FOOD, CULTURE, HISTORY OF ITALY & SOME WINE – 9 days for a small group of friends, maybe family

VENICE, FLORENCE, ROME, POMPEII, NAPLES, ROME

Day-2. VENICE: Arrive at Marco Polo Intl Airport and be met by your tour concierge
Make your way by water taxi to your centrally located Venice hotel.
After unpacking and freshening up, meet in the lobby for a welcome cocktail and impromptu information session. Afterward, take a walking tour of Venice and get the lay of the land. We meet at 8 to go for dinner at Estro Vino e Cucina

Day-3. VENICE: take the train to Nervesa della Battaglia- the home of Giusti Vineyards
A Canadian-owned and operated vineyard. After a short tour and tasting wander the grounds and the small town it supports. Your afternoon is free to explore Venice- make sure to visit the Doge’s Palace and have a drink at Harry’s Bar. This evening join your tour director to experience the tasting menu at “Il Ridotto” and maybe a late night ghost tour.

Day-4. VENICE – FLORENCE: In the morning travel by high speed train from Venice to Florence
And check into your 4 star hotel. Afterward, meet in the lobby and meet your local guide to begin your walking food and history tour of Florence. On this tour, you will sample the best of Tuscany from sweet to savory, during multiple food stops at marketplaces and the restaurants only locals know about. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to experience everything Florence has to offer.

Day-5. FLORENCE: This morning board your private van to visit the famous Antinori Vineyards that produce Chianti Classico. The tour of this breathtaking building is only equalled by the private tasting conducted in rooms suspended over the barracks. After a short break for lunch, we will journey to an olive oil estate where you’ll learn about and produce your own oil to take home. Dinner at the stunning Cantinetta Antinori

Day-6. FLORENCE – ROME: Florence- Rome. Board the high speed train to the “Eternal City” of Rome. After Check-in at your 4-star hotel join your tour concierge for a walking tour of the ancient and the baroque. See piazza Navonna, The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Victor Emmanuel Monument with stops for coffee, wine, and gelato along the way.
Tonight enjoy dinner overlooking the roman forum TBD

Day-7. ROME: After breakfast take a guided tour of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum- gotta do something touristy- right? The afternoon is free to shop along the Via Veneto or continue touring on your own. Meet back in the hotel lobby to go out on a culinary walking tour of Trastevere- the famous food and entertainment district on the west side of the Tiber river. You’ll sample local favorites like fried baccala, cacio pepe, savillum, tirmaisu, and of course pizza al taglio- Roman style.

Day-8. ROME – POMPEII – NAPLES – ROME: TOday is a full day excursion to the southern kingdom of Naples. The first stop will be Pompeii for a 3 hour guided tour of this amazing archaeological site.
Naples, if you don’t know, is the home of traditional Neapolitan Pizza. We’ll stop in at a small pizzeria and be trained by a pizzaiolo how it’s different and why it’s the best. Train back to Rome and the evening is free.

Day-9. ROME: This morning take the metro to St Peter’s Square for your private guided tour of the Vatican Museum and St Peter’s Basilica. You could spend days there marveling at the artworks contained (but we’ve gotta keep going). In the afternoon you have the option to take a cooking class with a Roman Chef or spend the remainder of the day free to explore and shop
Farewell dinner TBD

Day-10. DEPARTURE: Arrividerci Roma!! Transfer to Termini station to catch the train to the airport for your flight home or to continue your journey.