During this extraordinary 10-day adventure, you will discover the magnetism of Northern Italy, the region’s phenomenal culture, and its luscious gastronomic scene. Italian culture is masterfully intertwined with its delicious cuisine. From the streets of Milan to the canals of Venice, you will be introduced to unique architecture and high-end cuisine. Venture on a truffle-hunting adventure in the rolling hills of Piedmont, handcraft your own pasta in Bologna, and learn the art of making authentic...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Milan – Tour of Milan’s Duomo
When you land in Milan, your driver will escort you to your luxurious accommodation in the center of Milan. After you settle in, your guide will meet you in the lobby, and together, you will explore some of the best sites near your hotel. Centered perfectly over a busy, four-point intersection, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II mall is not only a destination for high-end fashion but also a major cut-through for locals to run their daily errands. Afterward, you will transfer to the Duomo for your private, behind-the-scenes tour. During your tour, you will stroll through the decadent interior with your informative guide to witness 500 years of history and architecture.
What's Included:
Day 2
Alba – Learn the Art of Creating World-Famous Gelato
Day 3
Alba – Venture through Piedmont on a Truffle Hunting Expedition
Day 4
Parma – Observe the Production of Parmesan Cheese at a Local Dairy
Day 5
Parma – Savor Unprecedented Cuisine on a Bespoke Walking Tour
Day 6
Bologna – Hand-Craft Fresh, Delicious Pasta with a Renowned Chef
Day 7
Bologna – Wander through Medieval Streets on a Private Tour
Day 8
Venice – Revel in an After-Hours Tour of Glorious St. Mark’s Basilica
Day 9
Venice – Cruise the Grand Canal on a Private Gondola Ride
Day 10
Venice – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Milan’s Duomo, where you will discover 500 years of faith, history, and architecture
- Handcraft your Italian gelato with instruction from world-class chefs, which will be followed by a gelato tasting that introduces you to a variety of unique flavors
- Unearth prized truffles as you take part in a classic truffle hunt before rewarding your efforts by indulging in traditional Piedmontese dishes that are perfectly paired with full-bodied wines
- Partake in the meticulous process of crafting authentic Parmesan Reggiano cheese at a traditional dairy farm
- Amble through Parma’s medieval streets, sampling locally cured prosciutto and finely aged balsamic vinegar while also exploring 800-year-old cathedrals
- Laugh along with your private chef as you knead dough into freshly made pasta, learning time-honored family recipes and uncovering old-world techniques
- Become enthralled with the ethereal grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica, viewing its Byzantine mosaics and venturing behind the altar to the crypt of St. Mark
- Embark on an exclusive gondola ride down Venice’s Grand Canal, floating past a regal display of palaces and Gothic Architecture
- Discover Venetian cuisine during a personalized walking tour through Venice’s locally acclaimed trattorias and restaurants
Detailed Description
You will discover the unforgettable allure of Northern Italy on this elaborate, 14-day culture and gastronomy tour through backcountry eateries and celebrated landmarks. You will begin your adventure in the exciting city of Milan, where you will witness the remarkable Gothic architecture of the infamous Duomo before strolling through haute-couture shops on Italy’s most exclusive boulevards. As your tour leads you into the rolling hills of Piedmont, you will attend a world-famous gelato-making class in Asti, where chefs will teach you vital secrets of how to craft this creamy delicacy. Upon settling in to the emerald hills of Alba, you will embark on a memorable truffle-hunting expedition that will have you traipsing through the woods and hunting for the cherished truffles that make Piedmontese dishes so exquisite.
Afterward, you will venture to the Emilia-Romagna region, where traditional Italian gastronomy has remained perfectly unchanged for generations. During your time in the region, you will visit a dairy farm that produces authentic Parmesan Cheese, which is where you will learn about and taste the results of the rigorous process. Once you arrive in the medieval streets of Parma, you will commence on an in-depth, walking food tour that will introduce your taste buds to the region’s famed cuisine. The following day, you will sample delicious balsamic vinegar that has been aged for over two decades in addition to attending a prestigious culinary class, where you will learn how to craft your own pasta. Culinary surprises and over two millennia worth of history will spill over into the cobblestoned streets of Bologna as you conclude your final evening in this region.
Next, you will transfer to the blue lagoon waters of Venice, where you will skip to the front of the line to enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. While some of the most sacred sections of the cathedral are cornered off to visitors, you get to duck beneath the ropes and witness St. Mark’s crypt and the hallowed altar. The following day, you can indulge in a private gondola ride before cruising down the main street of Venice, the Grand Canal. Gothic palaces will delight you as you inhale the timeless romance that Venice emanates, and you can culminate your memorable trip with a food tour through the local trattorias and restaurants that line the quiet backstreet canals of the city. Throughout your time in Northern Italy, you will experience much of that this corner of the world has to offer its guests, specifically immersing you into its culture and prestigious gastronomic scene.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5929 reviews.
Zicasso's travel agent created an itinerary and experience that was simply perfect. Every hotel experience, guide, and driver was excellent. She was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made the perfect suggestions. I loved working with her! Thank you to our agent, the tour operator, and Zicasso for a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Anita L.
The trip was wonderful. Zicasso's travel agent and her staff planned the perfect 10-day trip. The accommodations, the drivers, the guides, and the restaurant recommendations were perfect. The communication was excellent and timely. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. The staff were very attentive and flexible, even when we wanted some small changes, such as pick-up times for the drivers. They adapted and made it all work. This travel agent is absolutely terrific.
Reviewed By Marci M.
Our Italy trip with Zicasso’s travel partner was nothing short of spectacular! Referred by a friend who had an amazing experience, we decided to give it a try and were not disappointed. Our agent was fantastic, always ready with answers to our questions and providing excellent support throughout our journey.
In Tuscany, we visited beautiful wineries and enjoyed a delightful lunch with the vintners, who were incredibly warm and welcoming. Her attention to detail was evident when she adjusted our plans due to weather changes and even checked in on us when we were slightly delayed for a tour.
Siena was breathtaking and our hotel in Rome was perfectly located, allowing us to walk to all the major sites. One of the highlights was a small boat tour around Capri from Amalfi—perfect weather and stunning waters made it unforgettable. The cooking class on the Amalfi Coast, set on the side of a cliff, was exceptional and having personal tours just for the two of us was an unexpected and delightful bonus.
We can't express enough how much we enjoyed our Italy trip. The travel partner exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend them for a truly memorable experience!
Reviewed By Kent S.
Zicasso’s trip coordinator and her team did a fantastic job, not only in planning the trip to meet our needs and wants, but also in personalizing it as needed. They were also available as we needed them to adjust things, such as pickups, and even made some dinner reservations for us. With our budget, they set us up in excellent hotels that fit our desire for the trip to be a wonderful anniversary getaway. Her staff were also very helpful. We would strongly recommend them for a trip to Italy!
Reviewed By Rajesh J.
Zicasso's travel planner and her staff did a perfect job for our family of six. She made our trip seamless!
Everything she planned was perfect and no detail was left out. I would use them again and again for my travels to Italy.
Reviewed By Sally F.
My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.
Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.
Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.
Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.
Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.
As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.
Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.
The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.
This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.
Reviewed By tasmia S.
