Ciao Bella!
Italy Foodie Tour
06 - 16 May 2026
About the tour
Ciao Bella!
Join Cherie Metcalfe from Pepper & Me and Erin from Her Tribe Travels on this fabulous foodie tour of Italy!
Taking in the the best 'foodie experiences' in the best food destination in the world.
See the famous sights of Rome and indulge your tastebuds at the buzzy Mercato Centrale in Florence before we make our way to a secret spot in Tuscany. Here we will indulge in the 'big family Italian tradition' of a long lunch or dinner in a local village!
And finally if that's not enough culinary delight to tempt you... we wind our way down to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast... where life is all about celebrating and savouring the only way Italian's know how... with incredible foodie experiences of course!
Need we say more! Join us and come experience La Dolce Vita (the good life)!
About your tour hosts
Erin Mitchell
As Director and head Travel Designer at Her Tribe Travels, Erin Mitchell knows a thing or two about travel and escorting tours.
Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, Erin has a passion for people and delivering unique and meaningful travel experiences. Erin has escorted corporate and leisure groups to all corners of the globe so you can be assured you are in safe, reliable and capable hands.
Having launched Her Tribe Travels in late 2019, sadly Covid19 interrupted what was going to be an amazing lineup of tours for 2020 and beyond. With two successful tours to India in 2019 and early 2020 and a tour to Vivid Sydney in 2024, Erin is so excited to reignite her passion for travel. Having recently hosted 2025 tours to India, Bali and Vietnam, Erin is looking forward to returning to Italy in 2026, one of her favourite foodie destinations!
Cherie Metcalfe
Cherie Metcalfe is the founder of Pepper and Me, one of New Zealand’s most loved food brands.
Pepper and Me makes award winning sauces, spices, rubs, salts and mayos - and everything in between.
In a former life, Cherie was living the dream as a chef on super yachts, which sparked her love for food and travel.
A hugely passionate foodie and author of two best selling cook books; Cherie is obsessed with Italy and the hidden food gems found around every corner of this amazing culinary destination. Having done a decent bit of touring and eating in Italy in 2024, she can’t wait to take you back to her favourite spots!
Here is what some previous tour ladies had to say about the Her Tribe Travels tour experience:
"Wow, wow, wow! India was everything I imagined and so much more. The colours, the sights, the sounds and the people! This Her Tribe Travels tour gives you a true Indian experience in every essence of the word"
"The highlight for me was seeing the Taj Mahal up close and personal. It has always been on my bucket list and to be able to stand and marvel at its size and beauty is something I will never forget thanks to Her Tribe Travels. Erin and her company are able to take every day experiences and turn them into something truly special!"
"I've just returned from a Vivid Sydney womens tour, what a wonderful time! Every detail was sorted by Erin at Her Tribe Travels, I didn't have to think of a thing! She was always tapping into how everyone was feeling and what she could do for them in a very discreet and gentle way. Erin is a great personality and an absolutely lovely person that was able to cater to all of our needs."
"Erin and her company took care of every last detail, so it meant all I needed to do was board the plane and start my adventure. It was so easy travelling in a group and I always felt safe and well looked after."
"I loved every minute of the Her Tribe Travels Uncover Bali shopping tour! Erin knew all the best spots for us to shop till we dropped. Her local connections in Bali meant that we had access to incredible wholesale and factory outlets. When we weren't shopping we were dining at stunning restaurants, enjoying ourselves at amazing beach clubs and enjoying the company of fabulous women. I can highly recommend a Her Tribe Travels tour... you won't regret this investment in yourself."
Tour Inclusions
- 3 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel in central Rome
- 2 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel in central Florence
- 2 nights accommodation in a village in Tuscany
- 3 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel in Sorrento
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome to Italy evening foodie walking tour in Trastevere, Rome – includes dinner (substantial tastings) and beer, wine or water
- Unique orientation tour of Rome city by golf cart
- Hosted visit to Eataly with Cherie Metcalfe from Pepper and Me
- Truffle hunting day tour in the Rome countryside including lunch and drinks
- Train tickets – Rome to Florence and Florence to Sorrento (via Naples)
- Florence wine windows walking tour with Florence history - includes substantial tastings and drinks
- Visit to the Firenze Mercato Centrale and two hour self drive fiat tour of Florence countryside with picnic lunch at Florence's most iconic viewpoint
- Driver and mini-coach use for Tuscany stay including transfers to San Gimignano
- Day excursion to the walled hill town of San Gimignano
- Gelato making class in San Gimignano
- Big ‘Italian’ family meal experience at our Tuscany accommodation with wine and beer tasting and cellar tour, along with Cherie preparing the menu and catering for the meal
- Hosted day tour with Erin to Capri with ferry, funicular and chair lift tickets included
- Transfers to Positano and Italian cooking class with finale foodie experience and drinks
Tour pricing - twin share
NZD$7,995 per person (based on 12 people travelling)
Airfares & Exclusions
Return airfares to Rome are not included in the package price and can be booked directly with Her Tribe Travels.
As an indication direct return economy airfares on Qatar* are approximately NZD$2,600 per person including airport departure taxes. This fare includes 23kg checked in luggage per person. A Her Tribe Travels booking fee of NZD$150 applies for any flight bookings. *Specials do appear regularly with airlines including Qatar for as little as $2,200 per person return.
The tour price does not include items of a personal nature such as spending money, food and beverages (other than those specified in inclusions), pre/post tour arrangements, optional tours and activities not specified, tips/gratuity, laundry, telephone/fax calls, spa treatments, still & video camera fees at monuments, excess luggage for flights, medical expenses, visa fees and travel insurance.
Optional – for any ladies that would like to visit the Colosseum or the Vatican – we'd recommend you arrive two days prior to the start of the tour and we can arrange for you to enjoy these experiences on private small group tours (cost not included in the tour price). This would be additional and payable in advance of arriving in Rome.
Rooms are based on twin share however a single supplement cost is available at an additional NZD$3,375 per person (for a guaranteed single room).
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Wednesday 06 May 2026. Arrive Rome.
Arrive into Rome by international flight. Following customs and immigration formalities, and baggage collection, please make your way to the central city hotel to meet the rest of the ladies and your tour hosts.
Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. There will be time for a refresh before the arrival welcome foodie tour of Trastevere! This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow tour guests and your hosts in a fun, informal environment.
Trastevere twighlight food tour
Trastevere is Rome’s answer to Paris’s Left Bank – a buzzing neighborhood filled with exciting nightlife, local favourite restaurants and tasting rooms, and the city’s most authentic street food. Skip the waits and immerse yourself in this enchanting twilight tour of Rome’s trendiest nightspot.
Taste history with Julius Caesar’s favorite dish and visit a wine cellar older than the Colosseum.
Explore picturesque streets and indulge in traditional Roman foods, one bite at a time.
Gain exclusive access to two of Rome’s favorites, ‘Da Enzo al 29’ and ‘Spirito Divino’.
Dine at award-winning venues venues like ‘I Supplì’, and sit down for a pasta meal paired with wine at Rione 13.
Eat a gourmet gelato in Trastevere, and learn how to distinguish it from the ‘fake’ alternatives.
Room: Twin room. Meals: Dinner and drinks on Trastevere twighlight food tour.
Day 2
Thursday 07 May.
After breakfast at leisure, we head out to see the beautiful city of Rome from a unique perspective. After boarding our private golf carts, our guides will take us on a two hour city orientation tour.
Enjoy seeing the most famous sites and hidden gems in an eco-friendly, comfortable golf cart. Be zipped through the narrow cobble stone streets of Rome as you go from location to location.
Your private tour guide will chauffeur you around the Eternal City quickly and efficiently while sharing with you the rich history and exciting stories that have built up Rome. Our tour is private, allowing us to maximize our time in the city, giving us the opportunity to stop and snap a photo or enjoy a short coffee or gelato break if we wish (own cost).
At the conclusion of the orientation tour, you will have an afternoon at leisure to enjoy Rome. You might like to join your tour hosts for an optional lunch (own cost) at of the many fabulous trattoria's dotted around the city. Or you may like some time to rest at the hotel if you are still suffering from any jetlag.
In the late afternoon, join tour co-host Cherie for a fun adventure to the foodie mecca that is Eataly! Come and discover Eataly Rome, a special place, not far from the Colosseum, which offers visitors a fascinating gastronomic journey. A unique experience to savour all that is great about Italian food and wine!
In the evening enjoy a dinner at leisure with the group (own cost).
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast.
Day 3
Friday 08 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
Today we escape from the crowds of the city and embark on an extraordinary journey in the countryside of Rome.
Our guide will meet us at the train station close to our truffle destination (approximately a 45 minute train ride from Rome).
We begin with a two hour truffle exploration in the hills and countryside. A beautiful day to embrace time in nature, learn interesting facts about truffles and make friends with the truffle dogs as we hunt for the elusive truffle.
At the conclusion of our truffle hunt, we will return with our guide to his private home to enjoy a seven course truffle lunch which will be served with unlimited wine from the guides own production.
This will be a fabulous day to remember paired with incredible food, company and wine!
At the conclusion of our experience we will return to Rome and if you still have appetite after the seven course lunch, we will enjoy an optional dinner out in the Trastevere area near to our hotel (own cost).
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 4
Saturday 09 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
Today we farewell the ancient city of Rome and travel north to Florence by train.
Lunch at leisure enroute (own cost).
On arrival mid afternoon we will check in to our hotel in central Florence. Our accommodation for the next two nights is located in the old heart of Florence, a stone's throw from the cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and the charming Ponte Vecchio bridge as well as from many wonderful churches and historical buildings, making this part of the city a veritable open-air museum.
In the early evening we will depart with our guide on a wine windows tour of Florence where we will sip and snack at hidden courtyards, iconic wine bars (some with wine windows) and modern bistros showcasing current Florentine food & wine culture. We combine food and wine with sightseeing between Florence’s historical center and the artisan district of the Oltrarno. Think an early supper crawl with drunk history!
Rest of evening at leisure.
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5
Sunday 10 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
To begin our culinary journey this morning, we will take a walk through the cobbled streets of Florence to the world famous Mercato Centrale.
Mercato Centrale made its debut in Florence in one of the city’s most crucial places: the first floor of the historic San Lorenzo market. It opened in the spring of 2014 to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the iron and glass architecture erected in 1874. It was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni, the man behind Florence’s Sant’ Ambrogio market and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.
Inside the market, the artisans are at the heart of the project Mercato Centrale, because nobody knows their produce better than them or can talk about them with such knowledge and enthusiasm.
Bread and baked products, fresh fish, fried food, vegetarian and vegan dishes, meat and charcuterie, buffalo mozzarella, cheese, chocolate and gelato, fresh pasta, wine, lampredotto and truffles: all the stores are run by artisan traders who share the love of what they do.
With the help of Cherie, we will select a veritable feast to 'take away' as we move on to our next location to collect our traditional Italian fiat's. We will head out of the city on a two hour self drive and exploration of the countryside just out of Florence and finish up witih a delicious picnic with our market goodies at Piazzale Michaelangelo, a lovely park with the best views over the beautiful city of Florence.
Return to accommodation late afternoon, refresh and evening at leisure. You may like to join your tour hosts for an optional dinner out at one of the fabulous eateries in Florence (own cost).
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 6
Monday 11 May.
This morning we will depart by mini-coach for the short drive out to Tuscany. The city soon makes way to rolling hills, wineries and quaint Italian villages.
We will be based in a local village in Sovicille, that feels quintessentially 'Tuscan'. We will enjoy two nights in a local agri-tourismo farm house which has been converted into apartments and villas located amongst the beautiful countryside.
Enroute we will visit one or two wineries and enjoy lunch at leisure (own cost). Spend the afternoon relaxing before we sit down to a limoncello spritz and a relaxing easy meal together in the garden of the farm stay.
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7
Tuesday 12 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
This morning the beautiful walled town of San Gimignano awaits us and a lesson with a world class gelato maker! Master the art of delicious Italian gelato with a small group class at a world famous gelateria followed by lunch (own cost). At the conclusion we will have time to wander the streets of San Gimignano, taking it in at your own pace, enjoying the history, architecture and gorgeous boutique shops.
In the afternoon we return to the farmhouse for wine and beer tasting with our agri-tourismo hosts Gianni and Cristina, along with a tour of their underground cellar. In the evening we will enjoy a traditional dinner under the stars in the courtyard of the village… imagine 'a my big fat Greek wedding reception' except it's Italian and with all the trimmings!
As part of our evening festivities, we will interact in the kitchen with Cherie! As a passionate foodie and owner of the fabulous Pepper & Me online store, Cherie will teach us a thing or two about preparation and food pairing, whilst we enjoy a few cocktails!
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8
Wednesday 13 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
We say goodbye to Tuscany and return to Florence for our train journey south to Naples and Sorrento.
We will arrive in Sorrento in the late afternoon which gives you enough time for a quick wander through the lanes of Sorrento before we head to dinner (optional and own cost) or you may like to take some time out to yourself this evening.
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast.
Day 9
Thursday 14 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
Today is a day to discover the beautiful and popular island of Capri. Hosted by Erin, we will spend a day eating, drinking, sightseeing and shopping.
Incorporating a ferry to the island, the funicular to the top of Capri, a visit to the perfumery, foodie stops, the beautiful Capri gardens and so much more! Lunch not included (own cost).
As an optional extra you may like to pay for a boat tour to the famous blue grotto whilst we are on the island of Capri.
Room: Twin room. Meals: Breakfast.
Day 10
Friday 15 May.
Breakfast at leisure.
Our last day together promises to be a finale to remember!
We will make our way to the Amalfi Coast and head into the hills behind Positano for our finale cooking class and Italian feast!
This family run cooking school was started 40 years ago by mamma Dora and papà Luigi.
Like an Italian family does, you will drink, sing and dance with good music!
This class is a simple home cooking class where you will have a lot of fun... the day will start with a tour through the beautiful gardens, walking around and collecting vegetables and eggs and visiting the animals on the farm.
We will be making a typical Italian lunch made up of :
- Bruschetta;
- Potato Gnocchi;
- Cherry tomato sauce;
- Eggplant parmigiana;
- Tiramisù.
Based on the vegetable´s season, we will pick different kinds of veggies and we will cook two extra dishes. Most of the ingredients are fresh from the garden (depending on the season). After the cooking class our table will be ready on the terrace, for us to enjoy our lunch and accompanying vino!
At the conclusion of our late lunch, we will make the short drive down to the village of Positano. Enjoy walking off your lunch at one of the most stunning beachside hill villages on the Amalfi Coast. Positano is simply breathtaking!
Later in the evening, if we are still hungry we can enjoy antipasto and an appertivo (own cost) at one of the cliffside bars. Here we will raise our glasses to our fabulous time together!
Return to Sorrento in the late evening.
Room: Twin share. Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 11
Saturday 16 May.
Tour concludes. Today it is time to say goodbye and continue your onward journey.
How to Book
To reserve your place on this tour please register your contact details with Erin Mitchell at Her Tribe Travels via email erin@hertribetravels.com or call +64 21 931 995.
In order to confirm your booking Her Tribe Travels will require a non-refundable deposit of NZD$2,000 per person within 7 days of receiving your contact details.
We also require a copy of the front inside photo page of your passport to be emailed to erin@hertribetravels.com.
A part payment of $2,995 is due by Monday 01 December 2025 and a final balance payment of $3,000 is due by Monday 30 March 2026.
At confirmation stage we will also need an indication from you as to whether you wish to book your flights with Her Tribe Travels (additional airfare cost applies and will be required to be paid upon booking flights) and any pre/post tour extension requirements (payment terms for pre/post tour extensions will be advised once quoted).
Once your booking is processed and the non-refundable deposit is paid we will be in touch with your final confirmation and balance due dates for final payments.
Note: Any applicable entry visa (if required) and travel insurance is the responsibility of each traveler however Her Tribe Travels would be very happy to assist with any traveler requirements (fees may apply).
Terms and Conditions
Tour is based on a minimum of 12 people travelling together. If the minimum traveler number is not met we reserve the right to cancel the tour (and will refund the deposit accordingly) or alternatively we may choose to offer for the tour to go ahead with less numbers (subject to pricing changes based on lower numbers).
All rooms are based on twin share (two people sharing rooms with two beds). Single supplements are available for any travelers wishing to upgrade to a single room. The single supplement additional cost is NZD$3,375 per person (based on single share).
In case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly. The due increase or decrease will be communicated accordingly.
All hotels are subject to change based on final traveler numbers and availability of securing hotel rooms.
In the case of client cancellation after confirmation, the non-refundable deposit will be retained by Her Tribe Travels. If the client cancels once full payment has been made then full cancellation fees will apply. It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance for unforeseen cancellation.
In the event of an unforeseen circumstance that would inhibit travel (i.e. natural disaster, force majeure) the local supplier would waive cancellation policies and only charge an administrative fee. The client would still be liable for any non-recoverable funds made to third party vendors as well as any assessed bank transaction fees.
Any payments made by credit card will incur a 2.5% credit card surcharge.
Travelers are required to cover the costs of any additional medical / evacuation services should these services be necessary during the tour (travel insurance is mandatory for medical/evacuation purposes). A final word from Her Tribe Travels...
This bespoke itinerary has been crafted with a love for what we do. Our company is passionate about women who love to travel and we believe we have a knack for creating custom tour itineraries that leave clients mesmerised. Please respect our creativity, uniqueness and hard work by not sharing this itinerary with any other supplier or travel agent/company to price check/compete. If you love what you see, appreciate the value in our expertise & knowledge and want to explore the world with us then we believe we are the right fit for you. This document, content and IP is private and confidential between Her Tribe Travels and our clients only.
Thank you for your understanding.
P +64 21 931 995 | E erin@hertribetravels.com