Tuscany countryside with green grain fields and rustic farmhouse

Rustic Italy Vacation: Tuscany & Emilia Romagna

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Bologna, Lucca, Volterra, Montalcino...

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Suggested Duration

8 Days

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

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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.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.9 stars based on 5894 reviews.

Italy, Greece Travel Review: Como, Bellagio, Wine Tour,...

The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.

Reviewed By Nisha V.

Italy Vacation Review: Florence, Rome, Truffle Hunt, Cooking...

Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.

When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.

She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.

The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.

Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.

If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.

Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!

Stephanie

Reviewed By Stephanie S.

Italy 25th Anniversary Travel Review: Positano, Sorrento,...

This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.

Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!

Reviewed By Mauro A.

Italy Trip Review: Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, Vatican, Capri,...

We had a fantastic time and Zicasso's tour operator did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip. Drivers and guides were always punctual, and the itinerary was perfectly balanced—full days, without ever feeling rushed.

Some real highlights for us were Herculaneum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and our unforgettable Capri boat tour. Our guide brought Pompeii's history to life in a way that made it feel like stepping back in time and the Naples street food tour was delicious and nostalgic—her pizza fritta instantly took me back to the calzones I grew up with in Niles, Ohio. Our driver was with us for several days and made every transfer feel effortless.

There was a small hiccup at the very end with a trip planner, but it was minor compared to the overall quality of the trip. The organization, communication, and attention to detail throughout made this a truly memorable experience and we wouldn’t hesitate to book with this tour agency again. We had a fantastic time and the tour company did an excellent job organizing every detail of our trip.

Reviewed By James T.

Italy Vacation Review: Positano, Boat Tour, History, 16-Day...

I want to give a huge shoutout to Zicasso's trip coordinator. She was our coordinator through WhatsApp. She was always available, provided quick solutions and documents whenever we needed them. Given a few airline delays, we needed to adapt our itinerary rapidly and she always came in clutch.The itinerary was put together very fast, as we approached this travel company six weeks before our desired travel dates. We had an amazing time and all the activities were tailored to our interests. We would highly recommend them for any Italy travel.

Reviewed By Brad B.

Italy Tour Review: 9 Nights

It was very good and lived up to our expectations.

Reviewed By Sarpreet B.

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