Presents: Viva Italia! A Culinary Experience in Venice, Bologna

Presents: Viva Italia! A Culinary Experience
in Venice, Bologna, Siena & Rome
Day One: Depart US! Pack your bags and head
across the Atlantic for your amazing Italian
experience.
Day Two: Arrival into Venice. Benvenuto in
Italia- Welcome to Italy! Upon your arrival into
Venice, gather your luggage and meet your
ground escort who will transfer you via private
sedan from the airport to your Venetian hotel.
Located in the heart of the historic city center, your four-star bed and breakfast property is just a
stone’s throw away from such famous sites as Saint Mark’s Square and the Accademia art
galleries which house the most important collection of the Venetian 16th and 17th century
masters. A family run hotel for four generations, your hotel has created a solid reputation for
outstanding quality and service, affording a full range of amenities and services for the
discriminating traveler. The hotel’s featured restaurant has award-winning dining that offers a
stunning décor along with a delicious menu of regional specialties. And finally, each morning of
your stay provides a complimentary breakfast buffet for your enjoyment.
Once you have taken the time to unpack and
relax, we recommend enjoying a light lunch and a
glass of vino in the hotel wine bar. Enjoy the
duration of the day on your own, exploring “the
City of Bridges, the City of Light” at leisure.
Recommendations for area dining can be
suggested for you in advance, at your request.
Day Three: Venice at Leisure. Buon Giorno!
Enjoy your first official day in Italy at leisure,
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
exploring the remarkable city of Venice on your
own. Reservations for dining and area attractions
can be provided to you upon request.
Venice is the world's only “pedestrian-only” city,
and touring the Venetian markets, plazas and
museums are highly accessible just by doing a bit of
walking. You will certainly find the absence of cars
makes visiting Venice such a pleasant experience!
The Rialtine Islands – considered the “main” area of Venice - are small enough to tour from one
end to the other in about an hour. If you would like to get around a bit more quickly, there are
numerous vaporetti (water buses) and water taxis. The vaporetti are generally the best way to
get around, even if the service route map changes frequently. Since you will be here for a few
days visiting, it is a lot more affordable to utilize the vaporetti than to reserve a private water
taxi. And finally, if you would like to enjoy a romantic ride amid the Venetian canals, be sure to
reserve your gondola ride well in advance.
Day Four:
Venetian Cooking Lesson. After
breakfast and a leisurely morning at your hotel, you
will be met by a private driver who will escort you to
your Venetian cooking class, located just outside the
city.
The three-hour lesson starts at 10:00 am and
concludes at 1:00 pm, with lunch to follow. Your lesson will be divided in several themes (main
dishes, fish, typical Venetian cooking, and more), and you will be
provided with recipes and details about each lesson in English.
Before your lesson, you will visit the Rialto Market to choose your
choice ingredients of each fish and vegetable available in the
market, delivered earlier this morning. Afterwards, sit down and
enjoy a magnificent tasting of the fresh and delicious items you just
prepared. As you leave, you will receive a complimentary school
apron as a souvenir of your lesson today.
This afternoon, you will be transferred back to your Venice hotel to
enjoy the duration of the day at leisure. As this will be your final
day in Venice, be sure to make it a memorable one, savoring the
city’s best nightlife and dining to your heart’s content!
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
Day Five: Travel to Bologna. Following breakfast at your hotel, prepare to check out of your
Venice accommodations. Once you have gathered your belongings, meet your driver in the
lobby who will escort you to the local train station in Venice for your two-hour journey by rail
from Venice to Bologna. Relax and respite in the breathtaking views of
the enchanting Italian countryside from your train car. Upon arrival into Bologna, you will find
your city hotel just opposite of the main train terminal in Bologna. A meet and greet transfer,
along with additional luggage service can be arranged for an additional fee if you require it. **
Please alert us to your preferred departure and arrival times in order to coordinate your ground
transportation. **
For the next few nights, your four-star hotel in Bologna is ideal for easy navigation of the city’s
highlights. Located in front of the central station and close to the historic center, you will find
your sophisticated and modern hotel emphasizes warm Italian hospitality. The hotel has newly
opened and features a truly inviting restaurant and bar, where freshness and quality are the chef’s
top priorities. Savor your international and Bolognese cuisine on the terraced patio al fresco,
under the bright Italian sun, whenever your appetite permits it. Once you have found time to
relax and settle in, the rest of your day can be enjoyed on your own to explore the best of what
Bologna offers!
Bologna is considered by Italians to be their nation's “Food
Capital,” and it is equally famous throughout the world for
its incredible cuisine (la cucina Bolognese). As a dining
recommendation, Enoteca Italiana has twice been voted
“the toast of Italy!” This wine bar and restaurant features
excellent, non-pretentious sommeliers on hand to advise
and guide you on a recommended wine flight. The enoteca
is also a great place to stand-up and enjoy a Panini
sandwich (sample the Pancetta with Balsamic Vinegar or the Mortadella Panino) and an
excellent glass of the wine of your choice.
