Immerse yourself in the world of the Great Wines of Italy, where centuries-old traditions meet breathtaking landscapes. From the robust reds of Tuscany’s Chianti region to the elegant Barolos of Piedmont and sparkling Proseccos of Veneto, Italy offers a diverse and celebrated wine culture. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or a curious traveler, this journey through Italy’s finest vineyards and cellars promises unforgettable tastes and stories that bring each bottle to life.
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First Class hotels
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Venice (VCE)
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Rome (FCO)
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Arrival and departure as detailed in the itinerary
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22
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Luxury Minibus
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11
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2
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4/8
Dates
The same itinerary, with a minimum of 6 participants, can also be offered as a private tour at no additional cost. Your private trip combines comfort, exclusivity, and exceptional value—ensuring an unforgettable Italian experience crafted just for you. Request your private tour using the form below (end of the page), or contact us at: info@greattoursofitaly.com
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Available PackagesWednesdayApril 8, 2026SundayApril 19, 2026EUR 4725
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Available PackagesWednesdayMay 6, 2026SundayMay 17, 2026EUR 4725
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Available PackagesWednesdayMay 20, 2026SundayMay 31, 2026EUR 4725
Great Wines of Italy is a fun and comfortable luxury tour designed for wine lovers. There’s nothing better than a spirited Italian dinner with great food and friends where everyone is pleasantly animated by a few glasses of fine wine. Some internationally known wines such as Chianti, Brunello, Nobile di Montepulciano, Pinot Grigio, Franciacorta, Barolo, and Asti Spumante to pique the interest of your taste buds, but we will also surprise you with some lesser-known local wines. Starting in Venice and finishing in Rome, you will visit the most significant “cantinas”.
Highlights
- 12 Day Tour – Prosecco, Barolo, Asti Spumante, Chianti, Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino
- Start in Venice (VCE) – End in Rome (FCO)
- Group of 8 passengers
- 19 Meals to include – 11 buffet breakfasts, 8 wine tasting
Welcome to Venice’s Marco Polo Int. Airport (VCE). Your airport transfer will be waiting for you at 11:00 pm to take you to your hotel. Meet your travel companions and visit a local winery in the afternoon. Wrap the day up with a local dinner.
Hotel: Voco, Cannaregio or similar (1 night)
Leave the province of Venice to go to the province of Treviso and visit a winery in Valdobbiadene, the land of Prosecco, where this typical sparkling wine is made. Later go to the Bassiano del Grappa area to visit a distillery. Enjoy a short drive to the beautiful area of LakeGarda where we will spend the next three nights. Dinner will be served in the hotel.
Hotel: Poiano Resort, Baia Verde, or similar (3 nights)
Enjoy a walking tour with our Local Guide in Verona, the city famous for the love story of Romeo and Juliet. See the famous balcony from Shakespeare’s tragedy as well as the Roman Arena. In the afternoon, visit a local winery. The hills between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea near Lake Garda’s East Coast are a prolific region of fine wines. Experience the famous labels of Bardolino and Valpolicella (a combination of grape varieties) or Recioto and Soave (delicate white wines). Tonight enjoy dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Today experience the beautiful village of Sirmione at your own pace. In the afternoon there will be wine tastings and then a scenic drive through the area between Lake Garda and Lake Iseo where the Chiavennasca grape is grown and used to create the full-bodied and rich bouquet wines of Sfurzat & Valtellina. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
Go west to reach Franciacorta in the province of Brescia where we will visit a local winery. Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero, and Chardonnay grapes are traditionally used to create the wine “Franciacorta”. In the afternoon, reach our hotel in the Piedmont region where we will spend the next three nights. Dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.
Hotel: Spinerola, Tenuta la Romana, or similar (3 nights)
Enjoy some free time in Asti city center for shopping. In the afternoon, drive through the area of Asti to reach a local winery where sweet Moscato grapes grow and are transformed into Asti Spumante. Right around the corner is where Brachetto and Barbera grapes come from. Tonight, dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
Experience some pearls of the beautiful region of Piedmont. The most common grape variety from Piedmont is Nebbiolo, known in this region since the 13th century. Barolo, Barbaresco, and many other wines are created from this variety. After a visit to the local winery lunch will be served at the local restaurant. Tonight is a free evening to enjoy at leisure.
