Cuisine & Culture in Northern Italy
The most important thing to pack on a trip to northern Italy? An empty stomach.
Sample fresh, native products during rural farm visits and taste your way through Turin on a food-themed walking tour. Balance your meals with sightseeing stops in Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome, where you’ll feast your eyes on some of Italy’s most celebrated architectural gems. Just make sure to save room for gelato, too.Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2026: March 19, April 3-8, May 1, June 29, and August 14-15. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy
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Day 2: Milan
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Milan
Learn about local agriculture and taste some native products during a rural farm visit
Take a guided tour of Milan
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Day 4: Turin • Piedmont region
Explore Turin during a food-themed walking tour
Visit the Slow Food University
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Day 5: Piedmont region • Langhe region • Emilia region
Travel to the Emilia region via the Langhe region
Take a stroll among the region’s famous grape vineyards
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Piedmontese cooking class
Dive even deeper into how food plays an integral role in Italy’s culture. Enjoy a cooking class led by a local chef, where you’ll make and enjoy a few classic Piedmontese dishes.
See a pasta-making demonstration
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Day 6: Emilia region • Parma • Modena
Take a day trip to Parma and Modena
Stop in Parma to sample delicious Parmesan cheese
Explore Modena during your free time
Visit an acetaia, where you will:
- Learn about production of traditional balsamic vinegar
- Taste the local product
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Day 7: Emilia region • Bologna
Take a day trip to Bologna
Take a food-themed guided tour of Bologna
Enjoy an interactive food-themed activity
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Day 8: Emilia region • Lucca • Florence
Travel to Florence via Lucca
Explore Lucca on your own
Visit a chocolate factory, sample a variety of flavors
Explore Florence on your own
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Day 9: Florence
Explore Mercato Centrale during free time
Explore Florence during a food-themed walking tour
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Day 10: Florence • Rome
Travel to Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Enjoy suppli while walking through the streets of Rome
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Day 11: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City
- St. Peter's Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:Italian coffee workshop
Coffee is an important part of Italian culture, and during this EF-exclusive experience, you'll learn the unwritten rules of "bar" (coffee shop) culture. Try your hand at creating barista designs in a cappuccino and learn how to order different drinks in Italian. Alternative options will be available for those who don't drink coffee.
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Day 12: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy
-
Day 2: Milan
Meet your Tour Director at the airport -
Day 3: Milan
Learn about local agriculture and taste some native products during a rural farm visit
Take a guided tour of Milan
-
Day 4: Turin • Piedmont region
Explore Turin during a food-themed walking tour
Visit the Slow Food University
-
Day 5: Piedmont region • Langhe region • Emilia region
Travel to the Emilia region via the Langhe region
Take a stroll among the region’s famous grape vineyards
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
Piedmontese cooking class
Dive even deeper into how food plays an integral role in Italy’s culture. Enjoy a cooking class led by a local chef, where you’ll make and enjoy a few classic Piedmontese dishes.
See a pasta-making demonstration
-
Day 6: Emilia region • Parma • Modena
Take a day trip to Parma and Modena
Stop in Parma to sample delicious Parmesan cheese
Explore Modena during your free time
Visit an acetaia, where you will:
- Learn about production of traditional balsamic vinegar
- Taste the local product
-
Day 7: Emilia region • Bologna
Take a day trip to Bologna
Take a food-themed guided tour of Bologna
Enjoy an interactive food-themed activity
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Day 8: Emilia region • Lucca • Florence
Travel to Florence via Lucca
Explore Lucca on your own
Visit a chocolate factory, sample a variety of flavors
Explore Florence on your own
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Day 9: Florence
Explore Mercato Centrale during free time
Explore Florence during a food-themed walking tour
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Day 10: Florence • Rome
Travel to Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will visit:
- Roman Forum
- Colosseum
Enjoy suppli while walking through the streets of Rome
-
Day 11: Rome
Take a guided tour of Rome
With your expert local guide you will see:
- St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City
- St. Peter's Basilica
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:Italian coffee workshop
Coffee is an important part of Italian culture, and during this EF-exclusive experience, you'll learn the unwritten rules of "bar" (coffee shop) culture. Try your hand at creating barista designs in a cappuccino and learn how to order different drinks in Italian. Alternative options will be available for those who don't drink coffee.
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Day 12: Depart for home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach
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Hotels
10 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
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Regional-style meals
European breakfast and dinner daily (lunch or dinner on day 11)
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Guided sightseeing
Sightseeing tours led by expert, licensed local guides
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Cuisine & culture highlights
Local farm visit; Slow Food University; pasta-making demonstration; vineyard walk; Parmesan cheese producer visit; acetaia visit; interactive food-themed activity; chocolate tasting; Colosseum & Roman Forum
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.
Lowest price
Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.
Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.