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The culinary tours of Italy take you to the regions at the heart of one of the world’s most famous cuisines.
From Bologna, Moderna, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Sicily, and everything in between, you’ll discover the best Italian food and wine.
On our authentic food quest trips to Italy, taking wine and food tours gave us a deeper understanding of the local food culture.
If visiting Italy is on your travel plans, consider immersing yourself in Italy’s food, culture, wine, and cooking experiences with local guides.
These 9 Italian culinary tours are all varied, but they have one thing in common. You go directly to the producers and places that celebrate Itay’s culinary heritage.
Choose from any of these 9 amazing Italy culinary tours and create life-lasting memories.
Italian Culinary Tours Comparison Table
| Italian Culinary Tours | Price $ (USD) | #Days | Destination | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amalfi Culinary Tour | $1,344 | 4 | Amalfi Coast | Scenery |
| Tuscany Culinary Tour | $3,359 | 6 | Arezzo | Immersive experience |
| Abruzzo, Puglia, Matera Culinary, Cultural, Art Holiday | $4,294 | 12 | Southern Italy | All-inclusive |
| Cooking, Wine and Food Holiday | $1,467 | 5 | Umbria | Value |
| Sicily Food and Wine Tour | $3,150 | 8 | Sicily | Exclusivity |
| Wine, Culture & Culinary Vacation | $3,000 | 10 | Abruzzo | Solo travelers |
| Flavors of Emilia-Romagna and Culinary Tour in Parma | $5,971 | 7 | Parma | Variety of experiences |
| Tuscany Walks and Chianti Wines | $1,990 | 8 | Southern Tuscany | Active travelers |
| Italy Real Food Adventure | $3,380 | 8 | Venice to Rome | Adventurous travelers |
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancelations, car rental protection, or tour cancelations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.
Our Top Italian Food And Wine Tours
1. Italian Culinary Tour on The Amalfi Coast – Best For Scenery
With panoramic views of the Amalfi coast from the terrace of your cozy B&B in Agerola, Amalfi is the tranquil location for your culinary tour.
The B&B, a restored Italian country house, is close to walking trails with views of the entire Amalfi coast from Ravello to Calabria.
Right away, on this 4-day wine and cheese culinary vacation, you’ll be immersed in the local culinary culture.
You’ll never look at mozzarella the same way again after a trip to a mozzarella farm.
Regional wines from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius will no longer be a mystery after visiting a family-owned winery.
Two cooking classes will introduce you to some of the most traditional local dishes. You’ll learn to make paccheri pasta dishes, gnocchi, pork and chicken dishes, and others.
The secrets of desserts like Tiramisu, ricotta and pear tarts will be easily mastered.
The coastal area is breathtaking, and there is free time built into the schedule to allow you to explore on your own.
You can take a trip to the island of Capri or drive through the Sorrentine Peninsula and view Mount Vesuvius
An abundance of specialties from the Amalfi coast will please your palate, and the sights will enthrall you.
2. Culinary Tour in Tuscany 6-Day – Best For Tuscan Immersive Experience
Your base for this 6-day Tuscan culinary tour is a traditional Tuscan farmhouse in Arezzo.
Nestled in the Tuscan mountains, its beautiful views and serene environment are ideal to unwind after days of exploration.
During your stay, you’ll visit a host of vineyards, explore enchanting medieval villages, and pick up new skills in four cooking classes.
Accordingly, visits to Chianti for Tuscan wines, Montepulciano for amazing red wines, and San Gimignano for white wines are included.
You’ll also visit the historic town of Arezzo, the birthplace of Michelangelo, and two classified 2 medieval villages.
In the cooking classes, you’ll be making traditional Tuscan dishes, from main meals to desserts, all paired with Tuscan wines.
Sumptuous tastes of Tuscan flavors will also be savored at local restaurants.
This Tuscany culinary tour is ideal for those seeking to explore only one region of Italy.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: For Tuscany cooking vacations focused, check our article dedicated to The Best Cooking Vacations in Tuscany
3. Abruzzo, Puglia, Matera Culinary Cultural – Best All-Inclusive Italy Culinary Tour
This is a 12-day food, wine, and cultural experience in three stunning Italian regions of Abruzzo, Puglia, and Matera.
You’ll be welcomed with a traditional Abruzzo dinner and breakfast at the Hotel Ovidius in Sulmona.
While in Sulmona, one of Italy’s prettiest towns, you’ll explore the historic center and learn about Abruzzo wines at a tasting.
In Vasto, along the Adriatic coast in southern Abruzzo, you’ll take hands-on cooking classes where you’ll be introduced to Abruzzo sauces.
You’ll also learn to make fresh local pasta, vegetables, and desserts like Abruzzian biscuits.
In Puglia, you’ll start by exploring the UNESCO sites and the many restaurants of Trani.