Leave the region of Piemonte for the beautiful Chianti area in the heart of Tuscany. Visit some small villages with free time to frequent some wine shops and taste local wine and food. In the late afternoon, take a short ride to our hotel where you are sure to be amazed by an authentic Tuscan dinner
Hotel: CDH Radda, Tenuta di Ricavo, or similar (3 nights)
Today, visit one of the most beautiful wineries of Tuscany to discover the secret of “Chianti Classico” followed by lunch. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Take a walking tour through the medieval streets of Montepulciano and its several “cantinas”. Not far from here, go to the small village of Pienza to discover its delicious homemade cheeses which pair perfectly with wine. Two important Tuscan red wines grow in this area. Brunello Di Montalcino is a strong red wine made exclusively of Brunello grapes which has a long life (the first official great vintage was in 1888 and 5 perfectly intact bottles have been kept). Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano is made from Prugnolo Gentile (a clone of Sangiovese) grapes, this wine is strong and sour when young and becomes increasingly smooth and spicy with age.
Leave Tuscany for the Roman Castles (a group of villages southeast of Rome where the Pope spends his summers) to visit a local winery. Here the varieties of white grapes are cultivated as Bellone, Arciprete white (a Bellone biotype), and two varieties of Greek grapes, called Moro and Yellow (which had almost disappeared in the territory until they were recently revalued). In the afternoon, check into the hotel. Tonight, dinner will be served at a local restaurant to celebrate the success of our Great Wines of Italy tour.
Hotel: Benito al Bosco, Castel Vecchio or similar (1 night)
Arrivederci Italia! Your transfer will arrive at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport (FCO) at 7:00 am
What's included
Experiences
- Venice: wine tasting
- Treviso: distillery and wine tasting of Valdobbiadene and Prosecco
- Verona: walking tour (WLG)*
- Verona: wine tasting of Bordolino and Valpolicella
- Sirmione: wine tasting of Sfurzat and Valtellina
- Brescia: wine tasting of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero, and Chardonnay
- Asti: wine tasting of Moscato and Asti Spumante
- San Gimignano: walking tour (WLG)*
- San Gimignano: wine tasting of Chianti
- Pienza: walking tour (WLG)*
- Castel Gandolfo: walking tour with some free time
- *(WLG) = With local guide and wireless headsets
Overall Trip Rating:
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Verified Purchase
By Tania Andrusiak(Italy)October 11, 2024 2000 pictures tourWhat an absolutely amazing trip! We did the 12 days Great Southern Italy and saw so much. Lots of wine! Our tour guide was amazing and so knowledgable. And our driver was friendly and navigated the roads of italy like a champ! I would recommend anyone who wants to see italy, to take a Great Tours of Italy tour! I took no less than 2,000 pictures.
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Verified Purchase
By Joseph T. September 21, 2024 Italy savorsGreat Tours of Italy took us through vineyards, historic towns, and scenic countryside while enjoying some of Italy’s finest wines. The wine tastings, local meals, and cultural stops were perfectly balanced. Wine lovers who appreciate fine wine and good food, this trip felt luxurious yet approachable.
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Verified Purchase
By Daniel A. October 8, 2023 Unique experienceThis tour touched my heart in a way I didn’t expect. Standing among the vineyards, I felt like time slowed down. Every tasting felt personal, every winery felt like a warm welcome into someone’s story. Great Wines of Italy wasn’t just a tour — it was an experience I’ll remember forever.
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Verified Purchase
By Toni M. September 16, 2023 Honored guestsGreat Wines of Italy made us feel like honored guests everywhere we went. The winemakers shared their traditions with such sincerity. We weren’t just tasting wine — we were connecting to generations of passion. It was magical, intimate, and unforgettable.
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Verified Purchase
By Ed Riley(Italy)October 16, 2018 Love Italian foodMy husband and I recently returned from a trip to Italy with Perillo Tours. IT WAS THE BEST AND WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED!!!! Everything as stated in their brochure/catalogue was followed to the letter. The accommodations were amazing, the food and wine, OMG, the wine was "out of this world", no waiting in lines for our private group experiences. Added to that was our wonderful, kind, and very knowledgeable tour guide who was always available, day or night, what a treasure. Should we decide to visit Italy again (southern regions) we would ONLY book with Great Tours of Italy.
