italy culinary tour

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Food & Culinary Tours in Italy

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10 best Food & Culinary Italy tour packages

Compiled by

Melissa Italy travel expert at TourRadar

Italy Real Food Adventure

Small group sicily food & wine tour (maximum 8 guests), tuscany wine trails, private sicily food & wine lovers tour, sicily art, food & wine tour, taste of salento-authentic culinary experience, charming sicily food & wine small group tour - 8 days, gourmet tuscany, sicily food adventure, discover matera and taste of salento tour.

“He took good care of us. Your leader Jacopo Sementilli was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic.” Jane, traveled in May 2019

• Food & Culinary
• Wine tasting
• Check out Rome's oldest food markets
• Enjoy a guided walk through vineyards
• Experience a class of pasta-making

From €2,760

“Hotels were very comfortable. Drivers were excellent!” Susan, traveled in April 2024

• Delve into culture and learn cooking tricks in typical Sicilian family trattoria
• Discover the very best of Sicily through its rich cuisine and colourful street food
• Taste the best Sicilian wines and learn the secrets of how it is produced

From €2,495

• Taste Chianti wines and local delicacies
• Explore Montalcino and savor Brunello wines
• Meet Vino Nobile producers in Montepulciano

“The hotel was wonderful and Fabrizio was a great guide for the food tour. Lunches in both Noto and Piazza Amerina were delicious.” Rosemary, traveled in May 2023

• Taste the best Sicilian wines and learn the secrets of how its produced to a fine quality
• Visit farmhouses to find organic local products: olives, cheeses, tomatoes and more
• Get an authentic lifestyle experience and feel like you’ve lived in Sicily the whole life

From €3,895

• Sightseeing
• Explore historic Catania at your leisure
• Tour medieval Cefalu and charming Tindari
• Taste wines and street food in Erice

From €2,666

“My husband and I just returned from our week-long stay at Masseria Linazza, and it was one of our most fun and unique vacations ever!” Laurie, traveled in October 2023

• Tantalise your tastebuds by sipping on local wines
• Learn the art of olive oil production by an expert
• Try your hand at mastering the art of pasta making

From €2,290

“Amazing trip and beyond my expectations! The cooking class, food tours and vineyard visits were all highlights.” Nancy, traveled in May 2024

• Explore Taormina with a local guide
• Cook traditional Sicilian dishes
• Taste volcanic wines on Mt. Etna

From €3,948

“The food and wine experience was top notch. Seeing the gardens of locals.” Tina, traveled in September 2023

• Explore Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo
• Sample Chianti wines in historic Tuscan estate
• Cook Italian delicacies in a rustic farmhouse

“Great way to travel and experience Sicily.” beth, traveled in June 2024

• Sample Sicily's world-class street food
• Meet the locals in the quaint fishing village of Sciacca
• Tantalise your tastebuds with delicious fresh produce

“The freshly cooked food Emilio prepared daily was very tasty and beautifully presented and the accommodation was comfortable.” Trish, traveled in May 2024

• Explore a traditional olive oil mill
• Tour Lecce with a professional guide
• Enjoy fresh seafood along the coast

From €2,845

More about Italy

Discover TourRadar

Our most popular cooking vacation destination: from the food to the wine to the people, Italy offers it all…

Experience Italy for foodies! We offer private and small group Italy cooking and wine vacations with the best cooking courses in Italy. The International Kitchen’s Italy food & wine tours let you explore this amazing country through hands-on cooking classes taught by charming local chefs, as well as foodie tours to visit artisanal food producers, olive mills, and wineries, and visits to the cultural sites that make Italy one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

Top 50 Cooking Vacations in Italy 2024

• All Regions
• Amalfi Coast
• Emilia Romagna
• Friuli Venezia Giulia
• Lombardia/Lakes Region
• Multiple Regions
• Rome (Lazio)
• Active Trips
• Best Sellers
• Best Winter Cooking Vacations & Tours 2024-2025
• Family Friendly
• Good for Solos
• Hidden Gems
• Intensive Cooking
• Luxury Line
• Michelin Star Experiences
• Off the Beaten Path
• Romantic Getaways
• Staff Favorites
• Wine Themed

