Sophie’s Italian Food Tour

Food writer and cookbook author - Sophie Hansen - will take you on an 8 day tour through Italy’s beautiful northern Piedmont region, then down the rugged coastline of Cinque Terre, before finishing up in stunning Tuscany.

The Details

Northern Italy
16th - 23rd October 2024
Turin to Tuscany
24th - 31st October 2024
Tuscany to Turin
8 Days

Location:
Tour One:
Route:
Tour Two:
Route:
Duration:

Piedmont truly is one of Italy’s undiscovered gems. The Piedmont region lies northwest of Italy and is one of the most significant wine regions in the world.

Its vineyard landscape is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site and combines rolling greens hills dotted with vineyards, medieval villages, romantic castles and fields of sunflowers. Quiet lakes lie to the north, and as a backdrop, the Italian Alps stand, snow-capped and majestic, in the distance. Plus, it offers culture-packed cities and a rich food and wine scene.

Cinque Terre is a rugged coastline on the Italian Riviera with five pastel coloured fishing villages. The quaint traditional fishing villages are captivating with colourful typical Ligurian houses and boats bobbing on the waters of the small harbours.

Tuscany’s world-famous landscape boasts soft rolling hills covered by picturesque vineyards and olive groves with medieval stone houses perched on top.

Sophie’s tour will inspire you and offer new skills as you taste local food specialties and engage in the Italian food culture. You’ll also explore many of the beautiful sights and delights along the way.

Included in Sophie’s tours are cooking demo classes, market tours, hidden food spots, food tastings, wine tasting, shopping, culture, history, local attractions, and much more.

  • 7 nights in Boutique and Premium accommodation

    7 breakfasts, most lunches and 7 dinners including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner

    Specialised Tour Guide

    Tour Coordinator

    Private minibus transport + Driver

    Entrance and fees to all local attractions and activities on the tour

    Daily complimentary bottled water

    Baggage handling (hotel porters)

    All gratuities included for local services

  • Welcome to Turin!

    At the foot of the Alps, Turin was once the capital of the House of Savoy and birthplace of the Italian resurgence. Today, it is an innovation hub rich in art and culture. Dynamic and baroque, Turin wows with its museums, architectural and monumental wonders, and delicious traditional food – it’s a chocoholic's paradise!

    After checking in at your elegant 5 star Turin hotel and having time to unwind, you will meet your friendly Tour Guide Sophie Hansen for an evening tour of Piazza Castello (Main Square) which boasts two major Baroque structures designed by architect Filippo Juvarra – Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) and Palazzo Madama.

    Enjoy a Welcome Reception & Dinner with a traditional Italian Turinese meal.

  • Enjoy an optional early morning visit to Porta Palazzo food market, Europe’s largest open air food market, led by your tour guide Sophie. From vegetables, oils, cold cuts, cheeses, breads, local delicacies and flowers to clothing, shoes, homewares and jewellery. One of the best ways to discover the Italian culture is to roam inside a local market!

    Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Italy's royal history visiting Turin’s famous Venaria Reale. Explore its majestic palace, gardens, and captivating art exhibitions.

    Travel down to the Alba/Bra countryside via private minibus. The scenery is breathtaking: rolling hills of vineyards and tiny villages; this area is known as The Langhe and is Italy's premier wine region.

  • Enjoy a private cooking demo class with your Tour Guide Sophie Hansen. Learn new and traditional culinary approaches using fresh, local ingredients.

    Experience an e-bike wine tour through the rolling hills and picturesque villages of the Langhe region to sample the world-famous award-winning Barolo wine - a privileged wine founded in the early 1800’s known as “the wine of kings and the king of wine”.

    Enjoy an authentic Italian Piedmontese dinner in a former wine bar overlooking a charming courtyard. Tuck into tagliatelle (Italian pasta) tossed with Alpine butter and regional white truffles.

  • Peruse the local markets in Alba. The Alba mercato is held every Saturday and is where you can sample local cheeses, wine, hazelnuts and traditional foods. Also, the perfect spot to stock up on local crafts and souvenirs. (The Saturday morning Alba market is only offered on Tour 1, and the Saturday morning San Miniato market in Tuscany is offered on Tour 2. Both markets are wonderful!).

    Travel to Genoa by private minibus. Then set out on afternoon walking tour through Genoa’s pedestrian-friendly historical district.

    A thriving seaport in Northern Italy, Genoa’s pedestrian-friendly historical district features winding alleyways that lead to Renaissance palaces, Roman Catholic cathedrals, art museums, and picturesque piazzas.

    Continue your journey onto the Cinque Terre - a rugged coastline on the Italian Riviera with five pastel coloured fishing villages. Stay in a beautiful seaside hotel with an enchanting atmosphere in the Cinque Terre.

  • Explore the regional cuisine and stunning attractions of the Cinque Terre. The quaint traditional fishing villages are captivating with colourful typical Ligurian houses and boats bobbing on the waters of the small harbours.

  • Travel down the coastline by private minibus into Tuscany. Tuscany’s world-famous landscape boasts soft rolling hills covered by picturesque vineyards and olive groves with medieval stone houses perched on top.

    Stay in a charming 18th-century Tuscan villa farmhouse where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Tuscan hills near a medieval village nestled between Florence and Pisa.

  • Highly regarded cookbook author Emiko Davies, an acquaintance of your Tour Guide Sophie, will provide an Italian cooking demo class using fresh seasonal ingredients from the local village market and local butcher. Enjoy learning new skills from Emiko before sitting down to a long Italian lunch paired with natural wines by local Tuscan sommelier Marco Lami.

  • After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests, taking home wonderful memories of picturesque Italy with you.

    If you would like to spend more time in your accommodation at the beginning or end of the tour, speak to us about arranging additional accommodation ahead of time (subject to availability).

    This itinerary may alter slightly.

  • Click the ‘Book Now’ button to complete our Booking Form.

    We will contact you with further information and confirmation regarding your place on the tour.

    Your place on the tour will be only guaranteed when the deposit of $1500 is received by us along with a photo of the front page of your passport. We will then send you a receipt.

    Please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

    Would like more information? Would like to join the waiting list? Or join our mailing list? Contact us and we’ll answer all your questions.

    Please note - bookings will not open until mid-February. Tour prices will be confirmed when bookings open.

Pink Pelican Tours_Sophie Hansen

Your Tour Guide:
Food Writer & Cookbook Author
Sophie Hansen

When it comes to food, Sophie Hansen is the expert. Sophie is one of Australia's most highly regarded contemporary country cooks. She attracts a huge community of followers to her ‘Local is Lovely’ blog and Instagram page, weekly ‘5 Things to Be Cheerful About’ newsletter, as well as hosting countless pop-up dinners (consistently booked out!) and cooking events throughout regional Australia.

Sophie is trained in print journalism and has over 25 years’ experience as a food writer. Before settling down with her family on a farm near Orange in NSW, she traveled the world to explore the food culture in many countries.

Sophie has written five cookbooks including Local is Lovely, A Basket by the Door, In Good Company, Around the Kitchen Table and What Can I Bring?

Sophie’s calming presence and friendly nature makes her the perfect Tour Guide for Pink Pelican Tours.