Milan - Franciacorta - Venice

Indulge in tasty Italian delights with this 3-hour tour of the Brera neighborhood, one of Milan's hippest parts of town. With your foodie guide by your side, traverse the intimate streets of Brera, stopping at six different spots to sample rich cheese, unctuous prosciutto, hoppy craft beer and other local delicacies. 


Head to Lanza-Brera Station in the center of Milan to meet your local foodie guide. And then began perambulating through the neighborhood, a part of town that is inhabited by artsy bohemian types. The intimate streets are alive with active markets and a fun nightlife scene.  As you stroll the streets of Brera, learn about the history of food and dining in Milan — and also about the history of the area: how Brera has evolved over the decades and even the centuries. Hear about the development of the nearby futuristic Porta Nuova that was built especially for the overwhelmingly popular Expo 2015. Get an overview of Milanese cuisine, from hearty polenta to breaded veal Milanese to saffron-accented risotto.  Stop up to six times at various restaurants, cafes and markets to sample some of the local delights. The stops may vary with each tour and depending on what is in season but some likely dishes may include melanzane alla parmigiana (baked eggplant with Parmesan and tomatoes), mondeghili meatballs, and traditional Milan dishes. Along with local delicacies, enjoy samplings of popular Italian treats such as gelato and cannoli, or melt-in-your-mouth slivers of culatello — a prized Parma ham. Then sample some craft beer, an industry that has made some waves throughout the beer-making world in the last decade. Follow that up by heading to a bar to experience the aperitivo, a true Northern Italian tradition in which the purchase of a glass of wine allows you access to a room of edible delights: from huge wheels of cheese to silky prosciutto to green olives.  When you're full, head to Piazza XXV Aprile in the center of the city to conclude the tour.

 

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If you love good wine and its tradition, you must have heard of Franciacorta before. But are you sure you really know about its history, what makes it unique, and the secrects of the different varieties of this majestic wine? Through this tour, you'll have the chance to discover a unique area surrounded by green hills quite close to Lake Iseo by walking in the vineyards where the history of Franciacorta begins.

Come taste the unique Franciacorta wine in a beautiful area with hills located between the southern shore of Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia. You'll visit the vineyards and taste different wines along with some delicious local products.

Having a spritz together, as Venetians used to say, is the perfect pause between work and dinner, to catch up without having to commit to a full evening together. Try this tradition in a 1-hour bacaro experience.

Discover Spritz, the classic Venetian aperitif, a mix of white wine, Aperol, and seltz or sparkling mineral water. This sunset-colored cocktail is one of the most famous in Venice. Its origins are unknown, but it seems that they dated back to when Venice was under the Austrian Empire. Austrians, used to drinking beer with a lower alcoholic percentage, used to dilute the Venetian wines with seltz or sparkling water. The name Spritz came from the German verb spritzen which means to spray.

Spritz is the iconic Venetian cocktail. Meeting friends for a spritz is one of the most popular Venetian habits. The perfect pause between work and dinner, to catch up without having to commit to a full evening together.

Enjoy this wonderful Venetian habit in this fabulous bacaro, the so-called Venetian pub. Ask for a Spritz with Aperol (the sweetest), Spritz with Select (bitter), with Campari (bitterer) or with Cynar (strong taste, only for old Venetians).

With intimate groups of 15 people or fewer we don’t just want you to eat well for a day, we want to show you how to eat like a Venetian for your entire stay.

We’ll start by visiting the twin hearts of Venice’s food scene; the Rialto Fruit and Vegetable Market and the Rialto Fish Market. As you peruse the overflowing aisles, your guide will explain how ancient trade routes and a strong maritime history have shaped the diets of Venetians; and how they still get the freshest fish from the Mediterranean.

All this talk of food will make you hungry so we’ll be sure to sample sumptuous local wine and cicchettialong the way. On this side of the Grand Canal, you’ll stop at two of Venice’s most popular local bars. The cicchetti is Venice’s answer to the Spanish tapas and includes local delicacies like crostini (bread with delicious toppings like whipped cod) and Venetian panini (technically sandwiches, but so much more). At each bar your guide will help you to choose two of the best cicchetti and of course a glass of wine, Prosecco or spritz to wash it down.

Next you’ll board a gondola to cross the Grand Canal to Cannaregio. Once known as the Jewish Ghetto and surrounded by walls to keep residents in, Cannaregio is a favorite among locals today for its great food scene, beautiful streets and piazzas and its much more relaxed vibe away from the tourist route.

In fact, we bet you’ll be shocked to learn just how much of Venetian food (and Italian food as a whole) has been influenced by the Jewish community. Our adventure continues as we embark on a short stroll across bridges and piazzas of Cannaregio.

Your tour culminates in a stop at our favorite Venetian restaurant; a friendly and atmospheric neighborhood trattoria. Here you’ll be warmly greeted by the host and served a plate of the day’s pasta special, washed down of course, with another glass of wine.

Spend some time on the most famous Venetian islands, known throughout the world for their picturesque scenery, craft traditions, and unique history. Departing from near Saint Mark’s Square, you will take an enjoyable trip across Saint Mark’s Basin, towards the Lido, and then back along the north coastline of the city.

On the boat, a live guide will illustrate the history of the lagoon and the three islands you will visit. 

Your first stop will be the island of Murano. Sometimes referred to as the “Island of the Glass,” you will visit one of its famous glass factories and see the glass being manufactured and blown.

Afterwards head to Torcello, the most ancient of the inhabited islands.

Continue to Burano, admiring the natural environment and the minor islands spread all around you. Enjoy some free time in Burano, a typical fishing island with colorful contrasts and chocolate-box painted houses. Look out, too, for much evidence of its renowned lace making and embroidery industry and try some of Burano’s notable homemade cakes.

Please note that once on the ground, this is not a guided tour. The guide will escort you to the glass factory in Murano and the lace shop in Burano. Afterwards, you will have time to explore each island on your own.