Food & Wine Journey: Tuscany to Bologna

After breakfast, the group travels through cypress-lined roads toward San Gimignano (approximately 1 hour drive). A guided walk reveals its medieval towers, stone alleys, and sweeping views across the countryside (2 hours walking tour). 

The journey continues to a countryside estate nestled among vineyards, where a guided wine tasting introduces local varieties and traditional winemaking techniques (wine tasting experience). 

Lunch follows at the estate, pairing Tuscan dishes with estate wines in a tranquil rural setting. The afternoon is free back at the hotel, and dinner is served in the evening.

The day begins in the Tuscan woods, where participants join an experienced truffle hunter and trained dogs in search of one of the region’s most prized delicacies (guided truffle hunting experience). The atmosphere of earth, forest, and anticipation makes the discovery itself part of the magic. 

A farmhouse lunch follows, featuring dishes enhanced by freshly found truffles. In the afternoon, the group continues to Volterra (approximately 1 hour drive), where a guided visit explores its Etruscan roots, Roman traces, and medieval character (2 hours walking tour). Return to the countryside hotel in the late afternoon, followed by dinner.

The morning leads to Siena (approximately 1 hour drive), where a guided exploration reveals Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, set among winding streets rich in medieval history (2 hours walking tour). 

Lunch is served locally before returning to the countryside. In the early evening, participants take part in a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef, learning to prepare traditional Tuscan recipes using seasonal ingredients (cooking class experience). The day concludes by sharing the prepared dishes over dinner, paired with local wines.

Traveling south through the Val d’Orcia (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes drive), the group reaches Montepulciano, known for its Renaissance architecture and prestigious wines. A guided cellar visit and tasting introduce Vino Nobile and the traditions behind it (wine tasting experience). 

The journey continues to a farmhouse near Pienza for a cheese tasting and lunch, celebrating pecorino and regional specialties. A stop in Montalcino allows time to stroll through the hilltop village and admire panoramic vineyard views before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon (approximately 1 hour drive). Dinner is served at the hotel.

After check-out, the group travels toward Florence (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes drive). A guided walking tour explores the Renaissance heart of the city, including the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio (3 hours walking tour). 

Lunch is at leisure before continuing to Bologna (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes drive). Upon arrival and check-in, dinner is served at the hotel, introducing Emilia-Romagna’s rich culinary traditions.

The morning is dedicated to a guided food walk through Bologna’s historic center (3 hours walking food tour). Beneath its iconic porticoes, participants taste fresh pasta, cured meats, cheeses, and other regional specialties while discovering the stories behind the city’s culinary legacy. The afternoon and evening are at leisure, allowing time to explore Bologna independently.

The group departs for Modena (approximately 45 minutes drive). A guided tour explores Piazza Grande, the Cathedral, and the Ghirlandina Tower (2 hours walking tour). The experience continues in the countryside at a traditional acetaia, where participants learn about the aging process of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and enjoy a tasting that reveals its depth and complexity (balsamic vinegar tasting experience). 

Lunch highlights regional dishes that complement the flavors of balsamic vinegar. Return to Bologna in the afternoon (approximately 45 minutes drive), with the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, participants check out and depart independently, concluding the tour.

Art. 1 – Terms and Regulations:

• Group capacity:  min 14 pax – max 28 people per group
• If the group tour does not reach the minimum capacity of participants by 3 months (90 days) prior the start of the tour, it will be cancelled.
• In case of the cancellation by the great italy tour, the great italy tour will return the amount paid by the customer via nexi payment platform.

Art. 2 – Cancellation policy on behalf of the client:

• Once customers pay the amount of a day tour, in the case of the eventual withdrawal on behalf of the client for any reason before departure, the client will be charged the following percentage of the participating shares, calculated taking into consideration how many days before departure he/she has requested the cancellation. From the day following the booking until:

 
– 60 days pre-departure: 40% penalty : in this case Great Italy Tour will refund the 60% of the full amount paid.

– 59-30 days pre-departure: 70% penalty : in this case Great Italy Tour will refund the 30% of the full amount paid.

– 29-0 days pre-departure 100% penalty.

• By confirming the reservation and making the payment, you accept the regulation and the itinerary as previously described.

Art. 3 – Tour variations

• The service providers (hotels, agritourisms, restaurants, chefs, etc.) At times mentioned in our tour itineraries are subject to change. In this unlikely event they will only be substituted by others of equal or better quality in order to avoid affecting the content of our services.
• The itineraries are subject to changes. Suggested activities may have to be substituted as a result of natural disasters, sudden atmospheric changes, temporary closures, striking or any other problems for which the tour organizers may not be held accountable. Any alterations made will be done so in order to improve the service on offer and will always be of equal commercial value.