Tour description
Authentic Italy Bespoke Food & Wine Tour
DAY 1 SORRENTO
Our excellent chauffeur will collect you from Rome airport/cruise port/hotel to whisk you away to the most scenic area of Campania, the Amalfi Coast. Along this majestic coast your driver will stop en route so that you can marvel at the azure sea and charming colourful villages; this is the first day of your Authentic Italy Bespoke Food & Wine tour, after all. Your 4* hotel is ideally located close to the center of Sorrento, providing gorgeous views over the gulf of Naples.
This afternoon why not relax beside your hotel’s swimming pool surrounded by gardens rich with bougainvillea and breathe in the spectacular views while you watch the sun set. This evening you will be dining at your hotel restaurant, a tranquil and romantic spot amid the breathtaking sea views. Your meal will be accompanied by some great Italian wine! Salute!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Gourmet dinner with wines. Overnight in a 4* hotel located just outside Sorrento.
DAY 2 AMALFI COAST
Be prepared to have your breath taken away today, as our chauffeur takes you to discover the most charming villages of the incredibly beautiful Amalfi Coast. Your Italian food and wine tour will take you along the scenic coast to Positano and Ravello, where for lunch you will enjoy excellent local cuisine at a beautiful restaurant, famous for its food. Our chauffeur will, of course, stop at the most scenic spots along the way, giving you a chance to capture picture-perfect snapshots to treasure for a lifetime!
Positano is one of the most glamorous Amalfi destinations, a gorgeous pastel town built into a steep hill, with plenty of stairs which afford breathtaking views of the gulf. Legend has it that over 1,000 years ago the discovery of a washed-up painting of the Virgin Mary is the reason why the locals built Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta – A church dedicated to the virgin, with her icon above the main altar. Its colorful glazed Majolica-tiled dome is the most defining cultural landmark of the town if not of the whole Amalfi coast.Ravello is a beautiful medieval hilltop village with stunning views, and is the perfect place to spend your afternoon. Relax and rejuvenate as you stroll through the expansive gardens whose edges meet the Mediterranean sea. The elegant terraces of Villa Rufolo and Cimbrone provide postcard views of the lush gardens and the Mediterranean backdrop, which enchanted for example, Wagner, in whose honor the International Festival of Music takes place each year.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Authentic local lunch with wines. Overnight Sorrento.
DAY 3 CAPRI
Capri, the original chic island of the European jet-set is your destination today. This ruggedly beautiful Italian island is just 10 kilometers squared, and since the 1950s has been famed for its glitterati. The island’s two main towns, Capri and Anacapri can get crowded, but it’s always possible to break away from the hustle and bustle by heading away from the main spots. From Capri’s famed Piazzetta, it is just a short stroll to Punta Tragara to view the iconic Faraglioni rocks, for example. Or perhaps head to quieter Anacapri, whose stunning Villa San Michele affords unrivalled sea views from Mount Solaro.
The best-known natural site in Capri is the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows an electric blue. We will gladly assist with different ideas on how to spend your time here, depending on your preferences, be it hiking, using the open deck Capri taxis around the island or visiting the most iconic spots to do some shopping for Limoncello, handmade leather sandals or decorative pottery. After your fantastic day, the late afternoon ferry will take you back to Sorrento, where you might wish to have some aperitifs or dinner at Piazza Tasso, or the surrounding laneways before strolling back to your hotel.
Tour in a nutshell: Return Capri ferry tickets. Overnight Sorrento.
DAY 4 SORRENTO
Your last full day in Campania leaves you free to explore this stunning part of Italy. Of course we will include many suggestions of places to visit and restaurant recommendations in your Authentic Italy Bespoke Food & Wine Tour Personal Travel Website and in your printed Personal Travel Journals.
Perhaps you may like to head into Sorrento’s historical centre, laden with craft shops and monuments like the 15th century Duomo (cathedral) and S. Francesco’s Basilica. From the coffee shop-lined Piazza Tasso you can discover the charming historic lanes of Sorrento’s old town that branch off – browse through the quaint artisan shops selling handmade local wares, stop for a delicious local meal or take the elevator down to the port and stroll along the charming harbor of Marina Grande.
