Indulge in the decadent food and sumptuous wine of Milan on this luxurious, 8-day vacation. From dinners to food tours, taste your way around the city, and discover Italian cooking techniques from professional chefs. Along the way, uncover some of Milan’s most amazing attractions such as the stunning Cathedral. A wine tour of the Lombardy Region and a day trip to Parma and Modena immerse you deeper into the delicious cuisine of the area. During this culinary tour through Milan, you will indulge...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Milan – Arrive in Milan and Evening Canal Walking Tour with Dinner
The first sights of Milan will come into view when you land at Malpensa Airport on to begin your immersive, 8-day food and wine tour of the city. A private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and lead you to your centrally located and luxurious hotel. You can become acquainted with the hotel and your surroundings before a local guide greets you to begin an evening walking tour along the city’s canals.
As the sun sets, you will begin your journey around the city’s streets. The first delectable smells of expertly prepared dishes will emanate from the many restaurants that you pass. The tour will lead to the Navigli Canal area, which is Milan’s canal system that dates back hundreds of years, and today, the Navigli Canal is a scenic place to walk and is a great area to sample some of Milan’s amazing food. You can hear some history of the area and see the Darsena, which is Milan’s main dock, as you walk alongside the peaceful canal waters. Then, you will venture into one of Milan’s authentic restaurants for a delicious dinner.
The meal will begin with fresh bread dipped in perfectly seasoned olive oil. You can also have a sip or two of wine before you indulge in the main course, which will be a mouthwatering osso bucco. This braised veal dish is typically cooked in wine and vegetables, and the meat will be so tender that it will seemingly melt in your mouth. The osso bucco will be paired with a creamy polenta, and you will savor every last bite of the perfectly balanced meal. You will then culminate your dinner with a sweet Italian chocolate tart for dessert before enjoying the relaxing stroll back to the hotel as you end the first fantastic day of the trip.
What's Included:
Day 2
Milan – Visit Milan Cathedral and Food Tour
Day 3
Milan – Wine Tour of Lombardy
Day 4
Milan – Visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and Aperitif Tasting
Day 5
Milan – Explore the Cuisine of Parma and Modena
Day 6
Milan – A Day of Shopping and Cooking
Day 7
Milan – Explore the Art and Food of the Brera District
Day 8
Milan – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in a private tour of Milan’s Navigli Canal area and delight in a tasty dinner at a nearby authentic restaurant
- Experience the delicious food of Milan during a guided food tour of the city with multiple personal and private tastings
- Traverse wineries in the Lombardy Region to see how local wine is made and sample Bonarda wine, which is the region’s specialty variety
- Marvel at Leonardo da Vinci’s renowned Last Supper painting during a visit to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Venture on a day trip to the culinary centers of Parma and Modena, where you will have exclusive tastings of Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, and balsamic vinegar
- Explore the shops of Italy’s oldest shopping mall, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, before partaking in a private pasta making class at a local culinary school
- Discover the Brera District, which is a neighborhood of Milan known for its art and restaurants, during a guided tour and food tastings
Detailed Description
Italy is known around the world for its amazing cuisine. On this immersive, gastronomic trip, you will discover the food and wine of Milan, which is one of Italy’s leading cities. When you land at Malpensa Airport to begin your adventure, a private transfer will whisk you away to your luxurious hotel. In the evening, you will experience the scenic Navigli Canal area on a guided tour before you indulge in the first of many delicious dinners. After breakfast the following day, you will venture out to explore one of Milan’s main attractions, the Milan Cathedral, on a private tour. After you admire the gorgeous details of the Cathedral, you will delight in a food tour of the city in the afternoon. From authentic pizza to veal cutlet Milanese and a sweet dessert, you will savor every bite of this the fantastic and tasty journey. Day three will feature a tour of some of the Lombardy Region’s best wineries, where you will learn how local wine is made while you taste the area’s wonderful blends.
Another exciting day will await on day four. In the morning, you will visit the ancient Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Here, you will appreciate the beautiful details of the church and truly feel in awe when you view Leonardo da Vinci’s world-renowned Last Supper painting. Later in the day, you can partake in a typical custom of Milan locals when you stroll to a local bar for an aperitif tasting. You can sip on tasty cocktails while you further immerse yourself in the culture of the city. The next day, you will be led via private transfer to the Emilia-Romagna Region, where you will visit the culinary centers of Parma and Modena. During the course of the day, you will visit a Prosciutto di Parma factory, a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory, and a farmhouse where the authentic balsamic vinegar is made. Each destination will fascinate you with its delectable aroma and savory food tastings.
You will begin the sixth day of your adventure with a tasty breakfast. Soon after, you will be led to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is Italy’s oldest shopping mall. Here, you will discover firsthand why Milan is known as a fashion capital as you explore the many luxurious shops and boutiques. Later today, you can indulge in an exclusive pasta making class at a local culinary school, where you can uncover the secret to authentic pasta dough as you make your very own. Then, you will savor every bite as you delight in your creation. The following day will feature an exciting visit to the Brera District. This vibrant Milanese neighborhood is known for its art and food. Here, you can witness amazing paintings by master artists during a private tour of the Brera Art Gallery. Then, you will stop at multiple culinary destinations to you sample the specialties of the area. From savory to sweet, you will delight in every tasting, and after one final breakfast on the morning of day eight, your private transfer will lead you to Malpensa Airport for the return flight. You will leave Italy fully enthralled by Milan and its exquisite cuisine and wines.
Consider learning more about our travelers’ best Italy vacation experiences by reading their Italy travel reviews.
Starting Price
$3,600 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
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5919 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.