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
Day Six: Bologna at Leisure. On course for today,
we invite you to delight in your day at leisure in
Bologna, at large! Bologna is a beautiful city to visit,
featuring many delightful cafes, restaurants, and
shops catering to all walks of life. Bologna is beloved
for its architecture and its characteristic architectural
palette of terracotta reds, burnt oranges, and warm
yellows, hence the nickname, Bologna la Rossa
(“Bologna the Red”). The extensive city center,
Piazza Maggiore, is characterized by miles upon miles of attractive, covered walkways known as
porticos, and is one of the best preserved central squares throughout Europe. Along with Via
Razzoli, a meeting point between the two towers of Bologna (Torre degli Asinelli and Torre dei
Garisenda), these two areas of Bologna can provide you with hours of recreation and people
watching. And worth mentioning again, the cuisine in Bologna is the best of Italy and is to die
for, so be sure to work up a hearty appetite on your travels today…
Day Seven: Bolognese Cooking Lesson. After breakfast and a leisurely morning at your hotel,
you will be met by a private driver who will escort you to your Bolognese cooking class.
The four-hour lesson starts at 10:00 am and concludes at 2:00 pm, with lunch to follow. Today,
your lesson includes instruction on how to prepare three typical Bolognese pastas (tortellini,
tortelloni and tagliatelle), along with a traditional hors
d’oeuvre, soup, sauce for each pasta presentation, and
dessert. You will also be provided with recipes and details
about each lesson in English. Afterwards, sit down and enjoy
a delicious meal, dining on the fresh and delicious items you
just prepared, to be also accompanied by wines of the region.
Buon Appettito!
This afternoon, you will be transferred back to your Venice
hotel to enjoy the duration of the day at leisure. As the
Italians say, Mangi e beva molto vino! Eat and drink up your
last day in Bologna, because tomorrow is another day… The next stop on your tour of Italy is to
Siena - the heart of Tuscany and the quintessential epicenter of Italian vino!
Day Eight: Travel to Siena. All aboard! After check-out of your hotel this afternoon, gather
your belongings and prepare for your one-hour journey by rail from Bologna to Siena. Upon
arrival into Siena, you will be met by a private guide who will transfer you to your hotel located
in the heart of the city. ** Please alert us to your preferred departure and arrival times in order
to coordinate your ground transportation. **
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
Siena, one of Italy’s most captivating cities, is located in the region
of Tuscany which is home to the best wine region in Italy. Siena
offers a treasure trove of art and architecture for the culture
enthusiast, along with fabulous food and wine for the gourmet
traveler. With a high concentration of medieval and gothic
architecture, many visitors are enchanted by the charming small
town appeal of this spectacular walking city.
Once you arrive into Siena, feel welcomed at your four-star hotel,
conveniently situated near the Piazza del Campo, Siena’s main
square. The pleasant atmosphere within your hotel is evident in the
lobby area which is comprised of a spacious foyer, restaurant and
bar, where you can relax and enjoy spectacular Sienese and Tuscan
food and wine specialties daily.
Day Nine: Exploring Siena. The entire day is yours to enjoy on
your own, exploring some of the magnificent sites Siena has to offer
its visitors. Bear in mind that today is a national Holy Day in Italy
and just about everything is closed, however the sightseeing in this
city is magnificent and does not require an open door. The center of
Siena is accessible only by foot, and the attractions away from the
Piazza and Duomo area are spread out on three steep hills, so
walking is a necessity. Or, stay in the Piazza and explore the many
merchant and specialty shops which make Siena a world-class
shopping destination. Take to the streets of Siena to explore those enchanting areas that you
have only dreamt about until now. Tomorrow, you will enjoy one additional cooking class to
complement your visit.
Day Ten: Sienese and Tuscan Cooking Lesson. Today, you have the option to enjoy a cooking
class either in the morning, followed by lunch in the afternoon, or a cooking class in the
afternoon, followed by dinner in the evening. You will be
met by a private driver who will escort you to your cooking
class based upon your selection.
The four-hour lesson starts at 10:00 am and concludes at
2:00 pm, with lunch to follow; or the afternoon lesson starts
at 4:00 pm and concludes at 8:00 pm, with dinner to follow.
Today, your lesson is once again divided into themes, to be
determined by the school on the day of your arrival (ex. Main dishes, traditional Tuscan cooking,
and many more). Participants are provided with full lesson notes in English, clearly outlining the
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
various stages of the recipes demonstrated. All recipes provided
are yours to keep, and at the end of the lesson you will receive a
commemorative certificate and a cooking school apron as your
souvenir for today.
Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your Siena hotel to
enjoy the duration of the day at leisure.
