For food & wine lovers that want to escape the crowds, explore UNESCO heritage sites, and experience the real Italy in the Veneto region—all while traveling like a local.
Forget the whirlwind tours and crowded buses. Instead, immerse yourself in the rolling hills of Prosecco country, explore ancient medieval towns, visit family-run vineyards and world-class artisans, and indulge in unforgettable meals—all from the comfort of a 4-star historic hotel steeped in old world European charm in Castelfranco Veneto. Let us take care of the details so you can truly experience La Dolce Vita.
Angelica Estrada
Dick Bissel
california
florida
Christina
texas
— RACHEL RUVO, NORTH CAROLINA
—SUSANA SANCHEZ, california
“This trip was exactly what we wanted and gave a glimpse into real Italian life.”
“This is not like other tours. On this personally led tour you’ll get amazing service and gain local insight into a part of Italy not really known by tourists”
WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF THAT CHANCE? OR WOULD YOU KEEP ON…
Feeling overwhelmed with planning your Italian vacation while worrying about the logistics & guessing if the activities you’ve planned are money well spent or even worth your time?
DIY planning your Italian vacation with TripAdvisor and scoring a deal on Groupon to save big bucks only to find out the activities mentioned were “just suggestions” and “not included in the price”?
Purchasing a self-guided itinerary, hiring a private driver (white gloves top hat and all), just to realize your itinerary wasn’t put together by locals and those “hidden gems” mentioned are where every other single tour goes?
“The Italy that so many people who visit Italy multiple times, never get to experience in their lifetime.”
—JENNIFER LEVESQUE, North Carolina
If you’re looking to have that “wow, I can’t believe this is my life!” moment on your Italian vacation as you mingle with the locals, indulge in award-winning wines, eat incredible meals, and visit authentic places, Northern Italian Delights is perfect for you.
You’re going to love
Visit an award-winning cheesemaker, cook with a local chef, and experience Venice off the beaten path, while exploring Italy’s UNESCO Prosecco Hills and Palladian wine-soaked villas, like a local.
While staying at a cozy hotel in the Dolomites, we were introduced to something truly special: a Prosecco made by a small producer who happened to be another guest. Her wine was unforgettable, and the moment inspired me to share it online. That single post sparked a connection with a local guide in Veneto—someone who would become a dear friend and the key to discovering this incredible region.
During COVID, with travel paused and our business in limbo, we decided to use the downtime to explore new possibilities. When our new friend invited us to visit, we said yes, eager to see what Veneto had to offer.
When he asked what we wanted to see, I had one place in mind: a tiny winery hidden deep in the Prosecco hills. By chance, his friends—a celebrated chef and his warm, welcoming wife—lived just up the hill from the winery. They paid the winemaker a visit, convincing her to meet us.
And so, on a sunny September afternoon, we found ourselves in her garden, sharing a bottle of Prosecco with the winemaker and her loyal Chihuahua, Bionda (Blondie). It was a moment that captured everything we love about Italy—warm hospitality, incredible flavors, and the sense that you’ve stumbled onto something rare and beautiful.
From there, the Veneto region kept surprising us. Its food, its people, its stunning UNESCO architecture—it was too extraordinary not to share. Over the years, we’ve built on that first visit, creating connections with more chefs, winemakers, and local experts, all of whom bring this itinerary to life.
This isn’t just a tour—it’s a celebration of everything that makes Northern Italy unforgettable. We can’t wait to welcome you.
"Chantelle and Giovanni are a very insightful, educated, cultured husband-wife team. From the moment they greeted me at the airport, I felt like a friend. A friend they looked out for and introduced to their local Italian friends who were also lovely, friendly… and local experts.“
It’s that simple—your backstage pass to authentic Italy is just a few clicks away.
Choose the perfect time to experience Italy’s hidden regions with our small group tours.
Reserve your spot with a deposit of 15% down and let us take care of all the details—no stress, just excitement.