In Bari, Puglia’s capital, you’ll savor food and wine tasting at a family-run winery. A sampling of the famous mozzarella cheese of Gioia del Colle is also included.
You’ll enjoy touring Matera, Italy’s magical city of stone, and savoring vibrant foccacia flavors in an old bakery famous for its DOP bread.
This all-inclusive food cultural, and culinary vacation packs a lot in 12 days. The experiences are varied and immersive.
The one thing you can count on is a human connection, great food, and amazing regional Italian wines.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: For experiences focused on cooking, check out our article about The Top Italian Cooking Vacations for Tasting Italy in 2024
4. Cooking, Food and Wine Tour Holiday in Umbria 5 Day – Best Value
This unforgettable 5-day Italian culinary tour takes you to the medieval off-the-beaten-path town of Spoleto in the Umbria region.
In the heart of Italy, you’ll relish the picturesque landscapes and lip-smacking local Italian cuisine.
This Italy culinary tour includes several activities, including Umbrian cooking, wine tastings, and an extraordinary truffle hunting experience.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the town of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll also visit the famous medieval towns of Montefalco and Spoleto.
You will sample original ricotta and pecorino cheese from Sardinian sheep, freshly forged truffle, and the famous regional cured meats.
In the included cooking classes, you’ll relish local specialties made with farm-fresh ingredients.
Your accommodation is in a beautifully restored old country house in the heart of the medieval village of Spoleto. And, every morning, you’ll wake up to breathtaking views of the mountains.
This culinary tour in Umbria is the perfect escape for those looking to soak up a true Italian experience in Italy’s green heart.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Looking for an extended vacation in Spoleto? If 5 days is too short, consider the same culinary tour in Spoleto for 7 days with additional visits and cooking classes.
5. Food And Wine Tour of Sicily 7 Day- Best Exclusive Culinary Tours of Italy
Sicily stole our hearts after spending five months exploring the local food specialties across the island.
The food, wine, and gastronomic specialties surprised us with the influences and regional flavors.
Go off the beaten path in Sicily and get a full immersion into the island’s culinary history and traditions.
This 7-day unexplored Sicily culinary tour takes you to the world-famous and little-known corners of Italy’s largest island.
Upon arrival in Catania, you’ll head to Taormina, a stunning hilltop town, for an introduction to the vibrant culture and food.
While in Taormina, you’ll take a hands-on cooking class and learn the Italian culinary secrets for bread, pasta, and more.
A visit to Mount Etna and a hike around the base is included in this culinary tour. As well as an exclusive Etna wine tasting and lunch at a boutique winery.
This culinary tour of Italy also takes you to the UNESCO heritage town of Noto for the world-famous Modica chocolate.
You’ll then head to Syracuse, where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of Ortigia, Syracuse’s old town.
On your way to Palermo for an incredible street food experience, you’ll visit the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.
No matter what you choose, culture, food, or Sicily wine experiences, this Sicily culinary tour has it all.
6. Wine, Culture and Culinary Vacation in Abruzzo 5 Day- Best For Solo Travelers
Central Italy has much to offer, and this 5-day all-inclusive culinary tour of Abruzzo will help you discover its best-kept secrets.
Combining cooking classes and culinary excursions, you’ll experience a lot of the region in only five days.
There are two cooking classes where you’ll elevate your Italian cooking skills over traditional recipes.
Vineyard visits and tastings with wine experts will take your knowledge of Abruzzo wines to new levels.
Culinary excursions to a world-recognized Pecorino cheesemaker and meals at local restaurants will further immerse you into the region’s specialties.
Your accommodations are in a charming 200-year-old restored farmhouse. This tour is designed for solo travelers and small groups, with intimate rooms perfect for one, two, or more.
Abruzzo is an undiscovered paradise, and this Italian culinary vacation takes you to the heart of this Italian gem.
7. Flavors of Emilia-Romagna and Parma 7 Days – Best For Variety of Experiences
Parma, a UNESCO city of gastronomy and an Italian capital of culture is the perfect base for this Italian culinary tour.
For 7 days, with a local Parma-born guide, you’ll explore the flavors of Emilia-Romagna through cooking classes, wine tasting, and culinary activities.
There are four hands-on cooking classes where you’ll learn to make a wide variety of pasta and specialties.
One fun class takes place next to a Parmigiano Reggiano factory, which you will first visit and then learn to make recipes using this famous cheese.
You may already know that Parma is famous is its namesake prosciutto. But do you know “culatello”?
This is prosciutto’s more exclusive sibling, and you’ll learn more about it on a museum and cellar visit.
Modena, within the region, is home to the world-famous traditional Balsamic Vinegar. You’ll visit a local producer and taste a variety of aged vinegars.
In Emilia-Romagna, wine and “aperitivo” are very much a part of the culinary culture. You’ll learn about the wine traditions over tastings, aperitivo, and meals.
To better explore the region, you’ll stay at two different hotels. Both are boutique hotels with all the modern conveniences you’d expect.
The Emilia-Romagna region is known to have some of the best cuisine in Italy, and all its secrets are revealed on this exclusive tour.
RELATED: 12 Reasons Why Is Bologna Worth Visiting (Food & Travel Guide)
8. Chianti Culinary, Walking & Wine Vacation 8 Day – Best Active Italy Culinary Tour
A fun 8-day culinary tour dedicated to wine and hiking in Chianti awaits. Your base is Villa Casalta, a converted farmhouse in the picturesque landscape of Monti del Chianti or the Chianti Mountain.
Daily guided hiking tours will take you through the cities of Siena, San Gimignano, Greve In Chianti, and three others.
You will taste Chianti Classico wine at a local winery and have a history walk from Villa Casalta to Radda.
You’ll learn the intriguing history of Chianti wines and their eight denominations and dive into Chianti Classico, produced between Florence and Siena.
In Southern Tuscany and around Siena, walking tours around the beautiful museums, the Duomo di Siena, and Piazza del Campo are included.
At the Siena Wine School, you’ll learn about Italian wines with a local expert. Tastings of four to five iconic Tuscan wines are included, and you will leave knowing how to pick the best wines and food pairing tips.
You’ll also explore Florence, the hometown of the Italian Renaissance, and the picturesque San Gimignano medieval city.
You’ll be staying in farmhouses along the way and savoring Tuscan dishes at local eateries and restaurants.
The pace is active but not strenuous, allowing you to relish the beautiful scenery, historic places, and informative wine-tasting sessions.
For active travelers looking to explore the Chianti wine region, this Italy culinary tour is for you.
RELATED: 12 Best Chianti Wine Tours From Florence For Wine Tastings and Sightseeing
9. Italian Culinary Food Adventure 8 Day – Best For Exploring Street Foods
Starting from Venice to Rome via San Gimignano and Bologna, this 8-day food adventure takes you to the source of Italian delicacies.
You’ll explore the food in Rome, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto, all famous food regions in Italy.
Your nights will be spent in rustic Italian farmhouses and local hotels, and transportation will be mostly by train.
You’ll execute a cicchetti crawl through Venice’s numerous wine bars, washing down the bites with Spritz.
In a hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to make pasta and sample Bologna’s famous meat sauce pasta, the ragu alla Bolognese. Tiramisu dessert is also on the radar.
In Emilia-Romagna, you’ll sample Parmigiano Reggiano cheese straight from the factory. About one hour away, in Moderna, you’ll taste Moderna balsamic vinegar at a family producer.
In San Gimignano, you’ll walk a part of the Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route, to whet your appetite for rustic cuisine, wine, and olive oil tastings.
On day 7 in Rome, you’ll get to know the city through food on a walking food tour.
Roman street food such as Trapizzino or stuffed pizza pockets will be sampled. Pizza by the slice or pizza al taglio from the most famous bakery will be tasted.
Drinks, gelato, and much more will round out this culinary food adventure.
For food lovers, this is one of the best Italian culinary tours that takes you to the streets to sample some of Italy’s most popular foods.
How To Choose Your Best Culinary Vacation in Italy
Here are a few criteria to consider when coosking your Italian culinary vacations.
The Culinary Vacation Experience
The whole of Italy is ideal for culinary tours. You get to choose between spending time in one region or exploring multiple sides of the country.
Some Italian culinary tours are focused on wine, while others are more active. You’ll not go wrong with any of these culinary vacations in Italy. Your choice is largely a matter of personal preference.
One thing to keep in mind is the seasonality. Some ingredients are seasonal, and certain culinary activities and events happen at specific times of the year.
What Is Your Budget and How Much Time Do You Have
These culinary tours to Italy offer different accommodation packages which impact the costs. The length of stay between 6 to 12 days also affects the pricing.
These Italian culinary tours range in price from about $1,990 to $5,971.
Depending on the type of accommodation you choose and length of stay select the best Italian culinary tour for you.
Number of Participants
All these Italian culinary tours vacations focus either on small groups to provide immersive experiences or private tours.
The goal is to help you connect deeper with the locals as you get to know Italy more intimately.
Depending on the experience you are looking for, you can keep it intimate for just you and your party. Or take the opportunity to meet other Italian food and wine lovers.
Safety Measures
Flexible booking conditions are available on all these cooking vacations in Tuscany. In the case of any unexpected events, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance.
Cancel up to 7 days prior to the arrival date and you can reschedule your booking free of charge, or receive trip credit for your non-refundable deposit to use at another time.
Which of one of these Italian culinary tours are you most excited about? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor The Adventure!
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest