Let Mondo Travel and Railbookers take you on an adventure through Italy. If you’re reading this, one of your favorite aspects of travelling is probably, discovering the unique cuisine that each city and country offers. On this 12-day rail journey, you’ll have the opportunity to savour and connect with a true taste of authentic Italy’s most beloved dishes. These gastronomic centres of Italy offer quintessential flavors that you can’t leave without trying. From carbonara to gelato, Bolognese, hand-shaped pasta, fresh focaccia, mouth-watering cheeses, and slow-simmered sauces, the culinary culture found in this country is worth travelling around the world for. Plus you’ll get to immerse yourself hands-on in the traditional methods through a variety of cooking classes and demonstrations. There are only two requirements: Arrive hungry and bring your sense of adventure. Buon appetito!

Itinerary

Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome! When you arrive, check into your hotel, and start exploring on your own. See all the must-see attractions and landmarks. With so much to see and experience, there’s no telling what kind of memories you’ll make today. But aside from sightseeing, the highlights will most certainly be the food! In the evening why not eat just outside the city centre like a local in one of the many neighbourhoods? Try the classic, mouth-watering Pasta alla Carbonara (which gets its velvety texture from farm-fresh, raw egg yolks cooked into the pasta) topped with a creamy sauce of pecorino cheese, black pepper, and bacon. Then there are such delicacies as Carciofi alla Romana (artichokes cooked in olive oil), Suppli (bite-sized snacks filled with mozzarella cheese coated by risotto, egg, tomato sauce, and breadcrumbs and then deep-fried), or Coda alla Vaccinara (traditional oxtail stew). (Overnight in Rome)

On your guided tour today, walk in the footsteps of gladiators at the famous Colosseum and stroll through the ruins of the Roman Forum. The rest of your day is at your leisure, why not stop for a delicious Italian treat in one of the pretty cafés by the Trevi fountain or order a delicious plate of Cacio e Pepe pasta at a trattoria near the Pantheon? (Overnight in Rome) B

Head to the train station this morning and embark on a scenic ride up the Mediterranean coast to La Spezia. Upon settling in at your hotel, it's time to start exploring! With its proximity to the five villages of Cinque Terre, La Spezia is the perfect home base for your two-night stay. Using your Cinque Terre Rail Card, take as many of the short, few-minute train rides as you want between Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Monterosso, before settling on one to enjoy a delicious dinner. The seafood in this region is a must-try! (Overnight in La Spezia) B

Today you’ll become a true Italian pizza chef under the guidance of your instructor! The course begins with the most important step – making the dough. After learning the art of dough-making and kneading, your chef will demonstrate making a variety of pizzas, bread, and focaccias, where you’ll get to choose your own delicious toppings, fresh from this morning’s market run. Once you enjoy your well-deserved lunch, the day is yours to continue exploring the Cinque Terre region. (Overnight in La Spezia) B

Upon arrival, check into your hotel and get settled in before stepping out and getting to know the sprawling metropolis. After exploring the famous Uffizi Gallery with your skip-the-line ticket, head over to the Mercato Centrale, which features two floors of vendors selling everything from meat to cheese to coffee. Come dinner, why not try the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina (the Tuscan steak) with some local wine? (Overnight in Florence) B

Set off on a guided day trip to Tuscany's most captivating destinations today. Explore the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the medieval charm of Siena, the ancient hilltop town of San Gimignano, and the scenic landscapes of Chianti. Whilst in Chianti, you’ll have the chance to tour a rustic winery on the slopes of the Tuscan hills and enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch enriched by a tasting of good wine. Want to upgrade to a private experience? Just ask your Rail Expert! (Overnight in Florence) B L

Have breakfast then travel on your own to the train station for your 30-minute ride to Bologna. After checking into your hotel stroll along the ancient arcades that line the main streets and visit the Axinellid and Griselda towers, two of the most visited landmarks in the city. For an off-the-beaten-path experience, go see the canals. Not many people know about them, but Bologna has canals that resemble the ones found in Venice! One of the best is the Canaled Dell Moline, which you’ll find near Via Paella. (Overnight in Bologna) B

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, and many people claim that it is also Italy’s gastronomic capital. It’s nickname? La Grassa or “the fat one.” Join your local food walking tour where you will taste your way through this incredible city. Learning all the history along the way with your expert guide, trying Italy’s best meats, cheeses, and of course, the Bolognese that the city is famous for. Afterwards, why not visit age-old markets where you can buy freshly made pasta and handmade mozzarella? (Overnight in Bologna) B

After breakfast, it's time for a short train ride over to Verona, arriving in just under an hour. There’s a reason why travellers call Verona Italy’s most underrated gem. Check out Casa di Giulietta at 23 Via Cappello, the supposed home of Shakespeare’s Juliet. Right around the corner, you’ll find Piazza delle Erbe, one of Italy’s most picturesque squares. The top of Torre dei Lamberti offers incredible views of the entire city and surrounding landscape. In the late afternoon, head to the local cooking school for a short lesson on the art of one of Italy’s most well-known desserts, gelato! Follow along with your expert chef, taking notes in the cookbook given to you so you can repeat these recipes when you return home. After the lesson, enjoy tastings of your delicious creations. (Overnight in Verona) B

Eat a light breakfast this morning, because you’ve got one of the best cooking lessons on the itinerary today! Nestled amidst the picturesque beauty of this charming city, this experience offers a hands-on journey into the heart of Italian gastronomy. Under the guidance of skilled local chefs, learn the art of crafting creamy risotto, meticulously stirring Arborio rice to perfection with a medley of flavours. Then, delve into the intricate world of pasta-making, as you knead and shape fresh dough into tantalizing forms, from silky tagliatelle to plump ravioli. With the backdrop of Verona's historic streets and vibrant markets, this cooking lesson is not just a culinary exploration, but a cultural immersion into the flavours that define Italy. (Overnight in Verona) B

Your last destination in Italy is Milan, only a quick train ride from Verona. Enjoy a day leisurely exploring the Duomo, the Galleria, or any of the other popular sights in Italy’s fashion capital. Be sure to cross any remaining dishes off your culinary bucket list before heading home tomorrow, if there are any left! (Overnight in Milan) B

Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you’d like to extend your holiday to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements. B

Trip Details

• Immerse yourself in Italian cuisine through traditional cooking lessons of pasta, risotto, gelato, and pizza
• Taste your way through the coastal villages of Cinque Terre
• Discover Tuscany’s famous wine region
• Stroll through markets and trattorias like a local
• Try delicacies like Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma at one of the oldest Salumerias in Bologna

• Rail travel in standard class throughout
• 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
• 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in La Spezia
• 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
• 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bologna
• 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Verona
• 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Milan
• 2 nights at the Colca Lodge including breakfast
• Sightseeing tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum
• Pizza, Focaccia, Bread & Breadsticks course in La Spezia
• Local food tour in Bologna with tastings included
• Gelato, Risotto, and Pasta cooking lessons in Verona
• Cinque Terre train card for exploring the five villages
• Day trip to Tuscany with lunch and wine tastings included
• Skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

Departures available from March 2024 - December 2025. Please contact us for full details.