Italy, an epicurean adventure - From Rome to Amalfi Coast

Day One | September 2 Arrive in Rome > Transfer to Transfer to Hotel U Visionary > Dinner experience at Salumeria Roscioli. This refined hotel, housed in an ornately curved building on a corner, is nestled among shops and restaurants in the historic center of Rome. It is also a 4-minute walk from incomparable sites such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps, as well as the Via del Tritone, with its stately buildings, boutiques and bistros. “U Visionary Roma Hotel boasts the architectural elements, the superlative design and the courageous mix of colors and fabrics are designed to allow you to live an out-of-the-ordinary experience that favors the openness of spaces and breaks down the physical barriers between guests and the hotel.” Dinner experience at Salumeria Roscioli In the heart of the capital, a few steps from Campo de’ Fiori, Salumeria Roscioli is a historic Roman trattoria with a menu based on unique ingredients, techniques and authentic local Italian cuisine. The shop in front of this wine bar will beckon you in with top-quality comestibles like hand-sliced cured ham from Italy and Spain, over 300 cheeses, and numerous wines—but venture farther inside to try an extensive selection of authentic dishes and interesting takes on the classics. Day 2 Walking tour of Rome: Ancient Rome with an Archeologist An awe-inspiring mix of haunting ruins, soul-stirring art and vibrant street life, Italy’s capital is one of the world’s most romantic and charismatic cities. With thousands of years of history, all layered together in its ancient monuments, stunning architecture and iconic neighborhoods… enjoy a magical day exploring fabulous Rome. Picnic at Villa Borghese What better way to enjoy the spring sunshine, immersing yourself in Rome’s abundant greenery, escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday city life? Take a break from exploring winding cobblestone streets with an amazing tailor made picnic experience. Vio’s Cooking Vio’s Cooking is an exclusive experience created by Violante Guerrieri Gonzaga for small and selected groups of tourists coming to Rome that want to feel and taste “the eternal city” in a very private and special way. “We will cook delicious haute Italian cuisine and eat joyfully together on Palazzo Taverna’s rooftop terrace, with one of the most magical views in the heart of Rome. Vio’s Cooking is a unique Italian experience of lifestyle, Italian culture, and passion for food.”

Check in at Agriturismo Il Rigo You know that picture-perfect image of Tuscany that lives in your imagination? The majestic, lush cypress trees, the gently rolling hills, the warm brilliant gold of the wheat fields… That is the Val d’Orcia. Within this Tuscan sanctuary sits Il Rigo, a classic rustic farmhouse and organic farm, paradise for lovers of culture, food and wine, surrounded by stunning vistas. For five centuries, the stone and brick Casale del Rigo has seen the sun rise over one of the sweetest landscapes in Tuscany. “Today our family opens the doors of the Rigo to all travelers who wish to discover an authentic dimension of Tuscany, made of respect for the land and our ancient culture.” Pasta class and lunch at Podere il Casale During our Pasta class, you’ll be taught how to make three different types of fresh Pasta, and the best sauces to accompany them. This lunch activity also includes a guided tour of the farm where you will pick the fresh local ingredients from the farm grounds, learning more about what it means to be an organic farm in the Orcia Valley. Dinner at Agriturismo Il Rigo With a presentation by the chef to celebrate the Tuscan culinary tradition. Yoga with Chef Joann We begin the morning with a Kundalini Yoga class with Chef Joann, followed by a stunning breakfast personally prepared by your hosts, with organic products, home-grown on their own farm or by local producers. Breakfast Every day you will find a selection of artisanal cured meats such as capocollo and finocchiona, fresh and semi-seasoned pecorino di Pienza, homemade cakes and biscuits prepared with freshly ground organic flours from their own cereals. Their jams are all homemade and are served with their own sourdough bread. Best of Brunello wine tour After breakfast, we depart for a lovely day spent in Montalcino. A classic fairytale hilltop town, set within a full circle of fortified walls and watched over by a mighty medieval castle, Montalcino is