Style : Group tour
Milano duomo square-Italy-3523635-P

Food and Wine: The EuroChocolate Festival of Italy

Go Ahead Tours
4.9 . Excellent
98%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards. Comfort (4*)
10 days
From: Check price
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • You’ll taste regional vintages on rolling vineyards
  • A Tuscan chef reveals the secrets of Italian cooking
  • The Renaissance still thrives in Florence
  • Chocolate becomes art at the Eurochocolate Festival
  • Rural, tucked-away hill towns are a breath of fresh air
  • Italians insist on leisure—so bring on the riposo

Short Description

Sip regional Brunello di Montalcino in the Tuscan hills. Walk among the life-sized chocolate sculptures lining Perugia’s EuroChocolate Festival. Learn the craft of Italian cooking in the birthplace of the Renaissance. Gastronomy takes on a new meaning in a country where eating and art have always been revered as one and the same (and trust us, there are many, many masterpieces to be discovered).

Style Group tour
Off the beaten track trips will stretch your comfort zone. They don't always feature tourist highlights, but dive deeper into local life and culture.
Itinerary Focus Off the Beaten Path
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Lodging Level Comfort (4*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Florence
End City Rome

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Florence today.

Day 2: Arrival in Florence

Meals:Dinner

Welcome to Italy! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Florence

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Set off to see Florence, the city at the center of the Renaissance with a local guide.

• Visit the Duomo, Florence’s legendary cathedral

• Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture

• Step inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial site of many illustrious Italians, including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo

• See the medieval Ponte Vecchio and the Palazzo della Signoria, center of Florentine life

This evening, join a local chef for a cooking class where you’ll make pasta by hand, create two kinds of bruschetta and craft tiramisu for dessert. Eat your creations for dinner with accompanying wines.

Day 4: Free day in Florence

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Florence or add excursions.

Optional Excursion - Medieval Lucca & the Flavors of the Countryside $119*pp

Optional Excursion - Fiesole Villa Dinner $95*pp

Day 5: Siena via San Gimignano

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included entrances: Wine tasting

En route to the enchanting city of Siena, stop in San Gimignano, “the city of beautiful towers.”

• Explore the small medieval town of San Gimignano on your own

• Sample some of the region’s fine wines and olive oils at a winery

• Arrive in Siena for this evening’s included dinner

Day 6: Montalcino & Siena

Meals: Breakfast, Light lunch

Included entrances: Wine tasting

Today, you’ll visit a winery and explore the vibrant cities of Montalcino and Siena

• Spend free time wandering the streets of Montalcino

• Taste three acclaimed Brunello grape wines and enjoy a light lunch

• Return to Siena, where a local guide shows you Siena Cathedral, home to major works of art by Donatello and Pisano, and the adjoining Piccolomini Library

• Stroll Siena’s medieval streets, stopping at the historic Piazza del Campo

Perugia2 nights Hotel info

Day 7: Perugia via Cortona & Lake Trasimeno

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Continue your travelers across the Tuscan landscape and into Umbria as you head toward Perugia.

• Explore the hillside town of Cortona on your own before visiting the Museum of the Etruscan Academy, home to an impressive collection of Etruscan artifacts

• Visit Lake Trasimeno, where Hannibal battled the Romans

• Enjoy a lunch of traditional Umbrian specialties

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Perugia & EuroChocolate Festival

Meals: Breakfast

Set out on a guided tour of Perugia, the medieval town known for its Etruscan Arch before indulging in the famous (and delicious) festivities.

• See the Palazzo dei Priori, a medieval palace dating back to 1298, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

• Wander the tunnels of Rocca Paolina, Perugia’s historic underground city

• Savor chocolate delicacies while perusing the many chocolate “exhibits” on display at the EuroChocolate Festival

Day 9: Rome via Orvieto

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Journey across Umbrian valleys en route to Rome.  Stop along the way in the Etruscan town of Orvieto for a wine tasting and lunch. Later, arrive in Rome in time for a farewell drink with your fellow travelers.

Day 10: Departure

Meals: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to further explore the city of Rome.

Availability

Checking price
Price From NA
Price Per Day: NA
  • Deposit Price: $ 450

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Go Ahead Tours.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

150 Go Ahead Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings

98%
4.9 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 144
Great 2
Average 0
Disappointing 0
Terrible 4
Value
4.9
Guide
4.9
Activities
4.9
Lodging
4.9
Transportation
4.9
Meals
4.9

Food and Wine: The EuroChocolate Festival of Italy

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Company Reviews

Will Refuse to Refund

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
I made a reservation last Thursday (11/16/2023) for a trip to Iceland from 12/02/2023-12/07/2023 and then I was told that I can’t have my refund back.

