Autentico Florence with Elizabeth Minchilli & Rolando Beramendi
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Florence
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March 7-13, 2027
Rolando Beramendi has built a career around introducing people to the food of Italy. Since he was 22, he has been foraging for one of the most beloved Italian food importers in the USA. If you’ve ever purchased high-end olive oil, pasta, or other specialty pantry items, there’s a good chance many of them were lovingly imported by Rolando’s company, Manicaretti. For much of the past three decades, Rolando has called Florence home, and now he’s opening his doors—and those of his friends—to a select group of lucky guests, offering an opportunity to discover the culture of food in this delicious corner of the world.
Elizabeth Minchilli, food writer and co-founder of Via Rosa, is fortunate to count Rolando as one of her closest friends. Together, they are hosting a week-long event in Florence. Elizabeth, who lived in Florence during the 1980s while working on her Ph.D. on 16th-century gardens, returns as often as possible, documenting one of her favorite cities in her books, on her website, and through social media.
Rolando and Elizabeth invite you to join them for a completely unique, food-focused, exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience of the Florence they love most.
Day 1: Arrival & Introductions
Hotel
Welcome to Florence! We’ll be staying at one of the city’s most beautiful and historic hotels, the Helvetia & Bristol. This 5-star hotel has undergone a stunning restoration and now boasts one of the best spas in Florence. Upon check-in, you’ll find a gift basket with snacks to help you settle in, along with a personal guide to our favorite places to shop, eat, and drink in the city.
Ahead of the tour, you’ll also have received Elizabeth’s book Eating My Way Through Italy, which includes chapters on this magical city, and Rolando’s Autentico, which introduces you to some of the people we’ll meet during our week together.
Drinks and Dinner
At 7:00 pm, we’ll gather in the elegant Bristol Winter Garden for a celebratory welcome aperitivo, officially opening our week together. Over flowing bubbles and carefully curated nibbles, we’ll get to know one another while enjoying a first glimpse of the unforgettable experiences that await us in Florence.
This evening marks something truly special. We have arranged an extraordinary private dinner to begin our journey—one that few visitors to Florence ever experience. You may recognize the name Cibrèo, one of the city’s most iconic and beloved culinary institutions. Tonight, Cibrèo comes exclusively to us. Within the intimate setting of the Bristol Winter Garden, we’ll be treated to an elegant introduction to Tuscan cuisine, featuring a selection of the restaurant’s most celebrated and iconic dishes, crafted especially for our group.
Day 2: Santa Croce & Cooking
Market Visit
This morning, we’ll take a leisurely stroll to one of our favorite neighborhoods: Santa Croce. Despite its central location, this area remains a true Florentine neighborhood, where locals still go about their daily lives. Much of that authenticity is thanks to the beating heart of the district, Mercato Sant’Ambrogio.
We’ll wander through the stalls of one of Florence’s most vibrant markets, admiring seasonal produce, farmstead cheeses, and the offerings of exceptional local butchers. Be sure to bring your tote bag—there will be time to shop for edible souvenirs.
Cooking Class & Lunch
Our next stop is a newer anchor of the neighborhood: a magical theater space dedicated to local culture. After a well-deserved coffee break, Rolando will take over the kitchen. We’ll don our aprons and join him as he shares some of his favorite recipes.
We will then gather around the large wooden table for lunch, enjoying the fruits of our labor together.
Dinner
After a long day of eating and exploring, the evening is free for you to explore Florence at your leisure.
Day 3: Wine & History at Nipozzano
Wine & History
This morning, we slip away into the Tuscan countryside for an exclusive visit to Castello Nipozzano, a privately held estate whose story begins over a thousand years ago. Dating back to 1000 AD, the castle has long been a guardian of extraordinary vineyards, with the Frescobaldi family shaping its winemaking legacy for generations.
Our day unfolds at an unhurried pace, offering rare access into the rhythms of life on the estate. We’ll go beyond the cellars and vineyards to learn firsthand about the family’s philosophy, their award-winning wines, and the sustainable practices that guide their work. We’ll wander through the gardens, explore the historic castle, and enjoy moments usually reserved for insiders.
We’ll then gather in the castle’s formal dining room for a private lunch prepared especially for our group. Chef Alessandro will present a thoughtfully composed five-course menu, each course paired with one of the estate’s standout vintages—an intimate, sensory experience designed to be savored slowly.
Dinner
The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.