Start counting down to the unforgettable meals, stunning villages, and insider moments that await you in Italy.
complete with a Gym, just steps away from shops, restaurants & all the amenities in the historic centre of Castelfranco
with 9 breakfasts at your hotel and 9 multi-course meals as indicated in the itinerary
Get to know the cultural and culinary hidden gems of Veneto with winery, vineyard, cellar, and family farm visits, plus grappa tasting, cheese tasting and cooking - as per the itinerary
as indicated in the itinerary - just for The Italian On Tour® guests - led by expert certified regional guides
on the Island of Murano and visits to local artisans
throughout Northern Italy's Veneto region, the Venetian Lagoon and the UNESCO Prosecco Hills
Chantelle & Giovanni - the Co-founders of The Italian On Tour® and your exclusive Trip leaders - minimum 2 hosts to every 12 guests
*Not Included: flights, travel and trip cancellation insurance, items of personal nature, your personal bar tab, return transfer from Castelfranco Veneto’s Train to Venice or elsewhere, alcohol not included in the meals, any items not mentioned in the itinerary.
inside the home of a local chef in the heart of Veneto’s Unesco Prosecco Wine country followed by lunch – curated exclusively for our guests!
with a local expert – including a private boat ride – just for The Italian On Tour® guests . Followed by a multi-course menu of traditional cuisine on the Venetian Lagoon.
followed by an exclusively curated lunch designed for guests of The Italian On Tour® at a family-owned and operated farm-stay in Padova's countryside.
Sip & Savor the beauty of the Veneto’s wine country, arranged just for The Italian On Tour® guests
Uncover the secrets behind true artisanal produced Grappa– one of the last of his kind remaining – near the foothills of Veneto’s Dolomites
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
^ Scroll text box to read more
^ SCROLL THE TEXT BOX TO READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION
—RACHEL STENDER, WASHINGTON DC
“Enough free time, interesting towns, great food and wine. Don’t just consider this tour – it is a must!”
Meet award-winning winemakers and cook with local chefs in the Italian countryside and still get to toss that coin into the Trevi fountain? Or float away on a romantic gondola ride in Venice? You don’t have to choose.
Just 1 hour from Venice, 5 hours by train from Rome and less than 3 hours away from Milan you can tag on those bucket-list items before or after your trip with us.
Giovanni’s passion for top quality Italian food and wine is your gateway to local guides, experts, and drivers (who also happen to be passionate foodies & sommeliers!) leading your entire trip… with a dash of multi-generational wine-makers, & all-star chefs.
We’ve personally tried, tasted and tested every single experience ensuring quality and authenticity. Zero tourist traps, subpar service or food.
Remember that whirlwind Contiki tour you took with 60 other guests? Not your jam anymore. You want to feel like you’re traveling among friends – not like you’re a reluctant participant on a high school field trip.
From the moment we welcome you on tour to our final goodbyes, we’ll be there every step of the way (and limit your group to just 12 people).
Instead of a hectic, city-to-city trip where you’re constantly packing, unpacking, and rushing from one crowded spot to the next—only to have it all blur together—you want a slower, more meaningful experience.
One where every moment is thoughtfully planned, allowing you to connect with locals, bond with fellow travelers, and immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Italy’s hidden regions, a place rich with history and charm (even older than Rome!).
Should you encounter any problems completing your booking, please contact info@theitalianontour.com.
September 3 to 12, 2026 - SOLD OUT!
Have a group of 8 to 12 and want to select your dates or customize this trip?
Click here to view your private
Italy tour options
Should you encounter any problems completing your booking, please contact info@theitalianontour.com.
2026 TOUR DATES
September 3 to 12, 2026 -
SOLD OUT!
Have a group of 8 to 12 and want to
select your dates or customize this trip?
Click here to view your private
Italy tour options
Get the details on catching your flight home or connecting to the next leg of your Italian adventure. We’ll get your flight and connecting destination info to give you personalized trip planning advice.
Whether you want to spend the evening sipping aperol spritz in the piazza or hit-up the local art scene, you’ll get our local expert advice for where to eat, what to see, and what’s happening in town.
From Artisan papermakers to discovering the art of making Murano glass, we’ll take you to the best local spots to get unique gifts to bring back home.
Psst…more food & wine lover than artisan addict? We’ll take you to a multi-generational cheese producer, an award-winning grappa distillery & top independent winemakers where you can taste, try & purchase your favorites to take back home.
— RACHELLE HYNES, canada
—ANNA PESTI, australia
Grab your spot for just 15% down today, then pop open the prosecco & get excited for your trip!
TAKE IT FROM larry
"Relaxing & hassle free, it was the trip of our lifetimes. After the trip we felt invigorated! Wonderful tour hosts, Giovanni & Chantelle, provide unique experiences that you’d never be able to arrange on your own."
—larry cooke, north carolina
“Since our group was small, we gained insight & actually experienced Italy.”
— ANNETTE PETRO, california
"This was an experience that throngs of other tourists won’t have."
