It's not too late to experience Italy's rich culture and create wonderful memories this European Summer. Join Australian-Italian chef Valerio Fantinelli and professional Italian tour guide Luca Rocconi for a personal, small-group tour from one to six days from May.

The cousins' Italy Tour Co culinary and historic adventures for singles, doubles, or groups of up to 12, feature foodie experiences and idyllic locations not available to solo travellers thanks to Luca's connections, years of guiding experience and a shared passion for Italian food, history and culture.

New to this year's tour menu are two delightful personalised boat tours. Join father and son fisherman exploring Capri and the Neapolitan coast enjoying generations of seafaring stories and savouring local authentic delicacies, or a week's sailing in the Adriatic to the unknown treasure of the Tremiti islands, or from the port of Pescara to Croatia with Luca and Val's skipper uncle Marco, a 50-year sailing veteran.

Back on land meet Tuscan princess sisters in the gardens of their castle with one of Europe's most impressive wine collections; visit the pope's summer holiday hideaway; and discover an underground medieval basilica next to the Colosseum. 

Travellers craving a lesser-known Italy experience will love The Gold of Abruzzo tour, where for two days they'll admire preserved frescoes from the 11th century, dine at a world-renowned 3 Michelin Star restaurant, and explore the charming town of Scanno – home to some of the oldest gold artisans in the country.

Chef Valerio will have guests dining their way through Rome's Trastevere and Jewish quarter tasting authentic roman local cuisine with flavours of fried artichokes, seasoned salami, the best pizza by the slice and homemade gelato, or learning how to make pasta in an apartment on Tiberina Island, once owned by Marlon Brando.

History buffs will swoon over the new Ancient Rome tour – a four-hour private tour covering the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum – some of the most important archaeological sites of the Roman civilisation.

Following a hiatus throughout COVID, Luca and Valerio relaunched Italy Tour Co in 2023 and were thrilled with the high interest and praise from guests.

“It was a dream come true. We had guests join us from across the world, and it was so special to show off our beautiful country to the world again,” Valerio said.

“We're excited to be adding to our tour offering and reaching more inquisitive, passionate travellers in 2024.”

Tours commence in May 2024 and prices for one day tours start at A$150 pp. Italy Tour Co currently has a special offer on its Trastevere Food and Art tour - book between 21st of May to 21st of August for special price of A$850 for four people. Visit italytour.com.au to book and discover more.

About your guides

VALERIO FANTINELLI

Valerio was born in Italy. Food was always an integral part of his culture, growing up with a strong connection to cooking traditions of Italy. He started working as a pizza chef at 15 in a few restaurants in his home region of Abruzzo. His search for new adventures took him to Australia in 1999, where he continued to build his experience between Perth and Sydney, where he catered for ABC Studios and Fox Studios. Valerio was part of the slow food committee in Perth, and a chef delegate for Terra Madre in 2012. Valerio has been a guest chef at food festivals including Ord Valley Muster, Taste Great Southern, Gascoyne Food Festival and Taste of the Kimberley.

In 2015 he launched Flour and Fire from his home in Fremantle to fulfil his love for artisanal food and cooking with fire. He built an outdoor dining room using recycled and natural materials, where he hosts private dinners with menus seasonally designed to tell a story, bringing to the plate the flavours of his tradition using ancient methods and equipment with the best of local seasonal produce.

LUCA ROCCONI

Luca was born in Abruzzo, the greenest region of Europe, just 150 km from Rome. From an early age he had a passion for travelling, reading, and communicating. His deep love for languages and oriental mysteries led him to study Mandarin at La Sapienza University Rome, then in 2005 he applied and won a scholarship at Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he perfected his Chinese proficiency at Tongji University of Shanghai.

For the following six years Luca worked as a tour leader in China with groups of Italian tourists. In 2012 Luca returned to Italy, working with foreign tourists in Rome as a tour leader and achieved the qualification of official tourist guide of Rome and the Vatican City State. Luca's passionate about his works and desires to pass on his knowledge to tourists and friends, and help them understand more about the history, culture and traditions of Italy and Rome.