TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wander small hilltowns and medieval villages

  • Walk Florence's back streets on a private artisan tour, watching leather, paint, and stone become something else in real time

  • Taste your way through Emilia-Romagna: parmesan cellars, balsamic barrels, a rare Vin Santo estate

  • Farm-to-table lunch at a working vineyard

  • A hands-on workshop in Florence on the craft of script and storytelling

  • Free days built into both Parma and Florence, yours to fill however you want

  • A few surprises along the way we're not giving away yet

  • Trattoria dinners built around Italy's best comfort food, the dishes that never make a "top 10" list

TOUR PRICE $4795.00

Italy gets under your ribs the moment you land and never quite lets go, first time or hundredth. You don't come here to see everything. You come here to feel everything again, out loud, without apologizing for how much room your joy takes up.

Three nights in Parma, three in Florence. Mornings that start slow over cappuccino e cornetto in a cafe that hasn't changed its recipe in a century. Nights that run long at a table with too much food and too many stories, in a country that has never once been embarrassed by its own beauty. You'll sleep in a palazzo turned hotel, walk streets worn smooth by better shoes than yours, and somewhere around day three you'll stop performing fine and just be, delighted, and with a heart full.

Old World Italia, for the one who is done being careful with their joy.

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TRIP OVERVIEW

TRIP PRICE: $4795.00

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Beautiful, centrally located accommodations double occupancy; $1195.00 Single supplement fee

  • Most meals (6 Breakfast, 3 lunches, 4 Dinners)

  • Food and wine tastings throughout the tour

  • Sudden Journeys Tour Director

  • A small, friendly group of 10 people

  • All ground transportation

  • All sightseeing, events, and visits as noted in the itinerary

  • All entrance fees, service charges, and standard taxes

  • Coach Driver, local guides and restaurant gratuities

  • Special dinner and welcome drinks

  • Custom-designed gifts for your travels

  • Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Arrival Airport: Milan - Train to Parma Rail Station

Departure Airport: Florence/Milan/Rome

Note: The itinerary is descriptive, not definitive, and is subject to change. There also may be modifications due to weather, restoration works taking place are historic sites, and availability of local activities and guides.

ACCOMMODATIONS

THREE NIGHTS IN PARMA

This family-run hotel is located in a historic 13th-century palazzo near Piazza del Duomo, steps from Parma Cathedral and the Baptistery of Parma. It's close to shopping and dining, offering opportunities to enjoy Parma's cuisine and culture. Accommodations reflect the building's charm with antique furniture and warm colors.

THREE NIGHTS IN FLORENCE

Our Florence hotel near the beautiful Piazza della Libertà celebrates both Renaissance and Postmodern interiors across two spectacular buildings. The hotel boasts a coastal-inspired restaurant, a vibrant wine bar, a huge garden terrace and is located in a quiet neighborhood.

TOUR LEADER: KYLE CAMPBELL

FOUNDER OF SUDDEN JOURNEYS

Kyle bought a one-way ticket to Florence at twenty-four and never quite came all the way home. What began as a year studying Italian turned into twenty-seven years of returning, again and again, until the country stopped being a place she visited and became a place that held a piece of her. She's spent her career since leading travelers through Italy and beyond, but this tour is built from her own address book, not a guidebook. These aren't stops she researched, they're rooms she's already sat in. Having lived inside Italy rather than just passed through it, Kyle has seen the country from angles most visitors never get close to, the version locals keep for people they trust. After leading thousands of travelers across Europe over more than two decades, she knows exactly which moments make a trip stay with you long after the suitcase is unpacked. This one, more than any other on her calendar, is personal.

 

PHOTOS FROM PAST OLD WORLD ITALIA TOURS

DAY ONE (Arrival Day) Our journey together begins at the Parma Rail Station. Here we will gather together, and stop for coffee for a time of introductions before traveling to the hotel. After you’ve settled in, we will meet our local guide for a stroll through Parma's picturesque streets. Later we will gather for an aperitivo hour and an unforgettable dinner at one of Parma's most celebrated restaurants. This is our chance to connect, learn one another’s stories, and toast to the magic that is sure to unfold when cultures collide.

  • Walking tour Parma

  • Welcome drinks and dinner

  • Free Time: late afternoon at the hotel

Light walking: 1-2 miles throughout the afternoon. Sleep in pARMA.

DAY TWO (Emilia Romagna)
This morning, our journey takes us to the picturesque Castello di Vigoleno set in the Piacenza hills, where history and architecture intertwine in a mesmerizing display. Wander through its cobbled streets and immerse yourself in its timeless setting. Next, we will visit a special winery, where we will learn all about the production of award-winning Vin Santo. This is the only winery that makes this dessert wine. After lunch, stroll through the charming medieval village of Castell'Arquato, where every corner reveals a new facet of its old-world charm. Immerse yourself in the serenity of this ancient town, basking in the beauty of its well-preserved architecture and captivating vistas. This place doesn’t even seem real. Conclude the day by returning to Parma for an evening of leisure and dining on your own.

  • Explore the villages Castello di Vigoleno and Castell’Arquato.