Great Wines of Italy is a luxury, small-group tour designed specifically for wine lovers. You will travel through some of Italy’s most iconic wine regions, visiting historic “cantine” and tasting renowned labels such as:
- Prosecco (Veneto / Valdobbiadene)
- Bardolino, Valpolicella, Recioto, Soave (Lake Garda / Veneto–Lombardy area)
- Franciacorta (Lombardy)
- Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumante, Barbera, Brachetto, Barolo, Barbaresco (Piedmont)
- Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany)
- Local white wines in the Roman Castles (Lazio), including Bellone, Moro, and Yellow grapes
You will enjoy guided tastings, vineyard and cellar visits, and regional cuisine that showcases ideal food-and-wine pairings.
The tour is rated Easy. Activities include:
- Light to moderate walking on cobblestone streets and in historic town centers
- Standing during winery tours and tastings
Guests should be comfortable walking at a relaxed pace and managing a few steps and gentle inclines.
This is an intimate small-group tour designed for 4 to 8 guests (maximum 8 passengers).
The small size allows for exclusive winery visits, flexible pacing, and a convivial atmosphere at meals and tastings.
You will stay in First Class hotels, selected for comfort, atmosphere, and proximity to wine regions:
- Venice area (1 night): Voco Cannaregio or similar
- Lake Garda area (3 nights): Poiano Resort, Baia Verde, or similar
- Piedmont region (3 nights): Spinerola, Tenuta la Romana, or similar
- Chianti / Tuscany (3 nights): CDH Radda, Tenuta di Ricavo, or similar
- Roman Castles area (1 night): Benito al Bosco, Castel Vecchio, or similar
Room types are typically standard doubles or twins, with upgrades on request (subject to availability and supplement).
All touring and inter-city transfers are by luxury minibus, driven by a professional driver. The vehicle is comfortable, air-conditioned, and suitable for small groups and scenic countryside routes.
You will visit several of Italy’s most significant wine areas:
- Veneto – Prosecco & Lake Garda area
- Valdobbiadene (Prosecco)
- Bardolino, Valpolicella, Recioto, Soave
- Distillery visit in the Bassano del Grappa area
- Lombardy – Franciacorta & Valtellina area
- Franciacorta (Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay)
- Wines from Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) used in Sfurzat & Valtellina
- Piedmont – Asti & Langhe
- Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumante, Brachetto, Barbera
- Barolo, Barbaresco and other Nebbiolo-based wines
- Tuscany – Chianti & Southern Tuscany
- Chianti & Chianti Classico
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano & Brunello di Montalcino
- Lazio – Roman Castles (Castelli Romani)
- Local white grapes such as Bellone, Arciprete white, Moro, and Yellow
Not at all. The tour is suitable for:
- Enthusiastic beginners who enjoy wine and want to learn
- Intermediate wine lovers keen to deepen their understanding
- Experienced wine connoisseurs eager to visit iconic and boutique producers
Local hosts and guides explain the wines in a clear, engaging, and accessible way.
While wine is the central theme, non-drinkers are welcome. However, please note:
- Many activities revolve around winery visits and tastings.
- Non-alcoholic options can often be requested, and you can still enjoy the landscapes, food, and cultural visits.
If you rarely or never drink, you may wish to consider whether a wine-focused tour is the right fit for you.
Many wineries offer wine shipping services to various countries. Availability and regulations depend on your home country’s import rules. We recommend:
- Asking directly at the winery about shipping options and costs
- Bringing your address details and being aware of your country’s customs limits
You may also carry a few bottles in your luggage (subject to airline and customs regulations).
Yes. In addition to wine, you will also enjoy an olive oil experience, where you can taste and learn about high-quality Italian olive oils and their pairing with local dishes.
Given the strong wine focus, this tour is designed primarily for adults. Local laws regarding wine tasting require guests to be of legal drinking age in Italy (18+). Families with older teenagers may be accepted on request, but minors cannot participate in tastings.
Minor adjustments to the order of visits, specific wineries, or restaurants may occur due to local conditions, harvest schedules, or operational reasons. Any modifications will aim to preserve or enhance the overall quality of the experience.
