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!
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.
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
Our food adventure continues today with a visit to Parma, the capital of the world-famous Prosciutto and Parmigiano cheese. Visit a local producer of Prosciutto di Parma where you'll discover how this famous delicacy is made and enjoy a special tasting of ham with some Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This afternoon, we continue our food exploration and experience with another signature product of this land, Balsamic Vinegar. On the return to Bologna, visit a local producer and learn about the production process and taste this specialty.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3:
Bologna/Radda in Chianti
This morning we’ll take a guided walking tour of this beautiful city where we'll see Bologna's two famous towers: Torre Degli Asinelli and Torre della Garisenda. After, we will depart for Radda di Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany. Along the way, we'll stop at a farmhouse in the heart of the Chianti countryside where we'll try Tuscan wines and taste the local delicacies like Pecorino Cheese, Bruschetta, and other cold cuts. Then continue on to Radda di Chianti, a beautiful medieval town surrounded by defensive walls. Located up on a hill between the valleys of Arbia and Pesa, Radda once served as the capital of Chianti as its prime location served as a point of coordination between its neighbors Gaiole and Castellina, and its picturesque views, small-town feel, and culinary delights make it a unique destination. After we check into our hotel, we'll have some free time to relax before our three-course dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Armonia (2022) or Palazzo San Niccolò (2023) or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4:
Chianti Valley
After breakfast today, we'll embark on our Tuscan adventure by traveling to the famous town of San Gimignano where we'll find the weekly market. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, San Gimignano is a small, walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena. It's famous for its fascinating medieval architecture including its towers that rise above all of the town's other buildings, offering impressive views of both the town and the surrounding valley. At the height of its glory, San Gimignano's patrician families had built around 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power and while only fourteen have survived, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance. We'll continue to a pasta factory in the heart of the Chianti valley where we'll learn everything about the pasta made here. This afternoon we'll return to our hotel with some free time to relax or join an optional truffle hunt experience with a delicious tasting of local products.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Chianti Valley/Italian Riviera
After breakfast we will travel to Sestri Levante, walk around the historic fishing village and then reach the restaurant where we will learn all about a local traditional recipe. The most classic Ligurian dish is undeniably pasta al pesto Genovese. The fragrant yet simple sauce is a divine combination of basil, pine nuts, olive oil, cheese, and garlic. You will make Pesto and enjoy your lunch right in the place where the recipe was born. Enjoy a dish of the traditional “Trofie al Pesto” for lunch! The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure or you may take part in the optional activity
Accommodations: Hotel Europa (2022) or Grande Albergo (2023) or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6:
Cinque Terre
The UNESCO world heritage recognized hamlets – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – are reached by boat, rail or trail. The topography of the area did not allow for the development of roads for vehicles. The five fishing villages dot the coast, tucked into the habitable terrain between the swaths of lush vertical land and cobalt coves. Each village is unique. Ancient churches, castles, and homes are centered on squares that often use the sea as their fourth side. Monterosso is the largest and the only one with a sandy beach. Vernazza is considered to be the most photogenic, as its natural pier surrounded by colorful houses is truly charming. Corniglia is the only one not built on the sea, but one hundred meters above it, on a cliff. As it is the most difficult to reach, it is also the least touched by tourists. Manarola has a small harbor and here is the opportunity to participate in an optional wine tasting with a sommelier. Riomaggiore is a peaceful place, with its colorful cluster of houses hugging the hills behind it. The villages lay in what is now a national park, with the water in front of a protected marine area. We will discover these colorful villages with a combination of train and boat, according to the weather and sea conditions.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7:
Italian Riviera/Canelli/Turin
En route to Turin, we will stop in Asti. A stroll through the historic district is enough to feel the magic of this place. This former city republic with medieval character is known as the ‘San Gimignano of Piedmont’ due to its many soaring family towers and is the center of the wine-growing region of Monferrato, in which its most gentile representatives Moscato and Barbera d’Asti are grown. The next stop is the small town of Canelli. It is considered the local capital of Asti with its Castello Gancia overlooking the historic district. Many tradition-filled wineries, also called underground cathedrals, are located here, which are to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit one of these wineries with Spumante tastings.
Accommodations: Starhotels Majestic or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Turin
This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Turin. You will see the exterior of the Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, San Lorenzo and gain a first impression of the magnificence of this city. Afterwards, you will have time to stroll through the lively, Baroque historic district. We will have a break at a local bar to savour a cup of “bicerin”, the soothing local hot chocolate and coffee speciality. Later this afternoon, we will travel to a nearby village for a guided visit and tasting in the wine bank. The wine bank is a one-of-a-kind impressive oenological showcase, in which one can discover Italy through its major wines. A museum to admire "with a glass in hand" that sweep the visitor along a journey, region by region, through the history of wine-growing regions. This evening join a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and reminisce about your wonderful memories.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9:
Depart Turin
Our tour comes to an end today after breakfast. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight back to the U.S.
2024 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.
Today we'll arrive in Turin, the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy and a city known for its cuisine and architecture. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met at the Milan Malpensa Airport and transferred to our hotel. This evening your tour director hosts a welcome dinner at a traditional Trattoria for a 3-course dinner with a glass of local wine.