When I called on last Thursday (11/16/2023) to place my reservation, the agent (Kathy) I talked to stressed about she "cannot" guarantee that I will be able to go on the trip. Before I provided the payment information, I specifically asked if I will be able to get the refund because the trip is coming up so soon. The agent ensured that I will be able to get a full refund back within 60 days if I decided to cancel the trip. I was also told that I am basically on a wait list and someone will contact me once I can go on the trip. No one contacted me about whether the agency was able to process my information at all, so I've been left in the dark about this trip since the beginning.

I called the help line this morning (11/20/2023) around 9:00 Eastern Standard Time to cancel my reservation. I was informed by the agent that I will not be able to get my full refund back since it's too close to the trip date. Basically I was told that Kathy gave me the wrong information, so I will have to pay the cancellation fee. The only reason I provided my payment information is because Kathy specifically stated that I will be able to cancel the trip and receive a full refund.

I've never been so frustrated with a traveling agency. I made sure to ask this agent regarding the refund policy twice before giving her my payment information, and she still couldn't provide me with the correct information. It's unbelievable that such a big traveling agency cannot uniformly train their employees with the correct set of information.
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Stay Away - Class Action lawsuit for ripping off children

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
This greedy and unethical company is being sued for keeping money from school children and their parents after the company canceled trips due to Coronavirus. They have a pattern of canceling trips and keeping your money and you get nothing! They only care about money and not earning it.
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Wouldn't Refund Full Payment of Tour They Cancelled

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Our trip was to be in May 2020 and was cancelled by Go Ahead due to the Coronavirus after we had paid the full cost of the trip for two. When contacted about a refund, the only way we would NOT lose our deposit of $600 was if we allowed them to keep the entire amount paid until the trip was rescheduled or changed to another tour. We asked them to refund everything EXCEPT the deposit and carry the deposit until another trip could be scheduled. They refused to consider carrying our deposit. The only was to get our $6000 payment back was to lose our $600 deposit. After several wonderful tours, Go Ahead proved themselves to be unconcerned about our financial loss or hardships caused by their inflexibility.
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I took every additional tour and the tour guides were excellent!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Go Ahead Tours was selected for their attention to detail, and this tour did not disappoint! I must give credit to our wonderful tour director, Alessandra, who has over 25 years of experience, and we were the beneficiaries of her compassionate regard for our tour's wellbeing. She was attentive and even gave us souvenir momentos from each city we visited. I took every additional tour and the tour guides were excellent! I especially liked our guides for the Colosseum, in Rome, a mature woman who was Greek, and thus, she was very personable. Also, Katia, our tour guide for the Vatican and the Catacombs was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The last night was fun in our send off dinner consisted of a dinner theater billed as four tenors and featured an opera troup serenading us during our three-course meal. Great fun and the perfect meal to conclude our action packed 7-day tour of three Italian Cities boasting magnificent art and history!
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Amazing trip of a lifetime!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
My husband and I went on this tour for our five year anniversary. It was both of our first trips to Europe and it was WONDERFUL! Our tour guide, Alessandra, was fantastic & our group got along so well. We made friends and always had a blast. It's a wonderful mix of guided tours & free time. It was so nice to not have to stress about travel arrangements between cities because Go Ahead has done it all. We would definitely book again!
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By far the BEST Trip EVER

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
WOW. That’s the best word to summarize this tour. 1st class everything, from the private chauffeur upon arrival to the 5 star hotels to the fancy restaurants, but the icing on the cake is the guided tour director. Nicola was BY FAR THE BEST trip mom EVER. I went to Europe by myself and she made sure I was always fitting right in, she was very patient, kind and understanding. Very knowledgeable, oh man she was the absolute best seriously. I want her on every tour
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Details

Trip Photos (affiliate link)

Optional Activities

Extension to Rome $359 pp

Only in Rome can you sip cappuccino at a café in front of the Pantheon, buy grapes at a centuries-old market, and have an audience with the pope—all in one morning. For a mix of spectacular art, grand history and vibrant street life, no other city comes close.