TRIP LENGTH

PRICE RANGE

Small Group Culinary Vacations in Sicily

7 Nights Starting At $6,600

Chianti Wine Tour to the Finest of Tuscany's Vineyards

6 Nights Starting At $5,975

Authentic Tuscan Cooking in the Val d’Orcia Valley

5 or 6 Nights Starting At $4,850

Cooking Under the Tuscan Sun with Dorothy Tague

7 or 11 Nights Starting At $5,175

Northern Italy Cooking Vacations: Piedmont and Liguria

6 Nights Starting At $5,580

Best Food & Wine Tours in Rome, Italy

3 or 5 Nights Starting At $1,630

Discover Sanremo Culinary Vacations in Italy

4 Nights Starting At $2,925

Best Genoa and Portofino Culinary Vacations in Italy

4 Nights Starting At $3,150

Best of Sorrento and Naples Food Tour

6 Nights Starting At $5,890

Splendid Five-Star Sorrento Food Tour on Amalfi Coast

6 Nights Starting At $6,750

Best of Sicily's West: Palermo Cooking Vacations

6 Nights Starting At $6,390

Cooking and Walking in Umbria

6 Nights Starting At $4,530

Cooking Under the Tuscan Sun: Best Food & Wine Tours in Cortona 2024-2025

3 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,250

Food & Wine Tasting Tour in Puglia, Italy

6 Nights Starting At $5,745

Amalfi Coast Culinary Vacations: Mediterranean Cooking Experience

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,640

A Five-Star Retreat in the Veneto

6 Nights Starting At $4,080

Best Bellagio Cooking Tour on Lake Como

5 Nights Starting At $5,490

Italian Food & Wine Tours and Cooking Courses in Piedmont

5 Nights Starting At $3,600

Emilia Romagna Food & Wine Tasting Tours 2024

4 or 7 Nights Starting At $2,875

Culinary Tour of the Italian Countryside: Discovering Authentic Flavors

3 Nights Starting At $1,975

Sapori d'Abruzzo: Best Abruzzo Cooking Tour and Vacation in Italy 2024

6 Nights Starting At $2,750

Cooking Vacations on the Prosecco Road

2 or 3 Nights Starting At $1,150

Secrets of Spoleto: Food Tour & Wine Tasting in Spoleto

6 Nights Starting At $3,465

Eastern Sicily Taormina Food Tour

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $4,800

Don Alfonso Luxury Gourmet Cooking Vacation

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $3,080

A Food Lover's Paradise in Norcia Cooking Vacations

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $3,150

Luxury Chianti Cooking Vacations in Tuscan Villa 2024-2025

7 Nights Starting At $5,490

Luxury Lucca Villa Cooking Vacations & Food Tours

7 Nights Starting At $4,500

Tuscan Splendor - Luxury Cooking Vacations in Tuscany

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,990

Luxury Italian Lakes Foodie Vacations

6 Nights Starting At $5,440

All-Inclusive Cooking Vacations in Italy - Cooking in the Sabine Hills

6 Nights Starting At $4,300

Friuli Venezia Giulia Food and Wine Tours at Villa Luppis

3 Nights Starting At $1,785

Authentic Italian Cooking Vacation in Piedmont

3 Nights Starting At $1,100

Tuscany Cooking Vacations at Torre del Tartufo, Casa Ombuto & Villa Bellorcia

3 or 7 Nights Starting At $2,750

Best Food Tour in Florence, Italy 2024: Florence For The Food Lover

5 Nights Starting At $3,675

Roman Countryside Cooking Vacations in Italy

Sorrento Cooking Adventure

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,875

A Culinary Vacation in Vasto

6 or 11 Nights Starting At $1,855

Authentic Amalfi Cuisine in Minori

4 or 6 Nights Starting At $2,200

A Venice Cooking Odyssey Food & Wine Tour

5 Nights Starting At $4,880

Authentic Sicilian Experience for the Food Lover

7 Nights Starting At $6,450

Cooking Vacations In Italy

There’s a reason our culinary tours in Italy are so popular.

Explore Italy for foodies on an Italy food tour with The International Kitchen.  You can delight in the best cooking courses in Italy, in which you learn to make regional specialties and traditional Italian staples such as homemade pastas, flavorful sauces, succulent meat dishes, scrumptious seafood, and out-of-this-world desserts. Your teacher might be a professional Italian chef or a “nonna” (grandmother) who passes along generations of family recipes and a passionate dedication to Italian cuisine.

Italy culinary tourism has grown in the years since we started the niche of cooking and wine tasting holidays in Italy. And it’s easy to see why: who is not tempted by the thought of gourmet holidays in Italy?

We have been organizing the best private, custom, and small group cooking tours in Italy for 25 years, and we have thousands of satisfied culinary travelers that we consider friends. Many of them return year after year to explore new foodie destinations with us on our Italy food tours. We are a small company, dedicated purely to foodie trips, and personal service is one of the hallmarks of our business.

So whether you are a foodie looking for cooking travel tours Italy, an avid home cook searching for cooking school Italy vacations, or simply someone who thinks food is the best part of every trip, we have culinary tours in Italy that will satisfy every culinary traveler. Moreover, if you’re looking for a good wine tour Italy is a perfect choice.

All in all, Italy is well-known for wine tasting, our company is good at vacation packages. Why don’t we combine these?

More about our cooking vacations in Italy

Our cooking vacations in Italy will also include:

• Food and wine tours in Italy including cheese and local products tastings
• Visits to open air fruit and vegetable markets, vineyards, or olive oil mills
• Cultural and culinary tours to local sites of interest
• Our many years of experience and personalized service while planning your foodie trip to Italy

Accommodations for our cooking holidays in Italy are in everything from cozy B&B properties to private villas, farmhouses, and luxurious hotels.

Cooking with the locals during an authentic Italy cooking vacation with The International Kitchen.

FAQ about cooking holidays in Italy

Where can i learn to cook in italy.

Tuscany, Umbria, Campania, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Lombardy, Lazio, Puglia, and the Veneto, are only a handful of the places where you can learn to cook in Italy. Italy’s 20 regions all offer amazing opportunities to learn regional and traditional Italian cuisine. Each region has its own pastas, sauces, main dishes and desserts, and you will learn to make them on our cooking courses in Italy.

Which city has the best food in Italy?

Italians might fight to the death over the answer to this question! Many would say that the city of Bologna has the best food in Italy. It is definitely one of the culinary capitals of Italy, and Emilia Romagna, the region in which it is found, is known for its incredible wealth of gastronomic products such as prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano, aceto balsamico di Modena, and pastas like tortellini, tagliatelle, and lasagne.

We think that each of Italy’s regions, however, has something truly unique and unforgettable to offer on our culinary vacations in Italy.

Which city in Italy has the best pizza?

Most Italians would agree that Naples has the best pizza in Italy. Naples, the capital of the Campania region, is also the birthplace of pizza! The main ingredients of pizza also come from this region: fresh mozzarella cheese and San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the sun-drenched volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius.

Read more about Italian food and travel tips

Recipes from Sarteano: Pici al Ragù Toscano

February 21, 2024

Meet Chef Chiara, the culinary instructor behind our Authentic Tuscan Cooking in the Val d’Orcia Valley and this recipe for Pici al Ragù Toscano! Chef…

Travel Memories: My First Trip to Italy

March 24, 2021

It's hard not to wax nostalgic about travel these days. As the effects of COVID-19 keep us all at home, with no clear indication of…

Autumn in Italy: Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

September 26, 2024

We eat soup year round, but there is something about soup in the fall and winter that is particularly appealing. And if you pair that…

Regions We Visit on our Food and Wine Tours in Italy

• Abruzzo : Bask in the beauty of ancient and authentic Abruzzo during an Italy food tour. Enjoy hands-on Italian cooking classes with simple regional cuisine full of flavors, and explore the miles of seaside, mountains, and national parks during our culinary trips to Italy in the Abruzzo region.
• Amalfi Coast : Learn the secrets of Mediterranean cuisine and enjoy the lifestyle of Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento, and Capri on an Italy food tour to the Amalfi Coast. Revel in a mix of spectacular coastlines and famed sites like Pompeii and the Blue Grotto on our unique culinary tours to Italy’s Amalfi Coast.
• Emilia Romagna : Taste the famous aged Parmesan cheese and Prosciutto di Parma on our gastronomic tours of Italy. Visit Bologna, Parma, Modena, and more and explore the local cuisine during hands-on cooking classes on an amazing Italy food tour to Emilia Romagna.
• Friuli Venezia Giulia : Explore the unique geography and equally unique cuisine of a region that borders Austria, Slovenia, and the Veneto during our food and wine tours in Italy in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
• Liguria : Charming port towns such as the famed Cinque Terre and all the pesto and pasta you could dream of make our gourmet holidays in Italy in the Liguria region extra special. Check out Genoa, Portofino, and miles of hiking trails on an Italy food tour to this charming area.
• Lombardia/Lakes Region : Enjoy the gorgeous lakes and rustic foods of the north on our cooking vacations in Italy’s Lombardy region. Savor the risotto, polenta, and famed Franciacorta sparklers on our food and wine tours in Italy and the Lakes region.
• Piedmont : One of our favorite regions is home to some of Italy’s most famous wines, which you will taste on our food and wine tours in Italy and the Piedmont region. From Barolo to Barbaresco, an Italy food tour in Piedmont will satisfy every appetite!
• Puglia : Home to classic Italian breads, olive oils and wines – you’re sure to fall in love with Puglia (Apulia) on our cooking vacations in Italy at the southern part of the peninsula. Some of our best Italy wine tours are in this sunny and beautiful region.
• Rome/Lazio : Authentic villages and delectable regional dishes will capture your heart on our culinary tours in Italy near the capital city. An Italy food tour in Lazio will include hands-on cooking classes, foodie excursions, and more.
• Sicily : The heart of Mediterranean food lives on this exotic island, and you can explore it on an Italy food tour to Palermo, Taormina, Agrigento, and more. Many of our most popular Italy wine tours take place in authentic Sicily.
• Tuscany : Explore breathtaking landscapes and enjoy the renowned food of this region on our Italy wine tours and cooking vacations in Italy in the Tuscany region. Rustic Tuscan food and wine are the staples of some of our best cooking vacations in Italy.
• Umbria : The laid-back locals will welcome you like a family friend on our culinary tours in Italy and its Umbria region. An Italy food tour in Umbria will include hands-on cooking classes featuring delicious regional recipes.
• Veneto : Discover the fine cuisine and legendary wines of this magical region on our Italy wine tours and cooking vacations in Italy and the Veneto region. From the lagoon of Venice to the Dolomites, the Veneto is a perfect destination for our culinary tours in Italy.

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Cooking Vacations & Culinary Tours in Italy, Portugal & Croatia

Culinary Vacations with the best hands-on cooking classes & cultural tours in Italy, Portugal & Croatia. Culinary Tours in Tuscany , The Amalfi Coast , Sicily Portugal and more. Learn to cook traditional Italian recipes with local Nonnas, famous chefs, pastry artisans & pizza masters. Our Italian culinary holidays are all inclusive, authentic, and include market, vineyard & cultural tours and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Make wine in Tuscany’s vineyards, go truffle hunting in Umbria, make limoncello on the Amalfi Coast, Cannoli in Sicily, Tortellini in Bologna, experience "local" Croatia, and exclusive Portuguese dishes in Portugal. You are Family in our Italian, Portuguese and Croatian Kitchens, and share our love for cooking and family on our culinary vacations in Italy , as well as our culinary vacations in Portugal and our experiential vacations in Croatia .

Featured Vacations:

• Wine & Cooking in the Heart of Chianti and Florence, Tuscany

Tuscany Cooking Vacation with Wineries, Florence, Siena, Museums, Cortona, Sightseeing & Private BBQ!

• 4 Cooking Classes
• All Inclusive
• Learn More...

Wine, Cooking and Castles in Barolo & Roero

A week of cultural immersion and local experiences amidst the backdrop of one of the most pristine wine areas in all of Italy.

• 3 Cooking Classes

• Wine & Cooking Under the Tuscan & Umbrian Sun

Local Living Cooking Vacation with Wineries, Olive Mill, Cheese Making & Sightseeing in Tuscany, Umbria and Alto Lazio

• Culinary Treasures of Bologna, Venice, Michelin Stars & Exotic Cars

Bologna, Venice, Cooking Classes, Winery, Parmesan Cheese, Prosciutto Factory. Ferrari Museum, Lamborghini Factory, Traditional Balsamic & More!

All of Our Culinary Vacations

• Cooking in Paradise on the Amalfi Coast
• Cooking & Adventure on the Islands of Sicily
• Sicily, The Motherland - Wine, Cooking, Culture & Adventure
• Wine, Cooking, Truffles & Chocolate: A Foodie's Paradise in Umbria and Tuscany
• Wine, Cooking, & The Olive Oil Harvest - Soriano
• Cities Lost in Time on the Road Less Traveled
• Medieval Chestnut Festival & Wine Harvest Season
• Portugal – Family, Culture, Wine & Cooking
• Authentic Croatia Revealed

Our Culinary Vacations in Italy, Portugal & Croatia

We promise you will fall in love with each of our all-inclusive italy cooking vacations , as well as our culinary vacations in Portugal and our immersive vacations in Croatia . They about much more than just sightseeing, food, and cooking. We create an experience of a lifetime, immersing you into the culture while giving you the sense of having found your home away from home. You will truly feel like family with us. We don’t do the traditional tour thing. When we cook, we are a group of friends doing hands on cooking classes based on traditional Italian family recipes. When we are on excursions, we are a group of friends exploring the beautiful hamlets and countryside together. It is a unique experience like none other, and time again our guests tell us it was the best vacation they had ever taken , and we had completely changed the way they will travel forever. Have a look at our hundreds of Italy Cooking Vacations reviews , and learn more about our:

• Tuscany Cooking Vacations
• Amalfi Coast Cooking Vacations
• Sicily Cooking Vacations
• Portugal Vacations
• Croatia Vacations
• Other Italy Cooking Vacations

A Truly Authentic Family Experience

It starts with location. There is nothing quite like small town hospitality when you get away from the areas infected with mass tourism. The people are warm and welcoming, and the more you eat their food and drink their wine, the more they fill with joy. That sense of Italian hospitality is our number one priority with every guest on our culinary holidays. Our goal with each guest is not to simply show you the sights and offer culinary experiences. It is to bring you into our family . Everything we do revolves around that premise. It is all so relaxed and fun. Our guests quickly find that we don’t treat them like customers. We treat them like visiting relatives (The kind we enjoy having, that is!). Of course, this sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo, but it simply isn’t. It is one of the reasons our guests so regularly tell us we far exceeded their expectations .

"Be" The View

Small & Intimate Groups

All-Inclusive Vacations

The CDV Difference

Truly exclusive experiences.

Experiences you could never have on your own or with any other tour company...

Most of our vacations are all-inclusive. We take care of everything except gifts you bring home...

Local Living & Boutique Hotels

We choose truly special and small locations that reflect the local living wherever we go...

Truly Unique Locations

Get to know the real Italy, Portugal & Croatia as you visit the places that excite the locals, as well as bucket list destinations...

Small Groups

Nobody wants to feel like cattle, and we want to know you! So our average group size is 16 to 18 guests...

No Shop-Steering

We will never "steer" you into tourist traps that give tour company incentives or kickbacks...

Live the Local Life

All personal with true local culture at the center of it all. A true sense of family and belonging...

Farm to Table Food

Experience Italian & Portuguese Food by Local Standards, where restaurants have their own farms...

No Surprise "Options"

Everything is included in our up-front pricing. When you are with us, we have nothing to sell you...

Guest Reviews & Testimonials

Letters & Reviews From Our Guests...

   The people I met in my week in Soriano have become lifelong friends from all around the world. If you're considering it, do it! You won't regret a single moment!   

   We absolutely LOVED our time on the Amalfi coast. We are already planning our next trip with Culture Discovery Vacations and have told all of our friends about it. We love telling people about it!   

   all of us know this would not have been possible without all of your hard work.   

   There is no better behind the scenes vacation experience!   

   The CDV team made this trip memorable and enjoyable. We loved everything about it. Good mix of tourist sites, cooking and exploring the culture.   

   How do I put into words this experience..... Fun, laughter, knowledge, friends but most of all family. Every step of this journey was incredible!   

   Thank you for opening your treats, your home and your life for us to share.   

   Friends, fun, family, lots and lots of laughter, learning and memories!!   

   The Mansi’s, the extraordinary Views, the gorgeous Villa, the days on boats   

   Excellent opportunity to explore the Amalfi Coast with friends and family, especially your new family at Villa Eremo di San Francesco!   

   One of the best vacations we've ever taken; loved getting off the beaten path.   

   We had an amazing group of people on this trip that have become friends. The website said that would happen, but I was skeptical.   

   I loved the cooking classes!   

   Cooking, vino, and visiting such breathtaking places and all in the company of incredible people!   

   Leave your world and live in a a Tuscan Village for a week...   

since we started the dream

have become family

served to happy tummies

Fearlessly Italy

Best Italy Food Tours – Discover Italy Cuisine & Culture

Italy has long been known as the land of romance, good food, and rolling vineyards. The true birthplace of satisfying and hearty cuisine that fills up the stomach and the soul, Italy has become more famous for its food than almost any other part of the historic and beautiful country.

Originating such classics as pasta, pizza, bottarga, polenta, risotto, and more, every part of Italian cuisine is designed to tempt and tantalize with every bite. With so much culinary history, you might be wondering if it’s even possible to experience it all! Some of the best Italy food tours address that question by taking you through a guided tour of all the best parts of Italian food in the locations of their birthplace, traveling through many different food and wine tours of Italy to ensure you experience the richness of every part of its cuisine.

The luscious vineyards of Italy are dripping with plant goodness that’s present in every dish. Wine-tasting holidays in Italy are equally popular and allow you to tour this world-famous wine location, but you can also plan a complementary culinary holiday Italy won’t let you forget anytime soon.

With so many wonderful options for food vacations in Italy, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily for you, we’ve reviewed and prepared some of the best food tours in Italy so you know exactly what to book to help yourself discover the best Italy food tours have to offer and experience the many joys of Italian cuisine.

Table of Contents

Italy Real Food Adventure – 8 Days with Intrepid Travel

Uncover the secrets of delicious Italian cuisine while traveling across the northern and central Italian landscape from Venice to Rome , two of the most popular destinations included in the best Italy tours . Visit regional locations and take in seasonal and fresh ingredients for a delicious and authentic tasting food tour that’s inspired by the days of the year.

Your tour won’t just be limited to pizza and pasta- you’ll get to enjoy every part of Italy’s classic food traditions here thanks to the unforgettable restaurants and dining experience with your experienced guides.

Your guided tour travels from Venice to Rome, with pit stops in San Gimignano and Bologna (and a loop around Modena). You’ll experience four incredible staple cuisines in the Italian culinary landscape: Rome, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and the Veneto, and get to taste fresh ingredients at farm stays that let you watch fresh wine and olive production as well as original balsamic vinegar handcrafted by local chefs.

Take hands-on cooking classes, roll your own pasta, and prepare authentic meals guided by trained chefs in the heart of Italy for the perfect Italy food tour package.

Click here to book

Gastronomic Barolo Walk – 9 Days with Exodus Adventure Travels

Known for its fine delicacies and luscious landscapes, with this Northern Italy tour , you will find a region that is a gastronomic heaven overflowing with tantalizing flavors and delicious meals and traditions. The Northern regions of Italy are known for such famous foods as their Bolognese pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano, Barolo wine, and even their delicious and worldwide famous truffles.

This culinary tour will start and end in the town of Benevello in the northern Piedmont region and will take you to sample the local delicacies as well as admire historical landmarks such as frescoed chapels, castles, and quaint villages. In the Barolo area, you’ll tour the fields your food is harvested from and learn more about the rich local truffle traditions of this region.

Private Wine Tour between Garda Lake and Prosecco Hills – 5 Days with Soleto Travel

This is a delicious food tour in one of the favorite Italian regions at the discovery of one of the most famous wines. You will be exploring the Valpolicella region in the Verona province and also visiting the beautiful city of Verona itself.

Your guide will show you towns like Conegliano, Asolo, and Valdobbiadene. You will stay at a farmhouse, discover the region, and enjoy wine-tasting experiences to savor local wines such as Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, Amarone, Recioto, and Prosecco in the beautiful Prosecco Hills.

Foodie Tour of Northern Italy – 8 Days with Flag Travel Holidays

This week-long vacation in northern Italy is designed to offer you unique and unforgettable experiences. This tour connects you with local Italians in an authentic way helping you to live among the townspeople, meet local artisans and crafts, and learn about the true faces of Italy’s culinary history.

This foodie tour takes you to several key locations in Italy, including Bologna, Modena, and Pavia, and will end in Turin. Everywhere, you will have the chance to sample the best of the local products with enchanting backdrops of wine estates and countryside farm stays, as well as take part in a cooking class and also visit the historical landmarks in each destination.

Tuscany Wine Trails – 8 Days by Flag Travel Holidays

Designed to offer the best of the best in terms of Italian wine tour packages, the Tuscany Wine Trails experience allows you to soak up all the best wine and alcohol craftings of the Tuscan wine scene on a simple eight-day experience that’s luxurious and culinarily satisfying.

Your stay includes accommodation and an expert guide as well as meals and transport from location to location. Your first day begins in the Chianti region, where you can experience traditional and classic wines while exploring your surroundings in the wonderful Tuscan countryside and even strolling through nearby vineyards.

The day after, you are off to the famous Montalcino wine region where you will learn the local wine-making traditions and also taste the renowned Brunello wines while visiting two wineries.

You’ll also spend an entire day with winemakers in Montepulciano, soaking in the natural order of winemaking and learning local secrets and traditions along with great wine. Taste many different delicious wines alongside traditional Tuscan light lunches or fares and walk along the sloping landscapes to admire the greenery-draped hills.

Next, visit the Val D’Orcia and the river along the provinces of Grosseto, southern Tuscany, and Maremma, visiting historical sites and of course drinking delicious Tuscan wines before returning home sated and full of culture, culinary delights, and good wine.

Gourmet Puglia – 8 Days with Cosmos

Take your travel to the next step by exploring the southern Italian region of Puglia (Apulia), full of deliciously packed and traditional flavors and dishes all steeped in local culture and history. Book this South Italy tour to explore the breathtaking city of Bari and wander through the narrow alleys of its historic center watching local women making the typical orecchiette pasta at their doorstep.

The eight-day odyssey of meals takes you through some incredible local and larger culinary areas and combines tasting and fine dining with cooking classes taught by locals with experience, heritage, and handcrafted products.

Travel across this stunning region discovering highlights such as Martina Franca, Alberobello, Cisternino, Ostuni, Altamura, and even an excursion to nearby Matera in Basilicata. If you’re looking for traditional dishes and stunning landscapes, this is the perfect tour to book as one of the best food tours in Italy.

Tuscany to Cinque Terre: Wines, Villages & Unforgettable Walks – 7 Days with G Adventures

Cross through the trails of Italy and its luxurious wine locations to soak in some of the best wine on this side of paradise. Your seven-day tour is a lavish wine-tasting experience that takes you through some of the richest wine regions Italy has to offer.

Complete with an expert guide who’s well versed in both wine history and local history, this tour allows for the perfect combination of local history and delicious wine tasting as well as traveling through many highlights of Italian travel. This will also include a stop in Pisa before heading to the Tuscan countryside.

Your tour begins and ends in Florence and will take you to explore the five colorful towns known as Cinque Terre . Spend a day and night there before traveling to Manarola, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza, & Monterosso, all surrounded by lush nature and pristine waters. Soak in vineyards, olive groves, citrus orchards, and connect with both nature and mankind in this incredible vintner’s experience.

