A foodie’s Italy: from Venice to florence
dates tba
“Life is a combination of Magic and Pasta”
(Federico Fellini)
This trip is about sampling Italy’s culinary delights, washed down with her wonderful wines. It’s about having aperitivi and coffee like the locals do, watching the world go by and enjoying fabulous conversations. It’s about experiencing Italy via her lakes, her cities, her small towns and her countryside. It’s about seeing Italy through the eyes of the Italians.
Day 1 – Arrival Day
Arrive with slightly fewer jewels than Marco Polo at the airport bearing his name, we hope! Jump James Bond style into your water taxi to be whisked away to your centrally located Venetian hotel to check in and enjoy some relaxation time. This evening, sample your first aperitivo before we begin your fine dining, Italian style, at a local restaurant.
(D)
Overnight: Venice
“Venice is like eating a box of chocolate liqueurs in one go”
(Truman Capote)
Day 2 – Venice
Today a guided tour of Venice which includes an opportunity to sample local specialities such as the baicoli cookies and a coffee from one of its traditional cafes. You will have an opportunity to explore Venice’s backstreets and canals, where she truly shines. The morning ends in that most Venetian of ways: on a gondola. It’s then time for some aperitivi. Venice and the Veneto are home to some of Italy’s most famous drinks, such as the Bellini, the iconic peach juice and prosecco combination, named after the pink in Giovanni Bellini’s paintings. Enjoy these drinks at some of Venice’s loveliest bars, followed by lunch. This afternoon, for those who are interested, there is the chance to enjoy a rowing lesson with a Venetian female rowing team. Otherwise the afternoon and evening are at leisure.
(B, L)
Overnight: Venice
Day 3 – Verona and Riva del Garda
You leave Venice to head to the lovely Italian Lake Garda. En route you will make a stop in Verona, where you will have the chance to take a stroll around its impressive centre, stopping at the little markets, ending with an entrance into the arena. You will have some free time for lunch and shopping. It’s then on to Garda to settle in, freshen up, enjoy a massage in the spa and enjoy a beautiful evening by the lake.
(B, D)
Overnight: Riva del Garda
Day 4 – Riva del Garda
It’s time to enjoy Italy from another perspective - from a boat! Enjoy a free morning to soak up the lovely lake atmosphere before heading for lunch in lovely Limone and then out on the boat, visiting the lake, making various stops including Sirmione. In the late afternoon return to Riva for a free evening.
(B, L)
Overnight: Riva del Garda
Day 5 SAY CHEESE!
This morning it’s off to Parma to sample their delicious cheese and enjoying a lunch nearby. Then it’s time to head into the Italian countryside to stay in an agriturismo. An agriturismo is a farm-stay whereby whilst some of the property is given over to housing guests, the rest remains a working farm. It’s a really authentic way of experiencing Italy and what it’s like to live and work in her rural areas, as well as guaranteed great food! Upon arrival you will have time to settle in, relax and then enjoy some light antipasti and wine for supper.
(B, L, D)
Overnight: Agriturismo
Day 6 MODENA
Time to head to Modena for to taste her delicious vinegar today. Entirely different from the thin liquid sold world over, a few drops of this liquid gold will ruin any future balsamic for you! It’s then time for a visit into Modena before heading back to the agriturismo for some down time before a cookery class using all the fresh ingredients from the farm.
(B, L, D)
Overnight: Agriturismo
The creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo”
(Mark Twain)
Day 7 BOLOGNA & TUSCANY
Bologna is known in Italy as ‘La Grassa’ (the Fat One) as it is home to some of the most famous delicious pastas and meats for which Italy is known world over. After a walking tour which includes a visit to her famous market, it’s time to tuck into a delicious lunch.
And it’s then on to Tuscany where you will have the evening at leisure.
(B, L)
Overnight: Montalcino
Day 8 Tuscany
Today is about a leisurely start, soaking up the beautiful Tuscan countryside before wine tasting. Tuscany is famous world over for its wines, so there can be no better way of getting to know the region than over a glass or two as you have the chance to sample the famous varieties, learning a little about them all, over a delicious lunch. Cin cin!
The rest of the day and evening is at leisure.
(B, L)
Overnight: Montalcino
Day 9 – Siena and Florence
En route to Florence you will visit the unique, walled city of Siena. Siena is best known for its famous Palio horse race which takes place in the ‘Piazza del Campo’ twice a year. This lovely square, opens up like a golden fan as the sun creeps in. Enjoy a morning coffee whilst sitting in the square and watching the world go by. It’s then off to taste some of the local specialities of the town, such as panforte, the dense dried fruit cake for which Siena is most famous. Then time to travel to Florence, the heart of where the Renaissance took place, to enjoy a guided walk of the city, finishing with an aperitivo and a wonderful meal in a Diamond Skies favourite restaurant. This evening is at leisure.
(B, D)
Overnight: Florence
“You may have the universe if I may have Italy”
(Verdi)
Day 10 - Florence full day
Having yesterday feasted your eyes upon Goliath’s foe, your tour of Florence continues with a morning visit to the local food markets to feast upon Tuscan goodies and then the rest of your day is at leisure before you come together for a special farewell meal to celebrate your trip. Cin Cin!
(B, D)
Overnight: Florence
Day 11 - Airport transfer
It’s time to say arrivederci to Italia as you head to the airport. We hope you will come back soon!
total Cost per person, based on 2 sharing: €6600
single room supplement: €1890
Included in Your Trip
Accommodation & Services:
2 nights in Venice, 2 nights in Rival del Garda, 2 nights in Agriturismo, 2 nights in Montalcino and 2 nights in Florence
Centrally located, upmarket 4 and 5* hotels
Your tour manager will accompany you throughout the trip
Transfers to and from the airport
Guided tour of Florence
Tips for local services (guides, porters, waiters etc)
Private transport, unless otherwise stated
You will be visiting: Venice, Verona, Riva del Garda, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Siena, Montalcino, Tuscan hilltop towns and Florence
Food & Beverages:
Breakfast and either lunch or dinner (unless otherwise stated)
(B, L, D)
When lunch and/or dinner are included, a glass of wine, or a beer, or a soft drink is provided.
Aperitivi, coffee and snacks where stated.
Entrances & Tickets:
L’Accademia (the David in Florence)
Santa Croce Church in Florence
Doge’s Palace
Basilica in Venice after hours
Activities:
Gondola ride in Venice
Rowing lesson in Venice
Cookery lesson in an agriturismo
Boat ride on Lake Garda
Spa in your hotel in Garda
wine tasting
aperitivi tastings
balsamic tasting
NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP:
Flights not included.
Travel insurance.
Visas, where applicable