10-Day Venice, Bologna & Rome Itinerary: Food, Culture & Classic Italy

Set in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea, in northern Italy’s Veneto region, Venice is built on 117 small islands, linked by bridges and crisscrossed by canals instead of roads. The city together with its lagoon holds UNESCO World Heritage status because it attracts visitors from everywhere who want to experience its artistic beauty, historical buildings and eternal charm. Venice maintains a strong musical and performing arts tradition which includes theatrical performances, operatic productions and the gentle sounds that gondolas produce while also preserving its traditional heritage of festive celebrations, artistic beauty and romantic atmosphere.

The historic center of Venice operates without cars so visitors must walk between locations while using boats to travel through the canal waterways. That is part of its magic. Allow yourself to get lost in the maze of narrow calli and passageways, wander over big and small bridges just to see where they lead and slip beyond the busiest areas to find quiet neighborhoods where Venetians go about daily life.

This is Venice, a city that seems to rise straight out of the water, as if it were the backdrop of a dream.

Take a leisurely evening walk through Rialto Venice to experience the local tastes and daily routines of the area while visiting several traditional bàcari establishments which serve as wine bars and taverns where Venetians meet for drinks and light snacks.

The Rialto market located in Venice used to be the central marketplace of the city which attracted various people including craftsmen, traders and sailors who would enter the wine establishments that lined the tight streets. The lively past of Venice has produced its most genuine tradition which is known as the bàcaro.

During your walk, you’ll step into several of these welcoming spots to enjoy a glass of wine and cicchetti (small Venetian snacks). The generous, simple dishes and friendly atmosphere give you a genuine glimpse into Venetian life beyond the postcards.

*Special Note: Please let us know of any dietary requirements or restrictions upon booking*

**Inclusions: 1.5-hour small-group experience (max 8 pax) with an English-speaking guide, Stops at three bàcari with two food tastings, One glass of wine per person at each bàcaro**

You leave the lagoon behind and head into the mountains on a full-day journey from Venice to the fresh air and beautiful landscapes of the Dolomites. The tour begins with a drive through Prosecco hills near Conegliano which includes multiple photo opportunities before arriving at Lake Santa Croce which displays its peaceful essence through its reflection of pine forests and mountain peaks in its mirror-like surface.

The town of Pieve di Cadore serves as the birthplace of the Renaissance painter Titian. Take a brief walk through this mountain town to experience its local cuisine before you continue your journey to the mountain peaks. The summit of Tre Cime di Lavaredo reaches 2,360 meters which provides visitors with panoramic views of the Dolomites' rocky mountain range.

The next stop should be Cortina d’Ampezzo which serves as a fashionable mountain resort that hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics and became famous through its Bond film appearances. Take a cable car up to Faloria (weather permitting) or explore the boutiques and historic hotels in town.

End the day at Lake Misurina, an idyllic spot for lunch surrounded by beautiful peaks such as Mount Sorapiss. On the leisurely return to Venice, pass traditional villages and Lake Auronzo, with plenty of chances to stop for photos.

This unforgettable day out offers a perfect taste of the Dolomites’ natural beauty and alpine culture in a single trip.

*Inclusions: 8-hour small-group experience (max 25 pax) with a local escort, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Photo stops along the route, Free time in Pieve di Cadore, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Lake Misurina and Lake Auronzo*

Bologna presents itself as an elegant city which maintains a relaxed atmosphere through its unique blend of interesting opposing elements. The city center features elegant porticoed streets which connect to medieval towers which stand alongside its industrial and innovative heart in the wealthy Po Valley region. People who attend opera performances exit from luxurious theaters which lead them to experience some of Italy's most excellent dining establishments and they can walk to both elegant palaces and active market areas.

Bologna maintains its reputation for being both lively and actively involved in political activities. The city hosts the world's oldest university which draws students who bring life to its public spaces through their active presence in the streets and piazzas. The city exists as a dynamic place which combines its historical heritage with its fight against authority.

Visitors who enter Bologna's center will experience why this city stands as Italy's leading culinary destination. The guided food tour explores medieval streets and market stalls to provide visitors with a culinary experience that goes beyond food tasting because it reveals the authentic traditions and flavorful stories of Bolognese cuisine.

A dedicated local guide will lead you through the historic center where you will experience the scents of homemade pasta and traditional Italian cheeses and handcrafted meats. The food and wine market in the city offers visitors a chance to taste their favorite regional dishes including tortellini and mortadella while staff members explain the historical background of these traditional foods.

Between tastings, your guide highlights the city’s history and architecture, pointing out details and hidden corners that many visitors pass by. Small group numbers keep the atmosphere relaxed and friendly, with time for conversation not only about the food, but also about everyday life in Bologna.

By the end of the tour, expect to feel satisfied in every way: well-fed, inspired and more connected to a city that truly lives through its cuisine.