You’ll also visit the Tuscan wine region for a nice wine-tasting experience. Lavish, richly taught and filled with perfect wine, you’ll love your time in Cinque Terre with this guided tour.

Tuscany Gourmet Cooking Tour – 7 Days with Caspin Journeys

On this food tour, you will spend a week in the beautiful town of Etruscan origins Cortona in the Tuscan province of Arezzo. With activities such as sightseeing, truffle hunting, and cooking classes, this tour is exciting and diverse.

You will be taking several day trips to world-famous locations such as Siena, Chianti, and Montalcino learning everything about the local history, the culture, and the making of traditional dishes.

5 Days Italian Cookery Getaway in Umbria with Let’s Cook in Umbria

Immerse in the culinary art of the wonderful Umbria region sampling local products and visiting famous landmarks such as the Perugina Chocolate Museum in Perugia and the ceramics factory in the quaint town of Deruta, as well as enjoying a wine tour in the region of the Sagrantino wine.

Apart from the days of arrival and departure, the remaining three days will start with a hands-on cooking experience where you will prepare a full four-course meal that you can enjoy on the same day for lunch.

The afternoons are devoted to visiting important regional landmarks and areas such as the medieval towns of Bevagna and Montefalco and the mystical city of Assisi.

Cultural, Culinary & Olive Harvest Experience in Abruzzo – 7 Days with Italia Sweet Italia

This tour starts and ends in Rome. Your guide will come to pick you up at Fiumicino airport and will take you to Vasto, an ancient Roman town in the Abruzzo region on the Adriatic Coast.

In a week, you will savor the local way of living by visiting a farmers’ market, an olive oil mill after harvesting olives yourself, and an agriturismo to learn everything about Abruzzo’s farming life. You will also take part in traditional cooking classes, visit the coast, and enjoy wine-tasting experiences.

Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Tour By Sicily Activities

Travel your way with Sicily Activities on this personalized small group Sicily tour that takes you through all the best parts of Sicily’s food and wine experience on your timetable and preferences. Begin in the historic location of Catania and travel for eight days through six historic locations in Italy.

End in Palermo, a city of pizza, pasta, and wine, and depart from there for your next travel destination! Your tour includes accommodation and meals as well as transport with your expert guide who’s well-trained in local cultural and culinary traditions.

Your tour will take you through many different local, family-oriented traditions and culinary routines as well as larger cities’ restaurants and meals. Visit the countryside of Etna and taste the best of their food and wine, and learn to cook yourself in Taormina alongside the Family Trattoria.

Take a walking tour through Noto and enjoy fresh seafood at lunch before heading to Syracuse for a light lunch and winery tour. End on the streets of Palermo for an authentic Italian experience that will leave you craving more Italy culinary vacations. If you prefer a private food tour in Sicily, the same operator also runs this Private Sicily Food & Wine Lovers Tour .

Bologna Gourmet, Good Food and History 4 Days Tour with Soleto Travel

This straight shot through the food capital of Europe takes you through the rich wine and food traditions of the Emilia Romagna region- considered by many to be one of the highlights of Italian culinary culture. Your four-day tour package takes you through many significant Italian locales as well as exposes you to traditional dishes and meals.

Begin with one day in Bologna where you will about the local history, art, and architecture before tucking into the city’s delicacies such as a pasta dish, local cold cuts, one glass of Lambrusco wine, coffee, and the typical Majani Chocolate.

The day after, you can choose between a visit to the Parmigiano Reggiano factory or experience balsamic vinegar tasting in Modena. This tour gives you the possibility to extend your stay with an extra day in Parma .

Emilia Food Tour – 7 Days with Flag Travel Holidays

If you can afford a week in Emilia-Romagna, this tour is a full immersion in all the culinary gems this region has to offer and a deep dive into its history and culture. You will explore Bologna and learn to make tagliatelle or tortellini. You will then visit Faenza to try the local olive oil, the famous Lambrusco wine, and the Squacquerone cheese before heading to the wonderful Ravenna to admire its Byzantine mosaics.

But this is not all. This food tour in Italy carries on in important cities like Parma and Modena to learn about and sample the original Parmigiano Reggiano and Modena’s balsamic vinegar. On day four, you will also visit the Ferrari Museum in Modena before heading back to your accommodation in the countryside.

Taste of Salento – Authentic Culinary Experience – 7 Days with Soleto Travel

Experience Italian cuisine personally with this private tour that exposes you to local cuisines, local cooking styles, and historical local sightseeing stops all in one simple trip. Start and End in Brindisi for a circular experience that takes you through eight high-quality destinations in Italy that are off the beaten path but still packed with gastronomic history.

Enjoy the authentic Salento culinary experience by sipping on local wines and pastas as well as training with local chefs to make your own. Follow along with a local expert to learn the art of olive oil production before visiting Castro and the prehistoric cave of Zinzulusa.

Learn how to make your own pasta with guidance from trained professionals and complement your meal with local wines and delicious blends from nearby vineyards. Cross from Castro, Gallipoli, Lecce, Maglie, and more, ending again in Brindisi for easy travel in and out of your tour.

Booking a food or wine tour is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself when making travel plans. Food and wine tours provide incredible benefits to your local holiday that turn an average trip into the vacation of a lifetime. Booking a guided package makes your travel plans incredibly simple. If you are traveling independently, you can also opt for a day tour like one of these food tours of Florence .

Rely on the experience of your booking company to organize and manage the minute travel planning details and transportation, leaning back and relaxing while they coordinate your arrival. Your stress levels will decrease drastically with an expert guide in charge who knows the area. The second benefit to booking a pre-paid Italy food tour is that expert guides can add local life and flavor to the sightseeing experience by sharing their knowledge and learned experiences of the area to your tour. Hear a local’s opinion and the colorful and authentic Italian experience as you travel with a local guide in charge, as well as one who can help you connect with locals in the communities you’re touring and visiting.

The best part of booking prepared expert tours is that you can soak in Italian experiences for a far better price with prepackaged tours that minimize spending on the go and package everything neatly into an all-access, all-inclusive package. Accommodations, travel, and meals are all paid for ahead of time, making it easy to budget for your trip and keep a tighter budget while you’re actually traveling. Whatever your reason for booking a food and wine vacation, Italy continues to offer some of the best food tours in the world, making them an ideal destination for your next food holiday.

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“It’s a Dream Place – Stories of Food, Love and The Amalfi Coast”

By lauren birmingham.

Elizabeth Berg, award-winning New York Times bestselling author says, “This is a dream cookbook. Who in the world wouldn’t want to try ‘Catch of the Day for a Beautiful Woman of the Sea?’ But in addition to being a cookbook, it’s a slice of life from the impossibly beautiful Amalfi Coast: how it looks, how it feels, how the interactions with the people there are so soulful and rewarding. It takes a particular kind of person to attract the kinds of magical stories Lauren Birmingham Piscitelli does. And it takes something more to get chefs to give up their recipes. Call this author not only a charming writer, but a sorceress whose company in these pages we are privileged to keep.” 

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Ecco La Cucina Culinary Tours In Italy

Ancient Puglia

Medieval Tuscany

Elegant Piedmont

Stay up to date on food, wines and our latest tours in italy with our monthly newsletter, experience italy through its food & wine.

Taste and see the best of Italy with our luxury culinary vacation tours. With winery tours, local food tours and guided visits to ancient hill towns, along with hands on cooking classes and delectable meals in traditional local restaurants, you will be immersed into Italy’s foods and wines, and its culture and history.

In Italian, Ecco La Cucina means “Here’s the Kitchen” and during our tours we explore all aspects of the Italian table, from the local food and wine to the history of this beautiful country.  Our small group culinary tours in Italy are expertly designed to give you an insider’s view and stress-free vacation where you can relax and enjoy the foods, wines and stunning landscapes. It truly is an experience of a lifetime and one that will become a cherished memory.

If your dream is to explore the foods, wines and culture of Italy without the crowds and live like a local, then travel with us, experts in Italian food and wine. We will show you the enchanting regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Campania-Amalfi, and Puglia during our culinary tours in Italy. Each of our small group tours are designed to provide you with knowledge and special insights to this beautiful, rich culture. We can help you fulfill your dream as you taste and experience Italy, allowing you to truly understand the rhythm of Italian life.

Choose your culinary adventure:

Medieval Tuscany Culinary Tour

Elegant Piedmont Culinary Tour

Ancient Puglia Culinary Tour

• Sparkling Veneto Wine Tour
• Bologna & Emilia-Romagna Tour
• Campania – Naples, Sorrento Amalfi Tour

Mary Stipo Potter

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  (+1) 972-342-8308 (CST - Dallas)

Ecco La Cucina, Localita' Brenna, Siena Province, Tuscany

Italy Real Food Adventure

8 days | uncover the secrets of fresh italian cuisine.

Italians are the masters of creating simple dishes that burst with flavour. Inspired by nonnas’ kitchens all over the country, this food is regional, seasonal and as fresh as possible. On this eight-day food-focused adventure through everybody’s favourite culinary hub, you’ll discover that pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse array of unforgettable street eats, meals and cicchetti from the postcard-perfect Venice to Rome, where medieval meets modern. Delight in local wine, fresh produce, homemade dinners and seasonal favourites in San Gimignano, Tuscany and Bologna.

Trip overview

• Stay in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse near San Gimignano, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, and tour the grounds, indulging in tastings of their local wines and rich organic olive oil.
• Take a cooking class and watch a demonstration of how Bologna pasta is made right in the heart of this culinary namesake before sitting down to enjoy the fruits (or pasta sheets) of your labour for dinner with your host.
• Swap stories with a Roman local as you feast on seasonal dishes, homecooked for your group for dinner right in their home.
• See Italy’s iconic sights, like the canals of Venice, the romantic streets of Rome and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in San Gimignano.
• Find foodie bliss with a food tour that lets you taste all the regional highlights, like gelato, cicchetti, pasta, vinegar, cheese, seasonal fruit and veg and organic meats.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio. Donations help them regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.
• The cuisine of Italy includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans, we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Italy which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
• The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are comfortable and all have toilets but can be quite busy. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.
• Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure starts in the iconic city of Venice. If you arrive early, take some time to get lost in the narrow cobblestone streets and spacious piazzas, crossing the tiny bridges to find shops, markets, galleries and churches. Stroll past St Mark’s Square, the Campanile and the Doges Palace. Cross the Rialto and admire the Bridge of Sighs. You’ll have a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm. After, head out for a welcome aperitivo – the spritz and the bellini are local favourites. Venice's distinctive culinary heritage goes back to ancient times and features rich risottos, saline baccala (salted cod) and creamy polenta. If you're hungry, follow your leader to an atmospheric restaurant for your first introduction to Venetian flavours.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Venice - Welcome Aperitivo

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Time to explore "La Serenissima". This morning you will be treated for a typical Venetian Breakfast by your tour leader. Stop at a local café’ to enjoy an espresso or cappuccino with local Venetian pastries such as Baci di Dama, Brutti ma Buoni, Bussola', then continue walking down the canals and watch farmers unload their produce from their boats, ready to be sold at Venice's famous Rialto markets. This tradition is more than 1000 years old. Next, you’ll swing past the fish market, where the day’s catch might come directly from the Venetian lagoon – the enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea. You might want to enjoy the typical aperitivo Spritz after the market visit. The afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening, discover the Venetian answer to tapas on a cicchetti crawl through the city's fabulous bacari (wine bars). Snacking is an important pastime in Venice, with many people stopping for cicchetti both before and after meals.