a beautiful village immersed in the breathtaking Val d’Orcia Natural Park, renowned all over the world for the production of its precious Brunello red wine. Meet real local people, dine at their tables, and taste wine that is at the heart of life in Tuscany. Dinner at Agriturismo Il Rigo “In our kitchen we celebrate the Tuscan tradition. We prepare the dishes of our childhood: you will find in our recipes a special bond of affection and belonging. Our food is healthy: we only use organic, local and seasonal products. Through our recipes we communicate the Respect for our Land. In our dishes you will find the sum of the Val d’Orcia and the hands of the farmers who work this land.” Day trip through Val d’Orcia Visit a family-run organic olive oil farm and wine estate outside Montalcino, with spectacular views of the rolling hillsides. Here you will taste a diverse variety of extra virgin olive oils. (EVOOs) Then head to an organic cheese farm in the hills overlooking Val d’Orcia and Pienza. The owners of the dairy will take you around the estate and share with you some secrets of cheese production before leaving you to enjoy lunch on their beautiful veranda, surrounded by orange, lemon, olive and almond trees. Take in the natural surroundings as you taste their farm’s cheeses—Pecorino, Ricotta, Primo sale—and indulge in a light lunch made from the organic produce grown on the farm, all paired with local red and white wines. Return to Il Rigo Free time to enjoy the property and another amazing dinner.

Hotel Calimala When it comes to the dramatic combination of old and new, there’s still no one quite like Italy’s boutique hoteliers. This property occupies an ornate and beautifully weathered late 19th-century palazzo with soaring ceilings, tall windows and original rough brick walls which provide the backdrop for the stylish décor, which includes jazzy marble, design-led furnishings and contemporary art. Artisan Tour Following our final incredible breakfast experience at Il Rigo, we will depart for the city of Florence. Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine. Few cities as compact are so packed with extraordinary art and architecture. The urban fabric of this small city has changed very little since the Renaissance and its narrow cobbled streets are a veritable feast of elegant 15th and 16th century palazzi (palaces), medieval candle-lit chapels, fresco-decorated churches, marble basilicas and world-class art museums brimming with paintings and sculptures by the likes of Botticelli and Michelangelo. We have created a unique itinerary inside the Florentine artisan workshops where expert hands, through the secrets passed from one generation to the other, create exceptional precious objects. Mosaics, perfumes, leather goods and jewelry are just some of the beautiful products that the stores we will be visiting produce. Lunch at Mercato Centrale Mercato Centrale Firenze is an ideal marketplace of taste, redeveloping a vital venue in central Florence. It’s a rebirth that returns artisans and their produce to the heart of the food scene in the city! The artisans at the marcato will put together a private tasting experience for us to sample their best traditional products, and discuss their secrets one on one! Gelato at Vivoli Vivoli, which dates back to 1929, is Florence’s oldest gelateria and a beloved favorite of the locals! No trip to Florence would be complete without visiting Vivoli for an ice cream. Vivoli creations are strictly artisanal and always fresh; the milk is all Italian; the cream is always fresh, the seasonal fruit and eggs from local farms. This is a traditional Italian delicacy not to be missed. Dinner at La Ménagère A contemporary, multipurpose space housed in a stunning ancient palazzo. Gorgeous blooming flowers fill the space, all thanks to their in-house florist who set up shop inside the restaurant. La Ménagère was the first Florentine shop selling household products, originally opened in 1896. To honor its past, there is still a corner selling cups, tablecloths and other home decor accessories. This is not a traditional restaurant, as the space is also a bistro, cocktail bar, concert hall, florist, and decor shop! This is a truly unique place with plenty of character that will absolutely impress. Its gastronomic offerings deserve special attention for the blend of tradition, innovation, and outstanding quality. La Ménagère follows seasonal trends to guarantee the freshness of their ingredients.

