campo, which hosts the internationally known Palio di Siena horse race. Gaze up at the soaring Torre del Mangia bell tower, enjoy awe-inspiring views, and time to explore on your own before returning to Florence.

Meet your driver for a private transfer from your hotel in Florence to the Santa Maria Novella train station where you’ll catch the high-speed train to Bologna. The origin of many favorite Italian dishes prepared with Bolognese sauce, from lasagna to tortellini and mortadella, you’ll find many enticing eateries to savor an authentic meal here. You’ll also be immersed in renaissance and baroque monuments, and spectacular medieval towers. The ancient arcades that represent the city’s essence date back to the Middle Ages. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by another driver for transfer to your hotel with the rest of the day enjoyed at your leisure.

Start your day with a guided walking tour that combines sightseeing and tastings. At Piazza Malpighi, marvel at the13th-century gothic-style Basilica di San Francesco followed by the University of Bologna’s medieval tombs. Continue to Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno, adjoining squares in the heart of the city with medieval- and renaissance-era palaces. Visit the Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, once used for anatomy lectures and medical school displays, and the market district with its specialty food shops, bakeries and produce stalls, concluding at the foot of the Leaning Towers with time on your own for an ice cream or lunch. Later, you’ll take a private transfer from your hotel to join a cooking class featuring traditional Bolognese and regional dishes.

This morning you’ll take a private transfer to the train station, catching the high-speed train to Venice. Once there, you’ll enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Venice which is known for it’s stunning canals, bridges, and architecture, which have earned it the nickname “The Floating City”. Stroll through the historic center to admire palaces, churches, and piazzas. Visit the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. For lunch, indulge in seafood risotto or cicchetti, and try Venice’s famous Bellini cocktail. Explore museums and galleries or simply wander the streets. In the evening, enjoy seafood dinner and gelato for dessert. Take a romantic stroll through the city at night and admire the canals’ lights and reflections. Venice is a truly unforgettable destination that promises enchantment and captivation.

An in-depth half-day tour explores many of the highlights of Venice, including St. Mark’s Square where it all begins. You’ll meet our guide at the square to begin your walking tour that includes the remarkable landmarks here like St. Mark’s Cathedral. As there can be no narration inside, before entering your guide will tell you all about the basilica’s history and then you’ll get to explore the beautiful interior. There will be time to visit the glass showrooms as well where you can browse or purchase authentic Venetian glassware. Visit Doge’s Palace, a fine example of gothic-style architecture with an ornate façade, climb the golden staircase and cross the Bridge of Sighs that links the palace to a historic prison on the other side of the canal.

Soak up the enchanting atmosphere of Venice for one last time, perhaps over breakfast, before your private driver picks you up for transfer to the city’s international airport. From here you can catch your flight back home or head out on further travels, many fabulous destinations are easy to reach from here, including Croatia. Our travel experts are here to help you make it happen, with your itinerary customizable. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you on another unforgettable adventure soon.