Stimulate your senses this customizable culinary adventure through the land of “La Dolce Vita,” a country famous for its gastronomic delights. As palate pleasing as it is picturesque, you’ll eat your way through mouth-watering Rome and Bologna. Dine alfresco on delicacies like panini, prosciutto and Chianti during self-guided picnics. Learn to make classic dishes like pizza during a private cooking lesson. Meander through medieval markets and cool off with a gelato. Treat you taste buds with a tantalizing chocolate, cheese and wine tour. Featuring stylish hotels, private airport transfers and more. Buon appetito!

Rome, the 'Eternal City', is the capital of Italy. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to explore the sites of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. A few blocks away, Old Rome is the center of the medieval and Renaissance periods, with beautiful plazas, cathedrals, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Fountains of Trevi, Campo de' Fiori, Spanish Steps, and plenty of shopping and dining. Just across the river is the Vatican, the Papal City State and its endless treasure troves of sights, relics, and museums, as well as the surrounding Italian neighborhood, Vaticano. Via Veneto leads north into modern Rome to the train station and is lined with glitzy shops and hotels for every budget.

Enjoy a private Airport (Fiumicino/Ciampino) transfer with a private vehicle and driver.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

The sprawling grounds around the Villa Borghese are perfect for an afternoon picnic. Stop for supplies at a local grocer (panini buns, cheese, prosciutto, and perhaps a nice bottle of Chianti?) and head towards the Spanish Steps at the northern edge of the city. Climb the grand, sweeping steps to the twin bell towers of the Chiesa Trinita dei Monti, commissioned in 1585 by Pope Sixtus V and designed by Giacomo della Porta, a follower of Michelangelo, and enjoy the stunning views of the Roman rooftops. At the top of the steps, take a right along Via Sistina and a left into Via Francesco Crispi. Then follow the Aurelian wall (the ancient Roman city wall) until you arrive at Via Vittorio Veneto. Turn left there and enter the Villa Borghese gardens on your right. Walk along the tree-lined Viale del Museo Borghese to the stunning Museo e Galleria Borghese, home to stunning Renaissance masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, and Canova. You can pre-book tickets online at www.ticketeria.it (tickets purchased locally and not included in the price of your tour). After the museum, head down Via dell'Uccelliera and stop in at the city zoo, called the Bioparco (tickets purchased locally and not included in the price of your tour). After the zoo, follow Viale del Giardino Zoologico down to the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, home to the masterpieces of the Italian impressionists (tickets purchased locally and not included in tour price). After all the walking, animal watching, and masterpiece oggling, it's time for lunch! Head down the grand steps in front of the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna and follow Via Madama Letizia. After a short walk you'll see a pretty lake with an island temple on it. The temple is called the Tempio de Esculapio and was designed by the 18th-century architect Antonio Asprucci and is dedicated to the Roman god of health. Find a quiet scrap of grass here, unpack your lunch, and enjoy a beautiful sunny Roman afternoon in the park!

Quattro Fontane Hotel (3*) is situated in an elegant 19th century palace, in the historic and commercial centre of Rome.  As one of the most prestigious and central facilities, it assures the best comfort and privacy, while being just a few steps from the Trevi Fountain.  The large rooms are furnished in a classic style and offers all the amenities required for the utmost comfortable stay. Under new Roman law, hotels charge a small amount per traveller per day as a “tourist tax”, which needs to be paid locally through your hotel in Rome. Amounts may vary, but currently the cost is 2EUR per person for 2* & 3* hotels and 3EUR for 4* & 5* hotels. The charges will be added to your bill upon check out and are non-negotiable.

Overnight at Quattro Fontane (3*).

Discover Rome by foot on your guided 3 hour walking tour today.  Don't forget your camera as you visit the Spanish Steps, Scalinata, The Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, and Navona Square.

Overnight at Quattro Fontane (3*).

Eat your way across Rome. Starting at Gelateria Alberto Pica with flavours such as fragolini de bosco (wild strawberry) and petali di rosa (rose petal).

Dinner is at leisure this evening. Some suggestions that you may consider for fine dining are: La Pergola (3 Michelin stars), Il Pagliaccio (2 Michelin stars), Agata e Romeo (1 Michelin star), Il Convivio-Troianior L’Altro Mastai. (paid locally)

Overnight at Quattro Fontane (3*).

Untouched by mass tourism, Bologna is the capital of the prosperous Emilia Romagna region. The city is finally taking its rightful place on many people's travel itineraries. Home to the oldest university in Europe, and arguably the gastronomic capital of the country, Bologna also boasts a myriad of splendid architecture of brick and tile, along with impressive porticoes (all 40km of them). No surprise then that Bologna is famed for its restaurants - and there are hundreds of them.

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Enjoy the train to Bologna. The journey will take approximately 2 hours twenty minutes hours.

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Enjoy a private 3 hour waking tour of Bologna with your own English speaking Guide. See some of the most important buildings in the city such as Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Protesta, The Sala Borsa, Palazzo re Enzo and the famous Fountain of Neptune which dates back to the 16th century. Additionally, you'll view the Medieval Market and Loggia Dei Mercanti, the Anatomy Theater (closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday), Basilica of San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, Two Towers and the Complex of Santo Stefano. Please note that the tour excludes entrance fees, optional gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop off, food and drink).

The NH De la Gare (4*) is situated in the heart of Bologna in front of the train station and close to the main historical monuments and the cities business district. The hotel has 156 functional and comfortable rooms, 7 junior suites and 2 suites all, which are on the top floor of the hotel with breath taking views.

The hotels elegant restaurant is the perfect place to sample some traditional national and local cuisine. The classic and pleasant atmosphere ensures that your stay is unforgettable.

Overnight at NH Bologna De La Gare (4*).

Take a 2 hour private guided walking tour through the medieval market and explore the history, art and traditions of Bologna with an English speaking Guide. Visit a traditional bakery, followed by a visit to a pasta connoisseur's where you'll learn about the production of Tortellini and Tagliatelle. Continue to Beccari's salsamenteria to discover the history of mortadella, from the third century BC right up until modern times. The highlight of the tour for many is the visit to a traditional chocolate maker where solid chocolate was invented! Your tour will also include a visit to a typical Bolognese Osteria, the fun-loving side of the Italy's oldest university. (Includes tasting on tour).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at NH Bologna De La Gare (4*).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Take your taste buds on a trip to remember through Bologna on this self guided gastronomy tour. Bologna is famous for being the centre for wine and cheese. Escape to the Italian countryside to explore the produce that has made this region one of the great gastronomic capitals of the world, and visit vendors to enjoy a tasting of their specialty products.

Overnight at NH Bologna De La Gare (4*).

Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).