Welcome Message
I am delighted to invite you to join me in Italy; a journey that feels like a love letter written in food, history, and beauty.
​We’ll begin in Florence, where Renaissance treasures and Tuscan flavors set the stage.Together, we’ll roll out fresh pasta and churn creamy gelato on a family farm, stroll cobblestone streets beneath the Duomo, and visit hill towns where medieval towers rise above vineyards. In Siena and San Gimignano, we’ll pause for a winery lunch, savoring rustic dishes and regional wines before continuing on to Rome. There, we’ll tour the Eternal City by golf cart, cook in a Roman kitchen, and even spin through storied streets in vintage Fiat 500s. Our final days will carry us south to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento; where time slows, the sea sparkles, and we’ll raise a farewell toast to friendships made along the way.
This Italian journey is complete on its own, an unforgettable exploration of flavors, history, and sunshine.
For those who wish to begin their travels even earlier, you may also join me in Paris beforehand, where Julia Child and Ina Garten’s Paris comes alive before we bid Paris Adieu and gather again in Florence for our Italian adventure.
With warmth,
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Patti Carter
Day by Day Itinerary
Benvenuti in Italia!
Whether arriving fresh from Paris or beginning your journey here, the next ten days unfold like a love letter to Italy — from Renaissance Florence to the eternal streets of Rome, ending with the sun-kissed coastlines of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
September 20 – Florence Welcome
Touch down in Florence and transfer to the elegant Hotel Lucchesi, set along the Arno with sweeping views of the city’s rooftops. This evening, we gather on the rooftop terrace for a welcome reception, watching the light soften over the Duomo. Dinner follows at a local restaurant, where Tuscan flavors and regional wines set the stage for our days ahead.
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Breakfast & Dinner included
September 21 – Pasta & Gelato
Today is a delicious immersion into the art of Italian cooking. In a private class, we’ll learn the secrets to silky handmade pasta and creamy gelato. Set in a private family farm just outside of Florence, our hosts will guide us and bring centuries of tradition to life. We will then sit down for an al fresco lunch and enjoy our delicious creations and the warm hospitality of our gracious hosts. We’ll get back to our hotel in the late afternoon and the rest of the day we are free to wander Florence’s cobblestone streets, shop for artisan treasures, or enjoy a rustic meal in one of the many trattorias within walking distance of our hotel. As you stroll back to your hotel you may even run into a few opera singers performing in one of the many piazzas. Sing along if you like or simply enjoy yet another memorable moment with so much more to come.
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Breakfast & Lunch included
September 22 – Florence Uncovered
Our half-day walking tour reveals the city’s most celebrated landmarks — the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and the Florence Cathedral, whose dome remains a marvel of Renaissance engineering. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish, perhaps visiting a museum, tracing Michelangelo’s steps, or indulging in the city’s stylish boutiques.
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Breakfast included
September 23 – Tuscan Hill Towns
Today we venture into the rolling Tuscan countryside to the medieval gem of San Gimignano, and Siena where stone towers rise above vineyards and olive groves. In addition to visiting these two Tuscan gems, we will stop at the highly acclaimed La Marronaia winery where we will enjoy a traditional Tuscan Lunch - think local cold cuts, crostini, handmade pasta, and seasonal vegetables. Topped with a wine tasting. A complete immersion in the everyday flavors of our region. This day is the perfect mix of art, history, gorgeous Tuscan views, food and wine!
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Breakfast & Lunch included
September 24 – On to Rome (with a Detour)
En route to Rome, we’ll stop in Deruta, famed for its hand-painted ceramics, with time to browse the workshops and perhaps choose a piece to take home. Arriving in the capital, we check into the Una Hotel Trastevere Roma, blending modern comfort with a prime location near the city’s ancient heart.
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Breakfast included
September 25 – Rome by Golf Cart
See the Eternal City in style during a guided golf-cart tour, winding through piazzas, fountains, and hidden streets. In the afternoon, choose your own path — step inside the Vatican Museums to stand before the Sistine Chapel or explore the ancient grandeur of the Colosseum. Your choice of afternoon entrance tickets is included.
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Breakfast included
September 26 – Flavors & Fiats
Today, we roll up our sleeves in a Roman cooking class, preparing classic dishes before sitting down to enjoy them. Later, we’ll experience the joys of an evening tour of Rome’s storied streets in our own chauffeur driven vintage Fiat 500’s. A magical end to our time in Rome and a playful nod to La Dolce Vita.
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Breakfast & Lunch included
September 27 – Pompeii & Vesuvius
We depart Rome for the south, pausing for a tour of Pompeii to walk its remarkably preserved streets frozen in time. Lunch awaits at Cantine del Vesuvio, where volcanic soils shape the vineyards and the wines we’ll taste. Continuing to Sorrento, we settle into our coastal hotel with the evening free.
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Breakfast & Lunch included
September 28 – The Amalfi Coast
A full day excursion sweeps us along the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic curves and colorful villages. Visiting the villages of Ravello and Amalfi we’ll pause in Positano for lunch at the famous La Tagliata Restaurant. A true farm to table experience with breathtaking views across the sea, before returning to Sorrento.
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Breakfast & Lunch included
September 29 – A Day for You
Today is yours to savor Sorrento and the rest of the jewels of the coast at your own pace. Ferry tickets are provided should you wish to visit the island of Capri or you may choose to visit a beach club and swim in the azure, blue waters, taste limoncello, or make your own mozzarella. The choices are infinite. Or you can linger on a sun dappled terrace and do what the Italians call Il dolce far niente - the sweetness of doing nothing! This evening, we gather for our farewell dinner, raising a final toast to Italy’s beauty, history and warmth.
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Breakfast & Dinner included
September 30 - Arrivederci
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Italy, hearts and suitcases full, and begin our journey home. Or onward to the next adventure. Transfer from Sorrento to Naples is provided.
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Breakfast included
Meet Your Guide
About Patti Carter
Patti Carter is a travel expert and advisor with over 40 years of experience in planning, creating, and escorting both groups as well as individual travelers. Her long-time clients appreciate working with an expert who understands their needs, and that can customize arrangements to suit all travel styles. She does it all from luxury cruises to African safaris, and family adventures.
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Being Italian born, Patti specializes in Europe and Italy in particular. She came from a family of chefs and restauranteurs, so she naturally has a passion for cooking, food and wine. When she is not traveling, or planning amazing trips, Patti can be found at home with her husband and pups, firing up their wood fired oven, and entertaining dear family and friends.
Patti knows Italy like the back of her hand. We felt so special to have her as a travel agent, because it really made each experience personal. We knew where the locals would go, what they would be doing, and were able to avoid the tourists (for the most part) and really become immersed in the ambiance and customs.
- Chelsea
Cancellation Schedule
Pricing From
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Cancellation More Than 90 Days Before Departure: You will receive a full refund minus a $500 per person admin fee
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Cancellation 60-89 Days Before Departure: A penalty of 30% of the booking price will be charged.
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Cancellation 30-59 Days Before Departure: A penalty of 50% of the booking price will be charged.
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Cancellation Less Than 30 Days Before Departure: No refund will be provided, and 100% of the program price will be charged as the penalty.
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$7,995 per person (double occupancy)
$9,995 per person (single occupancy) -
Includes hotel and land arrangements as shown on the itinerary.
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EXCLUSIONS: Airfare, Travel Insurance, Services and Meals not outlined in itinerary
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Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure