The Culture of Food in Sardinia with Via Rosa

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For years, Sardinia was known to travelers primarily for its stunning, crystal-clear waters, with most visitors coming to the island for a summer beach holiday. But beyond its postcard-worthy coastline lies an island with a distinctive soul, shaped by centuries of tradition. With its own language, Sardu, unique recipes, rare ingredients, and a deep connection to music, dance, and craftsmanship, Sardinia leaves a lasting impression on those who venture beyond its beaches.

It’s this lesser-known side of Sardinia that we’re especially excited to share with you. Our new week-long journey has been carefully crafted to take you beyond the usual tourist paths and into the heart of Sardinian culture. Together, we’ll explore the central and southern parts of the island, diving into its culinary traditions while discovering its rich history, local customs, and some of the hidden treasures that make Sardinia so special.

Joining you on this journey will be Tour Host Niccolò Barca and Tour Leader Angelo Calianno, two passionate storytellers with a shared love of Italian history, culture, and the people who bring it to life. Rome-born Niccolò is a tour leader, food guide, journalist, and documentary photographer whose curiosity has taken him from kitchens and communities across Italy to stories around the world. Angelo, a native of Apulia with Sardinian roots in his family, is a historian by training, an experienced guide, and a freelance photojournalist. With more than 17 years of guiding experience and a remarkable knowledge of the cultures and traditions of the Mediterranean, he brings both a personal connection to Sardinia and a storyteller’s eye to the journey. Together, Niccolò and Angelo will bring the island’s stories to life through its history, food, traditions, and people—and make sure you have plenty of fun along the way.

We hope you’ll join us for a week filled with authentic flavors, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and a genuine taste of Sardinian life. By the end of our journey, we hope you’ll leave not only with a deeper understanding of this remarkable island, but also with a lasting affection for its people, traditions, and unmistakable spirit. – Niccolò and Angelo

The Culture of Food in Salento & Central Puglia with Pamela Salzman

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Hi, I’m Pamela Salzman, a cooking instructor, bestselling cookbook author, and lifelong believer that some of life’s greatest moments happen around the table.

Growing up in a large Italian-American family, food was never just about eating. It was how we celebrated, connected, and cared for one another. Some of my earliest memories are helping my father in the garden, where I learned that the most memorable meals begin with beautiful, seasonal ingredients and don’t need to be complicated to be extraordinary. That philosophy continues to inspire everything I cook and teach today.

I’m thrilled to explore Puglia with you.  It is a region that embodies so much of what I love about Italian food and culture. Here, traditions are still honored, ingredients are celebrated at their peak, and every meal tells a story. Together we’ll wander through historic towns and picturesque countryside, meet passionate local artisans, taste exceptional olive oil and wines, learn the art of handmade pasta, and enjoy unforgettable meals that showcase the incredible bounty of southern Italy.

We’ll divide our time between the beautiful towns of Lecce and Monopoli, staying in two distinctive hotels that reflect the charm and character of the region. Our thoughtfully designed itinerary balances immersive culinary experiences with plenty of free time to explore, shop, relax, or simply linger over a cappuccino in a sunny piazza.

Whether you’re passionate about cooking, curious about Italian culture, or simply looking to experience one of Italy’s most beautiful regions with a wonderful group of fellow travelers, I’d love for you to join me. I can’t wait to discover the flavors, traditions, and warm hospitality of Puglia together. — Pamela

The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Via Rosa

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Sicily is unlike any other part of Italy. Its size alone sets it apart, but it is the island’s many layers of history, culture and tradition that give it such a distinct character. There is far too much to experience in a single week, so on this journey we focus on Eastern Sicily, taking the time to get to know this part of the island properly.

This is not a journey about seeing as much as possible and moving quickly from one place to the next. We prefer to slow things down and spend time with the people who live here. Over the years, we have built friendships with winemakers, farmers, chefs, artisans and local hosts who welcome us into their homes, kitchens, vineyards and everyday lives.

These relationships are at the heart of how we experience Sicily. During our time together, you’ll meet some of the people we have come to know and discover Eastern Sicily through its food and wine, its landscapes and history, and, above all, through the people who call it home.

We’ll be based in Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse, where Baroque balconies overlook sun-washed streets and the sea is never far away. From here, we’ll head into the countryside, explore vibrant markets and ancient towns, discover local food and wine traditions, and experience the remarkable landscapes of Eastern Sicily. 

There will also be time to slow down—to linger over a long lunch, browse a local shop, wander down a quiet lane or simply enjoy where we are.

Sicily is generous, surprising and full of character, and we look forward to sharing some of the places, people and experiences that make it so special to us. – The Via Rosa Team

The Culture of Food in Salento & Central Puglia with Laura Vitale

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Hi, I’m Laura Vitale a food content creator, cookbook author, and television host with a deep love for sharing the flavors of my Italian heritage. I’ve been creating recipes and connecting with home cooks for over 16 years, long before content creation became what it is today. Born and raised in Italy, food has always been the heartbeat of my life from family kitchens to global platforms. With an audience of nearly 6 million across social media, I continue to share approachable, soulful recipes inspired by both my Italian roots and the life I’ve built beyond them. Returning home each year keeps me grounded in tradition, and I’m thrilled to explore Puglia through its food, stories, and incredible culinary heritage.

Over six days, we’ll experience Puglia the way I love it most: through what we eat and drink. We’ll move between small towns and countryside, stopping often—whether for a taste of freshly made cheese, a long lunch, or time spent cooking together. It’s not about rushing from place to place, but about savoring each moment.

We’ll be based in Lecce and Monopoli, staying in two very different but equally special hotels that reflect the character of each area. Our days will be full, but never overwhelming, with time built in to wander on your own in the evenings—whether that means an aperitivo in a quiet piazza or getting a little lost in the streets.

I’d love for you to join me, and to share with you not just the highlights of Puglia, but the people and places that make it unique. – Laura Vitale

The Culture of Food in Parma Marissa Mullen

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Marissa Mullen here, author and founder of That Cheese Plate. If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I will always travel for cheese. And this time, you’re coming along!

I’m beyond excited to announce that I’ll be hosting an unforgettable 6-day excursion through Parma, Italy, exploring some of the country’s finest cheese, salumi, and accompaniments. Picture this: a stunning, romantic, rustic backdrop where we’ll dive into the rich, delicious traditions of Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar, prosciutto and much more.

This isn’t just a trip—it’s a celebration of the stories and flavors that inspire everything I create. From visiting artisan producers to tasting incredible local cuisine, we’ll experience the magic of Italian food culture together. If you’ve ever dreamed of immersing yourself in Italy’s iconic culinary traditions (with a little wine along the way, of course), consider this your invitation. – Marissa

The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Elizabeth Minchilli

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Although I now split my time between Rome and Umbria, Sicily has had my heart since I was twelve. My first visit was a Christmas adventure, wedged into the back of a Fiat 124 with my sisters, racing along winding coastal roads while my parents navigated by paper map. Even then, I felt it: that electric mix of wild beauty, layered history, and irrepressible spirit that makes Sicily unlike anywhere else in Italy. I’ve been returning ever since.

Over the years, I’ve experienced the island in every season, from almond blossoms in February to blazing summer sunsets over the sea and autumn harvests heavy with olives and grapes. I’ve come for work and for pure pleasure, and along the way I’ve built friendships across the island with winemakers and farmers, chefs and fishermen, shepherds in the hills and hosts by the sea. Sicily, to me, is personal. It is not just a destination but a community I cannot wait to share with you.

We’ll be based in one of my favorite places, Ortigia, the luminous old heart of Syracuse, where Baroque balconies spill flowers over sun-washed stone streets and the sea is never more than a few steps away. Our days will be rich with adventure, exploring sun-drenched countryside, vibrant markets and ancient cities, and even the dramatic slopes of a volcano.

And just as important, there will be time to linger over a long lunch, browse the shops or a quiet wander down a hidden lane.

Come experience the Sicily I know and love. I can’t wait to introduce you. – Elizabeth

The Culture of Food in Parma with Erin O’Brien

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Food has always been at the heart of my travels. When I go somewhere new, my first thought isn’t “what will we see?” but “what will we eat?” I want to try it all: from family-run trattorias to cozy spots serving silky prosciutto, fresh truffle, and tons of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Ideally with a glass of wine in hand.

Since 2022, my husband Andrew and I have been lucky enough to spend about a month each year in Italy, falling more in love with its food culture every time. My roots in the kitchen go back to cooking alongside my mom and grandma in Southern California, but Italy has become a place that inspires me again and again with its flavors, traditions, and endless hospitality.

I’m beyond excited to team up with Via Rosa to host a weeklong tour in Parma. We’ll explore charming towns, savor regional specialties, sip local wines, and enjoy the kind of meals that remind you why food and travel are such a perfect pair. I can’t wait to share this adventure (and all the bites along the way) with you! As someone who has participated in a Via Rosa tour in the past, I couldn’t be more honored to be doing this with them. I have long admired Elizabeth and Sophie and the way they share the true beauty of Italy through their one-of-a-kind experiences. Andiamo! – Erin

The Culture of Food in Umbria with Elizabeth Minchilli

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For over thirty years, I’ve been lucky enough to call two very different but equally magical places home: our apartment in Rome and our beloved villa in Umbria. Summers, long weekends, and countless lazy afternoons have been spent here in Umbria: surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and the quiet rhythm of a life lived close to the land. Over the years, we’ve fallen hopelessly in love with this unspoiled corner of Italy, and we’d love to share it with you.

I’m inviting you to join me for a week steeped in the flavors, textures, and beauty of Umbria. For six delicious days, we’ll explore the region the way we love best: through its kitchens, farms, and vineyards. Most importantly, we will introduce you to the people keeping these traditions alive. We’ll taste, sip, cook, learn, wander, and have fun along the way.

Our base will be Perugia, the ancient hill town that serves as Umbria’s capital. We’ll stay at the elegant Brufani Hotel, recently restored and perfectly perched above the valley with panoramic views. From this enviable spot in the heart of the city, you can step outside to find museums, boutiques, and trattorie in your free time.

I can’t wait to welcome you into our Umbria, a place of beauty, generosity, and unforgettable meals shared around the table.

– Elizabeth

The Culture of Food in Sicily

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Although I live between Rome and Umbria, I visit Sicily regularly. Palermo is not only my favorite city in Sicily but perhaps in Italy. I would love to show you why, sharing some of my favorite places with you.

During this 6-day private group tour, we’ll have the time to truly explore this rich corner of the island, from a completely food-centric point of view, of course. Our base is Palermo, but we will also be taking day trips into the countryside to explore the culture of food that is tied to the landscape. From breakfast through dinner, we’ll wander in small towns, the countryside, and the streets of Palermo, tasting, drinking, eating, cooking, learning, and having fun.

The days will be full, but don’t worry, you’ll have some downtime as well to head off on your own to explore. – Sophie