Gain a deeper knowledge of culinary Italy. As well as the sights of ancient Rome, Renaissance Florence and Byzantine Venice, sample the real Tuscan lifestyle. Visit olive oil and wine producers, shop for fresh ingredients at local markets and cook up a storm with a professional chef!

Highlights:

Sightseeing Highlights
Rome Sightseeing tour includes views of the Forum and Colosseum. Visit St. Peter's Basilica. Enjoy homemade Italian ice cream or a drink on Piazza Navona.
Greve Visit a wine and olive oil outlet, tasting a variety of Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils.
Tuscan experience Basic principles of Italian cuisine and a lesson on how to get by in Italian. Purchase fresh produce to use at your cooking lesson in a restaurant where a local chef will help you to prepare lunch. Select a Chianti to enjoy with your meal.
Florence Sightseeing includes a visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelos David. See Piazza Signoria and the marble Duomo.
Tuscan countryside Visit an olive oil mill for tastings and a delicious lunch.
Pisa Visit the Square of Miracles. View the Cathedral, Leaning Tower and Baptistery.
Fidenza Village Stop at this outlet village with over 100 boutiques.
Parma Orientation of the city.
Bologna Guided tour including the Kissing Towers.
Venice Cruise by private launch along the Giudecca with views of St. Mark's Square, the Byzantine Basilica, Doges Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit one of the city's oldest workshops and see a demonstration of the ancient art of Murano glass-blowing.
Secret Venice experience Enjoy a cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge and a guided walking tour through the calle. Visit the fish market.


Insider Highlights
Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.
Be My Guest Speciality Dinner with wine in Florence.
Local Expert Meet a professional Italian Chef who will tell you about fresh produce and local cuisine.
Local Speciality Visit a wine and olive oil outlet in the Chianti wine region.


First Class Travel Highlights
First class hotel accommodation featuring twin rooms and private facilities
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included
Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and onboard restroom
The services of one of our professional Travel Directors throughout your journey.
A qualified Local Guide in Rome, Bologna, Florence and Venice.
Audio headsets for all guided visits and included sightseeing
A pamphlet on Tuscan cuisine including the recipes made on this tour.
Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location.
A stylish wallet, travel documents, keepsake booklet and map


Airport Transfers
For full details on transfers, please click http://www.trafalgar.com//gsa/airport-transfers-2012 .

Dining Highlights:
Welcome Reception including light snacks and Welcome Drinks with your Travel Director in Rome.
9 hot buffet breakfasts.
1 three-course dinner with local wine.
Italian cooking lesson, purchase ingredients from the local market and then prepare a delicious lunch with help from a professional Italian Chef.
Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Parma.
Be My Guest dining experience in Florence.
Farewell Dinner with wine in Venice.



Itinerary:

Day 1: ARRIVE ROME (2 NIGHTS)

Welcome to Rome, the capital of Italy! Relax after your journey and meet your Travel Director and companions this evening for a Welcome Reception to hear details about your exciting holiday. Discover the beauty of this city during an evening drive, finishing at the buzzing Piazza Navona, where you will be treated to a delicious gelato.

Hotel: Atlantico (F)

Day 2: ROME SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

View the Forum, the Colosseum and Circus Maximus during your sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide. Visit St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. Spend the afternoon seeing the sights on your own.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 3: ROME - GREVE IN CHIANTI - FLORENCE (3 NIGHTS)

Drive through Lazio, and the rolling hills of Umbria and Tuscany to the charming town of Greve. Visit a wine and olive oil outlet and taste excellent Chiantis and extra virgin olive oils! Greves main square has some of the finest food shops in Europe - dont forget to try the salumi. Later, drive through picturesque Chianti hills to your beautiful villa near Florence.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)
Hotel: Villa II Poggiale (F)

Day 4: FLORENCE SIGHTSEEING

Your expert Local Guide takes you on a walking tour to the Accademia to see Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Admire Piazza Signoria and the coloured marble Duomo. This evening over a glass of wine in your villa, enjoy a short talk from your Travel Director on the basic principles of Italian cuisine and learn a few words of Italian in preparation for your shopping and cooking day tomorrow!

