Taste of Italy: Gourmet Experience Tour 2027
Destination Highlights for the Taste of Italy Tour:
Milan – Alba – Turin – Parma – Modena – Florence – Lake Trasimeno – Perugia – Orvieto – Rome
Tour Dates (Full Package):
May 9 – May 21, 2027
Full Package: $7,990/person
(includes airfare from HNL)
Land Package: $6,690/person
(does not include airfare from HNL)
Special Offer: Book by November 30, 2026 for $100 off!
Taste of Italy Tour Overview
If you ask a friend about their favorite cuisine, there’s a good chance they’ll mention Italian food—and now’s your chance to try it at the source! The Taste of Italy: Gourmet Experience Tour takes you through some of Italy’s most celebrated food and wine regions, including Piedmont, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna, savoring regional specialties along the way. You’ll also dive into Italy’s rich food culture through unique hands-on experiences, from pasta making in Florence and a chocolate decorating class in Perugia to Barolo and Chianti Classico vineyard tours and tastings, and even truffle hunting with an expert trifolau and their truffle-sniffing dogs! Come hungry and get ready to experience Italy one delicious bite at a time!
We’ll take care of everything so you don’t have to.
What’s included on the Taste of Italy Tour:
Transportation
- Round-trip flights with Delta / Air France from Honolulu (Full Package only)
- A private driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
Meals
- 32 delicious meals, carefully curated with local flavors and regional specialties (11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 11 dinners)
- Superb dining options featuring local specialties and regional gourmet favorites, catered to the season
- No hidden fees! HIS includes more meals than any other travel agency!
Accommodations
- 11 nights at premium accommodations in Italy
- Tired of switching hotels every night? We include consecutive stays of 2 nights at every location (except Milan). No unpacking and repacking every night!
And More!
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
- $200 repeater discount on all future HIS tours
Cultural Activities
- An immersive truffle-hunting and tasting experience, following an expert trifolau and their dogs through the forest, then seeing how freshly harvested truffles are processed
- Barolo and Chianti Classico vineyard visits and wine tastings, exploring two celebrated and highly sought-after wine regions
- A hands-on Florentine pasta cooking class, plus a chocolate decorating and tasting workshop in Perugia
- Behind-the-scenes looks at a Parma ham (prosciutto) facility and Modena balsamic vinegar factory
- A traditional agriturismo farmhouse lunch, savoring local, seasonal ingredients at a family-run countryside property
- Cultural sightseeing in Florence and Rome, from Florence’s Renaissance masterpieces and magnificent Duomo to Rome’s ancient Colosseum and iconic Trevi Fountain
Taste of Italy Tour Itinerary
May 9, 2027: Honolulu Departure (Day 1)
Begin your journey meeting your tour escort and fellow travelers at Honolulu Airport (HNL). Relax before your flight to Milan with Delta and Air France via LA and Paris.
May 10, 2027: Arrival in Milan (Day 2)
Land in Milan in the evening and meet your bus to transfer to your hotel. Step right into the gourmet scene with a classic Milanese dinner, Cotoletta alla Milanese (veal cutlet). After dinner, relax, and rest up for your big adventure!
- Hotel: Hotel Amedia Milan (or similar)
- Meals: Dinner
May 11, 2027: Alba & Turin (Day 3)
After breakfast, depart Milan for Italy’s gourmet countryside. Explore the charming town of Alba, famous for its truffles, and enjoy a local lunch. Then, continue on to Turin, Italy’s very first capital city, for a historical half day sightseeing tour.
- Hotel: Starhotels Majestic (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 12, 2027: Piedmont: Truffles & Wine (Day 4)
Start the day with an authentic Alba truffle hunting experience – walk along a relaxing forest trail and watch as dogs sniff out the underground morsels, and then taste some truffles for yourself! Later, head to Serralunga d’Alba for a vineyard tour and Barolo tasting — one of Italy’s most sought after wines.
- Hotel: Starhotels Majestic (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 13, 2027: Amazing Asti (Day 5)
Transfer to Asti, a small medieval town surrounded by vineyards, where we’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch, plus free time for shopping or sightseeing. Then, continue on to Parma.
- Hotel: NH Parma (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 14, 2027: Origins of Prosciutto & Balsamic (Day 6)
Parma is famous for it’s prosciutto (Parma ham)! Visit an authentic facility for a savory prosciutto tour and tasting. Then, head to Modena for an authentic balsamic vinegar factory tour and tasting before returning to Parma for dinner.
