Tasting Italy: The Ultimate Wine Journey

Begin your journey with a warm Venetian welcome as you arrive at Venice Airport. You'll stay in a delightful hotel for 3 nights, situated in the heart of the Veneto region—home to world-famous fashion brands like Benetton and Geox, and Italy’s finest wine regions.

Kick off your adventure with a fabulous welcome dinner to allow you to meeting your fellow travellers. 

Today is all about Prosecco! Buckle up for a scenic full-day coach tour through the rolling hills of Veneto. Sip your way through some of Italy’s best sparkling wines, made from Glera grapes mainly grown in the northeastern Veneto where vines have been cultivated since Roman times. The Prosecco hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are located in the province of Treviso, Veneto, and encompass a wine-growing area that produces the famous Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG wine.

Our first stop is the historic Villa Maser, where you’ll enjoy a guided Prosecco tasting in a gorgeous ancient barn.

Continue along Italy’s famous Prosecco Wine Route, winding through 47 kilometers of vineyards and postcard-perfect landscapes of Conegliano, Feletto, Quartier del Piave and Valdobbiadene.

Return to Treviso for a magical evening at your own pace. Explore the quaint canals, visit local shops, or simply enjoy dinner with the backdrop of this enchanting city.

After breakfast, board a regional train bound for the legendary Venice! Arrive at Santa Lucia Station and embark on an unforgettable adventure. We’ll cruise along the Grand Canal in a Vaporetto (water-bus), soaking in the sights of elegant palazzos and the iconic Rialto Bridge, before arriving at St. Mark’s Square.

The rest of the day is yours to lose yourself in the labyrinth of Venice’s winding streets. Explore world-famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, or discover hidden gems and quaint cafes.

Return to Treviso by train and enjoy an evening of relaxation or continued exploration.

After breakfast, we check out and depart Treviso, making our way to Padua for a guided morning walking tour.

Known for its rich history and artistic heritage, Padua is home to Giotto’s stunning frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel (1303–05) and the impressive Basilica of St. Anthony, where the saint’s tomb rests beneath Byzantine-style domes adorned with remarkable artworks. As we stroll through the old town, we take in the charm of arcaded streets and stylish cafés, where students from the renowned University of Padua (established in 1222) have gathered for centuries.

We then enjoy an early lunch with wine in a traditional restaurant or trattoria, savoring delicious local specialties from the Veneto region.

After lunch, we continue west to Valpolicella, one of Italy’s most celebrated wine-producing regions. As we journey through the rolling hills, we take in the beauty of villas, Romanesque churches, and stately farmhouses, all nestled among olive groves and vineyards. Valpolicella is a harmonious blend of history, culture, folklore, and tradition, enriched by a renowned culinary heritage and the warm hospitality of its people. Here, we discover the region’s signature wines—Valpolicella, Recioto, and the bold Amarone—which pair perfectly with its wholesome local dishes.

Our next stop is the breathtaking Serego Alighieri wine estate in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella (or a similar esteemed estate). We take a guided tour, enjoy a presentation, and indulge in a wine tasting, experiencing firsthand the legacy of this historic winery.

From here, a short coach transfer brings us to Verona, one of Italy’s most enchanting cities. We check in to our Verona hotel for a two-night stay.

The evening is ours to enjoy at leisure, with dinner in one of Verona’s many exceptional restaurants, soaking in the magic of this truly great city.

After breakfast, meet our guide for a stroll through the ancient streets of Verona. Verona is one of the most ancient and most beautiful of Italian cities, even Shakespeare said, “There is no world outside these walls…”. It is the largest Venetian city after Venice itself yet gives the impression of being small and charming. A stroll through the historic centre inevitably leads to the Arena, Italy’s largest opera theatre. This Roman amphitheatre can seat 15,000 spectators and put on a show with scenery designed by the greatest artists in the world.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Verona on your own—visit a cozy cafe, wander the charming piazzas, or shop for unique souvenirs.