Alternatively, we can organize a morning in Pompeii for you, where our expert guide will walk and talk you through this vast and amazing Roman city. Highlights include temples, frescoes, scandalous graffiti and Roman roads with ruts made by ancient carriages. You will also see ghoulish plaster casts of citizens who did not escape the volcanic eruption in 79 AD, from nearby Mount Vesuvius – one of Italy’s active volcanoes whose last major eruption was in 1944!
Tour in a nutshell: Free day. Overnight Sorrento.
DAY 5 NAPLES
The vivid and gritty city of Naples greets you this morning on your food and wine tour of Italy! Our charismatic, local guide will take you on a fascinating tour around the historic centre, its buildings slowly falling apart but packed with layers of ancient art. The old town is not everybody’s cup of tea as it can be quite loud and disheveled, but character it has! Among the narrow, graffitied streets and run-down palazzi there are some historical jewels waiting to be discovered. Visit serene medieval churches with beautiful frescoed ceilings, incredible sculptures and if you wish, experience Napoli Sotterranea (underground Naples), a labyrinth of ancient, very narrow and dark tunnels, hidden below the city that hold the ruins of 2,500 years of history! It would not be a food and wine tour of Italy without a delicious Neapolitan cuisine lunch. Taste authentic dishes that have made Naples world famous: spaghetti with clams, deep fried seafood, pizza (pizza originated here), mozzarella di bufala, rum baba, zeppole and sfogliatelle.
This late afternoon you will catch the high speed train from Naples to Florence and watch the Italian countryside change as it whizzes from region to region! Your Florentine abode is a 4* boutique hotel set along the edge of the Arno river, a short stroll from the vibrant heart of Florence.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation to Naples. Private guided tour of Naples’ old town. Authentic Neapolitan cuisine lunch with wine. 1st class high speed train tickets to Florence. Overnight in a 4* boutique hotel in Florence.
DAY 6 FLORENCE
Your Authentic Italy Bespoke Food & Wine tour today offers you the chance to discover the capital of Tuscany, exploring her gems at your own pace. You might wish to take advantage of Florence’s fabulous shopping; the options are endless in this vibrant city, from high end designer boutiques to colorful street markets and artisan leather workers. Our fantastic Florentine art and history guide is available if you fancy a fascinating in depth private visit to the world famous Duomo Cathedral or/and the Uffizi Gallery, an exquisite way to enjoy the finest Italian renaissance art! Feast on the works of Giotto, Boticelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. Hear our guide’s fascinating stories and insights on what makes this city’s history and art so unique.
Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the nearby Chianti Ruffina wine region and discover some great Sangiovese. As always you will have many suggestions for your day in your Authentic Italy Bespoke Food & Wine tour Personal Travel Website and in your printed Personal Travel Journals.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day or optional private guided art tour. Overnight Florence.
DAY 7 CHIANTI & MONTALCINO
Your adventure now continues to Chianti, where this morning you will stop at an impressive and modern Chianti winery, a famous estate with magnificent architecture that is innovative, eco-friendly and harmoniously blended in with the surrounding scenery. Take a stroll around the property and savor their flagship Chianti Classico wines, during your special wine tasting. Should you wish, we can arrange a complete tour inside the cellars, to view their sophisticated wine making processes. Next, you will be heading further south to the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino wine region, to enjoy its very special wine that takes around 5 years to age before it can become a Brunello.
Your food and wine tour of Italy will lead you to a historical family owned winery, beautifully set amongst the hills of Montalcino.The climate here creates robust and elegant wines due to the strong sun exposure and good thermal drop in the evening. Your wine tour will be led by an in-house expert who will reveal the fascinating history of the property that has been in the family since the eighteenth century, and you will learn about the quality and care they put into their wine making. Their lovely farmhouse setting provides a spectacular backdrop for a regional lunch, where you will enjoy a tasting of their top class wines such as Sassomagno, Rosso di Montalcino, and of course their Brunello di Montalcino, accompanied with a delightful, typical Tuscan meal. Your final stop today is Pienza, a pretty little hamlet, birthplace of XV century Pope Pius II, who employed a brilliant architect to rebuild the town following precise philosophical, scientific and rational criteria and include squares, palaces and fortresses with harmonious proportions. Pienza is famed for its unique sheep’s milk cheese, Pecorino di Pienza, which you will taste at a wonderful artisan cheese shop. You will then check-in to your wonderful 18th century villa hotel in the heart of the peaceful Tuscan countryside, on the outskirts of medieval Montepulciano. Surrounded by panoramic views, amid 6 hectares of parkland, you will surely appreciate a delightful stroll in the gardens as you unwind into country life.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: If you wish to visit Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra; please let us know and we can arrange an extra day/night for these visits.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Chianti wine tastings. Brunello di Montalcino winery visit followed by a Tuscan lunch with wine tastings. Pienza artisan cheese shop visit and tasting. Overnight in a 4* 18th century villa hotel in the Montepulciano countryside.
