Gastronomic Tours

Milan’s Duomo Rooftop and Navigli with Aperitivo (3 hours)

Depart with your private guide in the afternoon and enjoy a priority entrance to ascend to the rooftop of Milan’s famous Duomo for a breathtaking view over this vibrant city, for a stroll to witness the typical marble spires that rise to the sky and the other architectural highlights of the town. Proceed to the hottest spot in Milan, the Navigli area, with its trendy bars and restaurants lining the canals that cut through the city.  This historic neighborhood with its ancient homes and traditions is transformed in the evenings to a lively social scene that no true Milanese would miss. First learn about the fascinating canal system (Leonardo da Vinci was involved!) that run all the way to Lake Maggiore, then tour the area on foot to learn about the neighborhood’s architecture and traditions.  Partake in the end-of-the-day ritual of the Milanese aperitivo with your guide to include a Spritz, Prosecco or the locally-loved “Hugo” accompanied by appetizers while getting the inside scoop on the life of the locals, their traditions and customs. A private boat ride along the canals can be added upon request.

Liguria Gastronomic Walking Tour (2 ½ hours)

Join your local foodie guide on a gastronomic walking tour of lovely Rapallo, starting with freshly baked focaccia and local white wine before heading to the vibrant farmers market to learn about the produce and herbs featured in Ligurian recipes. Visit an artisanal pasta workshop to see the creation of stuffed “pansoto” pasta that you will try with walnut sauce, and sample various local street foods accompanied by a glass of local Vermentino wine. Lastly, learn to make fresh pesto sauce with a hands-on lesson and a tasting, accompanied by Parmigiano cheese, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings!

Venetian Aperitivo Experience with private guide (2.5 hours )

Depart with your private guide and embark on an elegant walking tour to experience Venetian afternoons as the locals do at the end of a long day, before preparing for their evening plans. This is a truly unique way to experience the “Italian Dolce Vita” featuring the aperitivo, the most Italian tradition par excellence.

Venice is the home of the Bellini cocktail, Prosecco and the now-trendy Spritz, and your expert guide will teach you about the history of the afternoon aperitivo and why it holds an important place in the lives of the most sophisticated residents of this glamorous city on the water.

Enjoy a breathtaking view of the palazzi of Venice, sipping a Bellini cocktail prepared with real peach juice—at one of only two bars in the city to do this—accompanied by mixed seafood specialties and polenta. Stroll towards the Rialto Bridge with for a glass of Prosecco and gourmet appetizers in the lively atmosphere before making a last stop at an enoteca on the Grand Canal to try an assortment of Spritz cocktails accompanied by a plate of local charcuterie.

Florence Evening Aperitivo Stroll (2 1⁄2 hours)

Meet your sommelier guide for an evening stroll around Florence and experience a typical Italian tradition; the aperitivo that locals enjoy as a way of segueing into their evening festivities and enjoying a cocktail with hors d’oeuvres, surrounded by good company. Stop in a variety of chic wine bars and try reds, whites and cocktails while getting a solid introduction to the delicious Tuscan wines, accompanied by appetizers.

Be a Florentine Pizzaiolo for a Day (2 hours)

Discover the secrets of Italian pizza! Enjoy the sheer fun of working alongside some of Florence’s best pizza makers in front of their wood-burning ovens. Learn the theoretical side of choosing the correct flour and coordinating the array of delectable, fresh toppings, then knead the dough and bake your pizza to perfection under the supervision of a master pizza maker, to be enjoyed during lunch at the pizzeria, accompanied by a favorite drink.

Exclusive: Be a Tuscan Winemaker for the Day

For our true wine enthusiasts, Absolute Italy offers an exclusive opportunity to blend your own Tuscany wine alongside an oenologist in his winery, surrounded by barriques of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay and Syrah. Enjoy a morning at the winery immersed in the Chianti countryside that will include blending your personalized wine to your specifications, and once you are satisfied with the final result, you will prepare and seal from 12-60 bottles to include a personalized label of your own design. At midday, take a break from your efforts and enjoy a full Tuscan wine tasting lunch. Bid goodbye to your new friends at the end of the day and then just wait for your bottles to arrive to you in the US approximately 2 months later.

Tuscany Truffle Experience (4 hours)

Truffles are one of Italy’s most luxurious exports and true lovers of this delicacy can enjoy a full immersion with our experts whose knowledge in the field goes back for three generations. Start the day with a lesson on the history of truffles, and then take an off-road vehicle into the woods with the truffle hunter and his highly trained dogs for a genuine hands-on experience while walking through the Tuscan forest. Accompany them through the woods as they hunt down this elusive treasure and then return to headquarters for your reward, a four-course truffle-based lunch accompanied by your favorite drinks.

Roman Cooking Lessons with Market tour in small group (4-5 hours)

Enjoy the experience of cooking a complete Italian meal with a Roman chef, who will reveal his best techniques during this small group lesson in central Rome. You’ll shop in a local market, choosing fresh ingredients to use in your cooking class and then prepare your meal in an exclusive location in the heart of the Eternal City (address will be sent). You’ll make a homemade pasta, main course with side dish and dessert at your personal workstation. At the end of the course, enjoy the dishes you’ve created accompanied by the perfect wine your chef has selected to complement your lunch.

Gastronomic Walking Tour of Rome (3 hours)

Our Roman gastronomic tour will take you to discover the food of the charming Testaccio neighborhood, where you will visit a local delicatessen for cheese and salami tastings, a bakery for samples of pizza and other street food, and then for a stroll through the market for tastings of fried risotto balls. Proceed to taste the classic Roman pasta dishes like Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana at a local trattoria and then finish your tour with coffee among the locals, and artisanal gelato for dessert.