A special surprise awaits—a "pop-up" opera performance at dinner!

Today we travel south to the lush countryside of Parma, home to a rich mixture of historic architecture and beautiful green countryside, Parma is amongst the most appealing of Italy's Emilian cities. It straddles the meandering River Parma, tributary of the River Po, and boasts many characterful cobblestone alleys and modern cycle lanes. The city's world-famous Parma ham (prosciutto) is a much-used ingredient at many of the restaurants, which are often clustered around the main public squares, such as the Piazza Garibaldi.

Before we arrive in Parma, we will stop off at the renowned Nonno Fereoli, a renowned producer of matured Parmesan cheese and seasoned Parma Ham as well as many other types of cheeses, cured hams and meats. We have the chance to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how these delicacies are made—and yes, there will be tastings!

After we have enjoyed our tasting, we will carry on the journey to Parma. The evening will be at leisure in this picturesque town, exploring its cobbled streets or dining at a quaint trattoria.

This morning after breakfast we depart Parma and head east towards another of this region’s main food and wine cities – Modena where we have the chance to taste a authentic balsamic vinegar at Leonardi’s vinegar farm.

Then, it’s off to Bologna, where food reigns supreme!

Bologna is well-known for its food (aka ‘La Grassa’, the fat one) and its university - Europe's oldest and founded over 900 years ago – and the city is now regarded as being one of the most attractive in Italy. The city centre is well preserved and maintained. With restored architecture and marbled pavements, and 40 kilometres of covered walkways, this charming Emilian city is well pedestrianised and easily explored on foot. In the heart of Bologna are the city's two main squares, the Piazza del Nettuno and the Piazza Maggiore. From the latter, most of the city's main tourists attractions and historical monuments are within walking distance, including the two leaning towers - the main symbols of the city, and which almost seem to defy gravity. The Piazza Maggiore also marks the oldest part of the city and this huge pedestrian square is surrounded by some impressive medieval and Renaissance buildings. Bologna's Basilica di San Petronio is the city's largest church and the fifth largest of its kind in the whole world.

You’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of Bologna’s renowned food markets, where you’ll discover some of Italy’s finest fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood—perfect for a delicious, fresh lunch.

After some free time for lunch, we jump back on the coach and cross the Apennine mountains as we make our way to Tuscany.

Once we arrive at the hotel, we have some time to relax before meeting in the evening for dinner.

Start the day with a visit to an olive oil estate in the heart of Tuscany, where you’ll learn the secrets behind producing the finest extra virgin olive oil.

Channel your inner chef with a hands-on cooking class at a rustic Tuscan farmhouse. You’ll prepare a traditional two-course meal—think homemade pasta and savory meat dishes—followed by a delicious lunch of what we have prepared with local wine.

On the way back to Montecatini, you’ll have the opportunity to stop in charming Chianti towns like Radda, Panzano, and Greve—perfect for a bit of shopping or simply soaking in the local atmosphere.

The evening will be at your leisure.

Our final full day promises unforgettable experiences, beginning with a visit to iconic Pisa, followed by a delightful wine tasting in the picturesque hills above Lucca.

We will arrive at Pisa’s coach park, where a charming little train will take us to the Field of Miracles, home to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. After some time to explore, enjoy lunch at your leisure in Pisa.

In the afternoon, we will head to Tenuta Maria Teresa, a beautiful estate near Lucca, for a guided tour of the cantina and gardens. Here, we will indulge in a tasting of four exquisite wines, including Merlot, Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Chardonnay (or similar).

To end the day on a high note, we will return to Montecatini for a candlelit, farewell dinner in a beautiful restaurant, complete with wine—a perfect way to toast an incredible journey.

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to Tuscany.

Why not join us in Naples for our 4 day extension - We depart from Montecatini with our Tour Manager and take a private coach to Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station.

Board the First Class High-Speed train for a scenic 3-hour journey to Naples Centrale Station.