The true path into the heart of the Italian Peninsula is through the food that is experienced during your 8-day culinary tour of Italy in Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. Discover traditional flavors and embrace prestigious culinary arts. Whether searching for luscious olive oil or enjoying fabled wines, your luxurious gastronomy tour features the heritage of rustic cuisine that is found in the celebrated regions of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Bologna – Arrive in Bologna with a Cultural Tour and Dinner
The splendor of Bologna derives from the preserved, medieval charm that is found in the running arcades, frame boutique shops, exuberant cafes, and restaurants. This city is considered the gastronomic capital of the entire Italian Peninsula. The aromas of simmering meats and indulgent cheeses drift along the cobblestone streets throughout the day and attract locals and visitors to the vendors at outdoor markets or into hidden restaurants that serve the legendary Bolognese pasta or sumptuous tortellini in a fragrant, savory broth.
Your private transfer will greet you at G. Marconi Bologna Airport upon your arrival and escort you to your luxurious hotel, where you can settle into the comforts at the center of the captivating city. Your guide will meet you in the lobby and will be eager to introduce you to the enchanting ambiance of Bologna with a private tour, beginning in the Piazza del Nettuno. The prestigious bronze statue of the sea god adorns the heart of the public square and shines with 16th-century opulence. Your guide will provide insight into the history of the city and its connection to the culinary heart of Italy as you pass the leaning Torre Garisenda, which stands 157 feet tall and leans more than 42 feet from the base to the top.
The towers across the city once acted as signs of wealth for aristocratic families and watchtowers for city defenses. The Gothic allure of the Basilica di San Petronio embodies the former power of the city and dates back to the 14th century. The interior possesses the aroma of frankincense, and the light will filter through the windows, covering the giant sundial that lines the aisle at 222 feet long. In the evening, you will have your first taste of Emilia Romagna’s prestigious cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant, where you can indulge in the celebrated flavors of a dish that is similar to a savory soufflé with truffle and asparagus.
What's Included:
Day 2
Bologna – Visit Famous Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar Facilities
Day 3
Bologna – Revel in a Truffle Hunting Tour and Bolognese Cooking Class
Day 4
Tuscany – Sample Artisanal Prosciutto and Famous Florentine Steak
Day 5
Tuscany – Indulge in Lucca Olive Oil and Traditional Volterra Cooking
Day 6
Tuscany – Delight in the Ultimate Wine Tour around Siena Province
Day 7
Tuscany – Enjoy Saffron, Gelato, and Handmade Pasta Excursions
Day 8
Tuscany – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Savor the extraordinary flavors of Michelin-starred restaurants, celebrating the rustic cuisine of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany with a modern twist
- Sample the layered flavors of Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar after learning about the historical process for crafting the famous delicacies
- Indulge in the remarkable wines of Tuscany with a private wine tour that highlights the characteristics of legendary Brunello
- Delight in the luscious aromas and flavors of fabulous Italian olive oil during a private excursion to a family-owned orchard near the Tuscan town of Lucca
- Embrace the robust aromas and rich flavor of the elusive white truffle with a truffle hunt that is followed by a multi-course meal, showcasing provincial cuisine
- Explore the rich, elegant history of Florence with a private guide who introduces you to the artisan craftspeople of the Oltrarno neighborhood
- Discover the elements for creating the perfect gelato with a private lesson that is taught by a celebrated gelato-maker in San Gimignano
- Learn the art of rustic Tuscan and Bolognese cuisine with a selection of captivating cooking classes that focuses on the layers of the authentic dishes
- Taste the elaborate flavors of famous prosciutto as it is produced along the banks of the Po River outside of Bologna
- Revel in the unique recipes of favored dishes in the Siena province that are shaped by the historic ingredient of saffron after visiting a family-owned saffron field
Detailed Description
The cuisine of Italy will inspire and captivate you during your 8-day, custom-tailored, culinary tour of Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. Rich flavors and enchanting traditions will bolster your exploration of the restaurants, markets, cities, and countryside of Italy. You will follow specialist guides and decorated chefs into the heart of culture and experience these regions through preserved gastronomy that highlights the rustic traditions of the kitchen, which can be found inside the private homes of the locals and treasured Michelin-starred restaurants. You will travel from Bologna to Florence, and from Parma to San Gimignano, uncovering the fresh ingredients, historical contexts, and elaborate recipes that shape the coveted flavors of authentic Italian cuisine and the greater authenticity of the Emilia Romagna and Tuscany regions.
Your culinary tour of Italy will begin with three nights in Bologna, which is the capital of Emilia Romagna. The region is famous around the country as Italy’s greatest culinary destination, which spreads from the lowlands of the Po River Valley to the slopes of the Apennines. You will have exceptional guided tours that are led by locals who specialize in the history, culture, and cuisine of the region, and they will immerse you in the abundant aroma and flavors that are found in private kitchens, truffle hunting tours, and the traditional methods for crafting Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto. You will savor the inspiring dishes of Michelin-starred restaurants that highlight a blend of rustic and modern elements in addition to discovering the ways in which locals treasure their culinary heritage.
The splendor of Tuscany will share the essence of the Italian spirit as you spend four nights in a luxurious villa, overlooking the celebrated countryside. You will once again have private tours that are guided by specialists who are knowledgeable in the secrets of local heritage, customary dishes, and authentic cultural history from Lucca to Florence and from Siena to Montalcino. You will find beauty in thriving orchards, opulence in the olive oils, grandeur in the sensational wines, and comfort in the faithful flavors of the rustic cuisine as you learn to craft handmade pasta, gelato, and dishes that highlight the subtle flavor of saffron. The remarkable dishes of Tuscany embody a living history in which you can indulge, and you will experience all of these on your custom tour of the Emilia Romagna and Tuscany regions.
Consider learning more about our travelers’ best Italy travel experiences by reading their Italy travel reviews.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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