Diane Morrisey’s Italian Food Tour

Full Itinerary Here:

Day 1 - Arrival

Independent arrival in Florence. The meeting point is at the hotel, we hope you can arrive before or around 5pm so we can enjoy the welcome dinner all together! Welcome dinner at Villa Olmi featuring an introduction to the Tuscan wine with an expert. 

Overnight in Villa Olmi 

Day 2 - Florence

Breakfast at the hotel and then head into Florence for a foodie walking tour with Kelsey. This will last a couple of hours and then in the afternoon you can either join Kelsey and Diane to explore the sights on foot or enjoy the afternoon on your own. Dinner is not included, but we will have a restaurant picked out for the group to enjoy together that evening. 

Overnight in Villa Olmi 

Day 3 - Siena and Volterra

Breakfast at the hotel. After picking you up from your hotel, a private driver will take you on a journey through the heart of Tuscany to visit two beautiful Tuscan towns rich in artistic jewels and architectural wonders. In Siena you will admire the unique Piazza del Campo that hosts the famous Palio horse race, and stroll around its atmospheric streets filled with Renaissance palaces, art treasures and decorated with the colorful flags representing the different neighborhoods that participate in the Palio.

Free time for lunch in local restaurants before meeting back up with the group. Before reaching your second destination of the day (Volterra) you will have time for a stop in Chianti to enjoy a wine tasting session in one of the renowned local wineries. Halfway between Florence and Siena, Volterra is an ancient town of Etruscan origins famous for its peculiar urban layout and the production of alabaster products. Not to miss is Palazzo dei Priori, Tuscany’s oldest town hall. Dinner on own.

Overnight in Villa Olmi 

Day 4 - Florence and Accademia

Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards take the hotel’s shuttle to the city center and meet your guide at the meeting point. Florence is a city of timeless beauty packed with extraordinary artistic treasures at every corner. You will embark on a pleasant stroll through the city’s major sights, such as Piazza della Signoria, a beautiful open air museum guarded by Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi with its incredible collection of marble statues, and Ponte Vecchio, the city’s iconic bridge lined with goldsmith shops. You will then explore the medieval district to admire the stunning Piazza del Duomo, home to artistic masterpieces like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with the stunning cupola realized by Brunelleschi, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower. Afterwards, meet the authentic Michelangelo's David in all his magnificence, and discover the other masterpieces housed in the Accademia Gallery museum. After having lunch in a traditional family restaurant (included in the tour), you will enjoy some free time in the city to discover and explore before taking the shuttle back to the hotel. Dinner on your own. 

Overnight in Villa Olmi 

Day 5 - Bologna

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will leave Florence behind and travel to Bologna where you will arrive in about a 1,5hr drive. A mecca for foodies and music lovers, Bologna is a bustling city that hosts Europe's oldest university and features countless historic and architectural treasures. Meet your guide and start your walking tour from Piazza Maggiore, the city’s medieval heart, and continue through the major landmarks that recount Bologna’s splendid past and present. Your guide will lead you under the city’s famous porticoes and through the alleys of the Quadrilatero, the medieval market lined with stands and old shops selling local delicacies. You will also see Torre Asinelli and Garisenda, the two leaning medieval towers that are commonly identified as the symbols of the city. Then you will have a 2 hour break for the group to decide where to eat on your free time before meeting back up with the group. Drive to Modena (about 1hr) and check-in at your hotel where you will enjoy your dinner (included in the tour). 

Overnight in Modena​

Day 6 - Modena 

Breakfast at the hotel. Then in the morning, you will discover the city that you will be staying in for the rest of the tour. Modena is one of the Unesco heritage cities of Emilia Romagna. Piazza Grande is the heart of Modena: you can admire the medieval cathedral and the Ghirlandina tower - both have been recognized by Unesco as heritage of mankind - and the Town Hall, a structure composed of various buildings that sprang up over the centuries starting in the Middle Ages and that is still today seat of the Municipality. Later in the morning, meet with a local chef that will introduce you to the local cuisine. You will be his guest in his kitchen, where you will prepare your lunch! Also included in the afternoon will be a wine tasting to pair local wines with your lunch from Central Italy. From here you will have free time to explore Modena on your own. Dinner is on your own- if you are still hungry!

Overnight in Modena 

Day 7 - Parmigiano Cheese, Langhirano Culatello & Torrechiara 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will explore the area of Parma Hills, land of Music and Great Food. You will visit a local Parmigiano cheese-maker, where the owner will introduce to the ancient technique and to the tasting rules of this exceptional produce. The Parmigiano-Reggiano is only produced locally with milk of selected areas, following a severe protocol. Our lunch will be a real surprise: we will access a farmhouse where a group of “mamas” work to preserve the old recipes of “tortelli” and “tortellini”. They will teach you how to make both of these, then of course you must eat what you create. 

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a visit to the unique Castle of Torrechiara and Langhirano. The enchanting Castle of Torrechiara was rebuilt between 1448 and 1460 by Pier Maria Rossi in honor of the beloved Bianca Pellegrini and perfectly preserves its square-shaped, late-medieval structure, comprised of four towers and an imposing crenelated curtain wall. Langhirano is home to the Italian “salami”. We will meet a traditional and artisanal producer who will unveil (some of) the best-kept secrets of his method of production. Dinner on your own.

Overnight in Modena

Day 8 - Lands of Balsamic Vinegar

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we take a drive to Emilia, where you will arrive in about 75min. Take a guided tour to the land of Balsamic Vinegar. You will touch small charming towns like Savignano Sul Panaro, Castelvetro and Vignola, passing from the squares of the villages to the Castle of Savignano and visiting small local producers. In Vignola, you’ll have 2 hours to enjoy some free time in the town to find a place to have lunch (not included in tour pricing). Famous all over the world for the production of cherries, Vignola is situated on the left side of Panaro's river and it's full of valuable buildings, first of all, its Fortress. Late afternoon, return to your accommodation in Modena. The group will have time to organize their luggage and to freshen up before our last group dinner that night! 

Overnight in Modena        

Day 9 - Departure 

Independent departure to Bologna center and airport for those flying out.