Explore Northern Italy

View of Cinque Terre, Italy from a boat.   Racks of drying prosciutto.   Building in Salsomaggiore Terme, in the Italian province of Parma.

Join SUNY Schenectady for a Food, Wine, and
Cultural Tour of Northern Italy

September 14-24, 2025

See the full trip itinerary.

Travel with the Marco Polo Institute for an enriching educational journey through Northern Italy, designed for adults seeking a deeper connection with the region's food, wine, and culture. This immersive travel program will blend guided tours with hands-on cooking classes, taking participants through northern regions such as Asti, Turin, Parma, and CinqueTerre, also known as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This travel provides the opportunity to study the cuisine and culture of two distinct regions of Italy, including Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna. The focus will be on studying and working with many key ingredients that make Italian cuisine known worldwide. These ingredients include wines, charcuterie, bread, cheeses, pasta, and other regional specialties. The trip will be highlighted by lectures and hands-on instruction from culinarians in the various sectors of production, including vintners, farmers, producers of cheese, balsamic vinegar, cured meats, chefs.

Participants will visit local farms, vineyards, and artisanal producers to learn directly from chefs, winemakers, and food experts. Activities may include truffle hunting (weather permitting), learning how to make fresh pasta, sampling Parmigiano-Reggiano at a traditional cheese maker, and simply immersing oneself in the beauty of the surroundings.

Accommodations are most often boutique hotels, adding to the authenticity and charm of the journey. This opportunity offers a rich educational experience that fosters cultural appreciation, culinary skills, and lasting memories. All of this is accomplished through a 9-day trip to Italy with forty-plus hours of experiential opportunities (and two travel days with international flights and transfers).

What's Included

  • Roundtrip ground transportation from SUNY Schenectady and roundtrip International Air transportation
  • Accommodation - full board in double room (twin or queen)
  • Private Shuttle Bus from/to Italian airports
  • Wines at the restaurant with the Sommelier (in Asti)
  • Fluent English coordinator
  • Liability Insurance

Not Included

    • Room Service
    • Single room - additional cost of $60/day
    • Travel Medical Insurance*
      Note: We recommend you look into travel medical insurance immediately after making your deposit. SUNY Schenectady’s travel partner, Marco Polo, recommends Travel Guard or Allianz Travel.
      *Travelers wishing to not purchase travel medical insurance will be asked to sign a waiver.

Cost

The price of the tour will be $6,950+, includes air fare and transportation to and from the airport. 
Airfare will be purchased approximately 90 days prior to the departure date. No refunds will be given after airfare is purchased. 

  • A 50% deposit is due at the time of registration
  • Final payment due August 1, 2025

+subject change due to airfare cost at the time of purchase

Interested in Joining Us?

For more information about the trip, or to make a reservation, please contact Maria Kotary at 518-595-1101 x4 or kotarymc@sunysccc.edu.

You can also register online via the Non-Credit Registration Form. The course information is as follows: CRN# 91138; CFP 089-51; Explore Northern Italy

Pre-Departure Information

Travelers will be asked for the following information prior to departure date: