Wake to a morning at leisure and set out to embrace the genial atmosphere and historic grandeur of bella Roma. With ample time to explore the imposing Colosseum or the breathtaking Vatican Museum, you can soak up the scenery at your own pace.
In the afternoon, hop aboard your rail transfer to Frascati – a picturesque town just outside the city. Here, you can try your hand at traditional pasta-making with a specially curated workshop. Under the guidance of a local expert, you’ll roll, fold and simmer your way to a delectable dinner, with your handmade pasta as the mouth-watering centrepiece. To complement the fresh flavours and scintillating sauces, you’ll savour carefully paired Frascati DOCG wine, drawing out the nuanced notes of your work.
After dinner, transfer back to Rome, where you’ll have an evening free to step out or settle in.
Optional activity:
- Ancient Rome tour (from EUR90 per person).
After a hearty breakfast, set off via high-speed train to dazzling Naples. This bustling coastal city is a cultural hub known for its historic architecture and culinary heritage.
Get acquainted with Naples on an appetising walking tour through the very best street food, from moreish ‘pizza fritta’ or fried pizza, to the fragrant ‘cuoppo’ of fried seafood. On the sweeter side of Neapolitan cuisine is the buttery, shell-shaped ‘sfogliatella frolla’ pastry and the fluffy, cream-filled ‘fiocco di neve’ or snowflake brioche. Round out your taste of the town with the famous rum-soaked ‘baba’ sponge. After satisfying your tastebuds, spend the afternoon relaxing at your centrally located hotel.
Later, get hands-on with the local tradition and join a cooking class for Naples most adored dish: pizza. Join the experts to practice hand-stretching the dough, selecting the freshest toppings and carefully placing your masterpiece in the woodfire oven. Now that you’ve learned the ways of the ‘pizzaiolo’, you can sit and savour every slice, with local wine to complete the experience.
Strike out for glistening Sorrento on a tour of the glittering coast. Get your first taste of the region with authentic farm-fresh mozzarella. Originating from this region, the heavenly cheese is produced as part of a long farming tradition. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to sip on zesty limoncello – a traditional liqueur made using the area’s renowned lemons.
Later, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch paired with chilled local wine, then spend your afternoon exploring the charming streets of Sorrento at your own pace. In the late afternoon, return to Naples and make the most of your elegant hotel with an evening at leisure.
With a refreshing breakfast behind you, take to the rails for another high-speed train trip to fabulous Florence. Florence is known as a global cultural capital thanks to its phenomenal collection of Renaissance art, commanding architecture and unparalleled culinary heritage.
Stroll the historic city centre on a guided walking tour in search of exquisite gourmet street food, including a scoop of the very best gelato in town, then retire to your hotel along the wide and peaceful Arno river.
Tonight, partake in a tantalising meal of expertly grilled ‘bistecca’ or Florentine steak, paired with regional specialties and fine Tuscan wine.
This morning is yours to explore as you desire. The beauty of Florence is at your fingertips – take in the most renowned Renaissance artworks in the world, including Michelangelo’s masterful statue of David and architectural marvels such as the magnificent Duomo.
In the afternoon, venture into the Tuscan countryside for an enchanting chianti experience. Listen to the experts as they explain the art and science of high-quality olive oil production and winemaking, then put your tastebuds to the test as you sample the region’s famed flavours. Your evening culminates in a magical dinner amidst the vines of a local vineyard, meticulously paired with the perfect chianti.
After breakfast, hop aboard a high-speed train to exquisite Reggio Emilia. Here, you’ll embark on an invigorating guided tour of the valley, with a focus on the region’s rich culinary heritage. In Modena, compare vintages of fruity, sweet balsamic vinegar, and uncover the mysteries of the perfect parmigiano Reggiano. Add sparkle to your adventure as you taste five different varieties of lambrusco wine, coveted for its bold and fruity profile.
Later, coat your hands in flour and get ready to roll fresh pasta. Under the tutelage of pasta afficionados, you’ll cut, fill and fold flavourful pockets of traditional tortellini, ready to enjoy in idyllic surrounds.
This afternoon, take the high-speed rail onward to Turin – Italy’s chocolate capital – and check in at your hotel for an evening of leisure.
Cut to Turin’s culinary core with a morning street-food tour, led by your gourmet guide. Sample rich and creamy ‘bicerin’, a local espresso and chocolate drink, and visit the master chocolatiers that have earned Turin its global reputation. Amongst the velvet-smooth delights of bean-to-bar makers like Guido Gobino, you’ll taste the incomparable ‘gianduiotto’ – an innovative tradition dating back over 200 years, made with creamy chocolate and delicate Piedmont hazelnuts. In the hands of its Italian creators, the resulting rich, silky chocolate paste is truly more than the sum of its parts.
Conclude your tour of Turin with a refreshing scoop of artisanal gelato, then soak up the welcoming atmosphere over a leisurely afternoon.
Your Italian odyssey continues today with a visit through Langhe’s bucolic hills to the charming vineyards known for their prized Barolo wines. Taste this coveted varietal at the vine and take a moment to admire the sweeping countryside over a light meal of charcuterie.
This evening, mark the end of your gourmet journey with a spectacular farewell dinner in the charming town of Alba. Savour the complex umami richness of the elusive truffle in dishes expertly paired with local wine – the ultimate taste of northern Italy.
The time may have come to bid farewell to your flavourful Italian voyage, but as you savour one last breakfast before checking out, remember the incredible journey behind you. Like a fine wine, the memories will only get better with age.