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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Food & Wine: Turin Chocolate Festival & Northern Italy

with Venice extension

When are you looking to travel?

This tour itinerary varies by year.

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

When eating your way through Italy, why not start with dessert?

Begin your tour in Turin, home of the CioccolaTÒ chocolate festival. Then, expand your palate with the unique flavors of Northern Italy, from truffles in the Langhe and wine on the Riviera to Parmigiano Reggiano in Parma and fresh-cooked tagliatelle in Bologna.

Your tour package includes

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

Included highlights

The CioccolaTÒ festival
An Italian cooking class
Barolo wine tasting
Balsamic vinegar tasting
Parmigiano-Reggiano 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 Turin

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Milan, then transfer to your hotel in Turin and get settled in. Later, meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director at a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Turin & CioccolaTò festival

Included meal: Breakfast

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

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

• Step inside the Royal Church of San Lorenzo

This afternoon, visit the expansive Piazza Vittorio Veneto to sample sweets from chocolatiers from all over the world at the CioccolaTÒ festival.

Day 4: Free day in Turin

Included meal: Breakfast

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

• Enter the UNESCO-recognized Castle of Grinzane Cavour

• Enjoy a light lunch of local specialties

• Stop at a winery to walk through the vineyards and sample local Barolo vintages before continuing on to the Italian Riviera

Day 6: Free day in the Riviera

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in 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.

• Stop at a local Parmigiano-Reggiano producer and enjoy a cheese tasting

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

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 explore Piazza Maggiore

Spend a free afternoon in Bologna or add an excursion.

Dozza Village & Castle Wine 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.

Venice2 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 via Treviso

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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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.

Hotel Giorgione

This charming hotel is located in the Cannaregio district in central Venice. Guests enjoy a private courtyard, pool, and billiards area. Nearby, you’l...

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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

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 total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable handling your own luggage at times.
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 and depart from Florence. 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.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

To ensure you’re comfortable for outdoor sightseeing and celebrations, we recommend packing a warm coat, hat and gloves, as well as rainwear.
We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can easily be layered.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or boots 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.

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](https://www.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 your 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.
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

Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F 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.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Time zones

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

Currency

You will use the euro in Italy.
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 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. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.