Hotel Conca d'Oro We will journey by train to Naples, then travel via private driver to the Amalfi Coast where we check in at the Hotel Conca d’Oro. No other place along the coast quite captures the area’s rich history while also offering quintessential Italian hospitality. Perched high atop the cliffs of Positano, Hotel Conca d’Oro gives you some of the best and most dramatic views of the sea. Close to the center, but perfectly secluded for a magical and romantic atmosphere. The hotel was born in 1949 by Giovanni Cappiello, and to this day is still owned and operated by the same family. Each room has been carefully preserved in its original baroque style. Private Pizza cooking class A unique gastronomic experience, you will discover all the secrets of authentic Neapolitan Pizza making! Using only the finest seasonal products picked directly from the restaurant’s very own garden, you will create your own hand-made pizza guided by time-honored tradition. Kundalini Yoga with Chef Joann Your morning could not start off in a more serene setting. We begin with a Kundalini Yoga class with Chef Joann, followed by breakfast at the hotel before we head out for the day. Walking tour of Positano Positano is an almost impossibly beautiful town, clutching the cliffs of Monti Lattari, a wash of pastel that scrambles up from the Mediterranean Sea. Here, the “streets” take the form of passageways among the houses and steep sets of stairs that interlink the alleys. Only one actual road traverses the town – Viale Pasitea, where shops, cafes, hotels and villas cluster together. Lunch at Da Adolfo A local’s secret spot tucked away in the lovely Laurito beach. Just a short 5-minute boat ride away from Positano’s Spiaggia Grande, this delicious, totally informal restaurant is a must on your Amalfi Coast trip. Dinner at Il Pirata This waterside restaurant and bar in Praiano offers the chance to dine on a rock platform practically cantilevered over the lapping waves, and a grotto-like cocktail lounge carved right into the cliff. This incredibly romantic, dramatic atmosphere is what your Amalfi Coast dreams are all about. Kundalini Yoga We again begin a lovely morning with a Kundalini Yoga class with Chef Joann, followed by another stunning breakfast at the hotel. Boat trip to Capri We will then enjoy a boat tour to the stunning Island of Capri. Capri is beautiful. Jaw droppingly beautiful. Steep cliffs rise majestically from an impossibly blue sea; beautiful villas drip with wisteria and bougainvillea; even the trees seem to be carefully and perfectly manicured. The island has a mythical charm, its breathtaking landscapes and beauty stretch from the rocky caves around the island to the edge of the horizon, and has been an inspiration to poets, lovers and travelers throughout the centuries. This truly is a bucket list item. Lunch at Bagni Tiberio Inspired by the island’s age-old culinary tradition, Bagni di Tiberio’s menu includes all of Capri’s best-loved dishes, prepared with the freshest of fish and seasonal vegetables. Ensuring the perfect accompaniment to every meal, the restaurant’s wine list features only the finest local and regional wines. Free time to shop and sightsee Farewell dinner: La Caravella Located on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, this Amalfi favorite has held a Michelin star since the 1960s! It was the first restaurant in southern Italy to receive this honor. The greatest expression of elegance, cuisine and hospitality, a touch of art can be felt everywhere in the restaurant. La Caravella is an incredible fine dining experience graced with marble floors, frescoes, and vibrant ceramics. An undisputed gastronomic icon with deep historical roots, this restaurant continues to attract a loyal following today; It has enjoyed a gilded guest list that included Andy Warhol and Federico Fellini! The cuisine is deeply connected to the territory of the Amalfi Coast, exalting the senses with authentic flavors and aromas of the region. Chef Antonio Dipino’s creations stem from traditional recipes, re-imagined into a modern version highlighting genuine products to enhance the flavors of Italy. La Caravella also has a cellar of some note—the outstanding wine list has few equals thanks to its extensive choice and excellent vintages. Breakfast at the hotel, private driver back to Naples, return train to Rome. Soak in your last morning on the Amalfi Coast before we make the journey back to Rome.