—rachel ruvo, north carolina
With over 30 years of combined expertise in Italian food, wine, and travel, we’re here to share the Italy most travelers never see. Giovanni, a homegrown Italian with a deep passion for his country’s culinary traditions, and Chantelle, a Canadian who fell in love with Italy (and her Italian husband!), craft every journey with local insight, care, and authenticity.
Our guests arrive as travelers and leave as friends, having experienced the real Italy—its hidden villages, incredible cuisine, and warm hospitality—just as the locals do.
TAKE IT FROM belinda
“This is relaxed touring with a personalised touch where you meet the winemakers or producers…It goes beyond herding people in the hopes they’ll buy merchandise. “
+ Pop the Prosecco because when you make your deposit your pricing is never subject to increases due to fuel surcharges or tourist taxes.
+ Unlike, many other companies, there are no additional traveler or booking fees at the checkout.
+ Plus any single supplements or room upgrades
+ Payable by 180 days before your trip’s departure date
+ You’ll get a reminder 5 business days before your next instalment, so you’ll never have to stress about making a late payment
+ Payable by 90 days before your trip’s departure date
+ Cin, cin! You’re all set to travel Italy like a local. We can’t wait to meet you in Italy!
More often than not, that ends up being too good to be true. Instead, here’s what happens…
You wind up being just another tourist on a big tour with 50 other people, or stranded in the Italian countryside without a clue of where to go, what to see, who to meet, and what to eat.
…leaving you on the sidelines, missing out on experiencing the real Italy.
OR MAYBE THEY THINK THEY’VE SCORED THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME?
You want more time relaxing than spending countless hours planning and stressing about all the details.
You want to forget about getting from point A to B, and relax knowing you’ll be taken care of by hosts who know Italy like the back of their hand, because they actually live there.
You want to enjoy sipping vino rosso under the Italian sun, digging into that second plate of pasta all’uovo made with Nonna’s love, and treating yourself with a second scoop of gelato because you’re in Italy and everyday is a celebration.
ANNE PETRO, SAN JOSE
“They take care of where to go, what to see, where to eat: all while experiencing genuine everyday Italian lifestyle and cuisine. The authentic Italian food was AMAZING! And best of all we had two locals to enlighten each day with their knowledge and experiences.”
MICHELLE GRASEK, NEW YORK
“What an amazing experience! Chantelle and Giovanni introduced us to an abundance of upscale, indulgent, fresh Italian food every single day.I’ve been to Europe three times before and this was easily my favorite trip!”
MINITHA BROWN, TORONTO
“We had taken other tours around the world, but this was our first time to Italy. I was a little skeptical at first, not knowing the region of Le Marche, but to my amazement it turned out to be the best tour we have ever done! If you’re planning on going to Italy choose The Italian On Tour®.”
You’ve seen the pictures. You’ve heard the stories. But experiencing Italy like a local—sitting down to meals prepared by chefs who know the land, meeting winemakers who pour their life’s work into every glass, wandering quiet villages untouched by crowds—isn’t something you can DIY.
With over 30 years of combined expertise and deep local connections, we’ve curated every moment so you don’t have to worry about logistics, language, or falling into tourist traps. All you have to do is book your flight, show up, sip the wine, savor the food, and enjoy the Italy most travelers will never have the opportunity to see.
"My wife has made a book of our Italy trip photos thanks to Chantelle sharing all the photos that were taken during the trip. I especially enjoyed Giovanni's sense of humor as we laughed many times during the week. The true test of a great vacation, is would you do it again? My answer: ABSOLUTELY!!!!”
—mark westphal
Giovanni – Your Exclusive The Italian On Tour® host & Italian Food & Wine expert – Chantelle, and your fellow Italian adventurers. Our guests range in age from their 30s to being in their 70s. When you’re on tour with us, age is just a number because everyone is here to sit back, relax, and experience Italy like a local all while enjoying Italy’s amazing culinary and cultural delights.
Yes, because this means you already love Italy and you’ve probably already traveled to all of Italy’s major tourist sites, but are dying to experience Italy like a local. When you travel with us you’ll experience a new culture among locals who become friends (and know Italy like the back of their hand!). Your trip will be the perfect balance of vacationing and relaxing so you can indulge in La Dolce Vita.
Just 3 hours from Rome and a train ride away from Venice you can tag on those bucket-list items before or after your trip with us.
While you’re with us, forget worrying about the language, logistics, or having a bad meal – you’ll travel stress-free knowing we’ve taken the guesswork out of planning your trip.
