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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

Included highlights

Florence Duomo
Tuscan cooking lesson
San Gimignano
Chianti wine tasting
Montalcino wine tasting

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Florence today.

Florence3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Florence

Included meal: Welcome dinner

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, Dinner

Set off with a local guide to see Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance.

View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo
Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture
Walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the medieval Ponte Vecchio
Stroll along the Arno River and through the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery to Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life
Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, burial site of Michelangelo and Galileo

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 $95 per person

Medieval Lucca & Farmhouse Lunch

From $119 per person

Siena2 nights

Day 5: Siena via San Gimignano & Chianti

Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Wine tasting, Dinner

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. Then, arrive in Siena for this evening’s included dinner of Tuscan specialties.

Day 6: Montalcino & Siena

Included meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting, Light lunch

Today, you’ll visit a winery and explore the vibrant cities of Montalcino and Siena.

Spend free time wandering the streets of Montalcino
Taste three acclaimed Brunello grape wines and enjoy a light lunch
Return to Siena, where a local guide shows you Siena Cathedral, home to major works of art by Donatello and Pisano, and the adjoining Piccolomini Library
Stroll Siena’s medieval streets, stopping at the historic Piazza del Campo

Perugia3 nights

Day 7: Perugia via Cortona & Lake Trasimeno

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Continue your travels across the Tuscan landscape and into Umbria as you head toward Perugia.

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

Day 8: Free day in Perugia

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Perugia or add an excursion.

Assisi & Umbrian Farm Lunch

From $95 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
Enjoy a 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 meal: Breakfast

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
Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire
See Circus Maximus, the stadium where ancient Romans raced chariots
Pass by the Temple of Hercules Victor and the Theatre of Marcellus
End your tour in the Jewish ghetto neighborhood, where you’ll stop at a local bakery to sample kosher Roman delicacies

Food of Rome: Walking Tour of Trastevere

From $95 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.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

From $109 per person

Flight Home

Day 13: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

Based on 232 authentic and unedited traveler reviews

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05/04/18 by 3rd-time traveler Lori

11/08/19 by 1st-time traveler John

Walking tour the first day was too long. Once we finished the tour we had to walk to the cooking class. Everyone was just wore out from all the walking to enjoy the cooking class.

Italy 2019

10/20/19 by 1st-time traveler Gretchen

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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 Adriarico

This comfortable hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, spa, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the Duomo, Santa Maria N...

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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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Sangallo Palace Hotel

This upscale hotel is located in the old center of Perugia. Guests enjoy a fitness center, restaurant, and summer terrace. Nearby, you'll find the Cor...

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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
Find out more about flights

Local weather

San Gimignano, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 51 °FLow 44 °F

Florence, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 50 °FLow 45 °F

Perugia, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 47 °FLow 41 °F

Orvieto, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 47 °FLow 41 °F

Cortona, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 44 °FLow 37 °F

Siena, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 49 °FLow 40 °F

Montalcino, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 46 °FLow 39 °F

Rome, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 53 °FLow 47 °F

Assisi, Italy

Weather averages

Today

High 47 °FLow 41 °F

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

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.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

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.

Transportation & arrival information

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.

Baggage allowance

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.

Clothing & packing tips

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).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy.
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.

Cuisine

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.

Electricity & air conditioning

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.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
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.

Tipping

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 $7USD 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.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Museums in Florence

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.

Food & Wine: Flavors of Tuscany & Umbria

Taste the rustic flavors of central Italy.

Day-by-day itinerary

Reviews

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

Hotels

Flights

Local weather

FAQ

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