Flavors of Italy

tour only from
$2,849
9 days
with flights from
$3,849
10 days
average review

BOLOGNA, CHIANTI, ITALIAN RIVIERA & TURIN

Savor a sampling of Italy’s greatest culinary hits from a prosciutto tasting in Parma to a wine tasting at a Chianti Valley farmhouse to a pesto pasta cooking class in the Italian Riviera. This 10-day limited edition tour with international airfare takes us all over northern Italy from Bologna down to Turin. Between our foodie adventures, we’ll discover some of Italy’s most incredible destinations and sights including San Gimignano’s fascinating medieval architecture, the colorful buildings of Cinque Terre, Turin’s baroque architecture, and more!

Learn more about San Gimignano from World Heritage Journeys!

Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options for groups of 15 or more travelers.

Itinerary at
a Glance

2023 Tour Itinerary:

  • 2 nights in Bologna
  • 2 nights in Chianti Region
  • 2 nights in Italian Riviera
  • 2 nights in Turin

2024 Tour Itinerary:

  • 2 nights in Turin
  • 2 nights in the Italian Riviera
  • 2 nights in the Chianti Region
  • 2 nights in Bologna

Tour Highlights

  • Parmigiano Cheese and Parma Ham tasting in Parma
  • Balsamic Vinegar Tasting
  • Tuscan farmhouse for wine tasting accompanied by Pecorina & Brushetta
  • Pasta-making factory in Chianti
  • San Gimignano market and gelato tasting
  • Pesto pasta cooking class
  • Cinque Terre
  • Underground Cathedrals in Canelli, UNESCO World Heritage Site and Spumante tasting
  • Walking tour of Turin with bicerin tasting
  • Wine tasting and tour at Wine Bank, a historical memory museum of Italian wines
  • Bologna Walking Tour (2024 departures)

Your Tour Includes

  • Optional round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
  • Accommodations at first-class hotels
  • Porterage service at hotels except Chianti (1 luggage per person)
  • Ground transportation in an air-conditioned motor coach
  • 13 meals: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners plus 7 additional tastings
  • Comprehensive sightseeing tours including admission fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • Top-rated, professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout

What to Expect

Max Group Size: 20 travelers

Activity Level: Level 1

Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More

Pacing Level: Moderate

Expect full-day tours most days with some limited free time at specific sites, for meals, and/or in the evenings. You can expect several early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 2+ nights (with limited 1-night stays). Learn More

New in 2024: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders

A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in 2024, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.

Please note that Cinque Terre has uphill climbs with uneven surfaces. Good balance is required in order to get on boats. This tour features limited free time.

For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.

2023 Tour Itinerary

Flights

Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.

For flight details, see Before You Depart.

Day 1: Arrive in Bologna

Arrive in Bologna in the Food Valley! Food is a focus here as it is throughout the Emilia-Romagna region—home of Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, and Parmesan. Cured meats, aged cheeses, cream, butter, game, and truffles abound in this most indulgent of cuisines. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met at the Milan Malpensa Airport and transferred to our hotel. This evening we'll enjoy a three-course dinner with a specially chosen wine at a traditional Trattoria near our hotel.

Accommodations: Zanhotel Tre Vecchi or similar
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Parma

Day 3: Bologna/Radda in Chianti

Day 4: Chianti Valley

Day 5: Chianti Valley/Italian Riviera

Day 6: Cinque Terre

Day 7: Italian Riviera/Canelli/Turin

Day 8: Turin

Day 9: Depart Turin

2024 Tour Itinerary

Flights

Day 1: Arrive in Turin

Day 2: Turin

Day 3: Turin – Canelli – Italian Riviera

Day 4: Cinque Terre Excursion

Day 5: Italian Riviera – Chianti Valley

Day 6: Chianti Valley

Day 7: Chianti Valley – Bologna

Day 8: Parma Excursion

Day 9: Depart Bologna

Guided Tour Pricing

Instant Savings of up to $400 per person for a handful of spots on select dates. While supplies lasts, ends Sep 29.

Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip airfare from one or more airports in the USA. Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination. Please note this may change your tour start date.

