The ultimate food tour to the Cinque Terre & Bologna
Join us for a dreamy week on the coast of Liguria and in the heart of Emilia-Romagna to enjoy a one-of-a-kind itinerary. We’ll hike by the sea, stay in spectacular hotels, and eat some of the best food you have had in your entire life.
Unlike our other food tours, this brand new tour was specifically designed to create a particularly intimate dynamic among attendees by limiting the group size to only 18 women.
2025 Fall Tour Information
If you intend to come on one of our tours, please read all of the trip and signup information carefully, as we have changed our signup process for fall 2025 tours. Our trips have historically sold out immediately and if you’re interested in coming, we want to ensure you have all the details squared away!
On Monday, October 14th, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time (10 MT/11 CT/12 ET) we will email our subscribers a special link granting them access to an online calendar, where they can sign up for a tour registration appointment via Zoom. Calls will take place on the morning of October 15th, and individuals will be able to select their tour of choice, room package, and specify their travel companion(s). The earliest appointments will have the highest likelihood of securing a spot on a tour as well as the biggest selection of inventory.
After the call, each attendee will be sent an invoice of $1000 per room ($500 applied toward each individual’s total tour amount) and a registration form, which they will have 24 hours to complete. If the registration form and deposit are not completed/paid within 24 hours, their spot will be given to the next guest on the waiting list.
PLEASE READ: Only ONE appointment per group is needed. You MUST have a travel companion to book any available room for any of our Fall 2025 tours (see our Rome Tour & Tuscany Tour pages for more info). Do not make multiple appointments once the appointment portal is live on Monday morning. Email subscribers only will receive a special link to make their appointment. To ensure you receive this information, please subscribe to our email list.
We are so excited to continue to offer as many trips as possible to our guests, and welcome Michelle Bodine, a two-time trip alumna and our life-of-the-party friend, as a host alongside Brooke on our 2025 tours.
Tour Dates | Host | Availability |
---|---|---|
September 14-21, 2025 | Brooke | Sold out |
September 21-28, 2025 | Michelle | Sold out |
Important Details About This Tour:
- Each guest must have a designated travel companion to book.
- We are unable to cater to dietary restrictions. We will be eating a substantial amount of seafood on this tour and discourage picky eaters or those with an aversion to seafood from joining this particular tour.
- We will be hiking and going up and down several flights of stairs on this tour. All participants should be able to comfortably complete a moderately strenuous 7-mile hike, walk an average of 15,000 steps per day, and be able to carry a carry-on suitcase and a backpack up and down multiple flights of stairs comfortably.
- Schedule is subject to change.
Testimonials From Previous Tours
Tour Itinerary
Sunday: Arrive in Florence
Welcome reception at hotel in Florence. Opening dinner.
Monday: Arrive in Cinque Terre & Cooking Class
Breakfast at hotel. Train to the Cinque Terre. Check into hotel and enjoy free time. Cooking class and dinner with view from hotel.
Tuesday: Hike between Villages
Breakfast at hotel. Hike through Cinque Terre National Park. Relaxation at pool or beach. Dinner at restaurant hosted by local, Ruth Manfredi.
Wednesday: Boat ride & Walking food tour
Breakfast at hotel. Boat ride to neighboring fishing village of Camogli. Walking food tour and free time. Dinner in Levanto.
Thursday: Intro to Bologna
Breakfast at hotel. Train to Bologna. Check into 5-star hotel. Walking tour of historic center. Chef’s tasting menu dinner at restaurant.
Friday: Parmigiano Reggiano tour
Breakfast at hotel. Parmigiano Reggiano tour & balsamic vinegar tasting. Lunch on your own. Dinner at local restaurant.
Saturday: Carpigiani Gelato Museum
Breakfast at hotel. Free time & shopping. Lunch at restaurant. Gelato class & museum tour. Closing dinner at hotel.
Sunday: Depart from Bologna
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport.
What Previous Guests Say About Our Tours…
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included?
- 7-night accommodations including 3 nights at three-star hotel in the cinque terre and 3 nights at a five-star hotel in Bologna.
- Daily breakfast at the hotels.
- Nine group meals (combination of lunches and dinners)
- Six meals at Female Foodie approved restaurants.
- Ligurian cooking class in the Cinque Terre
- Meet & greet aperitivo and dinner with local & Cinque Terre expert Ruth Manfredi
- Historic guided tour through Bologna city center
- Group hike through the Cinque Terre National Park
- Small group walking food tour of Ligurian fishing village
- Tour of Parmigiano Reggiano facility
- Balsamic vinegar tasting
- Gelato class & museum tour at Carpigiani Gelato Museum
- Entrance fees to sites on tours
- Transportation for all activities including group tours, travel from city to city, and from the hotel to airport upon departure
What’s not included?
- Flights
- Transfer from airport to hotel upon arrival
- Passport costs
- Four meals
- Tips for drivers, tour guides, and restaurants
- Extra taxi costs in addition to daily transportation provided
- Personal expenses/incidentals
Do I need to be vaccinated for Covid-19 to come on this trip?
Contrary to previous trips, we are no longer requiring vaccinations for trip attendance, however, it remains a recommendation due to the previous restrictions per the Italian government.
Who can come?
All Female Foodie tour guests must be female ages 18 and up.
What is the refund/cancellation policy?
Tickets are non-refundable beyond April 30, 2025, however, they may be transferred after this date. $500 of the original deposit is non-refundable at any time.
Can I come on this trip solo?
You must have a designated travel companion to come on the trip.
Which airport will I need to fly into?
Guests will need to fly into the Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) and out of the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ).
I have dietary restrictions, can I come on the tour?
We are unable to cater to dietary restrictions for this tour.
Pricing
Please note: All hotel rooms for the entire duration of the tour are twin ensuite rooms. Deluxe Room packages are for slightly larger rooms (Bologna) and rooms with the best views (Cinque Terre).
Room Type | September 14-21, 2025 Cost/Person | September 21-28, 2025 Cost/Person |
---|---|---|
Deluxe Room | $7,875 | $7,375 |
Superior Room | $7,100 | $6,600 |
Fall Tours Payment Schedule
- Initial Deposit: $1000 deposit due upon booking (good for two people)
- Second Payment: 33% of the remaining balance due on December 15, 2024
- Third Payment: 33% of the remaining balance due on March 15, 2025
- Final Payment: 33% of the remaining balance due on June 15, 2025
Terms & Conditions
- Tickets are non-refundable beyond April 30, 2025.
- $500 of the original deposit is non-refundable at any time, however, your ticket is transferrable after this date.
- By agreeing to the terms of service, you agree that you are female age 18 or older and you agree to the payment schedule.
- Only one deposit of $1,000 is required to reserve a spot for each guest and their travel companion. $500 is deducted from the total trip cost per person after the initial deposit has been paid.
Meet the Team
Brooke Eliason: Host
Hi! I’m Brooke, and I believe deeply that life is too short to eat bad food. My love language is throwing dinner parties and I’ve now hosted over 200 women on our life-changing food tours to Italy. I look forward to showing you my favorite parts of my favorite place (and eating copious amounts of gelato)!
Michelle Bodine: Host
Hi! I’m Michelle. I’m a mom to four and grandma Mishie to six. I love water skiing, star gazing, traveling with my family, and of course, eating good food (and better dessert.) I’m a two on the enneagram and the life of the party. I can’t wait to make your trip the most fun! Ciao!
Colette Stevens: Trip Leader
Hi there, I’m Colette! I love camping out for front-row concert views, shopping for funky fashion, and planning themed parties with friends. I worked as a waitress and event planner while earning a B.S. in Microbiology. I’ve assisted Brooke with trips to for the past two years, and I can’t wait to join you in Italy!
Set Your Alarms!
On Monday, October 14th, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time (10 MT/11 CT/12 ET) we will email our subscribers a special link granting them access to an online calendar, where they can sign up for a tour registration appointment via Zoom. Calls will take place on the morning of October 15th, and individuals will be able to select their tour of choice, room package, and specify their travel companion(s).
Email subscribers only will receive a special link to make their appointment. To ensure you receive this information, please subscribe to our email list here.
See our other food tours:
Rome, Italy
Explore Rome’s iconic sites, including the Vatican and Colosseum, enjoy a private dinner, and indulge in a 12-course pizza feast at Pepe in Grani. Retreat to a countryside villa, learn pasta-making with Italian Nonnas, and savor unforgettable flavors and culture.
Tuscany, Italy
Explore the heart of Florence! From rooftop receptions and pasta-making with Italian chefs to iconic art museums and Tuscan cooking classes, each day offers unforgettable experiences. Savor a traditional Florentine steak dinner, take a day trip to Siena, and unwind in a countryside villa.