Accommodations: Starhotels Majestic Turin or similar Meals: Dinner
Day 2:
Turin
This morning, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the city. The exteriors of the Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, and San Lorenzo will give us our first glimpse of the magnificence of this city. Afterward, we'll stroll through the lively, Baroque historic district followed by a break at a local bar to savor a cup of "bicerin," a soothing local hot chocolate and coffee specialty. This afternoon, we'll travel to a nearby village for a guided visit and tasting in the wine bank. We'll discover Italy region by region through the history of its major wines and wine-growing regions at this museum to admire "with a wine glass in hand."
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Turin – Canelli – Italian Riviera
Today we'll travel to the Italian Riviera! Along the way, we'll stop in the small town of Canelli, considered the local capital of Asti with its Castello Gancia overlooking the historic district. Many tradition-filled wineries (laso called underground cathedrals) are located here. We'll visit one of these wineries and enjoy a spumante tasting (sparkling white wine). Next, we'll stop in Asti and stroll through the historic district. This former city republic with medieval character is known as the "San Gimignano of Piedmont" thanks to its many soaring family towers and as the center of the wine-growing region of Monferrato, where the most gentile representatives Moscato and Barbera d'Asti are grown.
Accommodations: Tigullio Royal Hotel – Rapallo or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
Cinque Terre Excursion
Today takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage recognized hamlets that make up Cinque Terre. We'll discover these colorful villages nestled between lush vertical land and cobalt coves with a combination of train and boat travel (based on weather conditions) as the topography didn't allow for the development of roads for vehicles. We'll visit Monterosso, the largest; Vernazza, considered the most photogenic with its natural pier surrounded by colorful homes; and Corniglia, which unlike the others was built on a cliff above the sea making it the most difficult to reach and the least touched by tourists. In Manarola's small harbor, we can participate in an optional wine tasting with a sommelier before we continue to Riomaggiore, a peaceful place with its colorful homes hugging the hills.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Italian Riviera – Chianti Valley
After breakfast, we'll travel to the seaside town of Sestri Levante. We'll explore on foot before reaching the restaurant where we'll learn a local traditional recipe, the most classic Ligurian dish—Genoese pesto. The fragrant yet simple sauce is a divine combination of basil, pine nuts, olive oil, cheese, and garlic. We'll make this delicious pesto and enjoy our lunch of "Tofie al Pesto" in the place this recipe was born! After lunch, we'll continue to Radda di Chianti, a beautiful medieval town in the heart of the Chianti Valley with picturesque views, a small-town feel, and culinary delights that make it a unique destination. Upon arrival, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodations: Palazzo San Niccolò or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6:
Chianti Valley
Today's Tuscan adventure begins in the famous medieval town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its towers that rise above all the town's other buildings offering impressive views of both the town and the surrounding valley. At the height of its glory, the town's patrician families built about 72 of these tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Today, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance though only fourteen of these towers have survived. Later, we'll visit a pasta factory in the heart of the Chianti Valley where we'll learn everything about the pasta made here. This afternoon is free to rest and relax, or we might consider an optional truffle hunt experience with a delicious tasting of local products.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7:
Chianti Valley – Bologna
We'll depart for Bologna after breakfast today. Along the way, we'll stop at a farmhouse in the heart of the Chianti countryside where we'll try Tuscan wines and taste the local delicacies like Pecorino Cheese, Bruschetta, and other cold cuts. After our stop, we'll continue to the medieval city of Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy famous not only for Bolognese cuisine, but for for its cultural and historical heritage. After we check into our hotel, we'll have some free time to relax and explore Bologna independently. Consider exploring the Quadrilatero, an area filled with historical buildings, old-world charm, and narrow streets lined with traditional Italian eateries.
Accommodations: Zanhotel Tre Vecchi or similar Meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Parma Excursion
Today's food adventure takes us to Parma, the capital of the world-famous Prosciutto and Parmigiano cheese. We'll visit a local producer of Prosciutto di Parma where we'll learn how this famous delicacy is made and enjoy a special tasting of ham with some Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This afternoon, we'll continue our food exploration and experience with another signature product of this land, Balsamic Vinegar. On our return to Bologna, we'll visit a local producer and learn about the production process and taste this specialty. This evening, we'll come together for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and reminisce about our wonderful memories on our culinary adventure in Italy.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9:
Depart Bologna
Our tour comes to an end today after breakfast. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight back to the U.S.
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.
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
$169 per person
Truffles can take years to mature and are found underground near trees like oak, poplar, beech and birch which makes them hard to find. This delicacy was prized by nobles across Europe and people have often relied on animals like pigs and dogs to locate them. On our optional tour, enjoy a truffle hunting experience with a delicious tasting of local products.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as
it is not available to book in-destination.
Discovery of Rapallo, Santa Margherita & Portofino by Boat
2023 departures only
The glamorous Italian Riviera has long been the playground for the affluent. With colorful villas and cobalt waters studded with yachts, a stroll along its dreamy promenades allows visitors to feel a part of the luxury scene. One of the best ways to see the area is from the sea. Take a ferry from Rapallo to Portofino and return by boat to Santa Margherita. As you sail along view the jaw-dropping area and soak up the sunshine and sea breeze. When you dock you can begin to experience the high life, smelling fragrant Mediterranean flowers as you sip espressos and Proseccos at charming cafés at the harbor.
Note: This optional tour will include a transfer from the hotel to the dock.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as
it is not available to book in-destination.
Wine Experience with Sommelier
$74 per person
Enjoy 3 half glasses of Cinque Terre white wine from different cellars, using the sense of sight, the sense of smell, and the sense of taste. The tour will be guided by a professional sommelier.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as
it is not available to book in-destination.
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.