2024 Tours With Flights Tour Only  
Sun–Tue
Apr 21–30
From
$3,999 $3,849
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Mon–Tue
Apr 22–30
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$2,999 $2,849
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Sun–Tue
May 5–14
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$4,149 $3,899
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Mon–Tue
May 6–14
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$3,149 $2,899
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Sun–Tue
May 19–28
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$4,149 $3,899
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Mon–Tue
May 20–28
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$3,149 $2,899
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Sun–Tue
Aug 18–27
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$4,099
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Mon–Tue
Aug 19–27
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$2,999
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Sun–Tue
Sep 8–17
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$3,999
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Mon–Tue
Sep 9–17
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$2,999
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Sun–Tue
Sep 22–Oct 1
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$3,999
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Mon–Tue
Sep 23–Oct 1
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$2,999
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Sun–Tue
Oct 6–15
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$3,999
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Mon–Tue
Oct 7–15
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$2,999
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Sun–Tue
Oct 13–22
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$3,999
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Mon–Tue
Oct 14–22
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$2,999
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.

For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.

Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.

Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.

Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.

Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.

Truffle Hunting Experience

Discovery of Rapallo, Santa Margherita & Portofino by Boat

Wine Experience with Sommelier

Reviews

Juan L

Amazing experience!!!

Eileen S

Another excellent Smartours adventure ! I loved the diversity of locales and daily excursions. Being a solo traveler this time was never an issue. Always top notch tour guides and drivers. Appreciated all the included dinners and the variety of wine as well as culinary demonstrations.

Odilia P

Excellent tour with a great variety of different cities and activities. The tour guide “Francesca” is excellent. Highly recommended.

Phillip a

The Flavors of Italy was such a fun tour. We ate our way through the heart of Italy - from Bologna and its amazing meats and cheeses to Torino and its fantastically delicious Chocolate drink. We drank wine and learned about classic grapes and vineyards. We ate amazing pasta and even got to make our own pesto pasta to enjoy. We learned about artisanal pasta makers that use ancient grains for nutrition and texture. And it was all so beautiful - from the gorgeous vineyards and fields of Tuscany to the incredible postcard beauty of Cinque Terre. Our guide, Francesca, was knowledgeable, kind, and friendly. She went out of her way to make it a special trip for everyone and was always available to help out with any little problems that cropped up. We were a small enough group that we could get to know each other on a personal level and I think we all felt that we made some new friends.

Sheryl S

The trip was wonderful! Exactly what we wanted. Lots of food and wine. Our tour guide Francesca was great! She was very aware of all requests and accommodated all. Please arrange a trip to Sicily with Francesca as our guide!!!

Mary

Some good, some bad. I was the only one using a cane and not used to hiking. The group moved quickly, up and down hills/stairs. I was not prepared. It was extremely hot (end of May) which did not help. The local tour directors hearded us into restaurants where he had to get a kickback. $15 for burned pizza, soda, and inedible dessert. I am a vegetarian and the selections were slim - eggs, plain pasta mainly. The breads were not enticing, nor were desserts. We did not gain any weight! Hotels were so-so. I would rather have paid more to stay in better locations. Carpe Diem.

Suzanne U

Really enjoyed this tour! Not "typical" tourist towns, so an excellent Flavor of Italy. Hotels were first rate, as well as the tour leader and the local tour guides. Fabulous food including fresh sea food and local specialities. And, oh, the wine tastings! Lots of walking and stair climbing including uphill and small stairways. Small group offered easy camaraderie--great for a single traveler. Would highly recommend this tour.

Adrienne G

Great tour. The hotels were really very good. All were in the best locations. Excellent choice of restaurants. Fast paced with lots of walking. Learned a lot about Northern Italian food and wine. Highly recommend.

Sandra G

The trip was really good especially the truffle hunting and the pesto making.

Penelope

REALLY, really enjoyed this trip with a very few negatives. Highly recommend this tour.

Ann L

Lots of walking (and uphill, too) but lots of eating, tasting, and even making food. Nice variety of activities. Beautiful countryside, small towns as well as big cities.

Karen M

The Flavors of Italy has become my favorite tour. The wine and food tastings were incorporated beautifully into the sightseeing. Although it is rated as an "explorer", the pace of the excursions was good and it was not overly strenuous. There are a lot of steps in Cinque Terra, but if you take your time it is not difficult. I would definitely recommend this tour.

Janet W

Overall the trip was excellent; exceeded my expectations. Hotels were first rate, itinerary varied, accommodating tour leader, expert local tour guides. Good food and wines. More strenuous than I thought it would be as there was a lot of walking uphill and managing stairs. Some in the group had to opt out of some of these activities.

Geraldine W

Plenty of value for your money. Hotels are lovely and centrally located. Sights and local tours extensive. Food outstanding. At each location we were introduced to the local foods. Wine tastings were outstanding and lots of fun.
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