A Connecticut-based travel company is carving out a niche for wine lovers who'd rather linger in one Italian region than sprint between landmarks. Excursions by Burgio runs all-inclusive, week-long, small-group tours through four of Italy's standout wine regions: Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily and Alto Adige.
The company was founded by Anne Burgio, who spent 27 years in the wine trade before turning her contacts into itineraries. Her credentials are unusually strong for a tour operator: she runs the WSET Diploma (roughly 180 people earn it worldwide each year), holds the Certified Wine Educator designation, and previously founded her own wine import business. Her stated philosophy is that wine shouldn't be intimidating — the trips are built around enjoyment and connection rather than formal tasting-room lectures.
So what does a week actually look like? Days mix exclusive winery visits with time to wander historic towns, plus hands-on extras like cooking classes. In Tuscany, stops include heavyweights such as Il Poggione, Le Macchiole and Lamole di Lamole, with downtime in Montalcino, San Gimignano, Siena and Montepulciano. Piedmont itineraries feature Fontafredda, Massolino and Michele Chiarlo around Alba and Barolo. In Sicily, guests visit COS and Donnafugata between Taormina, Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Ortigia. Airport transfers and all in-trip transport are included, and guests sleep in upscale hotels or classic villas.
There are two formats. The Curated Boutique Luxury Experience starts at €6,800 per person and can be customised with spa days, golf or Vespa tours for a supplement. The Curious Wanderer trips start at €4,800 and trade some structure for free time — a good fit if you'd rather explore on your own for part of the day. Both tiers cover accommodation, cooking classes, winery tours, tailored dining and transport; airfare, travel insurance, city taxes and personal spending are on you.
Dates for 2027 Curious Wanderer departures are now live, and the calendar is telling: Tuscany runs in January, February, March, April, May, September and October; Sicily trips run in February, April, May, June and September; Piedmont gets June and a late-October/early-November slot timed for truffle season vibes; and Alto Adige gets July for alpine summer. There's a conspicuous gap in August — the company bluntly skips it because Italy shuts down and heats up that month. December trips are enquired about rather than scheduled, focusing on Christmas markets and winery visits.
Who is this for? Travellers who want a curated, low-stress deep dive into Italian wine and food without the logistics headache — small groups, expert guidance, and access to prestigious wineries that can be hard to book independently. If you're comfortable planning yourself, it may feel pricey; if you want someone else to handle the bookings, driving and restaurant picks, the value proposition is clear. One tip: insurance isn't required but is strongly recommended by the operator, and booking early matters given the limited departure dates. Source: Italy Magazine.