This itinerary has been carefully crafted to ensure you’ll enjoy the best of Italy’s hidden regions. To offer you the best experience possible this trip has limited to just a few dates per year.
Smack dab in the middle of Ascoli Piceno’s historic centre is your homebase: Palazzo dei Mercanti. Locally owned and operated boutique 4-star hotel dripping in history. Once a convent, it has been beautifully restored with modern amenities so that you can enjoy extra R&R at the spa after a fulfilling day of visiting vineyards & villages.
Home to one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, you’ll be walking distance to boutique shops, restaurants, your perfect scoop of gelato, and streets lined with cafes that have something perfect for everyone’s taste buds.
Great! Our guests travel with us because they’re looking for an authentic experience, something that they simply cannot pull-off on their own. Think of this as the kind of trip planned by your local Italian BFFs who just happen to be Italian food & wine experts.
You’ll be picked up from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 11:30 am. Flying into another airport in Italy? The Italian On Tour team will help you plan the best way to meet up with your tour.
Forget the headache of organizing an airport transfer. You’ll meet us at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, hop in your private air conditioned vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride knowing you’ll be taken care of.
Every single city that our tours are based in are selected for their ease of travel and comfortability to be able to walk freely in the evenings and enjoy the amenities of the town you are staying in. Chantelle as an expat and female traveller enjoy walks in the city during the day and evenings. Plus to help you get your bearing for where everything is in town you get an orientation walk on your first night on tour!
If you have a food preference(s) or food allergy our set-date departures for our small group Italy tours are NOT right for you.
However, we may be able to accommodate you on our Private Italy tours.
Please note that should you ignore this, and book one of our set-date departures for our small group Italy tours with any kind of dietary restriction, The Italian On Tour Inc. reserves the right to cancel your trip and apply the cancellation policy outlined in our booking terms and conditions.
Dietary restrictions and food allergies can only be accommodated on our Private Italy tours.
Explore Italy like a local, not a tourist, with exclusive access to hidden villages, award-winning wineries, and artisan experiences.
Indulge in unforgettable meals, organic cheese tastings, and cooking classes led by local chefs.
Leave the stress of planning behind and enjoy a perfectly curated, hassle-free Italian vacation.
Travel at a slower pace, savoring each moment without feeling rushed or packed onto a crowded bus.
Connect with locals, sip vino under the Italian sun, and make “Wow! I can’t believe this is my life” memories.
Experience the real Italy with insider guides who treat you like family.
no
booking fees
ever
We know you may have experienced this with other tours or vacations, so we want to be sure to tell you: we have no hidden charges added at the checkout for processing your payments or coordinating your tour.
— no reservation
processing fees ever!
➤Be ready for insider knowledge — you already know the best way to experience a new culture is among locals who become friends (and know Italy like the back of their hand!)
➤Want to take the guesswork out of planning your trip. Sit back and relax knowing we’ve taken care of it.
➤Never want to feel rushed. You’re in Italy to soak up the local culture and sticking to a by the minute military schedule is NOT your idea of vacation.
➤Love Italian food, enjoy walking, picturesque countryside, and off-the-beaten-path places where you can immerse yourself in the local culture – you want a ticket to being Italian for a week.
…and never want to stress about all the logistics, having a bad meal, or worry about speaking the local lingo.
➤The flow of Italian lifestyle – dinner at 8pm, shops closing for siesta, leisurely meals, and a full glass of vino – isn’t your idea of the ideal vacation.
➤Exploring picturesque villages by foot & taking the stairs is an impossible feat. We visit Europe’s largest underground cave system, and seeing it means walking on varied terrain. (Please refer to each individual day’s itinerary for an approximation of the activity level.)
➤You’re a picky eater & have food preferences. Getting to know the local culture means trying a variety of authentic dishes – your meals on tour run the gamut of everything from organic cheeses, seafood and meat.
➤Boutique historic 4-star accommodations with quaint rooms and a focus on location to amenities, relaxation, character, and pure Italian charm isn’t where you want to stay.
Explore hidden villages, savor world-class food and wine, and connect with Italy in a way most travelers never do. From boutique accommodations to exclusive experiences, from the second our tour starts, every detail is handled so you can simply soak it all in.
Spots are limited to just 12 travelers, and they sell out quickly—reserve yours today and get ready to experience Italy like a local.
“Their prices are unbelievably fair. If you’re hesitant about their pricing then I would say don’t go to Italy…”
—RACHEL RUVO, north carolina