DAY 8 MONTEPULCIANO & MONTEFALCO
Today you may like to get more acquainted with this beautiful Italian village boasting vast panoramas over the wonderful Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys. The best way to observe Montepulciano is by strolling around the elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners. Later on our chauffeur will take you to a small Vino Nobile di Montepulciano winery born in the 1960’s as a weekend activity. Today this estate has a quality that sets them apart from the rest, making some of the best Vino Nobile as well as two Super Tuscans, both from Sangiovese grapes. Your winery tour takes you through the vineyards and barrel room to learn about their intriguing story, revealing their philosophy and technical solutions. Next, you are heading to the up-and-coming Montefalco Sagrantino wine region in the heart of peaceful Umbria. The organic winery you will visit was acquired in 1882, and has been run by the same family ever since. Throughout your wine tour you will learn about the Montefalco Sagrantino territory and the technical aspects of their wine production. While the estate produces several varietal wines it is best known for its impressive line-up of Sagrantino, which you will taste with your delicious, Umbrian home cooked lunch at the winery.
Before crossing back into Tuscany you will be stopping in Spello, another beautiful walled city. Here you will finalize your wonderful day at a family-owned enoteca to taste more Montefalco wines. You will then head to your home for the next two nights, an 18th century villa in the heart of Tuscan wine country. Your gorgeous hotel is situated amongst Italian gardens and a splendid marble swimming pool, overlooking the cornfields and vineyards of Val d’Orcia.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano winery visit and tasting. Montefalco Sagrantino winery visit and tasting with an authentic Umbrian lunch. Visit to Spello and more Montefalco fine wine tastings. Overnight in a luxury villa in the Tuscan countryside.
DAY 9 CHIANTI CLASSICO
Your Authentic Italy Food and Wine tour has you quaffing more wonderful wines today. You will visit one of the oldest wineries in Italy, whose founder was responsible for formulating the grape mix of Chianti Classico during the late 19th century. Your winery tour will take you on a journey of nearly a thousand years to the remarkable ancient castle of the estate, around the grounds, and to gaze at the surrounding countryside from their panoramic terrace. Your next destination is a modern winery where you can taste several top Chianti Classico wines and enjoy a delicious Tuscan lunch.
Later this afternoon you can enjoy some free time, you may like to stroll through the hotel’s gardens or the surrounding Tuscan countryside. If you’re feeling more energetic there’s the gym, or, perhaps you could play a game of tennis!
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: If you wish to discover more Chianti Classico wines and wineries, why not extend your stay and let us take you on some more winery tours and tastings along the nearby Via Chiantigiana, the famous Chianti wine route. Another option is to enjoy a wonderful pasta-making course at your hotel, under the watchful eye of a fabulous Italian cook.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Two Chianti Classico winery visits with tastings. Authentic Tuscan lunch with wines. Overnight Tuscan countryside.
DAY 10 PARMA COUNTRYSIDE
Your focus changes today, from discovering wine to food! You will be leaving Tuscany behind and heading to the countryside of Parma: a truly gourmet day awaits! First you will learn more about the world of cheese as you visit a wonderful Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese producer. Parmigiano-Reggiano can only be officially named if it is made in this particular region of Italy; if not then it must be called Grana Padano. On your guided Parmigiano tour you will learn the specific process of making this cheese, as well as enjoy a fascinating tasting. Your next gourmet visit is to one of the oldest producers of Balsamic Vinegar in Modena. Take a step back in time as you discover a fascinating attic full of ancient casks that centuries later are still used to achieve distinctive and incredible flavours – remember the older the cask the better the balsamic vinegar will be! A complete tasting will finalize your tour to discover the differences, nuances and singular versatilities.
