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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Food & Wine: Northern Italy & the Italian Riviera

with Venice extension

Duration: 12 or 14 days
Group size: 14-28
Reviews: 70

Two words to sum up northern Italy? Great. Food.

Eating isn’t just a part of the daily grind here—it’s a full-on art form. Stand beside the masters in their kitchens, farms, and wineries and learn the ins and outs of the region’s knockout delights. From wine on the Riviera to Parmigiano-Reggiano in Parma to fresh-cooked tagliatelle in Bologna, prepare to indulge in the best the region has to offer.

Your tour package includes

10 nights in handpicked hotels
10 breakfasts
3 lunches
4 dinners with beer or wine
2 wine tastings

Included highlights

Barolo wine tasting
Castle of Grinzane
Cavour
Parmigiano-Reggiano tasting
balsamic vinegar tasting

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Milan today.

Turin3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Milan & transfer to Turin

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Milan, then transfer to your hotel in Turin. Meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Turin

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, set out on a guided tour to discover Turin, home to Italy’s former Royal Family, the House of Savoy.

• Pass through Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama, and Palazzo Carignano

• Step inside the Royal Church of San Lorenzo

Day 4: Free day in Turin

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Turin or add an excursion.

Palace of Venaria & Gardens

Excursion (additional cost)

Italian Riviera2 nights

Day 5: Italian Riviera via La Morra & Barolo

Included meals: Breakfast, Light lunch

Stop at the village of La Morra for a panoramic view of the Langhe, the hilly Piedmont region famous for its cheeses, truffles, and wines. While here, you'll enter the UNESCO-recognized Castle of Grinzane Cavour.

Then, visit Barolo, a small town with one of the most well-known names in Northern Italian wine.

• Enjoy a light lunch of local specialties

• Stop at a winery to walk through the vineyards and sample local Barolo vintages

After, continue on to the Italian Riviera.

Day 6: Free day on the Italian Riviera

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day on the Italian Riviera or add an excursion.

Cinque Terre Villages & Wine Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Bologna3 nights

Day 7: Bologna via Parma Region

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

As you head to Bologna, Italy’s culinary capital, stop to try some culinary delights.

• Visit a local Parmigiano-Reggiano producer and enjoy a cheese tasting

• Stop at a balsamic vinegar villa for lunch and a tasting of the region’s famous vinegar known as Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena

Then, continue on to Bologna.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Bologna

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, venture out on a walking tour with an expert local guide.

• Visit the University of Bologna, the world’s oldest operating university

• Peruse the local fish and vegetable market district and visit Piazza Maggiore

Spend a free afternoon in Bologna or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy an included dinner featuring cuisine from the Emilia-Romagna region.

Carpigiani Gelato University Visit & Tasting

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: Free day in Bologna

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a full free day in Bologna before trying your hand at pasta making at tonight’s cooking class and included dinner.

Verona2 nights

Day 10: Verona via Valpolicella

Included meals: Breakfast, Light lunch

Today, you’ll transfer to Verona, stopping in Valpolicella along the way. Here, you’ll enjoy a light lunch and sample three red wines typical of the region: Amarone, Ripasso, and Recioto. Then, venture on to Verona.

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Verona

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Join your guide on a walking tour of the “city of love.”

• Discover the sites that served as the backdrop for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, including Casa di Giulietta, Juliet’s house and storied balcony

• Stroll down Via Mazzini, admiring the marble along the street as you go

• Visit Verona’s UNESCO-recognized historic district to see the Verona Arena, Piazza della Erbe, and Lamberti’s Tower

Later, join your group and raise a toast to your trip at tonight’s farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 12: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore the city of Venice.

Extension to Venice

All the picture books in the world won't prepare you for the sight of Venice's gilded palaces rising from the sea. Explore the city's many famous churches and museums, but set aside time to get lost in the maze of canals and streets. Deceptive and mysterious, Venice has a soft spot for wanderers.

Venice2 nights

Day 12: Venice

Included meals: Breakfast, Light lunch

Transfer to Venice, stopping in the Province of Treviso along the way.

• Tour 17th-century wine cellars to learn about Prosecco production

• Enjoy a light lunch at Osteria followed by a tasting of 3 different Proseccos, white wines that are comparable to Champagne

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Venice

Included meal: Breakfast

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as "the Queen of the Adriatic."

• Explore the Rialto market, famous for its fish and vegetable stands

• Step into the iconic St. Mark's Square and enter St. Mark's Basilica

• View the stately Doge's Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340

• Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge's Palace and the New Prison

• See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city's most celebrated art

Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion. Then, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members this evening.

Venice at Sunset: Grand Canal Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.8 average

Canadians in Italy

06/24/2019 by 2nd time traveler Laura G.

This was a wonderful experience. Our gude Sabra was exceptional and really made the trip for us. I was made to feel that my good experience was of up most importance. A wonderful variety of experiences with just a couple so,so! Would not hesitate to enthusiastically recommend Go Ahead to anyone ...

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Many aspects were enjoyable but not all

06/11/2019 by 10th time traveler Anonymous

When the tour visited wonderful wineries, gelato makers, makers of balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese, it was a winner! The hosts were enthusiastic and welcoming and the meals served to us at these venues were delicious and were accompanied by very good wine. One of the best activities was the c...

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Best tour ever

11/20/2018 by 2nd time traveler Debi L.

The wine the food ,our tour guide Simone,everything was wonderful.We had a small group of 14 so we were able to have ample room on the bus and get to know each other.Simone arranged two farewell dinners for us and we all got along like old friends. I hope to travel with Goaheadtours tours again in t...

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Superb Tour with Excellent Tour Director

10/02/2018 by 4th time traveler Rita B.

This was my third GoAhead tour but my first Wine and Food tour. Everyday was a culinary joy! Our tour director, Danieli, was very professional and organized. I especially loved this tour because the group size was smaller than the non food and wine tours I have taken previously with both Goahead and...

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Flights (Air Canada) LAX-BUD; PRG-LAX

08/02/2018 by 7th time traveler Michael H.

I am unimpressed with Air Canada. These flights are long and most of them were in the smaller over-crowded 737s. I upgraded at significant cost to Bus Class. Bus Class on a 737 is little better than flying in a phone booth. Schedules kept changing - I came away from the whole experience tota...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

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.

NH Lingotto

This upscale hotel is located in the Lingotto area, south of Turin's city center. Guests enjoy a tropical garden, rooftop jogging area, bar and restau...

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Hotel Jolanda

This elegant hotel is located in Santa Margherita Ligure. Guests enjoy a bar and lounge, restaurant, and fitness center. Nearby, you’ll find the beach...

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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
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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

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 about 3 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as stepping between boats and uneven docks.
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 Milan and depart from Verona (or Venice on the tour extension).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 Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Water taxi rides in Venice are included in the price of the tour extension.
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

Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
On the Italian Riviera, a taste of the region's famous basil pesto is a must. Seafood is popular along the shore, but true Ligurians favor simple, traditional recipes like minestrone soup and farinata, an unleavened chickpea pancake.
For more authentic meals, try 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 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.