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Vineyard in Piedmont, Italy

Italy Food & Wine Holidays

Delicious holidays in Tuscany, Sicily & beyond

Introduction

Italian food in its various forms can be found the world over, but it's not until you head back to the source that you can truly appreciate the tastes and textures of an authentic Italian meal. And, the country's vineyards – some one-million of them – produce some of the world's favourite varietals. In short, if you're seeking a holiday to tantalise your tastebuds, Italy should be on your radar. In fact, eating is one of the greatest pleasures of being there.

Emilia-Romagna region

Chef slicing dried cured ham in Italy
Italian dry-cured ham

The Emilia-Romagna region of Piacenza, Parma, Modena and Bologna is renowned for its gastronomy. In Parma, world-class restaurants serve everything from smoked pork with truffle and scallops to the region's speciality, parma ham. In Modena, the home of balsamic vinegar, you can visit the best suppliers and taste their wares, while Bologna's food markets, showcase everything from Via Rizzoli’s cheese to Osteria del Sole's excellent wines. Of course, Bologna's most famous dish is spaghetti bolognese, best enjoyed in an authentic trattoria.

Tuscan wine regions

Medieval wine cellar and barrels in Tuscany, Italy
Medieval wine cellar, Tuscany

Tuscany's rolling hills and patchwork landscape of vineyards and olive groves are a paradise of sorts for oenophiles and fans of good food. Staples include pici, a local pasta, cooked with fragrant tomatoes and herbs, aubergines wrapped around prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella, and beef, often cooked with shallots and balsamic vinegar. It's perhaps the wine though, that draws the crowds. Pinot Grigio is, of course, wildly popular, home and abroad, but it's Chianti, the dry red produced in central Tuscany, that this area is most famous for.

Rome, Naples & the Italian cities

Pizza and tomatoes in Naples, Italy

A holiday in Italy wouldn't be complete without pizza, and for that, it's best to head to Naples. After all, it's where it was invented, and strict rules govern its creation. Pizzaiolos – pizza makers – must take two years of apprenticeship before they are employed. The dough has to be made the day before for optimum lightness, then cooked only in a wood burning brick oven, and the tomatoes for the sauce should be grown in the fertile volcanic soil of nearby Pompeii. In fact, Campania as a whole benefits from this ashy soil, which produces flavoured aubergines, figs and delicious Amalfi lemons. In Rome, be sure to sample some spaghetti carbonara, made simply with eggs, parmesan, and guanciale (pigs cheek). And, cacio e pepe, adorned with nothing more than Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper, is a pared back classic. In any Italian city, you're bound to find its specialities, whether that's seafood in Palermo or ice-cold gelato – delicious all over the country.


If you're keen to discover the gastronomic delights of Italy, we can help. Contact our travel specialists today – with first-hand knowledge of the destination, they're here to help plan your perfect Italian food and wine holiday. Or, simply browse our itineraries below for inspiration.

 

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Our top itineraries for Italy Food & Wine Holidays

Venice, Italy

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Venice to London

4-day tailor-made holiday from £4,950 pp incl. flights

Exclusive
offer

Exclusive 2025 departure savings – Save up to £460pp
Book by: 30 November 2024

After a stay in a canal-side palace, reached by private water taxi, indulge with bar-car drinks and fine dining as you sweep across the snow-dusted Alps and through the heart of western Europe.

Ragusa, Sicily

Best of Sicily

9-day tailor-made self-drive from £1,570 pp incl. flights

With the flexibility to explore at your own pace, link Sicily’s highlights with spectacularly rural drives and stays in some of the island’s premier hotels. You’ll take in everything from Cefalù’s sandy beaches to Agrigento’s temple wonders and Taormina's ancient grandeur.

Food market, Sicily

Tastes of Sicily

10-day tailor-made self-drive from £1,900 pp incl. flights

Sicily's rich past has given rise to a uniquely contrasting history and it's a similar story when it comes to its food and wine. You’ll take it all in with stays in boutique properties and pretty country drives, with the island’s famous gastronomy showcased in wine tastings and open-kitchen dining.

Capri, Italy

Capri & the Amalfi Coast

10-day tailor-made holiday from £2,960 pp incl. flights

Let stays in world-class hotels and the services of private drivers showcase the best of Capri’s island paradise, the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic beauty and Sorrento’s clifftop views. In between, there's plenty of time for some beach-side relaxation and independent exploration.

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Top offers for Italy Food & Wine Holidays

Venice, Italy

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Venice to London

4-day tailor-made holiday from £4,950 pp incl. flights

Exclusive
offer

Exclusive 2025 departure savings – Save up to £460pp
Book by: 30 November 2024

After a stay in a canal-side palace, reached by private water taxi, indulge with bar-car drinks and fine dining as you sweep across the snow-dusted Alps and through the heart of western Europe.

Burano at sunset, Italy

Venice & The Jewels of Veneto

8-day luxury river cruise from £2,345 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Black Friday offer – Save up to £1,010pp
Book by: 27 November 2024

Sail among the treasures of Northern Italy in style on this all-inclusive cruise with Uniworld. Expect exceptional cuisine, curated excursions and the finest service.

L'Andana

Luxury Tuscan Retreat at L'Andana, Maremma

6-day tailor-made holiday from £1,595 pp incl. flights

Special
offer

Early booking savings – Save up to £385pp
Book by: 30 November 2024

Discover a lesser-visited side of Tuscany on this idyllic rural retreat in Maremma, based at the luxurious L’Andana resort, featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant and a state-of-the-art spa.

Emerald Sakara in Amalfi Coast

Enchanting Italy by luxury yacht with Emerald Cruises

8-day luxury yacht cruise from £4,190 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save up to 15%
Book by: 30 November 2024

This luxurious yacht cruise takes in the history and beauty of Italy's spellbinding Amalfi Coast, before soaking up the sun in Sardinia and Corsica.

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0610 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

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Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

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