Culinary delights, cultural adventures, regional travels, and gratuities — all covered in one upfront price!🌮🎉 

Imagine this: you’re in Tuscany, surrounded by scenic vineyards and iconic rolling hills. Known for its legendary wines, each sip here—from bold Brunello to classic Chianti—tells a tale of tradition and sun-soaked vineyards. 🍷🌞

Just a short trip away is Emilia-Romagna, a true haven for food lovers. Here, every meal is a celebration, with handmade pasta, cured meats, and rich cheeses that showcase centuries-old recipes. 🍝🥂

Ready for the ultimate Italian experience? Tuscany’s wines, Florence’s history, and Emilia-Romagna’s culinary treasures await! 🌟

We Love Walking: We strive to experience the local areas we are visiting and a big part of this is walking around the destination.

Many of our activities include a lot walking throughout the duration of the activity as well as walking to and from activities or meals.  If you are not able to walk long periods of time, please reach out to one of our Journey by VDB experts to see if this trip is right for you.

We Love Food: The best way to experience a destination is through its food.  We strive to include local delicacies and popular culinary delights from each destination we visit.  If you have strict dietary restrictions, please reach out to one of our Journey by VDB experts to see if this trip is right for you.

In the beginning of April cities like Florence and Bologna come alive with the buzz of activity, while picturesque towns nestled in the countryside beckon with their charming allure. April also presents the perfect opportunity to explore Italy's renowned culinary scene, indulging in seasonal delicacies and freshly harvested ingredients. With milder weather and fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months, April offers an ideal balance for discovering the treasures of Italy.

Arrival/Departure:

Your trip begins and ends in Florence, Italy.

Arrival Day: Please schedule to arrive at the Florence International Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola) by 10am local time.

Departure Day: There will be two (2) transfers from the hotel in Bologna to the Florence International Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola) prior to your departure.

Optional Add-Ons: Should you wish to extend your trip, we can offer you our discounted hotel rates at time of booking (subject to availability).

We require a minimum of six (6) Travelers for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare.

To protect your travel investment and yourself, we strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance. TripAssure is our trusted travel insurance provider and can provide you with an online quote here

Benvenuto or Welcome to Italy! On arrival day we will meet you at the Florence International Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola) in the morning (so please ensure your flight arrives by 10:00am).

We will immediately transfer from the airport to our villa in Tuscany. In the late afternoon we will enjoy a guided wine tour and tasting at the Villa followed by a welcome dinner.

We will enjoy breakfast at leisure at the hotel followed by a morning walking tour of Florence enjoying the panoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
The walking tour of Florence includes its most fascinating squares and landmarks.

Dinner will take place in an upscape Florentine restaurant where we can try the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina along with a multi-course meal of seasonal and regional specialties.

Enjoy breakfast at leisure at the hotel.

There is no time to waste when exploring the stunning Tuscany hills

Today we head to beautiful Siena for a historic walking tour of this medieval city.

Once you've explored this medieval Tuscan town, you'll no doubt be ready for some Tuscan wine! We will head to a nearby winery in the countryside outside San Gimignano. Once you arrive at the wine estate, a tour of the cellar with tasting and lunch awaits you.

In the early evening we will transfer back to the hotel to enjoy an evening at leisure where you can explore the village or enjoy dinner at the Villa.

Enjoy your last breakfast at leisure in Tuscany.

We will depart our Villa and travel to the region of Emilia Romanga. We will stop by the Sanctuary of San Luca before heading to our hotel in Bologna.

This afternoon we will enjoy a private guided food walking tour in the Bologna Historic Center visiting highlights like the Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio Basilica, and the iconic Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda). Experience Bologna’s culinary scene sampling local specialties such as tortellini, mortadella, the iconic ragù (traditional Bolognese sauce).

This evening we will enjoy dinner at a cozy osteria with a glass of Lambrusco.

Breakfast is at leisure at the hotel (however we recommend not filling up too much).

This morning we will enjoy a cooking class in Bologna.

Pick up techniques for turning out flawless fresh pasta and traditional tiramisu during a hands-on lesson, while you snack on cheese, charcuterie, and wine. We will finish the class with lunch made of our beautiful creations.

Your afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Today is our epic foodie day in Emilia Romagna. Enjoy a full-day culinary journey from Bologna, taking you through the heart of Italy’s finest food regions.

Starting in Parma, you’ll visit a local dairy producer to witness the traditional process of crafting Parmigiano Reggiano. Explore each step of production before sampling various aged Parmigiano cheeses. The next stop is Modena, where you’ll tour an artisanal balsamic vinegar producer. Here, you’ll learn the secrets of creating the famed Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale, aged for decades in wooden barrels. Taste a selection of aged vinegars and discover the complex flavors and techniques behind each bottle.

Your day continues with a guided tour of Modena’s historic center. Learn about Modena’s rich history, culture, and culinary traditions, as well as sample some of the city’s finest charcuterie of the region.

With new flavors and stories from Parma and Modena, you’ll return to Bologna, ending a day immersed in Italian culinary heritage.

Breakfast is at leisure in the hotel.

Today is a full day at leisure. Enjoy exploring the city of Bologna on your own. Stop into a cafe or shop you may have seen throughout our tours or enjoy bites and drinks at a local bistro.

This evening we will have our farewell dinner in an osteria known for Bolognese.

Breakfast is at leisure at the hotel

There will be two scheduled transfers from the hotel to the Florence International Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola).

ARRIVEDERCI!

While we have carefully planned and organized our itinerary, there may be circumstances beyond our control that necessitate changes to hotels, tours, or restaurants during the course of our trip.  

Please rest assured that should any changes occur, our priority will be to ensure that the replacement accommodation, tour, or restaurant is of equal or higher quality and standards.