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Taste the rustic flavors of central Italy.
Tucked-away towns make up the core of Tuscany and Umbria, while the cultural capital of Florence offers urban elegance and historic remnants from the Renaissance. From handmade pasta in heavy sauces to locally produced wines from Chianti, Montalcino, and Montefalco, discover the simple, honest flavors for which central Italy’s medieval villages and sweeping countrysides are known for on this small group Food & Wine Tour.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 lunches
3 dinners with beer or wine
4 wine tastings
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Included highlights
Mercato Centrale
Tuscan cooking lesson
San Gimignano
Chianti wine tasting
Montalcino wine tasting
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Italy! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers during a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Florence
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner
Set off with a local guide on a food-themed walking tour of Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance.
Learn about the city’s art and history at Piazza San Lorenzo
See Italian cuisine such as Tuscan breads, cold cuts, Chianina beef, tripe, lampredotto, vegetables, and herbs for sale at the Mercato Centrale
Stop for a typical Italian breakfast of cappuccino and brioches
View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo
Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
Stop in the Pazzi Palace courtyard to try Tuscan croutons topped with chicken liver or olive paté, paired with a glass of Chianti
Walk to the lively Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and see locals picking up their daily groceries
Taste finger foods loved by Florentines including coccole, fried dough balls, and veggies meatballs
This evening, join a local chef for a cooking class where you’ll make pasta by hand, create two kinds of bruschetta and craft tiramisu for dessert. Savor your creations for dinner with accompanying wines.
Day 4: Free day in Florence
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Florence or add excursions.
Fiesole Villa Dinner
From $99 per person
Medieval Lucca & Farmhouse Lunch
From $129 per person
Siena2 nights
Day 5: Siena via San Gimignano & Chianti
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Wine tasting
En route to the enchanting city of Siena, stop in San Gimignano, “the city of beautiful towers.”
Explore the small medieval town of San Gimignano on your own
Sample some of the city's renowned gelato
This afternoon, continue on to Chianti to tour a winery and sample some of the region’s fine wines at an agriturismo, or farm stay.
Day 6: Montalcino & Siena
Included meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting, Light lunch, Tasting
This morning, explore the vibrant city of Montalcino before visiting a winery.
Spend free time wandering the streets of Montalcino
Taste three acclaimed Brunello grape wines and enjoy a light lunch
Make your way back to Siena and set off on a guided tour of the charming Tuscan city.
Walk through the Campo, the square that’s the center of civic life, and learn about the Palio horse race that takes place there every summer
Enter Siena Cathedral, home to major works of art by Donatello and Pisano
Discover the town’s black-and-white marble duomo and see brilliantly colored 16th-century frescoes in the Piccolomini Library
End at a local bakery to try ricciarelli, an almond-flavored cookie
Umbrian Countryside3 nights
Day 7: Umbria via Cortona & Lake Trasimeno
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tasting
Continue your travels across the Tuscan landscape as you head into the Umbria region.
Explore the hillside town of Cortona on your own during free time
Visit Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal battled the Romans
Enjoy a lunch of traditional Umbrian specialties
This afternoon, set out on a guided tour of Perugia, the medieval town known for its Etruscan Arch.
See the Palazzo dei Priori, a medieval palace dating back to 1298
View stunning artwork inside the 15th-century Collegio del Cambio
See Perugia Cathedral and wander through the tunnels of Rocca Paolina, Perugia’s historic underground city
Visit a local cafe to learn about Perugia's famous Baci Perugina chocolates and sample some for yourself
Settle in to your hotel in the Umbrian countryside tonight.
Day 8: Free day in the Umbrian Countryside
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a free day in the Umbrian countryside or add an excursion.
Tonight, enjoy a three-course dinner at a local agriturismo.
Assisi & Umbrian Farm Lunch
From $109 per person
Day 9: Montefalco wine region
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine tasting
Set off into the rolling hills of the Montefalco wine region today.
Pay a visit to the village of Bevagna, where you'll have free time to explore its medieval center
At an Umbrian vineyard, enjoy a tasting of red Sagrantino and white Umbrian wines, accompanied by a lunch of local specialties
Rome1 night
Day 10: Rome via Orvieto
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell lunch, Wine tasting
Travel to Rome today, stopping in the Etruscan hilltop town of Orvieto along the way.
Enter the Chapel of San Brizio to view its intricate frescoes and paintings
Celebrate your trip during special farewell lunch and wine tasting featuring Umbrian specialties
Then, continue on to Rome.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Rome.
Extension to Rome
Have your sights on more art, history, and street life? Rome is sure to deliver. Only in the Italian capital can you sip cappuccino in front of the Pantheon and have an audience with the pope all in one morning. See the city’s highlights during guided sightseeing, and then look to your Tour Director’s expert suggestions to uncover even more.
Rome2 nights
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Rome
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.
View the Arch of Constantine and soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome
View the outside of the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire
Pass the Imperial fora, Piazza Venezia, and the Campidoglio as you walk to the city’s Jewish ghetto neighborhood
Step inside a local bakery to sample kosher Roman delicacies
End the tour at the Portico d'Ottavia
Enjoy a free afternoon in the city or add an excursion.
Please note: On some departures, the Rome sightseeing tour may take place on day 12 and the Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may take place on day 11.
Food of Rome: Walking Tour of Trastevere
From $135 per person
Day 12: Free day in Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Rome or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Please note: On some departures, the Iconic Sights: Vatican City excursion may take place on day 11 and the Rome sightseeing tour may take place on day 12.
Iconic Sights: Vatican City
From $125 per person
Flight Home
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
That's all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.7 star rating
Overall rating 4.7 out of 5
Based on 358 authentic traveler reviews
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10/28/23 by 1st-time traveler Sharon
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10/28/23 by 2nd-time traveler Judi
Lovely tour and excellent guide!
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Food & Wine Tour perfect way to experience Italy
10/28/23 by 1st-time traveler Elizabeth
Our tour director Jacqueline was gem. She guided many many different personalities from place to place with enthusiasm and a smile. From restrooms to the renaissance she kept us informed and enlightened. We were looked after at every point…luggage, hotels, transportation, tours and restaurants. By t...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 12/5/23
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and glowing f...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Grand Hotel Adriatico
This charming hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, courtyard, and a fitness center. Nearby you’ll find the Uffizi Galleries...
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NH Excelsior Siena
This elegant hotel is located in La Fortezza neighborhood of Siena. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness room and a restaurant. Nearby, you'll find Piaz...
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Valle di Assisi
This luxury hotel is located in Santa Maria degli Angeli, just outside of Assisi and surrounded by the beautiful Umbrian Countryside. Guests enjoy the...
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Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge
This elegant hotel is located in the heart of the Parioli neighborhood in Rome. Guests enjoy a fitness center, sauna, and Turkish bath. Nearby, you’ll...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TOT.
You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Florence and depart from Rome. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go AheadTours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TOT.
Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
In Umbria, don’t miss sampling both the reds and whites produced around Orvieto and Perugia.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
If you are interested in visiting any of Florence's many museums during your free time, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. See uffizi.org for the Uffizi Gallery or accademia.org for the Accademia Gallery. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays.
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