Food & Wine - Central & Southern Italy package all inclusive

10 days itinerary - Food & Wine - Central & Northern Italy - Package 42

9 Nights / 10 Days

Local Tours

Price from€8.200or less

10 days itinerary - Food & Wine - Central & Northern Italy - Package 42 — View more photos

INTRO

Embark on a delectable 10-day adventure
Discover the charm of Venice with guided tours of Murano, Burano, and Mazzorbo, followed by a scenic gondola ride along the Grand Canal
Indulge in an authentic "cicchetti" experience and learn about the famous "Parmigiano Reggiano" with a demonstration and tasting
Tour a balsamic vinegar factory and savor the flavors of world-famous Italian "Prosciutto" with a tasting
Delight in a private guided food tour in Florence and enjoy wine tasting and a light lunch in the Bolgheri area
Explore the medieval town of San Gimignano on a day tour, followed by a cooking class adventure and full-course meal
Discover Pienza and Montalcino on another day tour, and visit renowned Tuscan wine cellars for tastings and a gourmet lunch
Conclude with a visit to a famous chocolate factory for a demonstration and tasting
Retreat each night to hand-picked 4 or 5-star accommodations with breakfast included

HIGHLIGHTS

Food & Wine - Central & Northern Italy - 9 Nights / 10 Days

10 day tour with 3 Nights in Venice, 6 Nights in Florence
Guided tour of Venice, Murano, Burano, Mazzorbo, Florence
Gondola ride along the Grand Canal
Authentic "cicchetti" experience
Famous "Parmigiano Reggiano" demonstration and tasting
Tour of a balsamic vinegar factory with tasting
World famous Italian “Prosciutto” tour, followed by cured ham tasting
Private guided food tour in Florence
Wine tasting and light lunch in the Bolgheri area
Day tour exploring the medieval town San Gimignano
Cooking class adventure followed by a full course meal in San Gimignano
Day tour of Pienza and Montalcino
Guided tour of the renown Tuscan wine cellars with tasting and gourmet lunch
Visit the most famour choccolate factory with demonstation and tasting
Hand-picked 4 or 5 star accommodations with breakfasts included

our safety measures

English speaking driver at your disposal for 10-11 hrs per day
New luxury mercedes vehicle
Vehicle sanitized prior to pick up of guests
The vehicle will be used exclusively for you for the duration of the vacation/tour
The driver and vehicle is exclusive the same from the start till the end of the vacation.
Our tours frequent off the beaten path locations, less frequented by tourists with a greater authentic feel.
No hidden costs: guides and tickets are always included in our packages
Company representative available by phone 24 hrs per day
Flexible, risk free bookings and penalty changes*
Changes to land portion of tours up to 30 days prior to the travel date without penalty*

Why choose our tours vs big groups

Customize your days and timing at sites directly with your driver
Private, comfortable luxury vehicle exclusively for your party for the duration of your tour
Our private vehicles (which can hold a maximum of 8 guests) can arrive directly in the main center of the
cities, while taking a bus involves a considerable amount of walking which is a significant amount of lost touring time.
No need to wait around for group members to arrive and designated meeting times
More time to spend actually visiting sites
Air conditioning (temperature control) and Wi-Fi on board
Water, snacks and refreshing cotton wipes with aloe vera, provided everyday.
Friendly, local, english speaking driver/guides who engage with guests and share information to optimize your touring experience
24/7 assistance and support from our ground operational office in Italy
Private small groups of 3, 4, 6 and 8 + price per person will be lower
For groups more than 8 guests, we’ll use 2 minivans and the service provided will be the same
For custom made tours we work with any reasonable budget

AVERAGE PRICE

Average Price for this package is 8.200€ per person based on private party of 4 guests in a 4 or 5-star hotel in standard double occupancy rooms. If there are additional guests in your party, the price per person decreases, please fill the form to get the best offer for your private tour of Italy 🇮🇹.

When

All year

Price From

8200.00

Level

Very Easy

What’s included

9 Nights in 4 or 5 star hotel
9 Breakfasts
English speaking driver at your disposal for 10-11 hrs per day
Water - snacks - refreshing cotton wipes with aloe vera
Local licensed guides
Entrance Tickets to sites as indicated

Not included

Gratuities
Air fare
City Taxes

Food & Wine - Central & Southern Italy - 9 Nights / 10 Days

Day 1	Arrival at Venice Airport. One of our representative will be waiting for you outside the baggage claim. Boat transfer from the airport to your 4 or 5 star accommodation in Venice for a three night stay. Remainder of the day/evening at your leisure.
Day 2	Discover the magnificent architecture, art and history of Venice during a private 2 hour guided walking tour with a professionally licensed, English speaking guide, followed by a 30 minute gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Enjoy an unforgettable cooking adventure and discover one of the most famous Venetian dishes: the "Cicchetti". Cicchetti are usually served as side dishes in the traditional "bacari" (wine bars), and they can be of various types. Of course you will have the honor of indulging in your freshly prepared cicchetti that will be served with an all time favorite: Prosecco wine!
Day 3	Together with your guide, you will explore Murano and visit one of oldest glass blowing factories where you will remain in awe as you watch the incredible craftmanship of the glass-blowers creating a myriad of incredible yet fragile objects. You will stop in Mazzorbo, a small town close to Burano where you can easily enjoy a more authentic Venice away from the crowds in a winery during a wine tasting and a light lunch. Stop in Burano, a picture-perfect island famous for its colorful houses and super tasty cookies known as the "Buranei".
Day 4	Check out of your hotel in Venice. Private water taxi transfer you from your accommodation to main land and continue onto Florence. Your private driver will transfer you between these two cities with a few tasty stops en route. Enjoy a visit at a balsamic vinegar farm with light lunch and tasting included. Stop in a local cheese factory and discover the art of Parmigiano making along with some tasting. Discover the history and tradition behind the world famous Italian “Prosciutto” followed by cured ham tasting and more. Upon arrival in Florence, check in to your 4 or 5 star accommodation, for a two night stay.
Day 5	Experience a guided street food walking tour of Florence is mandatory to catch the real soul of this beautiful eternal city. You will explore the Sant’Ambrogio area, a great destination for foodies who want to try some challenging specialty, such as the crostino nero or veal stew meatballs, but also a heavenly spot for cheese and cold cut lovers!
Day 6	Check out of Florence and stop for wine tasting and light lunch en route. You will admire excellent vineyards and take pleasure in tasting various typical wines accompanied by a light lunch in the Bolgheri area, which now holds a place of honor among Tuscany's most dynamic wine zone. Check in to a 4 or 5-star accommodation in the Tuscan countryside for a four night stay.
Day 7	Today you will have time to explore San Gimignano, a beautiful example of an Italian medieval town. In the Middle Ages, building a tower taller than their neighbor’s was a popular way for prominent families to show their power. You will see that this typical skyline still exists today in San Gimignano. Do not forget to taste the Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine, a typical wine from the Chianti region. Launch yourself in a fantastic cooking experience during which you will have the chance to cook and savor your own creations.
Day 8	Meet your driver and head on to the Val D’Orcia. Visit Montepulciano, a very quiet and characteristic uncontaminated medieval village. Time to visit Pienza, within the walls of this village, wonderful Renaissance buildings alternate with shops specializing in the sale of local cheese. Next stop, Montalcino, which has remained almost intact since the 16th century. The city has become rich and famous thanks to Brunello, one of the best Italian wines and one of the most popular in the world. At the end of the tour you will visit one of the historic wine cellars of the Tuscan countryside. You will have the chance to sip the wine varieties during the guided tasting, and bring the full flavor of the wines to life with a light gourmet Tuscan lunch.
Day 9	Explore Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and the Basilica where you will find frescos of Giotto, Cimabue, and many others. Be sure not to miss the other beautiful places this almost untouched medieval town, built in pretty pink stone, has to offer. You will have time in Perugia, a hilltop town located in the centre of the Umbria region, which is a perfect blend of natural and historic attractions. Or fill your stomach with regional specialties, especially the tasty hazelnut-filled chocolate produced here. Get your chocolate bearings with a tour of the Perugina factory, on the outskirts of the city, where these treats are still made today. Here at the “Casa del Cioccolato”, you will start with a tour of the museum, learning how a cocoa bean is transformed into rich chocolate, and also about the early days of Italy’s most famous chocolatier.
Day 10	Enjoy your breakfast and meet your driver. Private transfer from your accommodation in Tuscany to Florence or Rome FCO Airport. Departure from Italy 😔 .

What is the currency used in Italy, and where can I exchange money?

The currency in Italy is the Euro (€). You can exchange money at banks, exchange offices ("cambio"), or ATMs. Banks offer competitive rates but may have higher fees. Exchange offices are convenient but compare rates. ATMs are widespread with favorable rates, but watch for bank fees. Major credit cards are accepted, but carrying cash for small purchases and emergencies is advisable.

Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?

There are discussions about changes to travel regulations, including the potential requirement for a ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) for visitors from the US to Italy. To keep up with the news we recommend you visit the following website https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

What are hotel taxes in Italy, how do I pay them and how much are they?

In Italy, hotel taxes, known as "tassa di soggiorno" or tourist tax, are fees charged by local municipalities on guests at accommodations like hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. These taxes vary based on location and accommodation type, usually calculated per person per night. They're not typically included in the room rate and are paid directly to the provider upon check-out, often in cash or added to the final bill. Exemptions may apply for certain guests, such as children or those with disabilities.

How do you greet people in Italy?

Greetings in Italy are typically warm and involve a handshake. It's common to greet people with a friendly "Ciao" or "Buongiorno" (good morning) during the day. In the evening or when meeting someone for the first time, "Buonasera" (good evening) is more appropriate. Italians value politeness, so don't forget to use "Grazie" (thank you) and "Per favore" (please) when appropriate.

What are the opening hours for shops and businesses?

In Italy, traditional business hours are observed, with most shops opening around 9:00 am and closing for a few hours in the afternoon (usually between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm). Shops then reopen at around 5:30 pm. Some smaller businesses may close on Sundays, so it's advisable to plan shopping accordingly.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Italy?

