Sicily (Etna wines, market culture, bold regional cuisine)
Wine & Culinary Group Travel in Italy
Custom private group travel combining the best of Italy for Wine & Culinary Group Travel.
Wine & Culinary Group Tours in Italy
Italy is a feast for the senses—vineyard-covered hills, coastal markets, and timeless towns where regional traditions still define what’s poured and what’s plated. From cellar doors to family-run trattorias, each stop pairs place, culture, and flavor in a way that feels unmistakably Italian.
We create custom private group tours in Italy built around your focus—iconic wine tastings, hands-on cooking and market visits, or a balanced itinerary that blends food, wine, and culture. Some popular themes and regions in Italy would be:
Tuscany (Chianti, Brunello, olive oil, farm-to-table)
Piedmont (Barolo & Barbaresco, truffles, hazelnuts)
Veneto (Prosecco, Amarone, aperitivo culture)
Emilia-Romagna (Parmigiano, balsamic, prosciutto, handmade pasta)
Campania & the Amalfi Coast (seafood, lemons, volcanic wines)
What we typically include:
Our Wine & Culinary journeys are crafted entirely around your group’s tastes, pace, and interests. Each itinerary is bespoke, but most group trips include:
- Handpicked accommodations and meals
- Flights (always optional) & Private Transfers
- Chef led or local culinary experiences
- Private winery tours and tastings
- Full support from your travel designer and on the ground team
Sample Italy Group Wine & Culinary Itinerary
The following itineraries offer a glimpse of what a group Wine & Culinary journey through Italy can look like. We’ve kept the details light, as every trip we design is fully bespoke. We’ll craft an exceptional group Wine & Culinary itinerary anywhere in Italy, perfectly tailored to your group’s pace, style, and preferences.
Palermo, Sicily, Ragusa & the Province of Agrigento:
Day 1: Palermo
Arrive in Sicily and enjoy a welcome wine tasting and elegant dinner at Villa Igea, introducing the island’s diverse vintages.
Day 2: Palermo
Taste your way through Palermo’s iconic markets and bakeries before a Michelin-starred dinner at MEC inside the Steve Jobs–inspired museum.
Day 3: Monreale, Segesta & Western Sicily
Explore ancient temples and enjoy fresh Trapani seafood paired with exceptional wines at Donnafugata and De Bartoli, Sicily’s Marsala master.
Day 4: Cefalù to Mount Etna
Savour coastal cuisine in Cefalù before heading to Etna for an unforgettable tasting with natural-wine pioneer Frank Cornelissen.
Day 5: Etna & Taormina
Discover Etna’s volcanic terroir at Tenuta delle Terre Nere, followed by Taormina’s charming food scene and a refined dinner in Zafferana Etnea.
Day 6: Siracusa, Ortigia & Ragusa
Experience the flavours of Ortigia and a standout lunch at Cortile Spirito Santo before a gastronomic dinner at the Michelin-starred Duomo.
Day 7: Agrigento to Verdura
Walk through the Valley of the Temples and unwind at the luxurious Verdura Resort surrounded by olive groves, citrus, and superb dining.
Day 8: Departure
Depart at leisure or extend your stay to enjoy Verdura’s spa, seaside dining, and one last glass of Etna Bianco.
The following trip samples are chef-led, small-group trips featuring curated wine tastings, market visits, and exceptional dining, with guests staying in luxury villas and enjoying hosted villa dinners on select nights.
Sicily
Day 1: Segesta & Trapani
After meeting in Palermo, guests step straight into Sicily’s ancient past at Segesta, then settle in near Trapani for seaside aperitivi and a welcome wine-forward dinner in town.
Day 2: Mozia, Salt Flats & Marsala
A morning at the Trapani fish market sets up a day of salt-marsh beauty and island history on Mozia, capped by a Donnafugata tasting in Marsala and a villa seafood feast.
Day 3: Erice & Palermo:
The day climbs to storybook Erice for cobbled lanes and castle views before arriving in Palermo for an evening of excellent wine shopping, aperitivo, and a modern Sicilian dinner.
Day 4: Palermo
Palermo unfolds through guided highlights and market energy, followed by a spirited street-food evening that captures the city’s true culinary pulse.
Day 5: Monreale & Agrigento Coast
A breathtaking stop at Monreale’s cathedral leads into countryside drives, coastal check-in near Agrigento, a visit to Scala dei Turchi, and a classic seafood dinner by the port.
Day 6: Valley of the Temples & Modica
Ancient grandeur takes center stage with a guided Valley of the Temples tour, then Modica adds Baroque charm and famous chocolate before settling into a contemporary villa for the next four nights.
Day 7: Cava d’Ispica & Ragusa Ibla
A slow villa morning gives way to cliffside cave dwellings and the elegance of Ragusa Ibla, finished with aperitivo and a porchetta-and-wine evening back at the villa.
Day 8: Marzamemi, Zisola & Noto by Night
The southeast shines with a seaside lunch in Marzamemi (hello bottarga), a tasting at Zisola winery, and an unforgettable nighttime stroll and dinner in luminous Noto.
