Unforgettable Dining Experiences in Italy

Victoria Ruzzo
Jun 3
5 min read

Updated: Jun 4

People love Italy - the slow pace, the distinct cultural expression in each region, the deep-rooted pride in history and art. We equally love sending clients to Italy and helping families and friends create unforgettable memories. Authentic food experiences are a top ask when we're working with Italy clients, and we love to provide cooking classes, food tours, and private tastings - because what is more of a traveler's dream than to dine like a local in a beautiful place with people they love?!

True Tuscan Dining

Tuscany is magical - the scenery blurs to burnt orange clay and green rolling hills - and it sets the scene for the natural beauty and peace the region is known for. In fact, even the cuisine is known for its simplicity- local ingredients and minimal interruption to the flavor that is from the earth. Whether you're staying in Florence or are branching out to the Chianti region, we have something for you to enjoy authentic Tuscan flavors.

In Florence, we love sending clients to the markets, just like a local would do. You begin a day of exploration with your guide who will walk you through the vibrant Florence central market of San Lorenzo - through the stalls filled with farm fresh produce, butchers, cheese mongers all selling their delicious wares. You'll enjoy samples and purchase ingredients for your following cooking class. Later, you'll head to a cooking school for a hands-on experience with an Italian chef, creating a Tuscan meal to enjoy with loved ones.

If you want to branch out within the region, especially if you love wine, we recommend Tuscan dining with a private chef in the Chianti region. A private driver will take you

along the famous wine route “Chiantigiana” where hills of vineyards and olive groves are a perfect background to your journey. When you arrive to the location - a farmhouse immersed in vineyards and olive trees- your personal chef will be waiting for you. You'll be introduced to the Tuscan ways of cooking with authentic local recipes. The most famous specialty is the fresh pasta, and you'll get to prepare your own dough! After, you will enjoy the cooked meal accompanied by excellent Chianti Classico wines.

Bolonga Street Food Walking Tour

Along the route between Florence and Venice, sits the city of Bologna, known for its medieval streets filled with art and history. In the Emilia-Romagna region, the culture and the food have always walked together. It's no-wonder the perfect experience we often book for clients here is a walking food tour. With a personal guide, you'll learn how the traditional food of the region has evolved through the centuries and how it is prepared now.

Learn about the long-aging process of Parmigiano Reggiano and pair it with aged balsamic vinegar - a craft honed in the region for generations. Taste test world-famous tagliatelle al ragù - real Bolognese, as you've never had before with freshly rolled tagliatelle from a local pasta maker. You'll stroll along the Quadrilatero, Bologna’s medieval food market, and the Mercato di Mezzo — the city’s culinary heart for centuries. Sample bites of crispy tigella with prosciutto, a proper mortadella sandwich, and the city’s traditional torta di riso.

Sample Small Bites in Venice

Come to Venice and experience the city like a local by touring the bacaro - traditional Venetian taverns and wine bars. Like all the locals, hop from one baraco to another to try small bites, or cicheti - which translates to "small amount." Venetians eat cicheti before lunch or dinner as an aperitif, and so will you! You'll cozy up and immerse yourself in this culinary marathon, sampling some of the most popular traditional Venetian dishes.

With Venice being a lagoon surrounded by the Adriatic Sea, prepare for seafood inspired dishes and fresh flavors from lagoon produce. Sample baccalà mantecato - a creamy salted cod, sarde in saor - sweet and sour sardines, folpetti - boiled octopus, or a variety of sun dried tomatoes, olives, cuttlefish, and fried fish. As many of the bacaro are wine bars, you'll be able to drink local wine. As you wander from place to place, you'll stop and read the nizioleti - small sheets - that are more like street signs that tell the story of old Venice - making the streets come alive with its history as you wander from one spot to the next.

All About Lemon in Sorrento

If you find yourself along the incredibly picturesque Sorrentine Peninsula, you won't be able to escape the contrast of the bright lemon trees against the endless blue coast line. A wonderful way to immerse yourself in the culture of the coast is to learn about the life of the lemon, only to then utilize it in a dish that you'll create and enjoy. Arriving at a family-owned ranch, in the surroundings of Sorrento, you'll begin by learning about Sorrentino lemons from seed to fruit, observing a planting demonstration, and tasting products using the Ovale Sorrentino lemon.

You'll set off to the local farmhouse to cook with the guidance of a professional chef.

Then proceed to the countryside and reach the local farmhouse for the cooking. You will visit the garden with the chef to harvest the vegetables you will cook by creating a typical menu. Then you'll put your cooking skills to work in a class that includes appetizers, hand-made fresh pasta, a second course, and a dessert - all using the Sorrentino lemon. At the end of your class, take a seat and enjoy the food you have prepared, topping it all off with a Limoncello demonstration and tasting!

Roaming for Food in Rome

Rome is a popular stop for our clients traveling to Italy. We love to create unforgettable experiences in Rome - whether it is the home base of your trip or just passing through. One tour we encourage is a food tour guided by a local food and wine expert. This Rome food tour begins in Rome’s historic food center, Campo de’ Fiori. Here you will be able to explore local markets with fresh produce, stopping by famed restaurants.

This culinary journey will take you to other important food areas in Rome, including the Jewish ghetto and Trastevere. The Jewish ghetto offers food experiences blended by history and cultural diffusion between Roman and Jewish traditions. Experience kosher, hand made pastas or the famed Carciofi alla Giudia, deep fried artichokes. Trastevere is Rome’s most romantic neighborhood with its cobblestone streets and ivy-coated buildings. It is also a great place to try typical Roman food, or Cucina Romana. After trying food in several locations, it is time to sit and relax for dinner at a romantic trattoria. Here you can finally delight in some traditional pasta recipes like Cacio e pepe or Amatriciana.