After lunch you will head to your hotel, a farm estate, owned by one of Italy’s most cherished food producers. On the farm you will see and learn about the Nera Parmigiana ancient breed pigs, and then you will head to the famed cellars where thousands of culatello di Zibello cured hams and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses are left to age. Afterwards you will enjoy a tasting dinner at their lovely rural restaurant, with a selection of their fine cured meats and other on site produce, along with more local specialties and Emilia-Romagna wine.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Visit and tastings at a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese factory. Visit to one of the oldest producers of Balsamic Vinegar in Modena. Visit and tastings dinner to a Culatello di Zibello ham producer. Overnight in a romantic 16th Century mansion in Emilia Romagna.
DAY 11 BARBARESCO
It’s back to discovering wine, as you journey to Piedmont, a region of Italy whose wines are iconic. Your Italian food and wine tour has introduced you to one of the legendary 3 Big B’s of Italian wine; Brunello – and now the other two are on your agenda as well – Barolo & Barbaresco! Passing by rows of vineyards, our chauffeur will take you to the quaint village of Barbaresco, where you will pop into the Enoteca Regionale; a curious combination of architecture, history, commerce and tourism. This wine temple is stocked with representative wines of most of the wine producers of Barbaresco, with bottles from 130 different wineries and 250 labels which you will surely enjoy perusing.
From here you will visit a winery on the outskirts of Barbaresco, which owns one of the DOCG’s finest single vineyards, the mythical Martinenga (all of it Nebbiolo planted) where an ancient Roman temple once stood. On your visit you will hear all about this landmark of Piedmontese winemaking, tracing back to the 18th century, with exclusive tastings to finish. Your regional lunch at a delightful farmhouse restaurant overlooks the vineyards, and will be accompanied of course by more wonderful Barbaresco wines. Your final visit of the day is to the family home and winery of a Barbaresco favorite. The family warmly welcomes you into their world with the head of the family Giulio shaking hands with nearly every guest who visits. You will hear how they maintain their traditional values with particular attention to the vines, especially during pruning, crucial for yield control and fruit quality. Your home for the next two nights is a privileged location in the heart of the most beautiful Barolo vineyards. Their restaurant offers traditional Piemontese cuisine and they also produce their own excellent Barolo wines.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Two prestigious Barbaresco winery visits with tastings. Regional lunch with wine. Overnight at a charming villa in the heart of the Barolo wine-making region.
DAY 12 BAROLO
If your tour coincides with autumn, a fun adventure awaits you this morning as you discover another wonderful foodie element of the Piedmont area – truffles! Your truffle hunting guide will escort you to the woods to find truffles. After your experiences yesterday with Barbaresco, the Queen of Italian wines, today you are going to meet the King – Barolo. You are already in the heart of the Barolo wine region but this morning you will start by exploring the northern part of this wine lover’s paradise. Our chauffeur will take you through unspoiled wine country with undulating hills of vines, to an historic family run estate in La Morra. This lovely winery not only produces excellent Barolos, their juicy Dolcetto d’Alba and fragrant Langhe Arneis are also top notch. Your visit will finalize with a tasting of their finest wines in a room overlooking the most beautiful part of the valley.
Following a delicious Piemontese lunch, you will continue to the southern part of Barolo, the Monforte area, where many prestigious cellars are clustered. You will visit one of the region’s premier producers of Barolo wine, famous for their majestic Barolo wines of extraordinary depth, complexity and longevity. To end your Barolo day, we can arrange a visit to the 10th century castle that dominates the town of Barolo, now converted into a fascinating wine museum where you can discover the traditions, history and personalities that have shaped the history of Piedmont and Italy, highlighting the excellence of Langhe wines. Upon return to your luxury retreat, enjoy a fantastic dinner of traditional Piedmont dishes, with the local truffles from Langhe, maybe the ones you found this morning? Your meal will be accompanied with their Barolo wines and served in their smart dining room overlooking the vineyards, against a stunning backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps.
Tour in a nutshell: Morning truffle hunting with a local guide. Chauffeured transportation. Two prestigious Barolo winery visits with tastings. Local lunch with wines. Exquisite Piedmontese cuisine dinner with truffles and wines. Overnight in the Barolo wine region.