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

Maximum Number of People in Group: 28

Maximum tour group size: 28 travelers

Accommodations

NH Anglo American

The NH Anglo American hotel in Florence is set in a quiet yet central location in the city, between the Lungarno area and Borgo Ognissanti. The classically-styled hotel preserves all of its unique original features and reflects a fascinating age of the city. The NH Anglo American hotel's décor boasts antique furniture and impressive paintings of the Florentine school of 1800, creating an upscale, elegant atmosphere for our clients.

Hotel Garden

Hotel Garden in Siena is just within walking distance of central Siena, just outside the city walls at Porta Camollia. The central part the hotel is a prestigious villa built in 1700, nestled in a park, offering more than 100 rooms of various sizes and interior decor to fit all your travel needs and requirements. “La Limonaia” is a fine restaurant on site offering the best in Tuscan cuisine with a panoramic view of the countryside. Hotel Garden also has a swimming pool and tennis court.

Sangallo Palace Hotel

Sangallo Palace Hotel is located in the historic center of Perugia 50 meters from the fascinating 15th century fortress "Rocca Paolina". All the monuments and tourist attractions in Perugia are walking distance. Additionally the unique location of the hotel allows the guests to depart quickly to visit the nearby art cities of Umbria: Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi, Orvieto.

Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge

Set in the elegant residential district of Parioli, within walking distance from the Borghese Gardens with its extraordinary museum, the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge hotel is perfect for either a business break or a relaxed Roman holiday. Only 20 minutes of central Rome’s world famous tourist attractions such as the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican, this hotel in Rome is ideally located for transport hubs, being only 15 minutes of Stazione Termini – Rome’s main rail station – and less than 35 minutes from Rome Ciampino (CIA) Airport. The spectacular Borghese Gardens are within walking distance of this Rome hotel, as are a host of international embassies. Stay connected in the complimentary 24-hour business center and work with our staff to plan a meeting or event for up to 222 in the hotel’s 4 contemporary meeting rooms. Relax in your modern, comfortable Guest Room which benefits from complimentary WiFi access. Keep drinks cool with the in-room refrigerator and prepare snacks from the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® in the microwave. Work out in the modern Fitness Center and soothe tired muscles in the sauna or Turkish Bath. Parking is available within the Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge with a private garage available upon request.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel your reservation, the cancellation fee schedule below will apply. If you are booked in a double/twin room and your roommate cancels his or her tour more than 45 days prior to departure, you will be responsible for paying the single supplement fee. Upon notifying GAT of your cancellation, you will be given a confirmation number that verifies your cancellation. If you purchased travel protection and are cancelling for a reason covered under the policy guidelines, cancellation fees will be reimbursed to you directly from the insurance company. In the event that you have to cancel your tour on the day of departure, you must notify GAT prior to the departure of your first flight. Any penalties for supplemental services/guarantees (including, but not limited to, flights, hotels or late additions) resulting from cancellations made at your request will be your responsibility, and all service fees are non-refundable. Substitution of travelers is not permitted. If you choose not to travel, but fail to cancel your tour prior to the departure date or if you return home before the scheduled completion of your tour, you will not be eligible for any refund or reimbursement from GAT for any unused portion of your trip or costs incurred by leaving your trip early.

For travelers with the travel protection policy (goaheadtours.com/travelprotection), Go Ahead Tours will reimburse the participant in the form of a credit voucher in the event the participant wants to interrupt their tour due to reasons not covered by their travel protection policy. The voucher is valid for one year from the day of the interruption of the tour and represents the value of the missed time on tour including any unused air, land or sea arrangements already paid for by the participant up to a maximum of $1,000 as determined by Go Ahead Tours. The voucher is personal and non-transferable and may be applied towards a future Go Ahead tour and is not exchangeable for cash. The participant is responsible for any additional costs incurred by interrupting the tour including but not limited to the return flight and other transportation costs due to the interruption. Reservation fees, rebooking fees, change fees, late and returned check fees, revision fees, supplemental fees for international deliveries and special arrangement fees are considered Used Fees once incurred and will not be refundable.

Cancellation of European land tours

  • If Days Prior to Departure is 71 days or more, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is $300
  • If Days Prior to Departure is 70–46 days, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is $450
  • If Days Prior to Departure is 45–8 days, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is $1,000 or 100%
  • If Days Prior to Departure is 7–0 days, then Cancellation Fee  (Includes reservation fee) is 100%*

*Percentages listed above are of the total tour cost, including reservation fee. Listed cancellation fee is applicable per traveler.

Trip ID#:

FooWinGoa

What's excluded

  • Passport and visa charges
  • Personal Expenses

Meals Included

9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners

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