Northern Italy Discovery, Cookery & Foodie Experience
Siena - Florence – Bologna – Mantova – Verona – Venice
(9 days / 8 nights: Mon-Tues)
www.ItaliaSpeciale.com
DAY ONE
Rome – Montepulciano – Pienza – Montalcino&Brunello – Siena & Val d’Orcia
DAY TWO
Foodie Discovery – Firenze Vecchia - Bologna
· This morning you will head out on a unique "Explore & Nibble" experience with your host
· Our destination will be Florence's most authentic food market with a selected Cheese tasting with Truffled pecorino "tartufone" and other different aged pecorinos, fresh ricotta, mozzarella etc., followed by a transfer to Florence's most authentic quarter for a Bread tasting in a famous local bakery
· We will also look out for our favourite butcher for a tasting of typical finocchiona, salame di cinghiale, prosciutto, coppa, etc.
· This afternoon will feature a driving tour to Piazzale Michelangelo and to the Church of San Miniato, including a drive through the city centre and surrounding area for a taste of the art, history and sites of Florence, including the Oltrarno area to explore Florence's old "botteghe", where the artisans will be working away creating masterpieces of silk, bronze, mosaic, gold, leather, hand-made shoes and carved wood!
· Departure to reach Bologna in the early evening for a typical dinner, where the locals go!
· Evening walk in the centre and a good night’s rest
DAY THREE
Bologna – Foodie - Cookery Experience
· After breakfast, it will be time to explore Bologna in all its ancient and fascinating beauty on a lovely walking tour
· Your Host will walk you through the history and architecture of Bologna and to see the University of Bologna, the oldest University in the world that has been operating since the year 1088, all beautifully combined with a foodie experience under the famous Portici that will also lead you to discover Bologna’s culinary tradition, typical dishes and its flavours as you taste excellent Parmigiano, Balsamic Vinegar, local cheeses, olive oil, Mortadella Bolognese and typical dishes and breads
· Lunch will be with the locals, followed by Italian gelato
· After lunch, time at leisure for a passeggiata before... sleeves up for a cooking session at an exclusive Bolognese venue
· The fruits of our labour will feature at our dinner
· Evening at leisure in Bologna
DAY FOUR
Ravenna & Mosaics – Bologna Hills & Wine Tasting Dinner
· After breakfast, morning to discover the beauty of Ravenna and its superb byzantine mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale
· Both a former capital of the Roman and the Byzantine Empires, Ravenna is a fascinating discovery of art, architecture and history with its Unesco World Heritage Sites of Basilicas of San Vitale and Sant’Apollinare in Classe and Mausoleums
· Typical lunch by the Adriatic Sea at Marina di Ravenna
· After lunch, return to Bologna to further discover the town at leisure, with an excursion into the rolling hills of Bologna to enjoy panoramic views and a wine tasting followed by dinner
· Evening at leisure in Bologna and a good night’s rest
DAY FIVE
Modena & Tastings & Ferrari Museum – Parmigiano Reggiano – Parma - Mantova
· This morning we say goodbye to our Hosts in Bologna and start a Foodie Day of tastings and visits to the staples of the Emilia-Romagna region
· We head towards Modena, the town famous for its highly appreciated balsamic vinegar and for Ferrari
· Visits will include the Ferrari Museum and a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar producer
· Lunch will be in the Emilia Romagna countryside, where our Hosts will welcome us to their estate with a sumptuous lunch featuring their very own authentic Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, the real exquisite Italian flavours of the region
· After lunch, visit to the cheese factory before heading off to reach Mantova for the evening
· Dinner and evening at leisure in Mantova
DAY SIX
Mantova – Verona – Piazza Erbe – Arena - Romeo & Giulietta
· This morning, walking tour of Mantova with your Host through the beauty of Piazza Sordello as we approach Palazzo Te and Palazzo Ducale
· Visit to the Palazzo Ducale of the Gonzaga Family to admire the masterpieces painted by Renaissance artists Pisanello and Mantegna
· After a typical local lunch, departure to reach Verona, the town of Romeo & Giulietta of Shakespearean fame
· Evening walk with your Host through the elegant Piazza delle Erbe of the charming Verona Antica
· If available and based on the official Lyrical Calendar, possibility to attend a fascinating opera at the Arena di Verona
· Dinner in the heart of Verona followed by a good night’s rest
DAY SEVEN
Verona – Padova - Venice
· After breakfast, a walking tour of Verona to discover the Arena Amphitheatre, the Casa dei Capuleti and Juliet’s Balcony, among the highlights
· Lunch either in Verona or en-route to Venice
· En-route visit to Padova and its famous Basilica of S. Antonio
· In the late afternoon, we reach stunning beauty of Venice and its Lagoon
· Check in at Hotel and evening walk around before dinner
DAY EIGHT
Piazza San Marco & Basilica – Palazzo Ducale - Basilica Santa Maria della Salute & Canal Grande
DAY NINE
Venice – Airport or Optional Activities
· After breakfast, transfer to airport Venice / Milan OR Optional Activities pleased to assist with:
o Extension in Venice
o Drive along the Coast to Abruzzo for an amazing MasterExperience in the region
o Any other idea before arrivederci Italia!
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Highlights & What's included:
€3650 eur
Not included
Exclusive Add-ons: Ferrari &Lamborghini or Vintage car
A word on Tipping
At Italia Speciale our mission is to assure only the best experiences possible around Italy through our highly selected network of Partners and Hosts, all committed to delivering the highest standards of knowledge and service to our guests. We do this by nature and soul, as proud as we are of our proposals and our people. Tips are never expected and always come as a nice bonus for our partners.
Should you feel the need to share a token of gratitude, ideally your Host should collect €75 eur in cash per guest on Day 3 to cover all tips that deserve to be shared among all Partners. Tips are not compulsory by any means, and should be given exclusively for high quality service.
Payment: Bank Transfer + bank charges | Credit Card: +3.5% | Cash: €100 eur discount
Italia Speciale - Leonardo De Flaviis