DAY 13 FRANCIACORTA
The Valpolicella wine region awaits you later today, but first you will be stopping in Franciacorta, a high-end wine region producing traditional method sparkling wines. Unlike other popular Italian bubblies like Prosecco or Lambrusco (which are largely mass-produced), Franciacorta wines are hand-harvested, fermented in wooden casks and then again in the bottle for a minimum of 18 months by law. It is a process that is more stringent than Champagne, and as a result, the quality of many Franciacorta wines far exceeds that of even the most famous Champagnes. This morning you will visit the most vanguard Franciacorta winery, founded in 1968. With state of the art machinery and an art-filled estate, their full-bodied bubblies are favorites of George Clooney and Michelin starred Chef Eric Ripert, among others. Your fascinating wine tour with an in-house expert will lead through the production processes of their wines, viewing the spectacular and immaculate cellars. Your visit will of course be finalized with a tasting of their stellar drops.
Your lunch is at a lovely neo-Renaissance villa, on their wonderful terrace, accompanied by local wines and spectacular views. Neighbor to your exclusive lunch venue is the Moretti Franciacorta wine kingdom so after coffee, if you wish, we can pre-arrange a private tour of this very special cellar too. Our chauffeur will then transfer you to your luxury hotel, surrounded by the vineyards of Valpolicella. This 5* hotel is renowned for its offbeat art collection, which will surely grab your attention as you stroll through to your room. Should you wish to have dinner at your hotel, their sumptuous restaurant and talented chefs will allow you a glamorous and quiet evening.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. One Franciacorta winery visit with tastings. Authentic lunch with wines. Overnight in a luxury 5* art hotel, in the Valpolicella wine region.
DAY 14 VALPOLICELLA
Your Authentic Italy Food and Wine Tour has you visiting a beautiful historic estate, surrounded by Valpolicella vineyards, which was purchased in 1353 by the son of the renowned Italian poet, Dante. The estate has remained a part of the family for 21 generations with winemaking taking place continuously since the 1500s. Today the estate produces all types of Valpolicella wines, especially an excellent Amarone which, after two years aging in oak barrels, spends another four months in cherry wood ones. You will tour the estate and discover the history of this land and the techniques behind their wine production. After walking through the gardens, vines and visiting the ancient cellars, your winery tour ends with a tasting of their best Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto wines. For lunch you will be eating at a classic family run trattoria in a tiny hamlet, whose traditional cuisine is regionally famous.
This afternoon you will visit a legendary Valpolicella winery, currently in its fourth generation, with limited-production of Amarones, Reciotos and Valpolicellas, high in demand and stratospheric in quality. An in-house expert will take you on a complete tour of this family run winery, where you will hear how they avoid using herbicides or chemical fertilizers. In the winery you will learn the phases of their wine-making process with cultivation of the highest quality grapes, harvest, vinification and ageing being carried out directly by the family. Particular attention and care are given to the delicate process of grape drying, appassimento, that is essential for the making of Recioto and Amarone. An exclusive tasting of their top-class wines will finalize your visit. The rest of your afternoon / evening is free. Maybe you would like to take a short taxi ride from your hotel and stroll through Verona’s picturesque centre. An aperitivo on a delightful terrace in Piazza Bra overlooking the amphitheatre and watching the world go by will surely round off the day nicely.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Two prestigious Valpolicella winery visits and tasting. Authentic trattoria lunch with local wines. Overnight in the Valpolicella wine region.
DAY 15 LAKE GARDA
Today you will enjoy a relaxing day at magnificent Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. En-route you will stop at a small but revolutionary Bardolino winery. The region itself is not prestigious (yet), and is still quite unknown, but this small organic tenuta makes a refreshing change from all the big and well established players you have (and will be) visiting. The wines are great and very affordable, the olive oils are excellent and the passionate winemaker will surely engage you in the visit while sharing their latest developments. Their winemaking is quite different, with surprising experiments and an interesting approach.
You will then head along the shore to Malcesine, a pretty little medieval town clustered at the edge of the lake at the base of majestic Monte Baldo. Here you will have free time for lunch and to visit the castle that offers the most panoramic spots of Malcesine and the lake. Otherwise, what about taking a cable car up Monte Baldo? We will provide you with great suggestions and recommendations in your Authentic Italy Food and Wine Tour Travel Journals. This evening you will be dining at the glamorous restaurant in your hotel. An original cuisine, combining mouth-watering flavors, scents, colors and exceptional technique, will, of course be accompanied by some top Valpolicella wines.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Bardolino winery visit with tastings. Visit to Lake Garda. Dinner with wine. Overnight in the Valpolicella wine region.
