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Epicurean Rome & Florence

Europe

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Rome | Epicurean Rome & Florence Wine & Gourmet Tour

Itinerary What's Included Pricing Hotels Map Request
7 days from

$50000

Taste what Rome & Florence have to offer in a relaxed manner in the company of like-minded travellers. Experience a mix of leisure & lifestyle and explore markets and small grocery shops tasting their wares as you go. Sample classic wines and the finest Tuscan cheese and learn the secrets of Italian cookery under the watch of experienced chefs. 

Day 1: Rome

Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage and transfer independently to your centrally located hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to relax or start exploring the "Eternal City' on your own. An optional transfer can be booked on request.

Day 2: Rome | Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilcia & a Tasting Tour

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by a guided tour of the Vatican museums. Join us on a Small Group walking tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica with skip-the-line entrance! With 2000 rooms filled with the most extensive collection of art in the world you will be lead by an expert guide to the history of this outstanding Museum. You will marvel at the sight of the Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous and visited sites in the world. Ordered in the late 15th century by Pope Sixtus IV (hence the name “Sistine” Chapel), it is the most emblematic example of papal patronage during the Renaissance period. Thanks to the genius of Michelangelo, you will have an unforgettable experience. This great artist created the masterpiece painting on the ceiling, The Creation of Adam, as well as the incomparable Last Judgment, on the altar wall. But the Vatican Museums are not just the Sistine Chapel... along with the tour, our guide will show you more art jewels such as the Pio-Clementino halls with the Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, the Candelabra, Tapestries and Maps Galleries. We will then leave the Vatican Museum and proceed to the imposing beauty of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Its dome was designed by Michelangelo who also designed the plan of the Renaissance church. Inside this church, we will experience the beauty of the world-famous sculpture La Pietà (another Michelangelo masterpiece and the only sculpture personally signed by the artist). And in the meantime, we will discover the originality of another art genius, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Thanks to him you can admire the extremely impressive Baldachin Altar (in gold and bronze), and the splendid Colonnade in St. Peter’s Square. The tour ends in St. Peter’s Square and you have some time on your own for lunch.  
In the afternoon you'll enjoy a Small Group Tasting Tour of Rome, perfect for food lovers. You'll go on a guided walking tour to markets, groceries and gelaterias with tastings at different locations in a group no larger than 12 people. Experience a nice stroll through Rome’s enchanting squares and neighbourhoods while tasting your way through some of the city’s best shops, restaurants, and markets, discovering first-hand the secrets of world-renowned Italian cuisine. Enjoy pizza with a mortadella tasting, supplì (fried rice ball), and pasta. Then, experience Jewish ghetto food specialities: fried artichokes and fried codfish. Savour an artisan gelato tasting alongside tips and history of food in Italy. The tour ends in the Trastevere area of Rome. Return to your hotel for overnight accommodation. (B)

Day 3: Rome | Pizza Making Class

The morning is yours to explore Rome as you please. In the afternoon indulge in the most iconic Italian food with a 90-minute pizza-making lesson at the popular “That’s Amore” restaurant, located a few steps from the Trevi Fountain. One of the “Fabiolous” chefs will guide you through the Italian tradition of preparing pizza dough from scratch, explain techniques & tips on making the best dough, and teach you how to dress your pizza properly. You’ll be given your own ingredients to top the pizza with whatever you like and experiment with various recipes. At the end, you’ll eat what you’ve prepared and you'll discover whether your skill level is now that of a real “Pizzaiolo”. This hands-on class is a fun and delicious experience for all ages! (B.D)

Day 4: Rome | Florence

Following breakfast at your hotel, check-out and make your way to the railway station where you will board a first-class train to Florence. On arrival, make your way to your hotel located right in the heart of Florence and in easy walking distance to the city's main attractions. After settling in, set out to start discovering this historic city, often referred to as the 'Cradle of Renaissance' at your own pace. Overnight accommodation at your centrally located hotel. (B)

Day 5: Florence | Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairing

Breakfast at your hotel and the morning & early afternoon at leisure. In the late afternoon enjoy a guided event tasting some of the many delicious tastes of the Tuscan region - Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairing. Learn the culinary history of the Tuscany region from our own professional sommelier. You will taste three delicious Tuscan wines throughout this experience, along with two different olive oils and three local cheese like delicious pecorino. Our expert sommelier won the prestigious title of "Best Sommelier 2014 FISAR", and he will teach you not only about the wines and cheeses, but will explain how to enjoy them as the locals do. This experience takes place in an intimate setting at a respected Italian wine bar. With our small group size, you will be able to get to know our sommelier and ask questions along the way. The sommelier will guide you through a journey across the history of the Chianti region, the different varieties of grapes, and much more. In the company of no more than 12 participants, this 1-hour experience is the perfect way to taste and discover Tuscany, like a local! During August, this tour, unfortunately, does not operate and is not included. The remainder of the evening is free to spend as you please. Take a stroll through the narrow streets to admire the small jewellery stores on Ponte Vecchio or perhaps visit one of the city's famous art galleries. (B)

Day 6: Florence | Cooking Class

This morning you'll learn to cook like an Italian with our 'market to table' cooking class and enjoy a Tuscan meal in Florence. The class will start with a visit to the central market where under the guidance of the Italian chef you will choose the best ingredients in season, before learning tips and techniques to make a full Italian meal that you can recreate at home. Once you got everything you need, we will move to the unique location where the class will take place, in the heart of Florence. During the four-hour lesson, you will prepare a full Italian meal, from appetizer to dessert. We will first prepare all the needed ingredients by washing and cutting them. Our chef will show you how to make fresh pasta from the raw ingredients and you will have the chance to knead it yourself. You will also cook the sauce (Tomato, Ragù Bolognese or Pesto), ‘bruschetta’ as a starter, a main course (seafood or meat) with a side dish, as well as a dessert! Our chef will then show you how to decorate your plate and you will finally have lunch with the amazing dishes you made. Lunch will be accompanied by a local wine, water or soft drink as you prefer. At the end of the class you will also get a Graduation Certificate as well as the receipts for the dishes you made, so you can recreate them back home and impress family and friends with your cooking skills! On Sundays & bank holidays when the central market is closed, the market visit skipped. The remainder of the day is at leisure to spend as you choose. (B.L) 

Day 7: Departure

Sadly today marks the end of this Epicurean vacation. Following breakfast at the hotel, make your way to Florence airport or railway station to start your journey back home. Or ask your travel agent about extending your Italy stay with CIT Tours. (B)

Daily departures

Some excursions included in this tour do not operate daily and itinerary will be modified to suit.
The 'Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairing' experience does not operate in August & will not be included during this period.