Day 4: Treasures of Oltrarno
Hidden Churches
Today, we leave the crowds behind and step into a more intimate side of Florence, discovering two of the city’s most extraordinary hidden gems.
Crossing the iconic Ponte Vecchio, we arrive at one of our favorite—and most quietly remarkable—churches: Santa Felicita. With our expert guide, we’ll uncover the layered history of this jewel-like space and its deep ties to the Medici family. Alongside admiring Pontormo’s luminous masterpiece, we’ll enjoy rare, exclusive access to the hidden Medici balcony and the sacristy—spaces few visitors ever see.
After a brief coffee pause at a truly special modern bakery, we continue to one of the great treasures of the Renaissance: Masaccio’s Brancacci Chapel. Here, we’ll take time to absorb this extraordinary cycle of frescoes, a turning point in Western art. From this feast of beauty, we’ll wander at a leisurely pace through the atmospheric alleys of the Santo Spirito quarter, before heading to lunch.
Lunch
We’ll enjoy lunch at the rooftop loggia of Palazzo Guadagni, one of the most romantic spots in Florence. With a glass of white wine and light nibbles under its soaring arches, we’ll have the terrace all to ourselves—an exclusive treat.
Afternoon
The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.
Dinner
Rolando’s very best friend in Florence is Chiara, the owner of the famous Trattoria Cammillo. If you have ever tried to dine here, you know how difficult it is to get one of their very few tables. On Wednesdays, the place is closed. But not for us! Chiara has invited us over to step into her kitchen, where she will share her techniques for preparing some of her best-known dishes. Afterward, we’ll sit at the family table for dinner.
Day 5: Biscotti & Farmhouse Cooking
Prato
This morning, we dive into one of Tuscany’s most beloved culinary icons: nut-filled tozzetti, better known as biscotti. Our journey takes us to a historic bakery in Prato, widely considered the finest cookie maker in Tuscany since its founding in 1858. Here, we’ll go behind the scenes to learn the secrets of this timeless treat, followed by a tasting that brings generations of craftsmanship to life.
From the bakery, we’ll enjoy a short stroll to Prato’s Duomo, one of the oldest churches in Tuscany and a true artistic treasure. We’ll admire Donatello’s remarkable pulpit and the luminous fresco cycle by Filippo Lippi, masterpieces that reveal the city’s rich cultural legacy.
Before leaving Prato, we have one final indulgence in store: a visit to another of Tuscany’s most celebrated bakeries, where we’ll savor a slice of their award-winning panettone, perfectly paired with a leisurely coffee—a sweet and memorable farewell to this elegant Tuscan town.
Farmhouse Cooking
To truly understand the culture of Tuscan food, one must explore its roots in cucina povera—a tradition of “poverty cooking” that turns humble, local ingredients into masterpieces. There’s no better place to experience this than at the historic countryside restaurant Da Delfina. More famous chefs than you know (including Rolando) count Carlo, the owner, as one of their fundamental inspirations in the kitchen. Here, we’ll meet Carlo and his nephew, who run the kitchen. They’ll share stories of traditional dishes and we’ll watch them prepare meats for lunch on the massive girarrosto, a wood-fueled spit. Together, we’ll learn how simple ingredients—beans, wild greens, and old bread—remain central to Tuscan cuisine.
Evening
After lunch, we’ll head back to Florence, where the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.
Day 6: Renaissance Palaces
Renaissance palaces are everywhere in Florence, but today we step inside four of them to discover the private worlds that have somehow survived behind their grand façades.
Aquaflor is housed on the ground floor of a Renaissance palace. During our private visit to the workshop, we will explore a remarkable collection of more than 1,500 precious essences and learn about the art of traditional Florentine perfumery.
Museo Horne is an intimate museum devoted to 14th- and 15th-century art and furnishings. Once the home of a passionate 19th-century collector, it preserves not only paintings and sculpture, but also extraordinary furniture, decorative arts, and domestic objects that bring Renaissance life vividly into focus. Our private tour will explore this fascinating residence, culminating in a special lunch under the portico, catered by one of our favorite trattorias.
Before we depart, the museum’s curator has one more treat in store: a visit across the street to the former home of Giorgio Vasari. Gifted to him by the Medici in the 16th century, the building still retains elements of its original decoration, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of the great Renaissance artist and architect.
Afternoon
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Dinner
This evening, we are welcomed into one of Florence’s grandest private residences, Palazzo Gondi. Standing in the shadow of Palazzo Uffizi, this magnificent palace was designed in 1489 by Giuliano da Sangallo for the banker Giuliano Gondi il Vecchio. Remarkably, the palace remains in the hands of his descendants, who still call it home today.