**Note: Please let us know of any dietary requirements or restrictions upon booking**

**Inclusions: 2-hour small-group experience (max 15 pax) with a professional English-speaking escort, Pick-up and drop-off at a designated meeting point in Bologna city center (on foot), 3 food stops for local tastings, Voucher for a sweet treat**

Known as “La Dotta, La Grassa, La Rossa” (The Learned, The Fat, The Red), Bologna offers plenty to fill a day at your own pace. Walk through its medieval streets and admire architectural highlights such as the iconic Two Towers and the vast Basilica di San Petronio. Explore the university district, where the world’s oldest university continues to shape the city’s lively, intellectual atmosphere.

Visitors can experience the authentic Bolognese culture by walking through the city's UNESCO World Heritage porticos which connect different districts while creating beautiful architectural passageways. Bologna provides visitors with a complete experience through its historical sites, cultural attractions, its active streets and its delicious dining options.

According to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. It became the center of the Roman Republic, later the Roman Empire, and eventually the heart of the Christian world in the 4th century. The current capital of Italy operates as a modern urban center which displays its historical heritage through its entire environment. The city has received its first human imprint from emperors, popes, artists and common people since the time of the Roman Empire.

Ancient ruins, ornate churches and the treasures of the Vatican all for your attention. Still, some of your most memorable moments may come from simple experiences: sitting at a café in Campo de’ Fiori, wandering through a sunlit piazza or watching the evening passeggiata. At first, Rome can feel intense, but the more you walk, the more it reveals its neighborhood soul. Visit the same square a few times and you may find that faces become familiar.

This is Rome, beautifully chaotic, full of contradictions and endlessly alive.

Your day starts at a busy local market where you will select the fresh ingredients which will serve as the foundation for your upcoming cooking class. You will start your day by walking through the neighborhood to observe how Romans conduct their shopping activities and discuss their food preferences before reaching Gianni and Cesare’s studio.

You will perform hands-on work with flour and dough to create an entire Italian meal from beginning to end while Gianni or Cesare supervises your work. The lesson will teach you to prepare antipasto which includes making egg pasta, water-and-semolina pasta and selecting appropriate sauces for each pasta type. The program ends with a dessert that participants make themselves.

The selected wines will enhance your prepared dishes during the class which will transform into a casual dining experience that showcases authentic Roman dining traditions.

*Special Note: Please let us know of any dietary requirements or restrictions upon booking*

**Inclusions: 5.5-hour small-group experience (max 10 pax) with a local escort, Pick-up from a designated meeting point, Ingredients and equipment for cooking, Lunch with wine**

Dedicate a full day to the history, art and spirituality of Rome, exploring both Ancient Rome and the Vatican in a small group.

In the morning, visit the three main sites of the Colosseum Archaeological Park. Begin at the Colosseum, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, once used for gladiatorial contests and wild animal hunts, with space for more than 50,000 spectators. The open-air museum of Palatine Hill serves as the legendary seventh hill of Rome which established the city's origins. The Roman Forum served as the central location for public activities, political matters and commercial activities throughout many centuries.

Your guide will meet you again after lunch before you proceed to the Vatican Museums which houses an impressive art collection that Popes gathered throughout history. Your path starts at the Pio Clementino Hall before you visit the Laocoon, Apollo Belvedere, then proceed to the Gallery of Maps, continue through the Gallery of Candelabra and the Gallery of Tapestries until you reach the Sistine Chapel which features Michelangelo's ceiling and altar wall frescoes.

Leaving the Museums, follow your guide along the walls of Vatican City to reach St. Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s great dome and framed by Bernini’s sweeping colonnades. Here stands St. Peter’s Basilica, the most important church in the Christian world.

*Please note that the guided visit inside St. Peter’s Basilica is not included. Your guide will provide explanations from outside, and at the end of the tour you may enter the Basilica on your own at no additional cost*
**Please note that this tour is not wheelchair accessible**

***Inclusions: 8-hour small-group experience (max 15 pax) with a professional licensed guide, Hotel pick-up (vehicle) from centrally located hotels, Entrance fees, Headsets, Lunch***

****Exclusions: Hotel drop-off, Drinks****

Today your Italian journey comes to an end, but the cities you’ve explored, the flavors you’ve tasted and the people you’ve met will stay with you. From Venice’s canals and Bologna’s markets to Rome’s ancient streets and soaring domes, each stop has added its own chapter to your story. Once you arrive at the airport, check in for your international flight and prepare to head home. 

Although this trip is ending, the spirit of la dolce vita should start creating you the idea of planning your next Tailored by Locals adventure. As you scroll through photos, look at your souvenirs or simply think back on your favorite moments, you may find yourself already imagining a return. Once you are ready, we will be ready to make it happen!