Italy is a dream destination for food and wine lovers. From hand-rolled pasta in Rome to world-class Chianti wines in Tuscany, the culinary experiences offered here are second to none. In this guide to the best Viator food & wine experiences in Italy, we’ll take you through mouthwatering tours that offer the perfect blend of flavor, culture, and adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just curious about Italian cuisine, these Viator tours will give you unforgettable tastes of Italy.
And if you’re also planning to explore more of Europe on a budget, don’t miss our guide on best budget-friendly Viator day trips from Paris.
Why Choose Viator for Food & Wine Tours in Italy?
Viator is renowned for offering well-curated experiences, and its food & wine tours in Italy are top-rated for authenticity, convenience, and local insight. Key benefits include:
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Small group or private options for a more intimate experience.
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Local expert guides who know the best off-the-beaten-path eateries.
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Skip-the-line access for popular wine tastings or cooking classes.
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Customizable itineraries to suit any dietary preference or interest.
🍇 Top 10 Viator Food & Wine Experiences in Italy (with Pros & Cons)
1. Tuscany Wine Tasting Tour from Florence
Region: Tuscany
Duration: Full-day
Highlights:
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Visit historic vineyards in Chianti.
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Enjoy guided tastings of Brunello and Chianti Classico.
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Explore medieval towns like Greve or Montepulciano.
This Viator bestseller offers a deep dive into one of the world’s most iconic wine regions. Learn the intricate process of Tuscan winemaking while sampling aged reds and indulging in local cheese and salumi.
Why It’s a Top Experience:
It combines stunning landscapes, premium wines, and the charm of Tuscan hospitality.
✅ Pros:
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Spectacular countryside views
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Premium red wine tastings
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Great for both wine novices and connoisseurs
❌ Cons:
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Can be a long day of travel
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Limited flexibility with multiple winery visits
🎯 Perfect for: Wine lovers looking to explore iconic Tuscan landscapes.
2. Roman Cooking Class with Wine and Market Tour
Region: Rome
Duration: 4–5 hours
Highlights:
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Shop at Campo de’ Fiori or Testaccio market with a local chef.
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Learn to make traditional pasta dishes like fettuccine and ravioli.
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Sip on regional wine while preparing your meal.
This immersive tour connects you with Rome’s culinary roots. Your host teaches you how to turn fresh market produce into an authentic Roman feast, all paired with excellent wine.
Perfect For:
Travelers who want to bring Italy’s kitchen skills home with them.
✅ Pros:
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Learn real cooking techniques
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Eat what you cook with wine
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Includes market experience
❌ Cons:
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Can get crowded in peak seasons
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Not ideal if you dislike hands-on cooking
🎯 Perfect for: Travelers who want to bring Italian cooking skills home.
3. Venice Cicchetti & Wine Tour
Region: Venice
Duration: 2.5 hours
Highlights:
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Sample cicchetti (Venetian tapas) in hidden bacari (local bars).
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Taste Prosecco and regional wines.
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Discover local neighborhoods like Cannaregio or San Polo.
This walking food tour allows you to eat like a true Venetian. You’ll hop from bar to bar tasting bite-sized delicacies while sipping on crisp white wines or sparkling Prosecco.
Insider Tip:
Ask your guide for their favorite “ombra” (small glass of wine) pairing.
✅ Pros:
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Short and easy walking tour
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Great for couples or solo travelers
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Discover local-only spots
❌ Cons:
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Portions may feel small
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May involve standing and walking for long periods
🎯 Perfect for: Foodies who want to explore Venice beyond tourist traps.
4. Pizza and Gelato Making Class in Florence
Region: Florence
Duration: 3 hours
Highlights:
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Make your own Neapolitan-style pizza.
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Learn traditional gelato-making techniques.
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Enjoy wine while cooking and dining.
This is one of the most family-friendly Viator food & wine experiences in Italy. You’ll get hands-on with dough and taste authentic Italian gelato while sipping on local Chianti wine.
Best For:
Families or couples looking for a fun and flavorful evening activity.
✅ Pros:
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Very family-friendly
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Hands-on and fun
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Perfect evening activity
❌ Cons:
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Less focused on professional culinary techniques
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Limited space in cooking area
🎯 Best for: Families and couples seeking a lighthearted culinary evening.
5. Amalfi Coast Lemon Tour & Limoncello Tasting
Region: Amalfi Coast (Sorrento/Positano)
Duration: 3–4 hours
Highlights:
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Tour terraced lemon groves.
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Learn how limoncello is made.
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Taste lemon-themed desserts and beverages.
In the sun-drenched cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, lemons reign supreme. This tour explores lemon culture in Sorrento and ends with limoncello tasting—Italy’s zestiest liqueur.
Pair With:
A boat tour of the Amalfi Coast or Capri for a full-day experience.
✅ Pros:
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Unique cultural experience
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Beautiful views
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Includes dessert and drink tastings
❌ Cons:
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Not suitable for those sensitive to citrus
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May require transportation add-on
🎯 Pair with: Capri or Amalfi boat tours on Viator
6. Truffle Hunting & Wine Tasting in Piedmont
Region: Piedmont (Alba, Barolo)
Duration: 6–7 hours
Highlights:
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Go on a real truffle hunt with dogs.
