Flavors of Rome and Paris Itinerary

Tradition French crêpes

What to expect on this itinerary

Paris and Rome, where kitchen aromas drift down cobbled streets, and delicate treats tempt from neighborhood windows. These are cities of indulgence and extravagance, where the icons of history gaze down on an everyday devotion to food. Gastronomy is a lens for exploring the authenticity of these grand capitals, it’s an invite to what lays behind the famous facades: pastry classes, tasting menus, food markets, unique restaurants, vintage vineyards, and much more.

Countries Visited

France, Italy

Places Visited

Frascati, Saint-Germain, Champagne, Rome, Paris

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Rome – Roman Tasting Menu With Wine

Most visitors are surprised when they land in Rome. Yes, it’s a big and bustling city, a capital that stretches for miles. But the heart of Rome is remarkably laid-back. Pedestrianized streets tumble out from what was once the heart of the empire, and these are places where locals also walk and pass the time of day. Your hotel is amid the city’s ancient core, only a walk to some of the world’s most remarkable monuments. Such a central location means it’s easy to experience the places of Rome you deem unmissable, without wasting hours crossing the city. When taking a break from the food you can quickly discover the Pantheon or Vatican Museums, and you can time your visit to arrive before or after the middle of the day crowds.

This afternoon’s food experience provides a tranquil yet evocative introduction to the Roman cuisine. Dine in the Parioli neighborhood, at a small family-run restaurant adored by locals. All the produce is organic and comes from nearby farms, often picked that every morning. Italian cuisine is relatively simple. It’s all about the quality of raw ingredients and real attention to detail. You sit down to a classic four-course menu, each dish paired with wine as you travel through the classic steps of a Roman meal. It is indulgent, and you will be full, but that’s what a foodies tour is all about. Return to the hotel and drift off, or stay up a few more hours to watch the city roll by from a cafe terrace.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Rome – Piazza D’Allessandria Market Tour and Traditional Italian Cooking Class

Day 3

Rome – Exploring Frascati Vineyards and Olive Oil Producers

Day 4

Rome – Local Culture and Market Food of Rome

Day 5

Rome – Mediterranean Cooking and Vintage Railway Car Dining

Day 6

Rome – Free Day in Rome, With Possible Excursions

Day 7

Paris – Seine River Cruise and Introduction to Paris

Day 8

Paris – Flavors of Parisian Neighborhoods Walking Tour

Day 9

Paris – French Pastry Class and Eiffel Tower Dinner

Day 10

Paris – A Day in the Vineyards of Champagne

Day 11

Paris – Free Time in Paris and Bistro Tasting

Day 12

Paris – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Sip legendary wines at Frascati vineyards and pop a bottle of bubbles in Champagne
  • Learn the art of Parisian pastries and perfect Italian pasta
  • Explore traditional food markets and compare the flavors from these two great capitals
  • Dine in the Eiffel Tower and dine on a vintage railway car that stops outside the Colosseum
  • Tour Parisian and Roman neighborhoods that are best understood through their food
  • Discover Roman and Parisian bistros, where the produce reflects the very best from a country
  • Enjoy multiple tasting menus and take your pick from guides’ recommendations for authentic local dinners
  • Experience the sights of course, with six days in Rome and five in Paris

Detailed Description

Paris and Rome are two iconic cities that can be best understood through their food. In the land of the Eiffel Tower or Colosseum, it’s easy to stumble into the flocks of tourists that stumble from famous site to famous site. Yet these are cities with atmosphere and authenticity, not merely airbrushed postcards. Aromas drift down cobbled lanes, like coffee and chocolate and charcuterie treats. Locals gather on cafe and restaurant terraces, the hum of chatter mixing with clinking cutlery. Bistros and kitchens invite you with both smells and sounds, not to mention those tempting delicacies that glisten behind glass. Food isn’t just what you eat. It’s an avenue into the most authentic and atmospheric parts of these cities. It’s an invitation to travel into the heart of Paris and Rome.

Food provides your lens on this handcrafted tour to two European capitals. It takes you into neighborhoods where other visitors don’t tread. It reveals secrets and traditions that most others don’t notice. Gastronomy connects you to local cultures, showing the nuance that exists between different parts of the cities. You’ll discover a remarkable attention to detail and a fabulous love for the finer things in life. There are indulgent experiences of course, like fine dining and food and wine pairings. This tour also takes you into the backstreets and bistros where the locals go to eat for a chance to discover lesser-known treats.

Six days in Rome are followed by five in Paris. Sit down to a Roman tasting menu with wine, an easy introduction to cuisine on the first day. Spend day two at an intimate food market, searching for ingredients you can then use in a traditional Italian cooking class – the menu is flexible but think multiple courses in true Italian style. Spend day three sampling the best of the Frascati vineyards, then day four exploring Rome’s local and lesser-visited neighborhoods. There’s a Mediterranean cooking class on day five, followed by a fine dinner on a vintage railway car that stops outside the Colosseum. Day six is left free and is an opportunity for a day trip elsewhere in Italy, with many possible places within 1 hour by high-speed train.

Fly direct to Paris and the River Seine provides a dreamy introduction to the French capital; think three-course dining as you pass Notre-Dame as legendary monuments dominate the horizon. On day eight, you’re immersed in local neighborhoods, searching for the treats that originate down narrow cobbled streets. Learn the art of French pastries on day nine’s cooking class, before Michelin-starred dining inside the Eiffel Tower. Pop champagne corks in Champagne before a final day in Paris, where traditional bistros help reveal the gastronomy of an entire country. You’ll be full when you leave, and you’ll have great memories of what makes these two cities so special.

Starting Price

$5,400 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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Thank you, Zicasso's travel designer, for planning our honeymoon. We just had the best and most romantic time. The hotels were beautiful and our tour guides were lovely. We also greatly appreciated your dinner recommendations.

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We did a lot of research on tour groups and travel companies, and are so pleased we chose Zicasso and their specialized Italy team. They organized every detail of transportation, first-class hotels, and cut-the-line attraction visits with extremely knowledgeable local guides.

We ran into some minor interruptions due to protests and our team quickly navigated around them with their in-country specialists. We felt we saw the best of each location, with additional free time to explore other local things like food, shopping, etc. These folks know their stuff and we will look to use them in the future.

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I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to Zicasso's travel company and each and every tour guide they provided. I had the most amazing time of my life. My group received the best care and attention to detail; we never had to worry or wonder what to do or how we would get there. I cannot express my gratitude to all. There is no other way to travel. This tour was worth every penny I spent. Thanks to our guides and drivers for their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to all those who made this a remarkable journey. I'll never forget this trip as long as I live.

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Customizable Itinerary

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

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