Destinations: ITALY:  Rome |Tuscany – (Orvieto) Cortona | Siena

Tour Commences In:  Rome - Thursday 14th September 2023

Tour Concludes In:  Florence - Saturday 23rd September 2023

Number of Days:  10 days / 9 nights

Tour Style:  Escorted Small Group Tour  (groups, couples & solo travellers)

Accommodation:  Luxury & Boutique Hotels

Meals:  Breakfast; 9: Lunch; 4: Dinner; 5:

Leaders:   Foodie guides

Transportation:  Luxury private chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles & trains

Tour Grading:   MODERATE: Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility

• A specially curated Italy Foodie itinerary for Boutique Tours

• Immerse yourself in authentic hands-on cooking classes

• Sample the best Italian food from people who know how to cook

• Shop one of the most famous markets of the world

• Sip on the best coffee in Rome

• Be impressed by the beauty of the Piazza Navona and the ancient Pantheon

• Dine on authentic local foods of Rome

• Experience the delights of Italian train travel through Tuscany

• Explore the beautiful Tuscan hilltop town of Orvieto

• Discover the wonders of medieval Cortona

• Spend twilight sipping aperitivo in ancient piazzas

• Gaze at the breathtaking views of the Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia

• Tour a real Tuscan farm and watch the cheese making masters at work

• Shop some of the best artisan products and delicacies of Tuscany

• Sample prestigious and celebrated Italian wines

• Be overwhelmed listening to the chanting of Benedictine monks

• Discover the spectacular beauty of Siena

• Taste, inhale, touch and see the most beautiful food in a country that is a foodie’s dream!

• Small Group tour 5 - 12 Guests

Day 1:        Arrive Rome:    (D)
Ciao e Benvenuto, hello and welcome to Roma, the Eternal City and one of the best top foodie destination of the world. You will be met by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel near the Spanish Steps area. Later this evening we meet other fellow travellers in the hotel lobby for an introduction and tour briefing  before departing for our ‘Welcome Dinner’ – a truly Roman experience.  

Day 2:         Rome:    (B/L/D)
We start our day soaking up the atmosphere of foodie Rome by visiting an authentic neighbourhood and discovering the heart of Italian food. We meet the locals and sample and taste everything from delicious pastries, pizza and the iconic Roman pasta dish of Cacio e Pepe to the best gelato in the city. Perhaps pick up some delicacies to take home along the way. This afternoon is at your leisure. We suggest a visit to the stunning, romantic Borghese Gardens, which dates back to the 17th century, and the Borghese Gallery and houses one of the finest collections of art by the Old Masters. Absolutely stunning. Or return to your hotel. Later this evening we’re off to a cooking class with a local who will guide us through two of Rome’s famous pasta dishes, and then we’ll enjoy together the fruits of our labour at the end of the class. 

Day 3:       Rome:    (B/L/D)
This morning we explore the colourful and lively Campo dei Fiori, the ancient piazza that houses one of the most famous markets in the world and a bastion of Roman city life. From artisan meats, pasta, cheese and local delicacies to flowers, coffee makers and scarves this is the place to wander, look, chat, shop and be inspired. From here we take a very short stroll along the cobblestoned streets to one of Rome’s oldest caffes where we sample Rome’s best coffee. Then it’s time to take in some sights and explore the much-loved Piazza Navona and the ancient Pantheon. A highlight today is lunch in one of my favourite restaurants in Rome, a very old trattoria where the locals eat and where they serve authentic food and classic Roman dishes. After lunch is a free for you to stroll the neighbourhood before we meet again in the early evening for a memorable food and cultural tour of one of the most important neighbourhoods in the city, with centuries old working-class roots. We will taste some of the best food and wine on offer in Rome and be entertained and informed as we do so. This will be an unforgettable evening. 

Day 4:      Rome – Tuscany – Orvieto – Cortona:   (B)
This morning we journey by minivan, from Rome to the stunning medieval hill town of Orvieto, in the beautiful region of Umbria. Perched atop a gigantic rock and surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the ubiquitous Tuscan cypress trees, Orvieto is not to be missed. We take the cable car to the top of the hill and wind our way through cobblestoned streets and narrow alleyways to the 14th century Gothic cathedral with its magnificent facade, which dominates the piazza. Enjoy lunch before continuing on to Cortona. This two-thousand-year-old Tuscan hill town overlooks the breathtaking Val di Chiana and is home to the author, Frances Mayes, of ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ fame. We check into our hotel and then you are able to enjoy a free evening. 

Day 5:      Cortona:    (B/D)
Wake up in picturesque Tuscany, just as you may have been dreaming to do all your life. After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Cortona, taking in the breath-taking panorama of the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno from the esplanade of Piazza Garibaldi. We visit the enchanting Renaissance Church of San Niccolò, and the ancient Church of San Domenico where you can enjoy a moment of reflection before continuing on to the historical centre of town. We will meet some locals and have the opportunity to shop for beautiful gifts and souvenirs from the artisan boutiques, including hand crafted jewellery, local delicacies, leather goods and hand made products. Enjoy a free afternoon or meet me for an afternoon stroll to see Villa Bramasole, the home of author, Frances Mayes. In the evening we rendezvous in the heart of Cortona at the famous and vibrant Piazza della Republica for an aperitivo, then enjoy a pre-dinner passeggiata (promenade) before dining on regional Tuscan cuisine at a local trattoria. 

