Food, Wine & Riccardo
Rome, Cinque Terre, a Tuscan villa stay, Bologna, Parma, Modena & Verona
- Fully guided by Riccardo Schirru — Italian-Australian journalist and host of Sapori
- A 2-night private Tuscan villa stay with pool, welcome dinner and pasta-making class
- 3 nights in the five villages of the Cinque Terre with a 2-day pass included
- Parmigiano-Reggiano producer visit and prosciutto tasting in Parma
- Balsamic vinegar cellar tastings in Modena
- Walking tours of Ravenna and Verona
Discover the heart of Italy with expert guides and authentic experiences. Riccardo Schirru is an Australian journalist born in Rome — he has worked at SBS, Radio 3AK, 3BM and Rete Italia, and is currently a Senior Journalist at Il Globo Italian newspaper in Carlton, Melbourne. He coordinates the weekly culinary radio and TV program Sapori.
Riccardo travels regularly to Italy, has lived in various regions, and has a vast understanding of Italian food, history and culture. Travelling with Riccardo and Sandy Colombo of Aussie2Italia, this small, fully-guided tour is for people who want to understand the way Italians love their food and wine — and visit special places off the well-worn tourist track.
Starting in Rome and ending in Verona, we take in Cinque Terre, a Tuscan villa stay, and the food capital of Emilia-Romagna based in Bologna — with rustic regional food and wine visits, cooking classes, and true Italian style.
- Day 1 · Hello Rome — Wednesday 16 September (D)
Welcome to Rome! Check into your hotel and start exploring the Eternal City — you might visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Tonight is our welcome dinner hosted by Riccardo at a local Roman restaurant.
- Day 2 · Rome to Cinque Terre — Thursday 17 September (B)
Free morning to continue exploring Rome — Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica. Late-morning return to the hotel to collect luggage before the afternoon train to Cinque Terre for the next 3 nights.
- Day 3 · Cinque Terre — Friday 18 September (B)
Time to explore Cinque Terre with your 2-day pass. Five UNESCO-listed villages — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — connected by hiking trails, train and boat, with terraced vineyards clinging to cliffs above the sea.
- Day 4 · Cinque Terre — Saturday 19 September (B)
One more free day to explore. Take the train to the last village and walk back, take a ferry to see the area by water, or return to the villages you didn't see yesterday. Long lunch on a cliffside terrace optional.
- Day 5 · Cinque Terre to Tuscan Villa via Lucca — Sunday 20 September (B, D)
Check out and private transfer to your Tuscan villa via Lucca, a Renaissance-walled city famous for its ramparts and Casa di Puccini. Time for lunch before heading to the villa. Welcome dinner tonight with a glass of wine — weather permitting we eat outside under the vines.
- Day 6 · Tuscan Villa & Pasta Making — Monday 21 September (B, L, D)
A day to enjoy the rolling hills of Tuscany. Morning to relax by the pool, swim or walk. Included lunch at the villa. Afternoon pasta-making cooking class. Included dinner tonight with a glass of wine.
- Day 7 · Tuscan Villa to Bologna via Ravenna — Tuesday 22 September (B)
Check out and travel towards Bologna via Ravenna, a city famous for its 6th-century mosaics — Basilica di San Vitale, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. After Ravenna we continue to Bologna for the next 3 nights.
- Day 8 · Bologna — Wednesday 23 September (B)
Free day in the historic capital of Emilia-Romagna. Piazza Maggiore, arched colonnades, the Basilica di San Petronio, the Fountain of Neptune and the leaning Two Towers. Dinner at own arrangement.
- Day 9 · Bologna, Parma & Modena — Thursday 24 September (B, L)
Private transfer to Modena and Parma — home of balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, prosciutto, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Cheese producer and Parma factory visit with tastings, balsamic vinegar tasting in Modena, and an included lunch of local produce. Return to Bologna for the evening.
- Day 10 · Bologna to Verona — Friday 25 September (B)
Check out and private transfer to the station for the train to Verona — medieval old town, Juliet's House and the 1st-century Roman Arena, still hosting concerts and opera. Walking tour of Verona this afternoon. Dinner at own arrangements.
- Day 11 · Verona — Saturday 26 September (B, D)
Full day to explore this magical city — Juliet's House, the Verona Arena, or last-minute shopping. Farewell dinner tonight with Sandy, Riccardo and the group.
- Day 12 · Departure Verona — Sunday 27 September (B)
Tour concludes after breakfast. We can help arrange onward travel, extra nights or airport transfers at additional cost.
- • You will be expected to carry your own luggage.
- • Be able to get on and off trains.
- • Be able to walk 30 minutes at a reasonable pace.
- • This is a high-activity tour, requiring participants to be fit and active. It is not suitable for those with health concerns or difficulties walking long distances.
- A soft-sided suitcase you can carry yourself — hard cases don't fit some Italian lifts and cobbled streets.
- Comfortable walking shoes already broken in — Italian old towns are cobblestone-heavy.
- A light day pack for water, sunscreen, camera and a layer.
- Refillable water bottle — Italian towns have public fountains with drinking water.
- Adapter for European Type C/F power outlets.
- Smart-casual outfit for dinners; a light scarf or shawl for churches (shoulders and knees covered).
- Sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen — especially for Amalfi, Capri and Puglia coast days.
- A light rain jacket or compact umbrella — Italian weather can turn quickly.
- Personal medications in original packaging plus a copy of any prescriptions.
- Photocopy of your passport stored separately from the original.
- An apron-friendly outfit for the pasta-making class (nothing precious).
- A cool bag if you plan to bring home Parmigiano, prosciutto or balsamic — Australian customs allow commercially-sealed products.
- • Bring your passport and check it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
- • Confirm your travel insurance is in place before paying your final balance — we recommend Cover-More and can pass on our 10% client discount.
- • Contactless cards (Visa / Mastercard / Apple Pay) work almost everywhere; carry €50–€100 in cash for small cafés, markets and tips.
- • Italy uses the euro (€). Notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid card blocks.
- • Italian sim / eSIM data plans are cheap and reliable — we recommend an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) for maps and translation on the go.
- • Tipping is not expected — round up the bill or leave a couple of euros for great service.
- • Restaurants typically open for dinner from 7:30–8pm; lunch 12:30–2:30pm. Book ahead in high season.
- • Most churches require shoulders and knees covered — carry a light scarf or shawl.
- • Trains: arrive 15 minutes early, validate regional tickets before boarding, and keep an eye on the platform display (binario) as it can change.
- • Water taxis and ferries in Venice / Amalfi / Capri run on the day's sea conditions — we adjust the plan if needed.
- • The Tuscan villa is rural — the nearest shop is a short drive; bring anything you can't get on-site (specific toiletries, snacks).
- • September in Emilia-Romagna is warm days, cooler evenings — layers work best.
- • Group size: no more than 25 passengers.
- • Single supplement available: approx €950–€1,150 depending on room type and availability.
- • VIP rate: guaranteed hotel-room upgrade across the tour — €990 per room.
- • Hotels in Italy are self-rated — ratings do not match Australian standards. Ask us if you'd like more detail on any hotel.
- • No early starts — we don't normally begin the day before 8am unless services change at the last minute.
- • Travel insurance is strongly recommended before paying your deposit. We use Cover-More and offer our clients a 10% discount.
- • Complimentary tour planning is included for all our tour guests for pre or post-tour bookings.
