The Italians’ love affair with food makes it worth visiting for the cuisine alone. This country is famous for so many dishes and treats, from pizza and pasta to gelato, from seafood including octopus, sea urchin and clams to cheeses – among the best known of which are mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan, ricotta and mascarpone. And then of course there’s the wine…
The following tours immerse you in Italian life in general: its history, its culture, its people. They also immerse you in its food and drink, thanks to memorable moments focused on specific ingredients native to the destination, or on very special meals served in unique venues.
As well as meals, your tour price includes the services of a holiday director and a specialist local guide to help you really get under the skin of your destinations.
Naples | Pompeii (4 days) | Sorrento | Naples
This blissful eight-day trip invites you to discover the epic Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum (both destroyed by an ash cloud from Vesuvius looming overhead) from your stylish base in the lively city of Naples, the birthplace of real pizza.
But the true foodie highlight comes in Sorrento to the south, where you’ll visit a family-owned farm to find out how the liqueur limoncello is produced from local lemons. Enjoy a tasting in the lemon groves, as well as samplings of lemon ice cream and jam. You can also opt to add on a three-hour cookery class learning to emulate traditional local recipes. Other optional excursions are a Three Tenors in Concert musical experience, a drive along the iconic Amalfi coastline and a boat trip to the glamorous island of Pompeii.
Nice | Menton and Dolceacqua | Alassio (2 days) | Monaco & Monte Carlo | watermill lunch | Alassio | Nice
The French and Italian Rivieras are both on the itinerary of this fantastic eight-day tour, from their glamorous gold-sand beaches to their medieval villages. All meals are, unsurprisingly, wonderful, but the standout is a very special lunch at an ancient watermill transformed into a rustic restaurant, with an authentic Italian tasting menu of 10-plus dishes paired with wine and limoncello.
You’ll also love Menton on the Côte d'Azur near the Italian border, famous for its pastel-coloured houses, its 17th-century Basilica of Saint-Michel and its lemons, and the medieval town of Dolceacqua in Liguria – two lovely villages lined by a pretty stone bridge. From Alassio, you can also take optional excursions to elegant Santa Margherita and Portofino with its designer boutiques and wonderful array of restaurants and bars.
Catania | Taormina | Letojanni | Piazza Armerina | Cefalù | Campofelice di Roccella | Palermo and Monreale | Catania
Another thrilling eight-day tour, this includes a stop at the market of the island capital Palermo for a street-food experience in a local café, tasting an array of authentic local delicacies including arancini, chickpea fritters, deep-fried rice balls and Sicilian pizza.
Also on the agenda is a wealth of architecture, ascending Europe's tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, by cable car, marvelling at the Greco-Roman theatre at clifftop Taormina, and exploring the lovely seaside town of Cefalù. The last visit of the trip is to Monreale Cathedral, one of the world’s greatest examples of Norman architecture, with enchanting golden paintings and spectacular mosaics.
To book your Italy tour including meals and unique foodie moments, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Aruba beckons with its serene beauty, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a luxurious tropical getaway. Aruba boasts award-winning, uncrowded, white-sand beaches that promise a slice of paradise where you can unwind to your heart's content. With guaranteed sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and stunning architecture, Aruba is a gem waiting to be discovered.
The personal experiences of our Travel Counsellors, together with their combined insider knowledge of hotels, resorts, and destinations, ensure that they can hand-pick the very best holidays for your needs.
Continuing the pioneering spirit of the innovative, award-winning Virgin Voyages cruises, Brilliant Lady is set to cross the United States in her highly anticipated 2025 debut season. Highlights among the once-in-a-lifetime five- to 16-night journeys will include a voyage through the Panama Canal and a trip through the glaciers and fjords of Alaska.