Day 6:       Cortona – Pienza – Cortona:    (B/L)
Choose to meet for an early morning power walk before we head off on a trip to a local farm where they make world-class cheeses. We will tour the stables and dairy and participate in a behind the scenes look at cheese making. We then enjoy a long lunch of regional, home grown and produced specialities sitting on a terrace overlooking the magnificent valley.  We have the opportunity to purchase olive oils, wine, honey, pasta and much more from the farm shop. We later depart for the village Pienza, a true Renaissance jewel  where we have time at leisure to explore the village, enjoy the breathtaking panorama over the Orcia Valley and discover the best of typical Tuscan specialties. Pienza is also a heaven for foodies, there are a lot of gastronomic shops where you can find the best Tuscan olive oil, typical cold cuts, the most complete range of Pecorino cheese, pasta, spices and a lot of typical sauces for pasta that you can take home. Transfer back to Cortona for a free evening.

Day 7:      Cortona – Montepulciano – Montalcino – Cortona:    (B/D)
This morning we depart for a day trip to two of the most beautiful hilltop towns of Tuscany. We start in Montepulciano, a Renaissance town of charming, twisting streets and picturesque piazzas, ancient churches and Renaissance palaces and with stunning views of the Val d’Orcia from every corner. We visit a copper kitchenware-making workshop and we have the opportunity to purchase handmade Tuscan ceramics and explore the medieval streets, piazzas and churches. There’s plenty of free time to find delicious caffes and pasticceria’s, enoteca’s and osteria’s for lunch. We meet at the bottom of the hill for a short trip to Montalcino, a medieval town, home to the prestigious Brunello wines. This magnificent hill town dominates the surrounding valley with its medieval walls and fairy tale fortress. We wander the pretty streets then we will reach a boutique winery producing Brunello wine where we will visit the cellar and enjoy a wine tasting before driving a short way to the ancient Benedictine Abbey of Sant’Antimo. Immersed in nature, Sant'Antimo Abbey is one of the most beautiful architectural jewels in Romanesque style that is still standing today. The Abbey, a jewel of medieval mysticism, it is one of the most beautiful monuments in an ancient Roman style, which also has elements of the French and Lombardy styles.  Then we return home to Cortona for dinner in a local osteria. 

Day 8:       Cortona – Siena:    (B)
We say goodbye to Cortona this morning and head for Siena. This UNESCO listed medieval city is one of Italy’s loveliest, with its magnificent Piazza del Campo, its breathtaking black and white Duomo and its narrow winding streets. We check in to our hotel and then have a guided tour of this beautiful city and its sights, with the opportunity to purchase locally made, famous panforte and visit the most ancient pastry shop in town. Lunch is at your leisure with a free afternoon and we meet again in the Piazza for an aperitivo. This evening is free, you may even wish to attend the theatre for a wonderful cultural evening.

Day 9:       Siena - San Gimignano & Chianti – Siena:    (B/L/D)
It’s an early departure this morning as we head to San Gimignano, this amazingly well-preserved medieval town known as the “city of the fair towers” with its fourteen soaring towers (of the seventy-six original) that dominate the skyline. We have some time to wander through the village before the crowds arrive. Then we drive to the Chianti area to meet a local chef for a cooking class. We will cook a delicious seasonal menu together then sit down to enjoy the lunch we have prepared and chat and enjoy a fabulous moment around the table with our chef.We drive through the enchanting Chianti hills and we will visit Panzano in Chianti, an untouched village surrounded by vineyards where you enjoy the best views of this area and the hamlet of Montefioralle .  We return to Siena in the late afternoon for some free time before meeting for our farewell dinner at a simple family run trattoria.

Day 10:        Siena , San Gimignano – Depart Florence  (B)
Our small group tour departs Siena for Florence by train where sadly it’s time to say farewell to everyone.  Thank you for sharing in our passion on our Foodie tour of Italy.Some guests may wish to stay in Siena or continue their journey in Italy.  BT&T is able to assist with any further travel arrangements for your onward or homebound journey.

Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise our private guide to accompany you. Some guests may wish to stay another day or more. Please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements

• A specially curated Italy Foodie itinerary for Boutique Tours

• Small Group Tour (2 - 10 Guests)

• Private international airport arrival transfers for all guests

• Hand selected modern & boutique hotel accommodation

• Meals as indicated in Itinerary; B = Breakfast: L=Lunch: D=Dinner:

• Internet Access where possible

• Fully escorted by our local experienced professional guide

• Luxury private Chauffeur driven luxury air- conditioned vehicles for some transfers & sightseeing

• Local trains for domestic transfers as per itinerary

• Admission fees to all monuments, activities, excursions and shows as per the itinerary

• Cooking classes as per the itinerary

• Walking foodie tours as per the itinerary

• Local market foodie tours as per itinerary

• 24 hour on call support service 

• Bottled water included whilst touring in vehicle

• An exclusive information travel package

• Room Sharing option for single/solo travellers

Not included:

• International airfares

• Arrival & Departure Taxes, levies or other charges

• Passport & Visa Fees

• City Taxes for hotels if required

• Personal Travel Insurance

• Excess baggage charges

• Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’. – via FedEx or postal services

• Late check-out at hotels

• Porterage and gratuities on your arrival at airport and hotel and in free time

• Extra gratuities to tour guides and drivers and others.

• Meals and Alcoholic beverages not included in the itinerary

• Expenditure of personal nature

• Optional activities not included in tour