While major credit cards are generally accepted, it's advisable to carry some cash, especially in smaller establishments. Notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid any issues with card transactions.

How do gratuities work in Italy?

Gratuities are not mandatory and never included, but if you've been pleased with the service, it's customary to show appreciation, and workers are very thankful. Generally speaking, gratuities can be 100€ full day guides, 50€ half/partial day guides, driver 75-150€ on full day use of vehicle, skipper 150-250€ for full day tours, hotel porters 3-5€ per bag, restaurants 10-20% on the total, guest ambassadors, based on service received, 1-5% on rhe total amount. Gratuities in Italy run anywhere from 10-25% depending on the services and your satisfaction with them.

What should I wear if I want to visit some religious sites?

If you intend to visit religious sites, please have knees and shoulders covered (both men and women).

Neil D

From

We took a 21 day private tour of Italy. Everything was perfectly planed and executed: We have traveled the world using tours from A&K and Tauck.The Joe Banana's Tour was better than both. Our travel coordinator Milena and our driver Rafaela were both professional and personable. We were well taken care of for the whole 21 day trip. We would highly recommend them to our family and friends.

roxyblackbu

From Houston, Texas

Best guided tour in italy: We enjoyed a 10 day private tour of Venice, Florence, Rome with day trips to numerous smaller cities for wonderful experiences like balsamic and wine tasting, cooking classes and gondola rides. Our driver Giuseppe’s was fantastic and the van was very luxurious. All aspects of the trip were delightful with plenty of down time, personal requests attended to and highly knowledgeable guides who enriched our experiences immensely. Our guides ensured we saw all the highlights in the many museums and churches we toured and helped us to understand ancient and Italian history and art. Would definately use Joe Banana again and highly recommend to anyone traveling to Italy. The entire experience was professional and excellently planned and carried out

Daniel Febbroriello

From South Carolina

I highly recommend Joe Banana and his crew for any of your vacation needs in Italy! We booked a 13 day tour with them and it was fantastic. From our first contact with Melana our entire trip was handled without us having to worry. She planned the perfect vacation for the 6 of us. All of our local tour guides were phenomenal and offered the best recommendations. Our driver Giuseppe was great and went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of. Wouldn't hesitate to book another trip with them!

Gordon C

From

Our family of four just finished a three week European vacation which was organized and executed by JBL Tours. This was the best travel experience we have had so far. This was our fourth trip with JBL but first one to include other countries besides Italy. The arrangements were complex but Cindy and Milena were awesome at meeting all of our specific needs including hotels, tours, guides and any thing else we requested. Our trip started in Paris and France, went thru Switzerland and then Italy from Lake Como to the Amalfi coast. Our driver, Antonio, picked us up at the Paris airport and served as our driver and sometimes guide managing all the details with local English speaking guides, tours, restaurant recommendations and multiple cruises over a three week period. Thanks to him and all the JBL staff, we never had to worry about any details. Antonio feels like part of our family now. We had the pleasure of meeting Joe in Sorrento and saw his dedication to individualized travel experience. We will definitely be using JBL in our future European travel.

U9770EOmarkb

From

We built a customized tour with Joe Banana that was centered around Sorento / Amalfi / Pompei / Rome / Vatican City. It was an INCREDIBLE trip. Everyone we interacted with from Joe Banana was great. Our main driver Raffaele and main contact Milena were always above and beyond and the fact that we found our own VRBO places to stay and Joe Banana worked that in so easily made it even better! Our local guides in Rome and Pompei were extremely pleasant and knowledgeable and we even planned a private boat day with our Captain Luigi out to Capri (HUGE BONUS)! All in all would HIGHLY recommend Joe Banana and will absolutely use them again for our next visit to a different part of Italy!

968hollys

From

Anna at JB was amazing at helping me plan a whirlwind tour of a ton of Italy. She tailored the trip to be everything I asked for and more. Their communication throughout the trip was perfect, and we had 10 days of amazing adventures that I will never ever forget. A trip of a lifetime. I am already plotting my return to Italy, now that I have a taste of so much of it. I couldn't recommend Joe Banana more. Nothing will ever be perfect, but they are as close as it comes. I don't think anyone else would have helped me cram so much in, in the timeframe we had. We were never left without communication or a guide. From the start to the finish- TOP NOTCH planning and communication. Trust me, and use JB for your Italy travel. They KNOW Italy!

31suzannel

From

We searched for the right tour and the right company to help us celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We reached out to Joe Banana based on reviews we had read and started planning a trip for August 2023. Milenia was the best person to ask all my questions and make suggestions. She calmed my fears when I was “nervous” about things and let me know she would always be in contact with us. We spent two weeks in Italy visiting Venice, Florence/Tuscany region, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast and finally Rome. We planned all private tours and drivers and none of them disappointed. They were all fabulous. At the end of the tours we felt like family. Milenia always checked in every afternoon and asked how things went. Some days we suggested a slight change for the next day and she would always try to accommodate. All do the tours guides were phenomenal and so knowledgeable about the areas. All the drivers were friendly and great. I would 1000% recommend them to anyone and should we find ourselves back in Italy I would not hesitate to work with them again.