Benvenuto or Welcome to Italy! On arrival day we will meet you at the Milan International Airport in the morning (so please ensure your flight arrives by 10:00am).

We will immediately transfer from the airport to Verona for a short walking tour and a welcome lunch where we will get to know one another. Verona, a city steeped in history and romance, captivates visitors with its timeless charm and storied past. From the iconic Verona Arena, a magnificent Roman amphitheater, to the enchanting Juliet's balcony, said to be the setting of Shakespeare's tragic love story, the city effortlessly transports travelers into a world of Shakespearean drama and architectural marvels, making Verona truly special. We will spend the afternoon exploring Verona before heading up the mountains to our accommodation at the Stadt Hotel in the center of Bolzano.

Dinner will be at a nearby Bolzano restaurant with traditional South Tyrollean cuisine.

The food scene in South Tyrol is unique compared to other areas of Italy due to its fascinating blend of Alpine and Mediterranean influences. South Tyrol's cuisine reflects its rich cultural heritage, with a diverse range of flavors and ingredients that set it apart.

We will enjoy breakfast at leisure at the hotel followed by a morning walking tour of Bolzano. We will meet our private guide and receive an overview of the most significant monuments and the interesting historical background of a town whose importance as a vital trading station traces back to the Middle Ages and it’s complicated modern history as a territory torn most of its life between two countries.

Following our Bolzano tour we will discover the South Tyrollean Wine Road with visits to three (3) wineries including a delicious fresh farm to table lunch with wine pairings.

This evening will be at leisure with a cash stipend.

Enjoy breakfast at leisure at the hotel.

Today we journey to Ortisei (1 hour approx.), and will be take the Gondola lift to climb the “Alpe di Siusi” the largest high altitude Alpine meadow in Europe, following the lift we will walk to the Sanon Hutte for lunch and a little apres ski (minus the ski). The Sanon Hutte is a traditional mountain hutte with authentic South Tyrollean cuisine. One distinctive aspect of South Tyrolean cuisine is its strong focus on hearty, mountain-inspired dishes that are perfect for fueling outdoor adventures in the Alps. Traditional specialties such as speck (cured ham), kaiserfleisch (smoked pork belly), and käsespätzle (cheese dumplings) showcase the region's love for hearty, comforting fare.

After lunch we will return in Ortisei and visit this quaint town with a short walking tour and time at leisure. The town's long tradition of woodcarving adds to its charm, with numerous shops showcasing intricately carved wooden sculptures and artisan crafts. Ortisei also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historic churches and museums offering insight into the region's history and traditions.

Tonights dinner will be at a local trattoria.

Enjoy your last breakfast at leisure in South Tyrol.

We will depart Bolzano and travel to the region of Emilia Romanga. We will stop in Modena for a walking tour of the city followed by a visit to the Modena market and lunch with a tasting of all Modena’s famous foods including Parmesan cheese, Parma ham, Gnocco Fritto, Tigelle, and Lambrusco wine.

After lunch we will head to one of the most important “Acetaia”, which is what the Italians call the traditional balsamic vinegar producer in Modena, for a balsamic vinegar tour.

With this experience, we will taste the balsamic in their various aging of the product.

Once we have had our fill of Balsamic we will continue on to our accommodation at the Art Hotel Commercianti in Bologna.

Dinner will be at a local trattoria in Bologna where we can taste traditional Bolognese cuisine. Known as the culinary capital of Italy, Bologna is famous for its traditional dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù (Bolognese sauce), tortellini in brodo (tortellini in broth), and mortadella, a type of cured meat. Local markets and restaurants brim with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and specialty foods, offering visitors a taste of the region's gastronomic delights.

Breakfast is at leisure at the hotel.

Later this morning we will meet our private guide for a walking tour of Bologna visiting Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio, la Torre degli asinelli (outside), Basilica di Santo Stefano, and the canals of Bologna.

Bologna, Italy's vibrant and historic city, is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture, world-class cuisine (including the famous Bolognese sauce), and its prestigious university, which is one of Europe's oldest. Known as "La Dotta" (The Learned) for its intellectual heritage and "La Grassa" (The Fat) for its delicious food, Bologna offers a captivating blend of culture, history, and culinary delights for travelers to explore.

Following our walking tour we will stop for a later lunch at a local trattoria.

This evening will be at leisure with a cash stipend for dinner.

Breakfast is at leisure at the hotel (however we recommend not filling up too much)

This morning we will enjoy a cooking class in Bologna.

Pick up techniques for turning out flawless fresh pasta and traditional tiramisu during a hands-on lesson, while you snack on cheese, charcuterie, and wine. We will finish the class with lunch made of our beautiful creations.

This evening will be at leisure for everyone to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings with a cash stipend.

Breakfast is at leisure in the hotel.

Early this morning we will depart Bologna for an authentic Parmesan cheese tour and tasting for lunch. The tour offers behind-the-scenes look at the production process of this iconic Italian cheese. You will learn about the history and tradition of Parmesan cheese, followed by a visit to the production area where giant copper vats are used to heat milk and produce curds. Visitors can observe skilled cheese makers as they cut, stir, and shape the curds into large wheels of cheese.

Following our visit to Parma we will continue on to the metropolitan city of Milan.

Once we arrive in Milan we will partake in an afternoon guided tour of the city. Here we will visit the medieval Sforza Castle, a grand medieval Castle and fortress, the splendid Duomo (outside), walk inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping gallery, the most famous Opera House, and the fabulous La Scala theatre.

This evening we will have our farewell dinner in a local Milano trattoria.

Breakfast is at leisure at the hotel

There will be two scheduled transfers from the hotel to the Milan International Airport.

ARRIVEDERCI!

While we have carefully planned and organized our itinerary, there may be circumstances beyond our control that necessitate changes to hotels, tours, or restaurants during the course of our trip.

Please rest assured that should any changes occur, our priority will be to ensure that the replacement accommodation, tour, or restaurant is of equal or higher quality and standards.