9-Day Italian Food Self-Drive Tour from Milan to Rome

🇮🇹 Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection"

🌍 Overview

The Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection" invites you to explore Italy from Rome to the deep South, following the ancient roads of the Roman Empire and the flavors of today’s Mediterranean cuisine. Across 9 easy-paced days, discover Rome, Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Calabria and the Tyrrhenian Sea, with guided visits, tastings and typical dishes included. This itinerary is designed for travelers who love art, history and authentic food and wine experiences, while enjoying the comfort of 4* hotel stays.

🧭 What to Expect

On this Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection", you will travel independently by car while enjoying the structure and reassurance of pre-arranged hotels, guided city tours, tastings and selected meals. Begin in Rome, where the Colosseum, Imperial Forums and Baroque squares set the stage for your journey, before heading south through Campania to Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and the legendary ruins of Pompeii.

From there, your route continues into Calabria, discovering Altomonte, Cosenza, the Tyrrhenian coast, Pizzo Calabro, Tropea, Reggio Calabria and Scilla. Along the way you will visit wine and olive estates, taste Buffalo Mozzarella DOP, limoncello, traditional desserts and the iconic Neapolitan pizza “margherita”. The tour is rated easy, with a relaxed rhythm that balances guided visits, free time, and culinary stops, all supported by local assistance.

✨ Highlights

• 🍝 Explore Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi, Pompeii and Calabria on a structured Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection".
• 🏛️ Discover Ancient and Baroque Rome, from the Colosseum (ext.) and Imperial Forums to Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
• 🍕 Taste Buffalo Mozzarella DOP, authentic Neapolitan pizza “margherita”, limoncello, and typical desserts in Rome, Naples and Calabria.
• 🌊 Drive along the UNESCO-listed Amalfi Coast, stopping in Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, with time to stroll historic centers and panoramic squares.
• 🏺 Visit Pompeii Archaeological Park with a guided tour, then continue to Altomonte for a wine estate experience with tastings of local products.
• 🎨 Walk through Cosenza’s open-air MAB museum, the painted village of Diamante, and the coastal gems of Pizzo Calabro, Tropea and Scilla.
• 🏨 Enjoy 8 nights in carefully selected 4* hotels with breakfasts, several dinners, guided tours, entrances and tastings included for an easy, worry-free itinerary.

🗺️ Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Rome & Trastevere by Night
Arrival in Rome, check-in and accommodation in a 4* hotel. Free time to start discovering the Eternal City at your own pace. In the evening, transfer (night service) to Trastevere for dinner based on typical Roman dishes with live music, then return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 2 – Ancient & Baroque Rome with Sweet Tasting
Breakfast at the hotel, then guided tour of Rome. Begin from the Colosseum (exterior) and tour Ancient Rome, including the Imperial Forums, the Capitoline Hill and the Altar of the Fatherland in Piazza Venezia. Continue with Baroque Rome, visiting Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Enjoy a stop for tasting typical Roman sweets, then free time for lunch in a Roman trattoria, relaxation and shopping. Return to the hotel, dinner (night inclusion where specified) and overnight.

Day 3 – Rome to Naples & Buffalo Mozzarella DOP
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Naples. En route, stop for a tasting of Buffalo Mozzarella DOP. Arrival in Naples, check-in at the hotel and free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, guided tour from Piazza Dante through the Spanish Quarters, Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino), Piazza Plebiscito, the Royal Palace and the Church of San Francesco di Paola. Visit the Galleria Umberto I with tasting of typical Neapolitan cakes. In the evening, enjoy dinner with true Neapolitan pizza “margherita”. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 4 – Sorrento, Limoncello & Amalfi Coast
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Sorrento. On arrival, enjoy a walk through the historic center, including the Duomo, Sedile Dominova and Piazza Tasso, the beating heart of the town. Visit a limoncello production company with tasting. Continue towards the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a lunch stop along the way. Stop in Positano for a scenic visit, then continue to Amalfi with time to explore the historic center. Return to the hotel, stop for dinner in a trattoria and overnight.

Day 5 – Pompeii & Altomonte Wine Estate
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Pompeii. Enjoy a guided tour of the Archaeological Park, discovering the ancient city frozen in time. After the visit, free time for lunch. Continue to Altomonte and visit the estate of the Castle of Serragiumenta, a farm producing wines, fruits and oil. Explore the vineyards and processing areas, followed by a wine tasting with typical local products. Departure for Cosenza, arrival, check-in and dinner at the hotel, overnight.

Day 6 – Cosenza & Tyrrhenian Coast
Breakfast at the hotel and guided tour of Cosenza. Start from Corso Mazzini with the MAB, an open-air art gallery, then continue to Piazza dei Bruzi and into "Cosenza Vecchia", the medieval village. Visit the Duomo and see the Rendano Theatre, with a stop to taste a typical Cosentino dessert. Lunch in a trattoria based on typical dishes. In the afternoon, departure for the Tyrrhenian coast with stops at the Sanctuary of San Francesco di Paola, the Terme Luigiane and finally Diamante, part of the "circuit of the painted cities" and seat of the Academy of chili. Free time to visit the village. Return to the hotel in the evening, time for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 – Pizzo Calabro & Tropea
Breakfast and departure for Pizzo Calabro. Guided tour of the village, including the exterior of Murat Castle, "u Spunduni", the old town and the Duomo. Stop to taste the famous "truffle of Pizzo", the first ice cream with IGP brand. Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, continue to Tropea, pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, for a guided tour of the historic center leading to the terrace overlooking the sea with a view of the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola. Departure for Reggio Calabria, arrival at the hotel, check-in, time for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – Reggio Calabria & Scilla
Breakfast at the hotel and guided tour of Reggio Calabria, from the seafront promenade to the historic center along Corso Garibaldi. Visit the Cathedral, see the Aragonese Castle and the Roman baths, and continue to Piazza De Nava for a visit to the Archaeological Museum, with its historical and cultural route and the famous Riace Bronzes. Free time for lunch, then departure for Scilla. On arrival, visit the village, the fishing quarter and the exterior of Ruffo Castle. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 9 – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and free time according to your departure schedule. End of services.

✅ What’s Included

• 8 nights accommodation in 4* hotels
• Daily breakfast at the hotels
• Dinners as indicated in the program (including pizza dinner in Naples and farewell dinner in Reggio Calabria)
• Guided tours in Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Altomonte estate, Cosenza, Pizzo Calabro, Tropea, Reggio Calabria and Scilla, as per itinerary
• Entrances where specified, including Pompeii Archaeological Park and Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria (with Riace Bronzes)
• Tastings of Buffalo Mozzarella DOP, limoncello, wines and typical products at Serragiumenta estate, Roman and Calabrian sweets, Neapolitan cakes, and truffle of Pizzo
• Evening transfer to Trastevere for dinner with live music (Rome)
• Assistance during the tour, as indicated by the operator

❌ Exclusions

• Transportation / rental car for the self drive element (not specified as included)
• Lunches where marked as not included (ni)
• Any dinners or meals not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as drinks, tips and shopping
• Travel insurance and any optional activities not described in the program

ℹ️ Important Information

• Tour level: The itinerary is rated EASY, suitable for travelers with normal mobility who can comfortably join walking tours in historic centers and archaeological sites.
• Self drive format: This is a self drive program, with travelers responsible for their own transportation between stages. Vehicle rental or private car services are not specified as included.
• Accommodation: Stays are in 4* hotels for 8 nights, with breakfast included. Specific hotel names may vary and are not detailed in the description.
• Guided visits: Guided tours and tastings follow the sequence described in the itinerary. Entrance to certain monuments is external only where marked (ext.).
• Meals: Several dinners and tastings are included, while some lunches and dinners are marked as not included (ni). Travelers should plan for additional meals independently.
• Accessibility: The tour visits historic centers, coastal villages and archaeological sites that may involve cobblestones, stairs and uneven ground. No specific accessibility adaptations are mentioned.
• Weather & clothing: The experience runs through coastal and hill areas of central and southern Italy. Comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing and sun protection are recommended.
• Changes & timing: Exact times, order of visits and tastings may vary according to local conditions, opening hours or seasonal factors, while maintaining the overall content of the program.

🚗 Taste The Mediterranean Road – Your Italian Journey Awaits

From imperial stones to seaside sunsets, follow Italy’s flavors all the way south.

Reserve your place on the Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection" and enjoy an easy, curated route from Rome to Calabria, rich in history, landscapes and unforgettable tastings. With 4* hotels, guided visits and authentic local cuisine woven into every day, this self drive adventure lets you experience Italy in depth, at your own rhythm, with the comfort of a well-planned itinerary.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

1. What makes the Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection" special?

This itinerary combines a self drive format with structured guided tours, tastings and selected meals from Rome to the deep South of Italy. You experience major historical sites like Pompeii and Reggio Calabria’s Archaeological Museum together with food and wine highlights such as Buffalo Mozzarella DOP, limoncello, wines and typical desserts.

2. How is the self drive aspect of the tour organized?

The Mediterranean Passion: 9 days Self Drive Tour, "Itineraries of the taste Collection" is designed so that travelers move between destinations by their own means, while hotels, guided visits, tastings and some dinners are pre-arranged. Transportation or car rental is not specified as included, so participants are expected to organize their own vehicle or transfers.

3. What level of physical fitness is required for this itinerary?

The tour is described as EASY, meaning it suits travelers with normal mobility who can handle walking tours in cities, villages and archaeological sites. There may be cobblestones, stairs and uneven ground, but no special technical skills are required.

4. Which meals are included during the tour?

Daily breakfasts at the hotels, several dinners (such as the Trastevere evening, pizza dinner in Naples and farewell dinner in Reggio Calabria) and various tastings are included. Some lunches and other meals are clearly marked as not included (ni), so you will have free time to choose where and what to eat.

5. Are all entrance tickets and guided tours mentioned in the itinerary included?

The description states that guided tours, entrances, tastings, typical cuisine and assistance are included, and it specifically mentions sites such as Pompeii Archaeological Park and the Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria. However, some monuments are visited only from the outside (ext.), and any additional entrances beyond what is listed are not specified.