Coach Tour – Flavors of Italy – 9N/10D

Flavors of Italy:
10days Tour (Trafalgar)

Chianti in Tuscany, Prosciutto in Parma, Bolognese in Bologna, this ‘foodie’ trip explores the traditions of Italian cuisine and wine at their origin, providing an in-depth taste of a nation.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…choosing fresh local ingredients at a bustling Florence food market with Libero, a charismatic chef we know, who shares the secrets of Italian cooking as you make (and eat) ravioli together.

Day 1 : ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy. Relax after your journey and meet your Travel Director and companions this evening for a Welcome Reception. Discover the beauty of this city during an evening orientation drive. Pause to enjoy the atmosphere at the buzzing Piazza Navona where you will indulge in a delicious gelato.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel
Cardinal St. Peter

Day 2 : ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
View the impressive Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus where the chariot races were held during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City and view Michelangelo’s Pietà. There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own or simply relax and watch the world go by. Please note: Due to religious celebrations throughout the Holy Year of Mercy the Rome included sightseeing may be modified.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 : ROME – CHIANTI WINE REGION (GREVE) – SAN GIMIGNANO (3 NIGHTS)
This morning consider an Optional Experience inside the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to see the breathtaking ceiling. Later drive through Lazio and the provinces of Umbria and Tuscany. Visit a wine tasting and olive oil outlet and taste excellent Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils just outside the small town of Greve. Travel through picturesque scenery and stop in San Gimignano for a walk in the UNESCO World Heritage walled medieval town. Perhaps try a delicious gelato from the famous Gelateria Dondoli. A short drive brings you to your beautiful historic hotel near San Gimignano. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel
Relais La Cappuccina Authentic Accommodation

Day 4 : FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. Visit Piazza della Signoria and later view the coloured marble Duomo. Tonight enjoy a special Be My Guest dinner with wine in a family-owned vineyard overlooking the rolling Chianti Hills.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Be My Guest Dining

Day 5 : TUSCAN LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE
Begin your day at a fruit and vegetable market in Florence, meet a Local Specialist and gain an insight into Italian cuisine from a professional chef. Here you will participate in purchases of the fresh produce for your cooking lesson. Take your fresh produce to the restaurant and spend time together preparing your delicious luncheon with a glass of wine. After enjoying a relaxing and memorable Regional Meal return to your hotel in the Tuscan Hills for the night. Your evening is free to do as you please.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Regional Meal

Day 6 : SAN GIMIGNANO PISA PARMA
This morning stop in Pisa to view the amazing Leaning Tower and the majestic cathedral and baptistery set in the Square of Miracles. Travel to Parma where a memorable Regional Meal of local specialities awaits you.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Regional Meal
Hotel
Parma & Congressi

Day 7 : PARMA – BOLOGNA – VENICE (3 NIGHTS)
A short drive will bring you to Bologna. This city is renowned for its culinary tradition and cured meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami. It has also given its name to the well-known meat-based pasta sauce called ragù alla bolognese. Here you will enjoy a walking tour with a Local Specialist who will enlighten you further on local delicacies. Stop to take in views of the famous Kissing Towers. This afternoon cross the Veneto plains and arrive in Venice.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio

Day 8 : VENICE CANAL CRUISE AND SIGHTSEEING
Savour the unique sights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian Churches, Customs House, St. Mark’s Basilica and the ornate Doge’s Palace. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into the Venetian tradition of glass making on Giudecca Island. Spend time exploring the labyrinth of streets and canals on your own or perhaps consider an Optional Experience to Burano for a delicious meal.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 : SECRET VENICE WALKING TOUR
Start your day with a cruise to Rialto Bridge. Your Local Specialist brings the city to life during your walking tour. See how the locals shop for food and find out about some of the regional cuisine. Cross the Rialto and see a range of curious and beautiful architecture including Marco Polo’s house. The rest of the day is free to explore. Celebrate this evening with your Travel Director and companions at a special Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

Day 10 : DEPART VENICE
This morning, say ‘arrivederci’ to your fellow travellers at the end of your wonderful Flavours of Italy holiday. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights
City tour in Rome, Florence, Bologna and Venice
Orientation of Parma
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the town of Greve, the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and the famous food markets in Venice
Cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square in Venice
View the ancient sites of Rome, Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Kissing Towers in Bologna, the Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge in Venice
Dining
9 hot buffet breakfasts.
1 lunch.
5 dinners
(including Be My Guest).

Travel Highlights
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Airport Transfers

Flavors of Italy:
10days Tour (Trafalgar)

Chianti in Tuscany, Prosciutto in Parma, Bolognese in Bologna, this ‘foodie’ trip explores the traditions of Italian cuisine and wine at their origin, providing an in-depth taste of a nation.
You’ll enjoy Insider moments like…choosing fresh local ingredients at a bustling Florence food market with Libero, a charismatic chef we know, who shares the secrets of Italian cooking as you make (and eat) ravioli together.

