Indulge in Italy’s Finest Foodie Pleasures During This 9-Day Guided Tour
Live ‘la dolce vita’ during this 9-day guided tour of Italy. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets of Siena to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and see the Torre del Mangia, the second-tallest tower in Italy. Discover the art of truffle-hunting and learn how to make pasta from a professional before delighting in a local lunch. In San Gimignano, eat the best gelato in the world – literally. Indulge in your favorite flavors or try something unexpected. Alongside a Local Expert, marvel at the cathedral at the center of Florence: Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, nicknamed ‘the Duomo’ for its awe-inspiring crown made by a master goldsmith.
Meet Artisanal Hand Weavers in Perugia
Meet Marta, a recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Learn how she offers employment opportunities for local women and, alongside her weavers, preserves the ancient craft of loom weaving in an artisan workshop.
The workshop is owned by women and actively empowers women and girls through its education and training programs. Marta, and her students help to safeguard the unique patterns while contributing to the protection of Umbria’s cultural heritage.
Laboratorio Guidetta Brozzetti advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality and UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
Rome Dinner
Savor dinner at a uniquely Roman restaurant, offering a perfect exploration of Lazio’s typical flavors.
Umbria Truffle Hunting and Lunch
Explore the art of Italian cooking with Chef Lorenzo and take part in a truffle hunting walk followed by lunch.
Perugia Dine-Around Evening
You are offered a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening. Choose your own ambience, cuisine and drinks for an intimate culinary experience.
San Gimignano Gelato Tasting
Ascend serpentine alleyways to the artisan gelato parlour of world champion gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli for a taste of his finest frozen treats.
Tuscany Celebration Dinner
Nestled in the rolling hills surrounding Sam Gimignano and surrounded by its own vineyards, olive groves, saffron crop and orchards, is the homely Il Vecchio Maneggio. Admire the beautiful views as you enjoy a drink before sitting down to your Celebration Dinner – a delicious Farm-to-Table experience, with all the organic produce sourced from the surrounding farm.
Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome
2025 marks a Jubilee Year, a momentous Roman Catholic event celebrated every 25 years, turning Rome into a center of celebration between December 24, 2024, and December 31, 2025. As festivities unfold, itineraries may be adjusted to ensure you make the most of your time as you visit the Eternal City.
Welcome to Rome, a glorious city filled with classic antiquities, medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque churches. Settle in before joining your Travel Director for a private visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, welcomed by the Rector of the basilica. End the day getting to know your fellow travelers over Roman specialties during dinner at a local restaurant.
Arrival Transfer: Depart Leonardo da Vinci airport (FCO) at 09:30, 12:30, 15:30
Welcome: Meet your Travel Director at 17:30
NH Roma Centro
Included Meals: Dinner
Insight Experiences: Basilica of Saint Praxedes Visit, Rome Dinner
Umbria and on to Perugia
See the imposing Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican City before crossing the Tiber into Ancient Rome and imagining the gladiatorial combats and sounds of roaring spectators as you visit the mighty Colosseum with your Local Expert. Journey north to the Umbrian village of Baschi. Immerse yourself in the flavors and culture of the region and learn about the secrets of Italian food culture as you join Giovanni and his dog Chris for a truffle hunting session. Afterwards, be entertained by Chef Lorenzo with a fun pasta demonstration and enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by Orvieto Classico wine. Join a Local Expert in Perugia to navigate the underground labyrinth of little streets, alleys, and arches. Walk along Corso Vannucci, resplendent in pale-pink stone, passing the princely Priors’ Palace, the cathedral, and the finely sculptured Great Fountain in the main square.
Sangallo Palace Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Authentic Dining: Umbria Truffle Hunting and Lunch
Perugia Sightseeing & Free Time
This morning, during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, visit an artisanal workshop to meet Marta, recipient of a TreadRight Foundation grant, and her weavers. See how the fascinating art of loom-weaving textiles has been passed down through the generations and learn how this ancient craft is being preserved. Then enjoy free time to explore the many delights of Umbria’s capital city or join an optional experience to Cortona. For dinner, choose your ideal ambience and palate-pleasing menu from a hand-picked selection of Perugian restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Buon appetito!
Sangallo Palace Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Make Travel Matter: Meet Artisanal Hand Weavers in Perugia
Authentic Dining: Perugia Dine-Around Evening
Assisi, in Search of St. Francis
Journey to Assisi, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval hilltop towns, set high up in the mountains and enclosed by fortress walls. In the valley, see the famous Church of St. Mary of the Angels, much venerated as the place of St. Francis’ death, then continue up Mount Subasio to the upper town. Step inside the massive, 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis with your Local Expert to learn how Giotto masterfully painted frescoes that inspired a variety of Renaissance artists.
Sangallo Palace Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Top Rated Highlights: Assisi City Tour, Assisi Basilica of St Francis Visit
Tuscany to Siena and San Gimignano
Follow the shores of Lake Trasimeno and continue to the narrow cobbled streets of Siena. Standing in the shell-shaped Campo, imagine the frenzied atmosphere of the biannual Palio horse race and see the Town Hall. Explore Siena with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the medieval Cathedral, or, alternatively, sample panforte, a traditional Tuscan dessert. Travel to the medieval town of San Gimignano where your Travel Director will show you the medieval skyscrapers, serpentine streets and hidden squares. The town is also home to world champion gelato maestro Sergio Dondoli. At his artisan ice cream parlour on Piazza della Cisterna, the silky smooth, frozen treats are beautifully displayed in a range of unique flavors for you to try. Your home for the next three nights is a delightful villa near this jewel of medieval architecture.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Choose between two carefully selected activities: Siena Panforte Tasting or Visit the Siena Cathedral
Top Rated Highlights: Visit San Gimignano
Authentic Dining: San Gimignano Gelato Tasting
San Gimignano and Free Time
Enjoy your day at leisure, taking in your Tuscan surroundings. Relax at your hotel or you could opt to join an Optional Experience to Pisa and Lucca.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast
Florence and Tuscan Countryside Experience
The morning is devoted to the Renaissance city of Florence. A fascinating walking exploration with a Local Expert takes you to the marble-clad cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome. See the baptistery with its beautiful Gates of Paradise and Giotto’s splendid bell tower. Walk on to Piazza della Signoria with its open-air gallery of Renaissance sculptures, followed by free time to shop for top-quality Florentine leather or gold. Toast to your travels during a delicious Farm-to-Table dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy tasting flavoursome dishes prepared with locally grown ingredients, home-made pastas, traditional Chianti wine, all sourced from the farm in the Tuscan region.
Villasanpaolo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Top Rated Highlights: Florence City Tour
Authentic Dining: Tuscany Celebration Dinner
Country drive to Ancient Rome
Leave behind the tower topped town of San Gimignano. Enjoy rolling Tuscan hills as you journey south through the Italian countryside. This morning, delight in the medieval spa town of Bagno Vignoni, renowned for its mineral rich thermal baths and continue to the ‘model’ renaissance town of Pienza, famous for its delicious pecorino cheese, before making your way to Rome.
Hotel St. Martin
Included Meals: Breakfast
Arrivederci Roma
Bid farewell to the glories of Italy.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) at 07:00, 09:30
Included Meals: Breakfast
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