Day Eleven: Travel to Rome. This morning, a driver will meet
you in the lobby of your Siena hotel to escort you by private car
to the train station in Siena. Once aboard, enjoy your two hour
journey by rail from Siena to Rome. ** Please alert us to your
preferred departure and arrival times in order to coordinate
your ground transportation. **
Upon arrival into Rome, you will be met by a private guide who will transfer you to your
charming four-star hotel, located in the heart of the capital. An elegant building from the 19th
Century in a perfect Art Nouveau style, your hotel also
features a lobby bar and lounge that serves light dishes
supplemented by incredible wine and refreshing
specialty drinks. The hotel is just a two-minute walk
from the Piazza del Popolo and the indelible Spanish
Steps of Rome, providing a terrific central location to
tour the city to your liking.
Today, Rome is a modern, cosmopolitan city, and one
of the most widely visited tourist destinations in all of Europe. Due to its influence in politics,
media, the arts and culture, Rome has been described as a global city, and as one of the few
major European cities that escaped World War II relatively unscathed, Central Rome remains
essentially Renaissance and Baroque in character. The historic center of Rome is listed by
UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, hosting leaders of industry, scholars, entertainment icons
and world political figures alike.
This evening, we suggest enjoying a little of what
Rome has to offer its visitors at night. You will find
that most of the popular tourist sites of the city are all
elegantly lit in their full majesty. Dining in Rome is
simply incredible, and the city enjoys an eclectic,
vibrant nightlife. “Do as the Romans,” as they say; you
may find yourself reveling in the incredible bars, clubs
and dancehalls throughout the city well into the night!
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
Day Twelve & Day Thirteen: Rome at Leisure. The next two days are yours to enjoy the
enlightened Roman metropolis on your own, delighting in some personal shopping or sightseeing
to witness firsthand what makes Rome such a wonder! Please consult your hotel concierge for
any recommendations you may need to fulfill
your day’s wishes. There are many social and
entertainment options for you to partake in. Art,
society, film, culture, food & wine – Rome is
waiting for you!
In preparation of your journey back to the United
States tomorrow, be sure to enjoy an extra helping
of some of the delicious Italian gastronomy Rome
has to offer…
Day Fourteen: Departure for Home. After check out of your hotel, meet your guide in the lobby
who will escort you to the airport in preparation of your flight home to the United States. Buon
Giornio Italia!
INCLUDED:
Day One:
Depart USA
Day Two:
Private meet and greet transfer with assistance from Venice Airport to Venice hotel
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Venice
Day Three:
Breakfast
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Venice
Day Four:
Breakfast
Venetian cooking class with private transportation roundtrip
Includes course lesson, recipes, lunch and souvenir gift
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Venice
Day Five:
Breakfast
Private transfer from Venice hotel to Venice train station
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Bologna
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
Day Six:
Breakfast
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Bologna
Day Seven:
Breakfast
Bolognese cooking class with private transportation roundtrip
Includes course lesson, recipes, and lunch
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Bologna
Day Eight:
Breakfast
Private transfer from Siena train station to Siena hotel
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Siena
Day Nine:
Breakfast
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Siena
Day Ten:
Breakfast
Sienese and Tuscan cooking class with private transportation roundtrip
Includes course lesson, recipes, lunch and souvenir gift
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Siena
Day Eleven:
Breakfast
Private transfer from Siena hotel to Siena train station
Private transfer from Rome train station to Rome hotel
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Rome
Day Twelve:
Breakfast
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Rome
Day Thirteen:
Breakfast
Overnight stay at 4-Star hotel in Rome
Day Fourteen:
Breakfast
Private transfer from Rome hotel to Rome Airport
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753
NOT INCLUDED:
Prices do not include costs of obtaining passports, visas, inoculations, excess baggage charges,
all items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls and cables, internet access,
meals not specified in the itinerary, personal and baggage insurance, local airport taxes and tips
to waiters, hotel staff, tour conductors, sightseeing drivers and guides. Gratuities: Tips to tour
guides, waiters, hotel staff and baggage handling are not included and are at the tour participant’s
discretion. Guidelines for gratuities will be provided with final tour documents.
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Most meals, unless otherwise noted on itinerary, or room service charges
Intercontinental flights
Tips to drivers and guides
Porterage at arrival
Luggage handling fees at hotels
Travel insurance
Excessive baggage or shipping charges
Storage and/or transportation of excess baggage
Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing service or other optional additions to your
itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally.
Excess time beyond contracted service carried out at the request of the passenger for
driver, guide service, vehicle charges, etc.
Additional wait time or additional service due to delayed or cancelled airline flight
Any items not specified under inclusions
PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to confirm your requested sightseeing tour as
outlined in the itinerary; however, individual wineries, museums, estates, etc. can change their
hours of operation at short notice. In the event that a particular tour closes on the day or time of
your visit, your guide will offer alternative arrangements.
LAND QUOTE
RATE PER PERSON:
Vacation Price Starting at: $4,635.00 USD per person double occupancy .
EXACT VACATION QUOTE:
Will be calculated based on dates of travel, hotel category and transportation type.
Wine Tours of the World
5241 S. Quebec Street, Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel. 303-635-8007 or 888-635-8007 / Fax 303-942-3753