- Hotel: NH Parma (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 15, 2027: Fantastic Florence (Day 7)
Transfer to Florence – the heart of Italian Renaissance Art — and stop at Piazza Michelangelo for stunning city views. After lunch, enjoy a city tour on foot, where you’ll find beautiful Renaissance art at every corner, including the Florence Duomo. For dinner, enjoy a fresh pasta cooking class, complete with a sweet and delicious gelato tasting.
- Hotel: Albani Florence (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 16, 2027: Tuscany: Chianti & Gelato (Day 8)
Transfer to Greve in Chianti, where you’ll visit Vicchio Maggio for a chianti classico vineyard tour and tasting, plus lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy free time in San Gimignano for shopping. Don’t forget to try their award-winning artisinal gelato!
- Hotel: Albani Florence (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 17, 2027: Perugia & Chocolate (Day 9)
Continue south to Perugia, the hilltop capital city of Umbria, famous for chocolate. Enjoy a brief walking tour of city center, then head to lunch. For dessert, visit a local chocolatier for an authentic chocolate tasting and decorating workshop.
- Hotel: Hotel La Meridiana (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 18, 2027: Lakeside Gourmet (Day 10)
Head to the gorgeous Lake Trasimeno for relaxing lakeside walks and local gastronomy. Stop in Castiglione del Lago, a small 12th century lakeside medieval town. Then, get a taste of Italy’s agriturismo (agricultural tourism) with lunch at La Casa di Campagna, a family-run farmhouse. Return to Perugia.
- Hotel: Hotel La Meridiana (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 19, 2027: Ancient Orvieto (Day 11)
Transfer to the beautiful hilltop town of Orvieto. Enjoy a walking tour of the city, including a visit to Campo della Fiera, a major ancient archaeological site. Try out Orvieto’s regional game for lunch. Then, continue to Rome.
- Hotel: Golden Tulip Rome Piram (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 20, 2027: Rome Exploration (Day 12)
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in the Eternal City of Rome! Stop at world famous sites like the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and San Pietro Square, plus a stop for Rome’s famous pizza for lunch. Enjoy a deluxe farewell dinner, then relax for our return home.
- Hotel: Golden Tulip Rome Piram (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
May 21, 2027: Rome Departure (Day 13)
Take an early morning flight to Paris. Transfer through Seattle, then return home to Honolulu that evening.
- Hotel: —
- Meals: Breakfast
Pricing
Early-booking Special Offer:
Book by November 30, 2026 to SAVE $100!
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$7,990.00*
$6,690.00**
$1,200.00
**international & domestic airfare not included
**customer must provide flight details to travel consultant for confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: May is a lovely time to visit Italy, with mild to warm spring weather. Expect daytime temperatures generally in the 60s to low 70s°F, with cooler evenings in the 50s°F. Northern Italy, including Milan and Piedmont, may be cooler and wetter, while central Italy, including Rome and Tuscany, tends to be warmer. Pack light layers, a jacket or sweater, comfortable walking shoes, and a light rain jacket or umbrella.
Q: Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?
A: This tour is best suited for travelers with a moderate level of mobility. Many of Europe’s historic city centers feature cobblestone streets, uneven sidewalks, stairs, and extended periods of walking. While the pace is comfortable with regular breaks, participants should be able to walk throughout the day and board and exit the motorcoach independently.
Q: Will there be free time to explore on our own?
A: Yes! Short periods of unstructured free time are built into the schedule for shopping and exploring at your own pace.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: Yes! All meals are included. At HIS, we pride ourselves on including more meals than many other tour companies, and we’ve carefully curated a fantastic selection of regional restaurants and authentic local specialties throughout northern Italy.
Q: What kind of accommodations are included?
A: You’ll stay in comfortable 4-star hotels conveniently located near the cities you’ll be exploring. All hotels include private ensuite bathrooms, and many are within easy access of restaurants, shopping, and public transportation.
Q: How big are the tour groups?
A: This group is limited in size (24 participants) to ensure the best accommodations and restaurants, a comfortable pace, and personalized service from your guide and escort.
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international tickets from Honolulu are included in the Full Package. If you would like to arrange your own airfare or are interested in extending your dates in Europe, you can select the Land Package.
