We hear a lot from our travelers - compliments, questions, inside jokes, and requests for more wine. But after leading more than 70 small group food and wine tours in Italy, a few phrases come up again and again.

If you’re wondering what it’s really like to travel with Curata Travel, here’s a behind-the-scenes look - through the words of our guests.

1. “How did you find this place? I never would have found this on my own.”

You’re in a quiet hilltop town. Church bells echo. Nonna is calling from her balcony. There are no tour buses, no chain restaurants…just Italy, beautifully untouched.

Later, your private motorcoach winds past vineyards and farms. The paved road turns to dirt - barely wide enough for 1 car. You stop passing cars and start passing goats grazing in the surrounding fields. Then, hidden in the countryside, you arrive at a stone farmhouse framed by olive trees and a garden overflowing with vegetables.

So how did we find it?

We personally scout locations across Italy, build relationships with local chefs, winemakers, and townspeople, and design curated travel experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist route.

Planning a trip to Italy can feel overwhelming. With Curata Travel, you don’t have to research restaurants, map logistics, or choose between 30 kinds of pasta. We handle every detail of your small group Italy tour - you simply arrive ready to experience it.

2. “I never knew that!”

Our Italian food and wine tours are immersive - but in a fun way.

Yes, you’ll eat incredibly well. But you’ll also understand why dishes taste the way they do, why specific ingredients are used the way they are, and where they come from (Did you know you shouldn’t order Pesto Pasta in Rome or Carbonara in Venice?...You would if you traveled with us!).

Our tour leaders are part guide, part cultural translator, part pasta expert. You’ll learn why Carbonara belongs in Rome and Pesto in Liguria, how regional cuisine changes from north to south, and how history shaped the Italian table.

Suddenly, it’s not just dinner - it’s a story.

Cue the wide-eyed: “Really??”

3. “What day is it?”

When you join a fully curated small group tour, your only job is to enjoy it. It is YOUR vacation after all.

We manage reservations, transportation, tickets, timing, and translations. So somewhere between espresso and aperitivo, it’s common to hear:

“Wait… is it Tuesday?”

To keep you gently oriented, we provide a daily printed newsletter with the schedule and background on each destination. But truly? This is travel without stress.

Follow the scent of coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. We’ll take care of the rest.

4. “I can’t believe how much we’ve eaten.”

We are a food and wine tour company in Italy. Abundance is part of the experience.

From multi-course dinners in family-run trattorias to olive oil tastings, winery visits, and spontaneous local specialties, the meals are generous, regional, and unforgettable.

Just when you think you couldn’t eat another bite… Out comes handmade ravioli. Or another bottle of local wine. The passionate artisans and chefs are SO proud of what they've created and they're looking to show off and we're happy to oblige! 

And as we often remind our guests: we would hate for you to go home wishing you had taken one more bite of your favorite pasta in Palermo.

Take the bite.

5. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”

This is the one that means the most.

Travelers often arrive as strangers - couples, friends, and solo adventurers who aren’t quite sure what to expect.

By the end of the tour, they’re sharing inside jokes, exchanging photos, and planning future trips together.

Yes, you may say goodbye to Italy.
But you don’t have to say goodbye to your travel family.

One of the most unexpected gifts of a Curata Travel tour is the community that forms. Even solo travelers tell us they never feel alone. With a dedicated tour leader by your side and a small group that quickly feels like friends, you’re always part of something.

And when everyone returns home, we continue that connection through traveler reunions, special dinners, meetups, and future small group tours.

The journey doesn’t end at the airport.

Ready to experience it for yourself?

If you’re looking for a thoughtfully designed small group food and wine tour in Italy—one that blends hidden gems, authentic cuisine, cultural insight, and lasting friendships—we’d love to welcome you.

Come hungry.
Come curious.
Come ready to belong.

Buon viaggio. 🍷🇮🇹🍋