ITALY. 2028

Eat Well. Wander Slowly.
Fall in Love with Italy

Italy: Food, Culture & La Dolce Vita

2027 coming soon

13 days | Florence · Tuscany · Ligurian Coast


Slow down. Savour Italy.

There is a rhythm to life in Italy that is difficult to describe until you experience it. Mornings begin with coffee and pastry, markets overflow with produce. Lunches stretch into the afternoon. Art, history and beauty that seem to appear around every corner.

Our 13-day Italian journey takes you from the Renaissance heart of Florence into the rolling hills of Tuscany before finishing winding towards the Ligurian Coast and then. Along the way we’ll cook, taste, wander, meet local people and experience Italy at a pace that leaves room to really take it in.  

The 2026 journey is sold out, and we are now taking expressions of interest for 2027.

The Journey - A Snapshot

DAYS 1-3

Florence -Food, Art & the Italian Way of Life

Begin in Florence and experience the city through its food, art, markets and rich history. Wander local streets, discover hidden gems and enjoy plenty of time around the table sharing stories.

Highlights

  • Local food markets
  • Food walking experiences
  • Art, architecture and history
  • Local dining
  • Florence through the eyes of a local

DAYS 4-8

Tuscany - Villa Life, Vineyards & Long Lunches

We leave Florence for five beautiful days in the Tuscan countryside, with our villa as home. Think charming towns, vineyards, cooking, truffles and plenty of time to simply enjoy villa life. 

Highlights

  • Five days in a Tuscan villa
  • Villages and local producers
  • Wine experience and tastings
  • Truffle hunting

DAYS 9-11

Ligurian Coast Cinque Terre, Portofino & the Riviera

From Tuscany, we head to the coast for colourful villages, sparkling Mediterranean water and relaxed coastal living. Explore Cinque Terre and Portofino, taste the flavours of Liguria and leave time to wander.

 Highlights

  • The Italian Riviera
  • Cinque Terre
  • Portofino
  • Regional food and local dining
  • Cooking experience

DAYS 12-13

Lucca -One Last Taste of Tuscany

For the final chapter we return to Tuscany and the beautiful walled city of Lucca. Wander its historic streets, enjoy one last share meal and slow down enough to savour the final moments together.

Highlights

  • Historic Lucca
  • Beautiful piazzas and laneways
  • Local food and final shared meals
  • Tuscancooking experience

The Italy you feel, not just see.

Italy Journey Information

DATE
October 2027 – exact date to be confirmed.

START LOCATION
Florence

END LOCATION
Lucca

ACCOMMODATION
4 – 4.5 star accommodation

TRAVELLERS
Maximum 15 travellers 

JOURNEY COST
To be confirmed

What’s Included

  • Accommodation throughout the 13-day journey
  • Breakfast each day
  • Dinners throughout the journey
  • Most lunches
  • Local food experiences
  • Cooking experiences
  • Market and tasting experiences
  • Florence food and cultural experiences
  • Wine tour and tastings
  • Truffle hunting
  • Ligurian Coast experiences
  • Ground transportation throughout the tour
  • Transport to included experiences and destinations
What’s not Included
  • International flights to and from Italy
  • Personal travel insurance — this is compulsory
  • Personal shopping and expenses
  • Alcohol and additional beverages not included in the itinerary.

Is this Journey for You?​

This journey is for travellers who want to experience Italy slowly – through its food,
people , culture and everyday rhythm, rather then simply ticking sights off a list.  

YOU'LL LOVE THIS JOURNEY IF YOU...

You don’t need to be vegan or vegetarian to join us. Our journeys celebrate beautiful, plant-rich food and show just how extraordinary vegetables, grains, legumes, herbs, olive oil and seasonal produce can be when they’re treated the Italian way.

There’s no judgement around anyone’s plate — just good food, curiosity and the chance to experience something new.

Meet Your Hosts

Fiona Anchal

Food lover. Italian at heart. And bringing a little mama energy to every journey.

For Fi, Italy has always been personal.

Growing up in an Italian family food was never simply food. It was love. It was family. It was people crowded around a table, another plate appearing when you were certain you couldn’t eat another thing and conversations continuing long after dinner should have finished.

Italy brings together so many of the things she loves most — beautiful food, family traditions, local markets, cooking, travel and bringing people together.

On tour, Fi brings plenty of warmth, care and just the right amount of mama energy. She’s quietly making sure everyone is comfortable, well fed and has what they need — often before they’ve even thought to ask.

If you’re wondering what’s happening tomorrow, she’s got you.

If you’re wondering where we’re eating next, there’s an extremely good chance she’s already thinking about that too.Italy has long held a special place in Fi’s heart through her family heritage and many visits over the years.

Barbara Lafaretta

Florence born. Italian local. Travel designer. Storyteller of her homeland.

Born in Florence, Barbara is Italian through and through. She knows the language, understands the culture and has spent her life living, travelling and working throughout Italy.

Professionally, Barbara creates travel experiences for a living. She is an experienced travel designer and a qualified tour guide, with knowledge spanning Italian art, history and nature.

What that means for us is invaluable.

She knows what lies behind the beautiful façade. She can explain the painting you’re standing in front of, tell you the history behind the street you’re walking down and introduce you to places, people and stories you would never find travelling independently.

She also speaks the language, knows how Italy works on the ground and brings local relationships and contacts that allow us to experience Italy in a much more personal way.

Barbara isn’t simply showing us Italy.  She’s helping us understand it.

Italy 2027

Ready to Taste Italy?

Come for the food.  Discover so much more.

Thirteen days. Four very different destinations. Countless plates shared around tables. New flavours, new people, plenty of laughter — and a side of Italy most travellers never get the chance to experience.

We’ll take care of the details.

What our Travellers Say

REAL STORIES. UNFORGETABLE JOURNEYS

“I had never done an organised overseas tour before so was not sure what to expect. Normally we just make up our own itinerary. I can assure you that I did not need to worry, thanks to the amazing hard work of both Fiona and Lisa every detail and more was taken care of. I could not ask for more. The tour to magical Malaysia was outstanding, including a diverse amount of activities from bustling cities to mountain rainforest to sunshine and beach. All of which was highlighted by an abundant amount of amazing, fresh, tasty and nourishing local food. Our tour was blessed with amazing like minded people, we sang, we danced, we drank, we ate, we shared stories and above all we laughed and then laughed some more. I can highly recommend this tour, you will not be disappointed. With immense gratitude for all you do Fiona and Lisa”

Kim and Phil Simpson

“From the moment we heard about the Wholesome Bellies plant-based food tour of Malaysia, we were intrigued — and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. Fi and Lisa curated an exceptional journey, blending incredible local food experiences with rich cultural sightseeing. Their deep local knowledge, combined with an understanding of what would resonate with an Australian group, made the itinerary feel perfectly tailored and seamless. Although we don’t typically follow a plant-based diet, this tour opened our eyes (and taste buds!) to a whole new world of flavours we wouldn’t normally try — and that made the experience even more special. Fi and Lisa also thoughtfully accommodated gluten-free needs, ensuring everyone was included and well cared for. What truly elevated the trip was sharing it all with a wonderful group of like-minded people. We made unforgettable memories, shared countless laughs, and left with full hearts, full bellies, and nourished souls. If you’re considering joining this tour — don’t hesitate. Run, don’t walk!

Karen and Michael Daniels

“We can’t thank Fi and Lisa enough for the incredible plant-based food and cultural tour of Malaysia! James and I had an absolutely wonderful experience exploring the vibrant and diverse regions of Kuala Lumpur, the lush Cameron Highlands, and the stunning island of Langkawi. Every destination brought something unique and unforgettable. From start to finish, the trip was so thoughtfully planned — every detail was taken care of, and all of our transfers were smooth and stress-free. Fi made sure that plant-based preferences were not only catered for but truly celebrated — the food was consistently delicious, fresh, and full of flavour. It was such a joy to discover the rich food culture of Malaysia in this way. One of the most special parts of the experience was having Lisa’s deep local knowledge and connection to Malaysia. Her understanding of the culture, customs, and language brought a sense of authenticity and warmth that made the journey even more meaningful. It felt like we were experiencing the country through the eyes of a friend who knew and loved it deeply. What truly made the trip unforgettable was the group — a fun, warm, and open-hearted community. We laughed, shared stories, and made genuine connections that we’ll treasure. We came home with full hearts, happy taste buds, and new friendships. Thank you again, Fi and Lisa, for such a joyful, delicious, and soul-nourishing adventure. We’re so grateful!

James Karen Caston

Have Questions?

We’re always happy to chat. If there’s anything you’d like to know about the journey, food, accommodation or travelling with us, just get in touch.

Join the Waitlist

Thinking about joining us? Send us a note and you’ll be the first to know when we launch 2027 dates.

🔒 We’ll only use your details to respond to your enquiry.

✉︎ Prefer email?  Email us at [email protected]