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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Taste of Italy

Independent Italian food tour by rail from Rome to Milan

Illustration of Taste of Italy

Railbookers operates this 12-day independent rail vacation across Italy, built around food. The trip starts in Rome with two nights, including a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum, before a train ride up the Mediterranean coast to La Spezia for a hands-on pizza and focaccia course and a Cinque Terre Rail Card to explore the five coastal villages. From there, the route continues by Trenitalia train to Florence for a small group tour of the Uffizi Gallery and a Tuscany day trip through Chianti's vineyards, then on to Bologna for a local food walking tour, Verona for gelato, risotto, and pasta cooking lessons, and finally Milan. Guided experiences and cooking classes are included at each stop, but the days between them are unscheduled, suiting travelers who want a mix of hands-on food activities and time to explore six different hotel bases at their own pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 33 accommodation options across price tiers and cities for this trip; the hotel used depends on which tier and city combination you choose at booking.
  • This is an independent, self-guided package with included food experiences at each stop; Day 1 in Rome, for example, is described as time to start exploring on your own.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this package; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome! When you arrive, check into your hotel, and start exploring on your own. Try classic dishes like Pasta alla Carbonara, Carciofi alla Romana, Suppli, or Coda alla Vaccinara.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    On your guided tour today, walk in the footsteps of gladiators at the Colosseum and stroll through the ruins of the Roman Forum. Stop for treats near the Trevi fountain or Cacio e Pepe pasta near the Pantheon.

  3. Day 3railovernight: La Spezia

    Rome to Cinque Terre

    Head to the train station and embark on a scenic ride up the Mediterranean coast to La Spezia. Use your Cinque Terre Rail Card to visit Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Monterosso.

  4. Day 4overnight: La Spezia

    Pizza and Focaccia Course

    Become a true Italian pizza chef under the guidance of your instructor, learning dough-making, kneading and a variety of pizzas, bread, and focaccias with fresh toppings.

  5. Day 5overnight: Florence

    Cinque Terre to Florence

    Upon arrival in Florence, check into your hotel and explore this vibrant Tuscan city. Enjoy a small group guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, then Mercato Centrale, and try Bistecca alla Fiorentina for dinner.

  6. Day 6overnight: Florence

    Day Trip to Tuscany With Wine Tasting

    A guided day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the medieval charm of Siena, San Gimignano, and the scenic landscapes of Chianti, including a rustic winery tour and Tuscan lunch.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Bologna

    Florence to Bologna

    Have breakfast then travel to the train station for your 30-minute ride to Bologna. Stroll along the ancient arcades and visit the Axinellid and Griselda towers, plus Bologna's hidden canals.

  8. Day 8overnight: Bologna

    Local Food Tour

    Bologna is nicknamed La Grassa - 'the fat one.' Join a local food walking tour trying Italy's best meats, cheeses, and Bolognese, plus a visit to age-old markets for fresh pasta and mozzarella.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Verona

    Gelato-Making Course in Verona

    A short train ride to Verona, visiting Casa di Giulietta, Piazza delle Erbe and Torre dei Lamberti. In the late afternoon, a lesson on the art of gelato-making with tastings.

  10. Day 10overnight: Verona

    Risotto and Pasta Cooking Lesson

    A hands-on journey into Italian gastronomy under skilled local chefs, learning to craft creamy risotto and fresh pasta, from tagliatelle to ravioli.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Milan

    Verona to Milan

    Your last destination in Italy is Milan, a quick train ride from Verona. Explore the Duomo, the Galleria, or any of the other popular sights in Italy's fashion capital.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Milan

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A scenic train ride up the Mediterranean coast from Rome to La Spezia, then a Cinque Terre Rail Card to visit the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Monterosso.
  • Day 4A hands-on pizza and focaccia course, learning dough-making, kneading, and toppings from an instructor in La Spezia.
  • Day 6A guided day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, medieval Siena, San Gimignano, and the Chianti countryside, including a rustic winery tour and Tuscan lunch.
  • Day 8A local food walking tour in Bologna, nicknamed La Grassa, tasting meats, cheeses, and Bolognese, with a stop at age-old markets for fresh pasta and mozzarella.
  • Day 9A gelato-making lesson with tastings in Verona, after visiting Casa di Giulietta, Piazza delle Erbe, and Torre dei Lamberti.

Included

  • Rail travel in standard class throughout
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rome
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in La Spezia
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Florence
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bologna
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Verona
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Milan
  • Sightseeing tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum
  • Pizza, Focaccia, Bread & Breadsticks course in La Spezia
  • Local food tour in Bologna with tastings included
  • Gelato, Risotto, and Pasta cooking lessons in Verona
  • Cinque Terre train card for exploring the five villages
  • Day trip to Tuscany with lunch and wine tastings included
  • Small group tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes, rail travel in standard class is included throughout, on Trenitalia trains between Rome, Cinque Terre (La Spezia), Florence, Bologna, Verona, and Milan.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with a number of included guided food experiences and tours along the way.
Which trains are used?
Trenitalia trains connect each city on the route, including a Cinque Terre Rail Card for visiting the five coastal villages.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 33 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; sample hotels include the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace and the Kolbe Hotel Rome.
What food experiences are included?
The package includes a pizza and focaccia course in La Spezia, a Tuscany wine day trip from Florence, a local food tour in Bologna, and gelato, risotto, and pasta cooking lessons in Verona.

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