Compare Ultimate Italy by G Adventures vs Cooking in Tuscany by Road Scholar

Day 1 Rome

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until tonight's welcome meeting.

We recommend booking pre-tour accommodation to fully explore this magnificent city. Please speak to a G Adventures representative about booking accommodations in Rome before Day 1 of this itinerary. Please note that if Vatican City is on your must-see list, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets online several weeks prior to your trip. Advance tickets can be reserved online at https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. Same-day entrance to St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) cannot be guaranteed without advance tickets. We also recommend pre-booking your ticket to the Colosseum to guarantee entrance and avoid long queues: https://ticketing.colosseo.it/en

Day 2 Rome

Enjoy a G Adventures supported migrant led walk of Rome before enjoying a free day to explore a myriad of options. Opt to tour Vatican City, cross the river to charming Trastevere, eat some gelato in Piazza Navona, or swing by the Colosseum and Forum.

While you're here, why not opt to rent a Vespa for the day? Live "la dolce vita" and opt to pre-book the Rome Vintage Vespa Tour on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 3 Rome/Montepulciano

Travel to Montepulciano in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Explore the medieval and renaissance hill town with an orientation walk.

Montepulciano is famous for producing delectable local pork, cheese, "Pici" pasta, and honey. It is also major wine producing area. Take in the stunning vistas, wander cobbled lanes, or opt to sample the local delicacies in small, family-run establishments.

Day 4 Montepulciano

Spend the day in the Italian countryside. The famous wine-producing region is the perfect place for an optional vineyard tour and wine tasting, or a bike ride in the rolling hills.

Opt to travel further afield to the thermal springs of Bagni San Filippo.

Day 5 Montepulciano/Florence

Continue on to Florence. Enjoy an evening walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

Continue to the inimitable Firenze. Walk through the city catching a glimpse of the Duomo, Piazza Indipendenza, Piazza della Signoria, and the Ponte Vecchio. Continue to Piazzale Michelangelo for the most famous and photographed vista of the city. Opt to visit the local leather markets and souvenir stalls set up all over the city.

Day 6 Florence

With a free day, the choices are endless. Opt to visit the Duomo, David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, medieval Ponte Vecchio, or the Medici Chapels, just to name a handful.

The day is yours to explore. Check out the Mercato Centrale or any number of cafés and trattorias. If you came to shop, start at one end of the city and just keep going. There's beautiful architecture, famous museums, Renaissance art pieces, and charming cobblestone streets everywhere. If you wish to go further afield, take a wine tasting bike tour up to Fiesole and the vineyards of Chianti. For a truly local experience, indulge your inner gastronome on a culinary tour of the city. Opt to pre-book the "Florence Food Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

If you wish to visit popular museums like the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, we strongly advise reserving tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line for a long time (especially during the high season from May-September, where this can take several hours). Advance tickets can be reserved online at https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets and https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/tickets/

Day 7 Florence

Enjoy a day trip to vibrant Siena. After an orientation walk around this medieval city, opt to visit Torre del Mangia, Battistero, il Campo, or the Duomo or to take a "passeggiata" and meet the Sienese locals. Return to Florence at the end of the day.

Day 8 Florence/Cinque Terre

Visit Pisa en route to the coast. Settle into the colourful, charming town in the Cinque Terre.

Head by train to Pisa and stop for a visit at the Field of Miracles to see the famous leaning tower (entrance fee not included). Later, head on to the coastal paradise of Cinque Terre.

Day 9 Cinque Terre

Walk the coastal path between Riomaggiore and Monterosso or opt to take the train. Visit charming, colourful towns along the way.

The national park pass and daily unlimited train ticket is included. Opt to follow your CEO along centuries-old footpaths and mule tracks leading through olive groves, vineyards, and orchards on a full day hike, or hop on and off the train, experiencing each town on your own. Choose to rest in each of the 5 villages, sampling delicacies in each place, such as local pesto, espresso, or delicious gelato.

Please note that some popular hiking paths along the Cinque Terre have been temporarily closed due to water erosion and damage caused by landslides in 2016. Your CEO will guide you on the best, most accessible path for today's hike.

Day 10 Cinque Terre/Lake Como

Travel to Lake Como, a perfectly picturesque region laden with villas and lush gardens. Arrive in the late afternoon and start exploring the town.

Set out from Cinque Terre on a train journey with a few changes en route, passing through Milan and on to elegant Como Town, located on the shores of Lake Como. On the border with Switzerland, enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the snowy-peaked Alps.

Day 11 Lake Como

Spend the day on Lake Como with a day pass for the Lake Como boat. Visit multiple towns along the shores. Opt to take the funicular to Brunate for a fantastic view over the area.

Set out by boat to explore the lake and its many elegant villas and towns, such as Bellagio with its shops, restaurants, and fine residences. In the afternoon, there is plenty of free time for soaking up the elegant atmosphere in one of the lakeside cafés or restaurants. Take some time for shopping — some of the finest Italian designers are to be found in Como's chic boutiques.

Day 12 Lake Como/Venice

Travel to Venice, the "city of canals," and enjoy an orientation walk over bridges and canals and view Piazza San Marco.

Travel east to captivating Venice, the unique "city of canals," full of magnificent monuments. There will be plenty of time to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and wide piazzas, crossing hundreds of tiny bridges and, of course, getting lost in Venice's labyrinth.

Day 13 Venice

Spend the day getting lost in Venice. Opt for a vaporetto (water taxi) ride to the islands of Murano and Burano, take a gondola under the Ponte Rialto (Bridge of Lovers), explore the Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs, or get lost in the twisting maze of the city.

Day 14 Venice

Depart at any time.

We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this beautiful city has to offer.

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive Lucca, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Lucca

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

After checking-in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Accommodations will be in the pedestrian-only historical center of Lucca. Pick-ups and drop-offs will be at the bus stop, a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Streets are mostly cobblestones. The cooking school is in Vicopelago, about 2.5 miles (10 minutes by bus) from Lucca. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach, unless specified otherwise. Typical Italian food courses include l’antipasto — literally “before the meal” — a hot or cold appetizer; il primo piatto, the first course, often soup or pasta; il secondo piatto, the second course or main dish; il contorno piatto, a side dish such as vegetables or salad; and il dolce, dessert. Breakfasts will be at the hotel; most lunches and some other meals will be two courses featuring local dishes. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will gather before dinner for a welcome drink together.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow road scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At a local restaurant.

Day 3 Lucca, Cooking Class, Academy of Italian Cuisine Lucca

Walking about 1 mile throughout the day; cobblestone streets.

We will begin our learning adventure with our Group Leader through Lucca, taking in the atmosphere and seeing architectural legacies predating the Roman Empire all the way to the Renaissance at the Domus Romana, an archaeological site in the center of Lucca. We’ll delve into the lengthy history of this area through informative museum exhibits and excavation sites.

We will walk from the Domus Romana to the cooking school for our first cooking class with a professional chef at the International Academy of Italian Cuisine. The comprehensive, hands-on curriculum is designed to teach us how to make four-course lunches through cooking techniques applicable to pasta, pastries, and everything in between.

Returning to the hotel, the rest of the evening is at leisure.

At the hotel.

At the Domus Romana, we’ll experience a Roman-style “convivium.”

At the cooking school, we will enjoy the results of our cooking lesson along with other dishes prepared by the chef.

Day 4 Lucca, Cooking Class Lucca

Walking about 1 mile throughout the day; cobblestone streets.

We’ll set out with our Group Leader on a walking field trip in Lucca with emphasis on the progression from the Renaissance to the Modern Age.

We’ll walk from the restaurant to the Cooking School for our hands-on cooking class.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At a local restaurant.

At the Cooking School, we will enjoy the meal we helped to prepare.

Day 5 Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Free Time Lucca

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; uneven terrain.

We will board a motorcoach and ride to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. There, we’ll go on a field trip with our Group Leader to the Caseificio Bertagni, a small family-run “caseificio” — creamery — that produces both sheep’s and cow’s cheeses exclusively from Tuscan milk.

Returning to Lucca, the remainder of the afternoon is free. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At a local restaurant.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 6 Pietrasanta, Colonnata, Carrara Lucca

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain.

We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Pietrasanta with our Group Leader for a walking field trip in this medieval town. A place renowned for its connection with marble, artists and sculptors from all over the world have been drawn to live and work here. It has been described as “the little Athens” for its sculpting studios, artistic foundries, ancient and modern monuments. Its historic center is considered a precious jewel of the Middle Ages. From Pietrasanta, we will ride to Colonnata in Carrara, where we will visit a factory producing lardo, a type of pork salumi seasoned with herbs and cured for about 8 months in handmade baskets made from local marble. Lardo was a traditional dietary staple of marble quarry workers for generations.

On our way back to the hotel, we will stop at a private marble quarry where staff will tell us about its history and work.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At a local lardo producer.

On your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 7 Cooking Class, Free Time Lucca

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 2.5 miles, 1/4 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; cobblestone streets.

We will board a motorcoach and ride to a local market with our Group Leader for an authentic experience of how people from Lucca go food shopping in preparation for cooking. We’ll then ride to the Cooking School for our hands-on cooking class.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free. Take this opportunity to see and do what interests you most.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At the cooking school.

At a local restaurant.

Day 8 Fabbrica San Martino, Cooking Class Lucca

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 12 miles throughout the day, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain.

In the late morning, we will board the motorcoach for a short ride to Fabbrica di San Martino, a farm producing “biodynamic” wine and oil. The owner will give us a presentation on what “biodynamic” farming means and how it works, through a holistic view of nature as an interconnected whole where every element plays its specific role. Next, we will walk to nearby Villa Sardi in Fabbrica di San Martino. This historical noble residence datds from the 17th century, and is now a winery. We will learn more about the production of wine, cheese, and olive oil including tastings.

Next, we’ll ride to the International Academy of Italian Cuisine for our hands-on cooking class.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is free.

At the hotel.

On your own to have what you like at Villa Sardi.

At the cooking school, we’ll enjoy the meal we helped prepare. Share favorite experiences with fellow Road Scholars during our farewell dinner.

Day 9 Montecarlo-Lucca, Borgo Antico, Winery, Free Time Lucca

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles; cobblestone streets, uneven terrain, hilly sections.

We will board the motorcoach and ride to the medieval town of Montecarlo where our Group Leader will lead our exploration of the “borgo antico” — old village. From Montecarlo, we’ll ride to a local winery.

Returning to Lucca, the remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

At the winery.

On your own to have what you like.

Day 10 Program Concludes, In Transit From Program In Flight

Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Travel Information” regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel depending on departure times. This concludes our program.