Day 9: Siracusa & Ortigia
Guests explore storied Siracusa and Ortigia with expert guiding, lingering in piazzas and ancient sites before a villa dinner inspired by the market haul.
Day 10: Mount Etna, Taormina & Castelmola
Volcanic landscapes and a rustic Etna lunch set the tone before Taormina’s icons and a playful early dinner in Castelmola, ending with a final overnight in Catania.
Day 11: Departure
Departure day is smooth and unhurried with a transfer to Catania Airport, ideally with flights scheduled after noon.
AMALFI COAST
Day 1:Verona Countryside
Guests arrive in Verona (ideally 12–3pm), settle into a private villa base for three nights, and toast the journey with a refined welcome dinner at a standout local fine-dining restaurant.
Day 2: Verona & Valpolicella
Verona’s romance and history come alive on a guided walking tour with a classic trattoria lunch, followed by an exclusive Valpolicella wine tasting and a relaxed villa dinner.
Day 3: Lake Garda: Sirmione & Bardolino
Lake Garda: Sirmione & Bardolino: A day on Lake Garda pairs the elegance of Sirmione and the Grotto di Catullo with a Michelin-starred lakeside lunch, then finishes in Bardolino for waterfront strolling, local reds, and shopping before a market-inspired dinner.
Day 4: Arquà Petrarca & Padua
The route east begins with lunch in Arquà Petrarca and a tasting of its distinctive jujube liqueur, then a brief Padua pause for coffee and a glimpse of the “Court of Miracles,” before arriving at the next villa and dining out locally.
Day 5: Veneto Market Day
The day is designed for unhurried pleasures—join a market-and-provisioning outing with your Chef and local host, or stay back to enjoy the villa, a book, or a bike ride through quiet country lanes.
Day 6: Conegliano & Prosecco Hills
Conegliano delivers charm and views from the Belvedere, a lively market and shopping stroll, and a standout tasting at Collalto Vini featuring superb Prosecco and their acclaimed local red, with dinner back at the villa.
Day 7: Venice Arrival (Near Rialto)
Venice welcomes guests into a beautifully atmospheric palazzo stay, privately owned and just minutes from the Rialto Bridge, setting the stage for three unforgettable nights in the lagoon city.
Day 8: Murano & The Lagoon
Classic Venetian craftsmanship takes the spotlight with a visit to the Murano Glass Museum, with time for lagoon-side wandering and an easy, indulgent pace in between.
Day 9: Venice Icons & Final Night
Days in Venice are shaped around extraordinary art and history—think the Doge’s Palace Secret Tour, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, treasured restaurant reservations, and a memorable final dinner at one of the Chef’s favorite spots.
Day 10: Mount Etna, Taormina & Castelmola
Volcanic landscapes and a rustic Etna lunch set the tone before Taormina’s icons and a playful early dinner in Castelmola, ending with a final overnight in Catania.
Day 11: Venice Departure
Departures are handled in true Venetian style with a vaporetto transfer to the airport for flights.
VERONA TO VENICE
Day 1: Naples & Vesuvius Slopes
Arrivals into Naples lead straight to a beautiful villa resort on the slopes of Vesuvius for an easy first afternoon and a relaxed welcome evening.
Day 2: Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Villa
A guided visit through Pompeii and a leisurely lunch set the tone before a scenic mountain transfer to the Amalfi villa and a comforting pasta dinner at home.
Day 3: Amalfi
Espresso-and-view mornings roll into town time in Amalfi, a hands-on lemon experience with tastings and limoncello, and a late-day swim followed by dinner back at the villa.
Day 4: Ravello
Ravello delivers mountaintop glamour with a mozzarella-making visit, Villa Cimbrone’s legendary panorama, a long lunch with a view, and a local winery tasting on the way back.
Day 5: Capri by Private Boat
A private powerboat day shows off the coast and Capri at its most cinematic, including grotto time, a few hours ashore, and a grilled seafood dinner back at the villa.
Day 6: Amalfi Coast Drive & Sorrento
The classic coastal road winds to Sorrento for strolling and port-side lunch, then slows down in Marina di Puolo for a swim, a spritz, and golden-hour calm.
Day 7: Path of the Gods & Positano
The day pairs a guided Path of the Gods hike with an unforgettable Slow Food lunch, then drifts into Positano for shopping and a signature cocktail with sea views.
Day 8: Villa Day & Marina di Praia
A final full Amalfi day is designed for poolside lounging and lingering views, ending with a magical seaside seafood dinner in Marina di Praia.
Day 9: Vesuvius & Naples
Vesuvius comes alive with a crater walk and winery tasting lunch, followed by a return to Naples for free time and a waterfront farewell dinner and passeggiata.
Day 10: Departure
Transfers are provided to the Naples airport or train station for onward travel.
Hear it from our clients first
Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable!
The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
— Tammy and Jason /
Toronto, Ontario
Hear it from our clients first
The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us!
The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything – we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
— Kerri Torrey /
Toronto, Ontario
Hear it from our clients first
Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip.
We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
— Rob Romero /
King City, Canada
Hear it from our clients first
I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland.
From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
— Tamara Bahry /
Toronto Canada
Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.
Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.
- We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
- Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
- Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
- Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.