• Venice - Cicchetti tour
• Venice - Venetian Breakfast and Market Tour
• Venice - Traghetto Ride
• Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
• Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
• Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
• Venice - San Giorgio Bell Tower - EUR6

If you are interested in visiting the Doge Palace, Venice, we strongly suggest planning your visit in the afternoon and pre-booking your tickets at https://muve.vivaticket.it/en/tour/palazzo-ducale/2478?qubsq=8cd3daed-1b9e-4df0-a209-4833f9c62371&qubsp=279989d9-9291-44b1-899f-169c3d93c415&qubsts=1716888509&qubsc=bestunion&qubse=vivaticketserver&qubsrt=Safetynet&qubsh=7cb44c49d26eb092de1552a748b8ae4c

Travel to Bologna by train this morning – this city's culinary claim to fame is significant, thanks to the ragu alla bolognese. Home of tagliatelle, mortadella and a range of other cured meats and salamis, Bologna, along with the surrounding Emilia Romagna region, is a foodie’s paradise. When you arrive, maybe wander past the beautiful old terracotta buildings and lively streets and acquaint yourself with the area. Later, you'll discover the real food of Bologna with a hands-on cooking class in the fine art of pasta-making. Feast on your handiwork over dinner with your host and your group, celebrating your new skill.

• Bologna - Pasta class
• Bologna - Eataly World - Free
• Bologna - Torre degli Asinelli Tower - EUR5

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today you’ll discover the flavours of the renowned Emilia Romagna region. Visit a factory dedicated to producing one of Italy's most coveted culinary exports – Parmigiano Reggiano. Learn how this cheese is made, and then try it for yourself. Continue to the town of Modena and visit an acetaia – a house where the family produce fine-aged Modena balsamic vinegar in the attic. You'll see how the vinegar is aged in barrels made from different woods, learn why it’s never less than 12 years old and then see the difference between the factory-made vinegar and the real stuff with a tasting. Head to a trattoria for a delicious lunch of the best local produce and farm-fresh seasonal dishes. Wash it down with a glass of Lambrusco – the town's famed sparkling red. Stroll around the town and admire the Palazzo Ducale before returning to Bologna in the late afternoon.

• Modena - Acetaia Visit
• Modena - Trattoria Lunch
• Modena - Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory visit

Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.

This morning, travel to the village of Pancole in the heart of Tuscany. The region is renowned for a cuisine that celebrates simplicity and the bounty of locally grown produce in hearty, rustic dishes. Pecorino cheese, farro (an ancient grain) and artisanal cured meats like lardo di colonnata are just some of the many local ingredients you can expect to indulge in during your stay. Your accommodation is a traditional Tuscan farmhouse near the enchanting village of San Gimignano. The farmhouse is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees that the family has been producing excellent wine and olive oil from by organic methods for over fifty years. Enjoy a guided walk through the vineyards and cellars of the estate, followed by a tasting of some signature Tuscan wines and olive oils. Dinner tonight will be seasonal favourites, made with ingredients freshly harvested from the farmhouse garden beds. This could include homemade pasta, salads, finocchiona salami, crostini toscani (chicken liver pate on lightly toasted bread) and seasonal vegetables.

• Agriturismo (1 night)
• Agriturismo - Tour with wine and olive oil tasting

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

This morning, walk along a portion of the Via Francigena – the major pilgrimage route to Rome during the Middle Ages. Explore the medieval walled town of San Gimignano – a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the Town of Fine Towers due to the preservation of several impressive torre (tower houses) within its walls. Stop past an award-winning gelateria, where intriguing flavours like gorgonzola cheese and walnuts await your tastebuds. Spend the rest of your time exploring the walking paths around the farm or, weather permitting, relaxing by the pool, enjoying beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside.

• San Gimignano - Leader-led orientation walk
• San Gimignano - Gelateria visit
• San Gimignano - Walk a section of the Via Francigena

The walk along the Via Francigena is about 7 km (4.5 miles) and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The terrain is nice and easy, although you can elect to take a taxi to San Gimignano if preferred (at own cost).

Today, jump on a train to Rome – Italy’s capital famed for its deliciously fresh food and scattered ancient ruins. When you arrive, take a leader-led orientation walk through the historical city centre, past the Spanish Steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, Roman Forum, and Colosseum. After taking in all the big (and small) highlights of this magical city, you’ll head to a local’s home for a special homecooked, plant-based dinner experience. Swap stories with your host and sit down for a feast of seasonal dishes, which could include local favourites like cacio e pepe, saltimbocca, artichokes or porchetta. After, maybe head to a local bar and cheers to a trip well-travelled over a glass of local wine.

• Rome - Leader-led orientation walk
• Rome - Home-cooked dinner

With no activities planned after breakfast, your food adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

If you are interested in visiting the Colosseum, we strongly suggest planning your visit today as there is very limited time on Day 7 and pre-booking your tickets at https://colosseo.it/en/opening-times-and-tickets/

If you are interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, we strongly suggest planning your visit today as there is very limited time on Day 7 and pre-booking your tickets at https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Train, Metro, Private Vehicle, Bus

Hotel (5 nights), Farmstay (2 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Days 5 and 6 (Agriturismo) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 2. While we endeavor to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip. 3. As of April 2024, Venice will implement a visitor’s fee for all travellers visiting the city between 25 April and 15 July 2024. This fee is not payable by Intrepid customers, however you will need to apply for an exemption before arrival at https://cda.comune.venezia.it/en/richiestaEsenzione . For further information, please see the “Passports, visas and entry requirements,” section of your Essential Trip Information.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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