DAY 16 GRAPPA & VICENZA
Your Italian Food and Wine Tour has you learning about Grappa, when you head further into the region of Veneto, visiting Bassano del Grappa, a tiny town with a pretty historic centre. Stroll through quiet squares as you pass fine buildings, enriched with precious ornamentation. Bassano is extremely photogenic so don’t forget the camera. The 16th century Ponte Vecchio (designed by Palladio) is gorgeous and the view of the town over the Brenta River is special. Here you will visit an important artisan Grappa distillery dating back to the 15th century. It was not until the 1980s when they began to source the best leftovers from Italy’s finest vintners for their pomace. Rather than allowing the pomace to sit around for days, stewing and fermenting on its own, they decided to distil it as soon as possible. Now headed by the fourth generation, their Grappas are among the most renowned in the world, known primarily for their mesmerizing ripeness and juiciness. Your in-house guide will take you on a complete tour to include the distillation room and cellars. Your fascinating tour will finish in the tasting room where you will experience a large variety of Grappas, including some interesting Grappa Aromatizzata; flavored by adding natural herbal extracts and fruits.
You will then head to Vicenza; a lovely town composed of Palazzi, villas, monuments and churches that make it aesthetically perfect. Enjoy a delightful lunch with local wines and of course, with more Grappa; to aid digestion. Vicenza is the city of Andrea Palladio; the 16th-century Renaissance architect, who was way ahead of his time and gave us the Palladian style. An aperitif or gelato behind the Piazza dei Signori will perfectly finish your visit here. This evening relax in your family-run 5* spa hotel on the outskirts of Padua. Why not enjoy an afternoon at the hotel spa, take a dip in one of their thermal pools and / or time in the saunas. There are also many spa treatments available if you would like to book a massage, facial or body treatment.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transportation. Grappa distillery visit and tastings. Visits to Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza. Regional lunch with local wines and grappa. Overnight in a relaxing 5* spa hotel, on the outskirts of Padua.
DAY 17 PADUA
Today you have a free day to explore Padua at your leisure, and if you wish we can arrange for our charismatic art guide to take you on a fascinating tour of this historic city. The old town of Padua, established in the year 1222, will surely fascinate you with its historical monuments, charming old streets and delicious food, differing in style from the regional delights you have tasted in Italy so far.
Explore the city famous for frescoes by Giotto and the 13th century Basilica, with its Byzantine domes and beautiful artworks. Visit the amazing Scrovegni Chapel, from 1305 and view the paintings of Giotto, who is considered the father of western art, and learn about the hidden messages encrypted in the paintings. Afterwards, you may like to visit the Museo Civico di Padova, the art and archaeological museum attached to the Scrovegni Chapel. You will find fascinating Renaissance and Baroque Art from Bellini, Giotto and Tintoretto just to name a few.
If you are keen to try local food, make sure you visit Sotto il Salone, a deli/food market like no other! Here you will find high quality artisans such as specialized butchers, baked goods, fresh cheeses and delicious vegetables- the selection is phenomenal. For those nature lovers,why not take a wander to the breathtaking Orto Botanico di Padova, the world’s first university botanical garden, where research into plant species began in 1545! After all your walking, why not treat yourself to something from the favorite pasticceria of local Paduans; Pasticceria Biasetto, not far from the Botanical garden. The pastry selection and quality are out of this world! As always, in your Authentic Italy Food and Wine Tour Personal Travel Journals, we will provide suggestions for additional visits and places of interest, and will also take care of your restaurant recommendations / bookings.
Tour in a nutshell: Free day in Padua. Overnight on the outskirts of Padua.
DAY 18 DEPARTURE
Today is the finale of your Authentic Italy Food and Wine Tour, and we are sure that you will be taking away some wonderful memories with you!
If you are not ready for the long trip home just yet, then we will be delighted to arrange a tour extension if you are interested. Maybe you would like to extend your stay in Venice? We can happily include extra nights in La Serenissima if you wish. Alternatively you may wish to extend your trip to other Italian destinations and we will be delighted to assist!
Tour in a nutshell: Departure day or tour extension.
Tour quotation
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Tour in a Nutshell
Magnificent seaside, rolling hills, bustling cities and serene vineyards
Incredible food: Homemade pasta, fresh produce and Michelin stars
Fantastic wine: Chianti, Brunello, Barolo, Franciacorta & Amarone
Chauffeured transportation, winery visits & private guided tours
18 days/17 nights, boutique 4* and 5* hand selected hotels
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