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Visit a Barolo or Barbaresco vineyard.
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Enjoy wine and truffle-paired dishes.
This unique tour takes you deep into the forests of northern Italy for an unforgettable foraging adventure. After the hunt, you’ll indulge in one of the most luxurious pairings: truffles and wine.
Don’t Miss:
White truffle season from October to December.
✅ Pros:
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Exclusive and luxurious
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Great seasonal experience
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Combine forest and wine activities
❌ Cons:
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Expensive
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Limited availability (October–December)
🎯 Perfect for: Luxury travelers and foodies craving rare ingredients.
7. Bologna Food Walking Tour with Tastings
Region: Emilia-Romagna
Duration: 4 hours
Highlights:
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Taste mortadella, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano.
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Visit traditional food shops and markets.
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End with tagliatelle al ragù (Bolognese sauce).
Known as Italy’s food capital, Bologna offers one of the richest food experiences in the country. This Viator tour takes you into the belly of Bologna where food traditions run deep.
Foodie Fact:
The term “spaghetti bolognese” is an American invention. In Bologna, it’s tagliatelle al ragù.
✅ Pros:
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Deep dive into Italian food culture
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Budget-friendly
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Knowledgeable local guides
❌ Cons:
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Heavy meal pacing
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No cooking involved
🎯 Perfect for: Food lovers who prefer tastings over cooking.
8. Cooking Class with a Nonna in Sicily
Region: Sicily (Palermo/Catania)
Duration: 5–6 hours
Highlights:
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Learn secret recipes passed down generations.
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Cook dishes like caponata, pasta alla Norma, or arancini.
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Enjoy Sicilian wine while dining with the host family.
There’s nothing more authentic than learning to cook from an Italian grandmother. Viator offers this heartwarming experience where the love of food is shared over laughter, stories, and wine.
Unique Aspect:
The food comes with stories—family history is part of the meal.
✅ Pros:
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Deeply personal experience
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Learn rare, home-style recipes
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Excellent value
❌ Cons:
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Limited to certain regions
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May be less formal in structure
🎯 Perfect for: Cultural travelers looking for emotional connection and flavor.
9. Parma Ham, Cheese, and Wine Tour
Region: Emilia-Romagna
Duration: Full-day
Highlights:
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Visit a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory.
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Tour prosciutto di Parma curing rooms.
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Sample wines like Lambrusco or Malvasia.
This is a tour for the senses. Watch as wheels of cheese are made, hams are cured, and wine is poured—all in one delicious day. It’s an education in flavor that will change how you view Italian products.
Traveler Tip:
Buy vacuum-packed cheese and ham to take home!
✅ Pros:
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Very educational
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Ideal for cheese and ham lovers
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Includes generous samples
❌ Cons:
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Travel between locations may be lengthy
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Not ideal for vegetarians
🎯 Perfect for: Carnivores and cheese lovers on a flavor journey.
10. Puglia Olive Oil & Wine Tour
Region: Puglia (Lecce/Alberobello/Ostuni)
Duration: Half-day
Highlights:
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Walk through ancient olive groves.
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Tour an olive oil mill and a vineyard.
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Enjoy bruschetta, wine, and local delicacies.
Puglia is known for its earthy, rustic flavors and some of the best olive oil in the world. This Viator experience lets you taste oil straight from the press and wines made under the Apulian sun.
Best Time to Visit:
Fall harvest season (September–November).
✅ Pros:
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Beautiful rural setting
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Unique olive oil knowledge
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Great regional flavors
❌ Cons:
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Best during harvest season
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Rural tours may have transport limitations
🎯 Perfect for: Travelers seeking hidden gems of southern Italy.
Tips to Maximize Your Viator Food & Wine Tour in Italy
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Book Early: Popular tours can sell out quickly, especially in peak season.
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Check Dietary Needs: Many tours offer vegetarian or gluten-free alternatives.
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Dress Comfortably: Some involve walking, farm visits, or kitchen work.
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Bring a Bag: You’ll want to buy olive oil, wine, or snacks to take home.
🥂 Final Thoughts: Taste Italy One Tour at a Time
From the truffle-rich forests of Piedmont to the lemon-scented cliffs of Amalfi, every Viator food & wine experience in Italy brings you closer to the heart of Italian culture. These aren’t just meals—they’re stories, memories, and connections.
If you’re planning a bigger European trip, don’t forget to explore our blog on Best Budget-Friendly Viator Day Trips from Paris.
Whether you’re indulging in a Roman carbonara, sipping Chianti in Tuscany, or rolling cannoli in Sicily, Viator’s food and wine experiences in Italy offer more than just a meal—they offer a story, a tradition, and a deep cultural connection. Each of these tours has been carefully selected for its authenticity, quality, and unforgettable flavors.
And while Italy is perfect for indulgence, if you’re also exploring budget-friendly options, especially in nearby cities, check out our best Viator day trips from Paris on a budget.
🍝 Ready to Eat Your Way Through Italy?
👉 Book Your Italian Culinary Adventure Now on Viator
Spaces fill fast—your taste buds deserve this journey.