  • Visit a special winery Vin Santo of Vigoleno

  • Lunch: Local area restaurant

  • Free Time: Dinner in Parma

Light walking: 2-4 miles throughout the day, light hills and stairs. Bus 1 hr 45 mins. Sleep in Parma.

DAY THREE (Emilia Romagna)
Today, we will set out early for a day filled with culinary delights and historical intrigue. Our journey will take us to the heart of the region as we visit the producers of world-renowned parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar, offering an opportunity for tastings at each stop. Amidst the picturesque hills, we will linger over lunch which promises to be a memorable experience. In the afternoon, we will have the chance to explore the remarkable 15th-century Torrechiara Castle, an architectural marvel that boasts stunning frescoed rooms and captivating views from its exterior. Dinner together in the evening.

  • Guided tours of producers of parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar

  • Lunch at a farm to table restaurant located at a local vineyard

  • Explore Torrechiara Castle

  • Dinner together in one of the best restaurants not just in the region but in all of Italy.

Moderate walking: 2-4 miles throughout the day, moderate hills and stairs. Bus 2 hrs. Sleep in PARMA.

DAY FOUR ( Florence) Parma lets go of us this morning, and Italy pulls us south. If the road offers up a worthy stop for lunch, we'll take it, some unassuming spot that turns out to be exactly what you didn't know you needed. Once we check into the hotel, we will set off on a walking tour of central Florence including a visit to the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. This renowned establishment, dating back to the 13th century, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of perfumery and herbal remedies. Here you can immerse yourself in the stories and craftsmanship behind the products, gaining insight into centuries-old practices. Dinner together in the evening.

  • Florence walking tour

  • Visit Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella

  • Free Time: Morning in Parma

Moderate walking: 4-6 miles throughout the day and stairs. Bus 2 1/2 hrs. Sleep in Florence.

DAY FIVE (Florence) Immerse yourself in the beating heart of Florence! Our day begins with a timeless ritual at the city’s oldest cafe, for coffee and pastries. A perfect prelude to the day awaiting us. Join our local guide, a passionate storyteller, who will unveil the secrets of Florentine craftsmanship. Step through the curtains of workshops, witnessing the magic unfold of leathermakers, painters, bookmakers, sculptors, jewelers, and more. Feel the artist's passion ignite your creative spirit. After an insightful morning, we will enjoy a special lunch experience together. As the afternoon unfolds, Florence is yours to explore at your own pace. Wander through ancient city streets, lose yourself in museums, or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere. As the sun dips low, the city transforms, twinkling lights painting the scene with a touch of romance.

  • Coffee at Florence’s oldest cafe

  • Unique artisan walking tour

  • Free Time: all afternoon and evening. Dinner on your own.

Moderate walking: 4-6 miles throughout the day. NO BUS. Sleep in Florence.

DAY SIX (Florence) Today is yours, mostly. No set itinerary, no meeting point, just a full free day inside a city that rewards people who wander without an agenda. Sleep late, chase down a museum you didn't get to earlier in the week, find the market stall selling the good leather goods, or do nothing at all and call it well spent. Come evening, save some appetite and some energy, because tonight is the one we've been building toward all week, a farewell feast. Our final evening will be an affair to remember and promises to be a crescendo to an unforgettable week together.

  • Free time: late afternoon in Florence

  • Farewell feast

Moderate walking: Sleep in Florence.

DAY SEVEN (Departure Day) After an amazing 6 days together, it is time to leave. You will depart the hotel for the train station in Florence or the airport. 

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MORE TOUR INFORMATION

  • This tour is about exploring Italy through the culture of food. Most of the activities and events over the first few days focus on food. You can expect big meals and snacks along the way.

    Many of the meals revolve around local food traditions, including meat and almost always cheese and pasta. If you are a vegetarian, lactose intolerant, or gluten-free, then this is probably not the tour for you.

  • Full days with room to breathe. Mornings are usually structured around a guided visit, tasting, or walk, afternoons and evenings loosen up, and two full days are left entirely open. This isn't a trip where you're back on the bus every ninety minutes

  •  Boutique hotels with real character, including a palazzo turned hotel in Florence. I make sure the beds are comfortable and the locations are safe and accessible.

  • Cool and often crisp, generally 45 to 60°F (7 to 15°C) in both Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, with a real chance of rain. Layers, a warm jacket, and a compact umbrella earn their place in your bag.

  • While in the Emilia Romagna region, we will explore a new tour or village daily. This means early departures, sometimes walking up to an hour at a time and out all day. These days are not overly strenuous but you need to be able to keep up with the group.

  • Almost never. Solo travelers make up a meaningful share of every group Kyle leads, and the trip is built around shared meals and shared walks specifically so nobody spends the week on their own unless they want to.

  • The trip begins at the Parma hotel on October 31st and ends at your Florence hotel on November 6th, from which you're free to head to the Florence train station or airport. Most travelers fly into Milan or Bologna and take the train to Parma, and fly out of Florence or connect through a larger hub. Happy to help you figure out timing once your flights are booked.

  • No. Kyle does, and so does every guide and host you'll meet along the way. Bring curiosity, not a phrasebook.description

 

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