Italy, Between the Tables: Rome, Florence & Venice

Day 1: Rome – Arrival & Neighborhood Immersion

Nights: Rome (1)

Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport

Private transfer to hotel in Trastevere or Campo de' Fiori neighborhood (away from touristy center)

Afternoon: Wander neighborhood streets, discover local cafes and small wine bars

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Dinner

Guided tour of Rome's authentic enoteche (wine bars) — visit 3 neighborhood favorites

Learn about Italian wines from sommelier, enjoy cicchetti (small bites)

Genuine local experience, NOT a tour

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Accommodation: Hotel Eitch Borromini or similar boutique property

Experience Focus: Wine 40% | Food 40% | Discovery 20%

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Day 2: Rome – Markets, Street Life & Local Dining

Nights: Rome (1)

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Morning:

Private walking tour through Campo de' Fiori Market

Meet local vendors, learn about seasonal ingredients

Visit a traditional salumeria (cured meats shop) and cheese vendo

Street food tasting: focaccia, croquettes, pizza al taglio

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Afternoon:

Leisurely exploration of Jewish Quarter or Testaccio neighborhood

Hidden piazzas, local life, coffee culture

Optional: visit a family-run gelato shop for local flavor

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Dinner:

Private family-run trattoria (not a famous one)

Chef/owner explains the cuisine, shares stories

Wine pairing with the meal

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Accommodation: Hotel Eitch Borromini

Experience Focus: Food 50% | Discovery 30% | Wine 20%

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Day 3: Rome → Florence – Train Journey & Evening Arrival

Nights: Florence (1)

Morning: Leisurely last hour in Rome — coffee in a neighborhood bar

Midday: Private transfer to Rome Termini Station

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Train Journey: Premium class to Florence (2 hours)

Relax, enjoy the Italian countryside views

Light lunch onboard

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Afternoon: Arrive Florence, private transfer to hotel

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Evening:

Wander Oltrarno district (artisan quarter)

Discover street-level workshops, local wine bars

Dinner at a neighborhood osteria

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Accommodation: Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1 or similar boutique property

Experience Focus: Leisure 50% | Food 30% | Discovery 20%

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Day 4: Florence – Market, Food & ONE Great Museum

Nights: Florence (1)

Early Morning:

Private guided visit to Central Market (Mercato Centrale)

Meet vendors, learn about Tuscan ingredients

Coffee break at market bar with locals

Small food tasting: fresh pasta, pecorino, local salami

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Mid-Morning:

OPTIONAL half-day at Uffizi Gallery with art expert guide (SKIP if not interested)

See only the masterpieces: Botticelli, da Vinci, Michelangelo

Expert explains stories behind paintings (not an art lecture)

OR skip museum entirely and explore hidden neighborhoods instead

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Afternoon:

Private cooking class with local chef

Learn to make pasta from scratch OR prepare a traditional Florentine meal

Cook, then enjoy lunch with Tuscan wine

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Evening: Free time to wander Florence's quiet streets, dinner on your own

Accommodation: Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1

Experience Focus: Food 50% | Culture 25% | Leisure 25%

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Day 5: Tuscany Countryside – Wine, Olive Oil & Farm-to-Table

Nights: Florence (1)

Full Day Excursion: Private transfer to Tuscan countryside (Chianti region)

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Stop 1:

Family-run vineyard (NOT a famous wine estate)

Tour the vineyards with the owner

Learn about wine-making process

Wine tasting of 3-4 local wines with light snacks

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Stop 2:

Small olive oil producer

Tour the olive groves

Taste fresh olive oil on bread (pane toscano)

Learn about harvest traditions

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Lunch:

Farm-to-table meal at the vineyard or local agriturismo

All local ingredients, prepared simply

Wine pairing with the meal

Meet the chef/family who runs the place

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Return: Late afternoon drive back to Florence

Dinner: Leisure — explore a neighborhood you missed

Accommodation: Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1

Experience Focus: Wine 40% | Food 40% | Culture 20%

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Day 6: Florence → Venice – Train & Evening Immersion

Nights: Venice (1)

Morning: Leisurely breakfast in Florence

Late Morning: Private transfer to Florence train station

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Train Journey:

Premium class to Venice (2.5 hours)

Relax, enjoy views of the Venetian countryside

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Arrival: Private water taxi transfer through the lagoon (an experience in itself)

Afternoon: Check into hotel, rest

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Early Evening:

Walk through Venice's quiet streets (sunset is magical)

Get lost in neighborhoods away from Piazza San Marco

Discover small bridges, hidden canals, local cafes

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Dinner:

Guided bacari (wine bar) crawl with local expert

Visit 4-5 authentic Venetian wine bars

Taste cicchetti (traditional small bites) and local wines

Learn Venetian food culture

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Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli or similar boutique property

Experience Focus: Wine 40% | Discovery 40% | Food 20%

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Day 7: Venice – Artisan Brief & Local Food Experience

Nights: Venice (1)

Morning:

Private artisan experience (choose one)

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Option A:

Murano Glass Studio — 45-minute demonstration with master glassblower

Watch the craft, understand the tradition, optional small purchase

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Option B:

Venetian Mask-Making Studio — meet artisan in traditional atelier

Learn history of Carnevale, watch mask creation

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Late Morning: Return to Venice proper

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Lunch:

Guided food tour with local

Visit a fish market, see the day's catch

Small seafood tasting at local bar/restaurant

Learn about Venetian seafood traditions

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Afternoon:

Free time

Explore neighborhoods, visit small galleries or churches

Discover a hidden osteria for dinner

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Dinner: Restaurant of your choice, or we recommend a family-run spot

‍Accommodation: Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli

Experience Focus: Food 30% | Artisan 25% | Discovery 30% | Leisure 15%

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Day 8: Venice – Departure

Nights: Venice (0)

Morning: Final cappuccino and cornetto at a local bar‍

Late Morning: Private transfer to Venice Marco Polo Airport

Depart

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