From Rome to Bologna: A Foodie's Dream Come True

This is part 3 of a 3-part series on my one-month adventure in Mediterranean Europe, September–October of 2025. To catch up on the story so far:

• Part 1: Mediterranean Moments – From Barcelona to Naples

• Part 2: Naples, You Had Other Plans: A Real-Life Travel Pause

After resting and recharging for a few days in Naples (with stretchy pants, Netflix, and some wildly unpredictable courtyard drama), I felt ready to embrace the next chapter.

This was the trip I had been planning for nearly a year—Toastable Travel’s first hosted foodie tour through Italy. Our group of eight would travel together from Rome to Florence to Bologna, soaking in history, sharing meals, and toasting to the kind of travel that connects people deeply.

Let me take you there...

Rome: Ancient Stones, New Flavors

We chose a beautiful 4-star hotel near Roma Termini to make train travel easy. As our group of 8 travelers arrived one by one, I felt like I was greeting old friends—even those I had only met over Zoom. That night, we walked just a couple minutes to a cozy Roman trattoria for our first meal together. I couldn’t taste much yet (thanks, lingering bug), but I could feel the excitement and warmth. Everyone dove into classic Roman dishes—cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana—and our first toast was full of hope and joy.

The next day, we were off to Campo de' Fiori, Trastevere, and the Jewish Ghetto for a guided walking food tour that surprised us with much more than just bites. From fried street snacks and fresh pasta to gelato and local wine, we were immersed in the history of the Jewish Ghetto, crossed Rome’s oldest bridge, and wandered through cobbled alleys brimming with food heritage. It was a powerful reminder of how food tells the story of a place.

The walking was intense for me—three hours of winding and uneven streets. As someone who needs to pace herself carefully, I could feel the toll. If you're someone with limited energy or mobility, I’d absolutely recommend booking a private version so the pacing can flex to your needs. But I made and enjoyed every moment.

Pasta making

Ravioli

We recharged the next day with one of my favorite experiences: a 3-in-1 cooking class in a local restaurant. Our instructor, Paris, guided us as we made tiramisu, ravioli, and tagliatelle from scratch. Everyone had their own station, and by the time we sat down to eat our creations together, the room was full of laughter, flour-dusted hands, and toasts.

Chris and I, along with a few others in our group, also did a small-group Vatican tour, but between the headset delays and Jubilee crowds, we didn’t get to linger the way we hoped. Next time, I’d opt for a private guide or timed-entry tickets so we could explore at our own pace.

On our third and final day in Rome, we explored Testaccio—Rome’s unsung culinary neighborhood. Once built around a slaughterhouse, the area now pulses with food pride and generational vendors. We sampled bruschette, stuffed pizza, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, Parmigiano Reggiano, suppli, and gelato. The Protestant cemetery at the end—with its lush gardens and Keats’ grave—was a surprisingly peaceful close.

After our walking tour food, we boarded our high-speed train to Florence. An hour later, we arrived.

Florence: Art, Flavor, and Slow Afternoons

In Florence, we stayed near the train station, which made getting in and out by train a breeze. The hotel was lovely, and we eased into the city with a walk to a classic Florentine restaurant to kick off our time together.

This was the night I tried Bistecca alla Fiorentina—a giant, rare, slow-aged steak Florence is famous for. Four of us shared one. While I usually go for medium, I nibbled the more-cooked edges and still loved being part of the moment.

The next day’s walking food tour was a slower pace than Rome’s—thankfully! We moved from one small tasting to the next: local charcuterie, wine, pastas, and (of course) gelato. It was less about history and more about the joy of lingering over each bite. Every food tour we did in Italy had a different feel, and I loved that.

Then came our Tuscan cooking class—a personal highlight.

We started at Florence’s indoor market, meeting generational shopkeepers, tasting lampredotto (Florence’s famous tripe sandwich—it was actually delicious!), and picking out ingredients. Then we headed into the hills to a Tuscan estate overlooking olive groves and gardens. Our two chefs guided us through making bruschette, ragu, pork roast, tagliatelle, and tiramisu. The food, the views, the company—it was all perfect.

The next day, some of us also visited the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia to see works by Michelangelo and Botticelli. Having a guide really brought it all to life.

One afternoon, Chris and I ducked into Giunti Odeon—a historic theater-turned-bookstore and café. I sat on the balcony watching a documentary I couldn’t understand while Chris browsed Italian Harry Potter books. He bought me Prisoner of Azkaban (my favorite of the series) in Italian. Someday I’ll be able to read it!

Bologna & Modena: The Emilia-Romagna Grand Finale

We took a short train to Bologna—our final stop—and dove straight into a city not only famous for its food in its own right, but also the center of one of Italy's most delicious food regions, Emilia-Romagna. Our first night was a walking tour through the portico-covered streets. This city boasts the oldest university in Western civilization, and you could feel that energy everywhere. We nibbled on antipasti at a centuries-old osteria, enjoyed a multi-course meal, and tasted some fantastic gelato.

The next day, we left Bologna for a day traveling within the Emilia-Romagna region. Our primary stop was in Modena, where we toured a Parmigiano Reggiano factory and learned the steps of how it is made and aged. We also visited a family-owned prosciutto factory and savored the fragrance of hundreds of barrels of balsamic vinegar (we brought home a bottle that had been aged 19 years!). The finale of the day was sitting down to an epic four-hour lunch with multiple appetizers, pastas, wines, and other tasty courses, ending with limoncello. The event turned into karaoke at one point—because why not? The day was so much fun and a great exclamation point to an incredibly memorable 9 days.

At "aperativo hour" that final night in Bologna, a few of us strolled Piazza del Nettuno where musicians played, lights sparkled, and the joy was palpable. I felt so much gratitude for the experiences of the day.

An Unforgettable Roman Finale

The next day, we returned to Rome for one last evening. A few of us fit in a twilight Colosseum Arena tour, and we ended our time in Italy with a visit to historic Piazza Navona, soaking in its sculptured fountains, talented artists, and lively street performances. Of course, we had to cap the night off with a final Roman meal in the Piazza.

What I’ll Always Remember

Kathy, one of our travelers, was celebrating her 75th birthday on this trip. Her words were so kind:

"This trip was truly wonderful. Your attention to detail and the fabulous itinerary which included so much information was invaluable. Checking in and out of our hotels was so easy and each hotel was an experience in itself. The food tours and cooking classes were incredible. Thank you for making my 75th birthday so epic."

I couldn’t have said it better. And while some of that credit goes to me and my team, I also do not take for granted how fortunate we all were. Everything went right—almost shockingly so. The weather? 70s and sunny the entire trip. No lost luggage, no major delays, only one minor cancellation (a Duomo climb). Even the train stations—from the bustling Roma Termini to Bologna’s deep underground platforms—added charm.

We laughed. We toasted. We made pasta from scratch. We sang karaoke in Modena. We watched the chaos at the Trevi Fountain and decided the crowds were part of the fun.

This was the trip I’d do again in a heartbeat—and it’s already got my wheels turning about where to take food-loving travelers next. Greece? Spain? France? Other cities in Italy? (Yes, yes, yes, and heck yeah!)

Wherever we go, one thing’s for sure: We’ll keep toasting together.

Want to be part of the next delicious adventure? Let’s make it happen. Explore upcoming foodie group trips at toastabletravel.com/travel-with-us

Buon appetito!

From Rome to Bologna