14-Day Italian Foodie Itinerary

  • Day 1: Rome
    Estimated travel time from airport: 45 mins / 25 km

    Explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Stroll through the Trastevere neighbourhood and enjoy some authentic Roman street food. End the evening with a glass of wine and panoramic views of the city at Gianicolo Hill.

  • Day 2: Rome
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 20 mins / 3 km

    Indulge in a food tour of Testaccio neighbourhood, featuring classic Roman dishes like supplì and carbonara. Visit the Vatican City and its museum, finishing the day with a gelato from La Romana.

  • Day 3: Florence
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1hr 30 mins / 280 km

    Take a scenic train ride to Florence. Visit the iconic Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. Have a classic Florentine steak dinner and conclude with some local wine and cocktail at the rooftop bar of Grand Hotel Minerva in Santa Maria Novella square.

  • Day 4: Florence
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 15 mins / 3 km

    Take a cooking class to learn Tuscan cuisine with Chef Claudio. Visit the food market for fresh ingredients, then try your hand at preparing classic dishes like bruschetta, pasta, and tiramisu. Enjoy the fruits of your labour during lunch.

  • Day 5: Siena
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1 hr 30 mins / 75 km

    Take a day trip to Siena, known for the Palio horse race and its Medieval and Gothic architecture. Visit the Piazza del Palio and enjoy some local confectionery at Pasticceria Bini. Have an authentic Tuscan dinner with a view of the beautiful Piazza del Campo.

  • Day 6: Tuscany Countryside
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1 hr 15 mins / 70 km

    Take a scenic drive through the beautiful Tuscany countryside to smaller towns like San Gimignano and Montepulciano. Visit a vineyard and try some of the region's acclaimed wines with a snack platter of locally-sourced meat, cheese and bread.

  • Day 7: Positano
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 5hr 30 mins / 465 km

    Take a morning flight to Naples and then hire a private car to reach the beautiful coastal town of Positano. Check-in at your hotel, take a dip in the sea and have a seafood dinner by the beach.

  • Day 8: Positano
    Estimated time from previous location: N/A

    Take a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast, visiting beautiful nearby towns like Amalfi and Ravello. For dinner, visit one of Positano's many cliffside restaurants for a magical seafood meal and delicious wine.

  • Day 9: Naples
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1hr / 60 km

    Visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum, which houses a vast collection of Roman antiquities. Have pizza at Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, widely recognized as one of the oldest pizzerias in the world. End the day at Spaccanapoli street, known for its charming atmosphere and local artisans.

  • Day 10: Matera
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 3hr 30 mins / 275 km

    Take a day trip to the ancient city of Matera, famous for its caves and picturesque beauty. Go on a cave tour, learning about the city's history, and enjoy some locally made bread, cheese, and wine. For dinner, try classic Lucanian dishes like orecchiette pasta with tomato sauce (chicche di patate).

  • Day 11: Bari
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1hr 45 mins / 96 km

    Visit the Basilica of San Nicola and its crypt, known for inspiring the legend of Santa Claus. Stroll through the Old Town, where you can find various local pasta types like orrechiette, cacioricotta cheese, and taralli. Have dinner at Osteria Al Gambero, renowned for its great sea urchin spaghetti and fish dishes.

  • Day 12: Alberobello
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1hr / 60 km

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello, known for its charming trulli houses. Go on a tour of the town's historic district and try traditional dishes like baked ziti and cavatelli with turnips and anchovies. Have dinner at Trattoria Terra Madre, known for its homemade pasta and local wines.

  • Day 13: Lecce
    Estimated travel time from previous location: 1hr 30 mins / 94 km

    Visit the stunning baroque architecture of Lecce's Piazza del Duomo and Santa Croce Cathedral. Try some local street food like puccia or zeppole, then dine at Le Zie, known for its top-quality meat cuts and seafood done in traditional Puglian flavours.

  • Day 14: Departure
    Estimated travel time from previous location to airport: 45 mins / 32 km

    Enjoy your last few hours in Italy and prepare for your departure.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Colosseum (2 hours, €16)
  • Vatican City (3 hours, €30)
  • Uffizi Gallery (2-3 hours, €20)
  • Tuscan cooking class (4 hours, €100)
  • Ancient Rome food tour (3 hours, €90)
  • Boat tour of Amalfi Coast (6 hours, €150)
  • Cave tour in Matera (3 hours, €40)
  • Trullo tour in Alberobello (3 hours, €50)
  • Wine-tasting in Chianti (4 hours, €70)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €566

Transportation

Trains, flights, and car rentals are the most convenient ways to travel around Italy. Consider booking in advance for cheaper rates. Some cities, like Florence and Rome, have reliable city public transportation, but renting a car could be a better option for smaller towns like Alberobello.

Travel costs vary widely depending on the mode of transportation and distance. Train rides from Rome to Florence cost around €60 and take 1.5 hours. The flight from Naples to Bari via Alitalia costs around €100, and renting a car for a day could cost around €50.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider extending your stay in Tuscany or adding a trip to the island of Sicily. If your stay is shorter, you could consider omitting Matera or Alberobello, which are great but involve more travel time. Restaurants and attractions, especially popular ones, should be booked in advance, for example, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Airports

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is Rome's main international airport, located approximately 32km from the city centre. Naples International Airport (NAP) is located in Capodichino, about 5.6km from the city centre. For the Puglia region, Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) is the best option, located approximately 8km from the city centre.

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