Before we gather for our final celebratory banquet, members of the Gondi family will personally guide us through their home, offering rare insight not only into the art and architecture that surround us, but also into their family’s living legacy. They will share stories of the countryside estates that produce the wines and olive oil for which the Gondi name is still known.
The evening concludes with a magnificent private banquet enjoyed within this museum-like setting, an unforgettable and deeply personal finale to our time in Florence.
Day 7: Departure
Check-out
Our tour officially comes to an end as you check out of the Helvetia & Bristol.
Is This Tour For You?
The Culture of Food
Our tours are designed to explore places through the lens of food and its cultural significance. Nearly all of our activities revolve around food, from indulgent meals to snacks in between. If you have a small appetite, specific food intolerances, or are a picky eater, this may not be the right tour for you. We encourage participants who are open to new culinary experiences and have a love for eating and exploring through food.
Food Intolerances
Italy’s cuisine is centered around the Mediterranean Diet, offering an abundance of grains and vegetables. However, many meals on this tour celebrate local food traditions that often include meat and cheese. Tuscany, in particular, is known for its meat-centric cuisine. If you are vegetarian, pescatarian, or gluten-free, while you won’t go hungry, you may not fully experience the essence of this region’s food culture. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions before signing up.
Activity Level
To fully enjoy this tour, it’s important to feel confident in your mobility. Activities include walking for up to an hour or more, sometimes on uneven terrain, stairs, and getting in and out of a bus multiple times a day. While the pace is never overly strenuous, you must be able to keep up with the group unassisted. Please inform us of any mobility issues before signing up.
Travel Companions
Many of our clients discover us through social media and join with a clear understanding of what to expect: days spent immersing themselves in food culture through farm visits, markets, and more. If you’re considering bringing a travel companion (friend, spouse, relative, or partner), make sure they’re aware of the itinerary. If they aren’t interested in food-focused activities—like visiting farms, eating in rustic settings, and exploring markets—they may not enjoy this tour.
Pricing:
Pricing:
Double Occupancy (2 people in 1 room): €14,500 per person
Single Occupancy (1 person in 1 room): €16,500 per person
The Fee Includes:
- 6 nights in a Deluxe room at the 5-star Helvetia & Bristol Hotel
- Daily breakfast
- All meals, activities, and transportation outlined in the itinerary
- Gratuities
- A copy of Elizabeth Minchilli’s book Eating My Way Through Italy
- A copy of Rolando Beramendi’s book Autentico
- A curated guide to our favorite places in Florence
Not Included:
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from the airport
Concierge service:
The hotel concierge is available to assist with reserving restaurants, taxis, and car services for airport or train transfers.
Group Size:
Each tour is limited to 12 guests.
Itinerary Updates:
Because our tours rely on small, family-run businesses, we reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary. This may include adjusting the schedule, adding or swapping activities, or substituting locations. A finalized itinerary will be provided within 30 days prior to the start date.
You were such a joy to meet and spend the week with, I learned so much. But most of all I wanted to tell you that you have helped me really see what a table of friends means and how important it is to acknowledge and appreciate that.
Anne Marie
Your Hosts for the Week
Rolando Beramendi
Rolando is the founder of Manicaretti Italian Food Importers based in California. He was one of the first to distribute fine Italian food products to retailers and restaurants in the US. A food connoisseur and culinary archaeologist, Rolando is also a cooking instructor and the author of the widely praised Autentico: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way (2017).
Rolando was in his early 20s when he started Manicaretti in 1989 and soon became the go-to man for everything Italian in the retail food and restaurant industries, winning awards and teaching Italian cooking classes around the world. After dividing his time between the Bay Area and Florence for years, he now happily calls Florence home.
Elizabeth Minchilli
Elizabeth is one of the founders and owners of Via Rosa Tours. She has been writing about the joys of Italian life for 35 years. She is the author of 9 books on Italy, including her most recent, The Italian Table, Eating My Way Through Italy, and Eating Rome. She has written for over 40 publications, including Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, and The New York Times. Her award-winning blog is where she has shared her passion for Italian food, writing about recipes, meals, and restaurants for the past 15 years. She now publishes one of the best-selling travel newsletters on Substack. She has been leading food tours since 2011, and you can read about them in magazines and in this article from the New York Times. You can follow Elizabeth on her very active Instagram and TikTok accounts, where she shares scenes from daily life, including her tours.