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 5: TUSCAN LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE

Begin your day at a fruit and vegetable market with a local professional chef where purchases are made for fresh produce for your cooking lesson. Take your produce to the restaurant and spend time together in the kitchen preparing your midday meal and enjoying wine to go with it! After your wonderful Highlight Lunch with local wine return to the villa for the night. Your evening is free to do as you please.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)

Day 6: FLORENCE - PISA - FIDENZA - PARMA

This morning stop in Pisa to view the amazing Leaning Tower and cathedral set in the Square of Miracles. Later pay a visit to Fidenza Village. This is a pleasant and elegant shopping outlet complex with over 100 boutiques. Fashion and accessory brands include Armani, Dolce and Gabbana and Valentino. On arrival in Parma check-in to your hotel. This evening a Highlight Dinner of local specialities awaits you.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Palace Maria Luigia (F)

Day 7: PARMA - BOLOGNA

A short drive will bring you to Bologna. This city is renowned for its culinary tradition and cured meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami. It has also given its name to the well-known Bolognese sauce, a meat based pasta sauce called rag alla bolognese. Here you will enjoy a walking tour with an expert Local Guide including views of the famous Kissing Towers. In your free time you could perhaps try a local delicatessen such as Tamburini to taste some regional specialities. This evening enjoy free time in Bologna or take an excursion to a nearby vineyard to hear about Pignoletto, Lambrusco and Sangiovese wines.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Una Hotel (SF)

Day 8: BOLOGNA - VENICE (2 NIGHTS)

See the Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doges Palace during your private cruise along the Giudecca to St. Mark's Square. Visit one of the city's oldest glass-blowing workshops for a demonstration of this ancient craft. Spend time exploring the labyrinth of streets and canals on your own or join an optional activity.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)
Hotel: Principe/Amadeus (F)

Day 9: SECRET VENICE WALKING TOUR AND VISIT TO THE MARKET

Cruise along the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. Your expert Local Guide brings the city to life during your walking tour. Cross the Rialto and visit the colourful centuries-old fish market. See a range of curious and beautiful architecture including Marco Polos house. The rest of the day is free to explore, or perhaps consider an excursion to Burano for some delicious local seafood! Celebrate this evening with your Travel Director and companions at a special Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Day 10: DEPART VENICE

This morning, say 'arrivederci' to your fellow travellers at the end of your wonderful Flavours of Italy holiday! Transfers are available. Conditions apply.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Remarks / Terms and Conditions:
- Prices in USD.

- These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
- For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.

Hotel Class Key: D: Deluxe SF: Superior First Class F: First Class

Availability and Pricing:

Departs On	Returns On	Land Price
Sun, Apr 29, 2012	Tue, May 08, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, May 13, 2012	Tue, May 22, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Jun 03, 2012	Tue, Jun 12, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Jun 10, 2012	Tue, Jun 19, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Jun 17, 2012	Tue, Jun 26, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Jul 01, 2012	Tue, Jul 10, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Jul 08, 2012	Tue, Jul 17, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Jul 15, 2012	Tue, Jul 24, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Jul 22, 2012	Tue, Jul 31, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Jul 29, 2012	Tue, Aug 07, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Aug 05, 2012	Tue, Aug 14, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Aug 12, 2012	Tue, Aug 21, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Aug 19, 2012	Tue, Aug 28, 2012	US$2795.00
Sun, Aug 26, 2012	Tue, Sep 04, 2012	US$2875.00
Sun, Sep 02, 2012	Tue, Sep 11, 2012	US$2975.00
Sun, Sep 09, 2012	Tue, Sep 18, 2012	US$2975.00
Sun, Sep 16, 2012	Tue, Sep 25, 2012	US$2975.00
Sun, Sep 23, 2012	Tue, Oct 02, 2012	US$2975.00
Sun, Sep 30, 2012	Tue, Oct 09, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Oct 07, 2012	Tue, Oct 16, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Oct 14, 2012	Tue, Oct 23, 2012	US$2935.00
Sun, Oct 21, 2012	Tue, Oct 30, 2012	US$2935.00