Italy Real Food Adventure

8 Days | Uncover the secrets of fresh Italian cuisine

4.8 out of 5 based on 52 reviews submitted.
Food
From
ZAR  51,937
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Italians are the masters of creating simple dishes that burst with flavour. Inspired by nonnas’ kitchens all over the country, this food is regional, seasonal and as fresh as possible. On this eight-day food-focused adventure through everybody’s favourite culinary hub, you’ll discover that pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse array of unforgettable street eats, meals and cicchetti from the postcard-perfect Venice to Rome, where medieval meets modern. Delight in local wine, fresh produce, homemade dinners and seasonal favourites in San Gimignano, Tuscany and Bologna.

Trip overview

Map of Italy Real Food Adventure including Italy
Start
Venice, Italy
Finish
Rome, Italy
Theme
Food
Destinations
Italy
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ZMZB
This trip generates 36 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Stay in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse near San Gimignano, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, and tour the grounds, indulging in tastings of their local wines and rich organic olive oil.
  • Take a cooking class and watch a demonstration of how Bologna pasta is made right in the heart of this culinary namesake before sitting down to enjoy the fruits (or pasta sheets) of your labour for dinner with your host.
  • Swap stories with a Roman local as you feast on seasonal dishes, homecooked for your group for dinner right in their home.
  • See Italy’s iconic sights, like the canals of Venice, the romantic streets of Rome and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in San Gimignano.
  • Find foodie bliss with a food tour that lets you taste all the regional highlights, like gelato, cicchetti, pasta, vinegar, cheese, seasonal fruit and veg and organic meats.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio. Donations help them regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The cuisine of Italy includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans, we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Italy which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
  • The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are comfortable and all have toilets but can be quite busy. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.
  • Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

Itinerary

Map of Italy Real Food Adventure including Italy

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Transport

Train, Metro, Private Vehicle, Bus

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Farmstay (2 nights)

Activities
  • Venice - Welcome Aperitivo
  • Venice - Cicchetti tour
  • Venice - Venetian Breakfast and Market Tour
  • Venice - Traghetto Ride
  • Bologna - Pasta class
  • Modena - Acetaia Visit
  • Modena - Trattoria Lunch
  • Modena - Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory visit
  • Agriturismo - Tour with wine and olive oil tasting
  • San Gimignano - Leader-led orientation walk
  • San Gimignano - Gelateria visit
  • San Gimignano - Walk a section of the Via Francigena
  • Rome - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Rome - Home-cooked dinner
Add on activities
  • Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs - EUR30
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection - EUR17
  • Venice - St Mark's Campanile - EUR12
  • Venice - Accademia Gallery - EUR16
  • Venice - San Giorgio Bell Tower - EUR6
  • Bologna - Eataly World - Free
  • Bologna - Torre degli Asinelli Tower - EUR5

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Days 5 and 6 (Agriturismo) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we endeavor to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
3. As of April 2024, Venice will implement a visitor’s fee for all travellers visiting the city between 25 April and 15 July 2024. This fee is not payable by Intrepid customers, however you will need to apply for an exemption before arrival at https://cda.comune.venezia.it/en/richiestaEsenzione. For further information, please see the “Passports, visas and entry requirements,” section of your Essential Trip Information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 52 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Carol · Traveled October 2023
Micol was an outstanding tour guide full of enthusiasm and dedicated to ensuring our safety and comfort. She is extremely organized and thoughtful.
Review submitted 29 Oct 2023

Bruce · Traveled October 2023
Excellent trip eating from Venice, through Tuscany to Rome. Highlight was staying at a working winery and visiting beautiful San Gimignano. And of course gelato everywhere!
Review submitted 28 Oct 2023

Debra · Traveled October 2023
This tour introduced us to the complex food culture that exists in Italy. The activities and meals included were excellent! Our tour guide, Desi, took very good care of us and we all left feeling like family. Grazie mille!
Review submitted 17 Oct 2023

Daniel · Traveled October 2023
A wonderful insight into Italy’s food & drink culture and how varied it is from region to region. Relaxing, fun and our leader Desi was the best! Thank you Intrepid. Planning my next one!!
Review submitted 20 Oct 2023

Kimberly · Traveled October 2023
Had to cancel my first trip because of COVID, and I am SO glad I was able to reschedule. Wonderful people, places, and food, and Desi was the best tour guide I could ask for!
Review submitted 21 Oct 2023
Italy Real Food Adventure
From
ZAR  51,937