Day 1 : ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy. Relax after your journey and meet your Travel Director and companions this evening for a Welcome Reception. Discover the beauty of this city during an evening orientation drive. Pause to enjoy the atmosphere at the buzzing Piazza Navona where you will indulge in a delicious gelato.
Meal(s)
Welcome Reception
Hotel
Cardinal St. Peter

Day 2 : ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
View the impressive Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus where the chariot races were held during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City and view Michelangelo’s Pietà. There’s time afterwards to explore the city on your own or simply relax and watch the world go by. Please note: Due to religious celebrations throughout the Holy Year of Mercy the Rome included sightseeing may be modified.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 : ROME – CHIANTI WINE REGION (GREVE) – SAN GIMIGNANO (3 NIGHTS)
This morning consider an Optional Experience inside the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to see the breathtaking ceiling. Later drive through Lazio and the provinces of Umbria and Tuscany. Visit a wine tasting and olive oil outlet and taste excellent Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils just outside the small town of Greve. Travel through picturesque scenery and stop in San Gimignano for a walk in the UNESCO World Heritage walled medieval town. Perhaps try a delicious gelato from the famous Gelateria Dondoli. A short drive brings you to your beautiful historic hotel near San Gimignano. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Dinner with wine
Hotel
Relais La Cappuccina Authentic Accommodation

Day 4 : FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING
Your Local Specialist takes you on a walking tour to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. Visit Piazza della Signoria and later view the coloured marble Duomo. Tonight enjoy a special Be My Guest dinner with wine in a family-owned vineyard overlooking the rolling Chianti Hills.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Be My Guest Dining

Day 5 : TUSCAN LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE
Begin your day at a fruit and vegetable market in Florence, meet a Local Specialist and gain an insight into Italian cuisine from a professional chef. Here you will participate in purchases of the fresh produce for your cooking lesson. Take your fresh produce to the restaurant and spend time together preparing your delicious luncheon with a glass of wine. After enjoying a relaxing and memorable Regional Meal return to your hotel in the Tuscan Hills for the night. Your evening is free to do as you please.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Regional Meal

Day 6 : SAN GIMIGNANO PISA PARMA
This morning stop in Pisa to view the amazing Leaning Tower and the majestic cathedral and baptistery set in the Square of Miracles. Travel to Parma where a memorable Regional Meal of local specialities awaits you.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Regional Meal
Hotel
Parma & Congressi

Day 7 : PARMA – BOLOGNA – VENICE (3 NIGHTS)
A short drive will bring you to Bologna. This city is renowned for its culinary tradition and cured meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami. It has also given its name to the well-known meat-based pasta sauce called ragù alla bolognese. Here you will enjoy a walking tour with a Local Specialist who will enlighten you further on local delicacies. Stop to take in views of the famous Kissing Towers. This afternoon cross the Veneto plains and arrive in Venice.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Hotel
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio

Day 8 : VENICE CANAL CRUISE AND SIGHTSEEING
Savour the unique sights of Venice as you cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square. See the Bridge of Sighs, Palladian Churches, Customs House, St. Mark’s Basilica and the ornate Doge’s Palace. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into the Venetian tradition of glass making on Giudecca Island. Spend time exploring the labyrinth of streets and canals on your own or perhaps consider an Optional Experience to Burano for a delicious meal.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 : SECRET VENICE WALKING TOUR
Start your day with a cruise to Rialto Bridge. Your Local Specialist brings the city to life during your walking tour. See how the locals shop for food and find out about some of the regional cuisine. Cross the Rialto and see a range of curious and beautiful architecture including Marco Polo’s house. The rest of the day is free to explore. Celebrate this evening with your Travel Director and companions at a special Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

Day 10 : DEPART VENICE
This morning, say ‘arrivederci’ to your fellow travellers at the end of your wonderful Flavours of Italy holiday. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Meal(s)
Buffet Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

Sightseeing Highlights
City tour in Rome, Florence, Bologna and Venice
Orientation of Parma
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the town of Greve, the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence and the famous food markets in Venice
Cruise by private launch to St. Mark’s Square in Venice
View the ancient sites of Rome, Santa Croce Basilica and the Duomo in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Kissing Towers in Bologna, the Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge in Venice
Dining
9 hot buffet breakfasts.
1 lunch.
5 dinners
(including Be My Guest).

Travel Highlights
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Hand-picked 4 and 5 star accommodation
Hand-picked Insider Experiences
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
VIP entry to many sights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Airport Transfers