Leadership Idaho Agriculture invites alumni and guests to trade Idaho fields for Italian farmland and experience agriculture on a global stage. The immersive LIA International Exchange: Southern Italy will put participants face-to-face with the people, practices, traditions, and innovation shaping Southern Italy’s ag industry and rural communities.

From vineyard to dairy to large-scale production, participants will experience Southern Italy agriculture at every level. The itinerary includes visits to a progressive social cooperative farm outside Rome, one of Italy’s most advanced agricultural enterprises, olive oil estates, pasta producers in Gragnano, buffalo mozzarella operations in the Paestum region, and family-run livestock farms in Campania. Guests will also gain hands-on insight into wine production, sustainable farming practices, food heritage, and regional ag traditions that have shaped Italy for generations.

Beyond the agricultural experiences, travelers will explore some of Italy’s most iconic destinations and cultural treasures including Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast. Highlights include authentic Neapolitan pizza, winery tastings on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, a hands-on gnocchi cooking class, visits to historic villages and coastal towns, and guided experiences through centuries of Italian history and culture.

This is far more than a sightseeing tour! LIA International Exchange: Southern Italy is a deep dive into global agriculture, innovation, food systems, leadership, and tradition, designed to broaden perspectives and create unforgettable connections with fellow LIA alumni and guests.

Southern Italy

November 12-21, 2027

$500 deposit due with application

(non-refundable if selected; applied to total)

APPLICATIONS COMING SOON

* Draft Itinerary Below *

DRAFT SCHEDULE

(last updated May 2026)

November 12, 2027 – ARRIVAL IN ROME

Overnight: Rome – 4* hotel (BB)
Included Meals: Dinner

• Participants arrive on individual flights and check in independently, with optional private transfers available upon request. We request guests arrive prior to 1:00 pm and transfer to the hotel so they may participate in the walking tour of the area planned for the afternoon with our dedicated Tour Manager.
• In the evening we will have a welcome dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight in your Hotel in Rome, 4* Starhotel Metropole or similar

November 13, 2027 – Castelli Romani Full Day 

Overnight: Rome – 4* hotel (BB)
Included Meals: Breakfast + lunch with wine tasting

• After breakfast, we depart from Rome for a full-day excursion into the picturesque Castelli Romani, a charming cluster of hill towns nestled in the Alban Hills, just south of the capital. This region has long been a retreat for Roman nobility and is renowned for its scenic landscapes, volcanic lakes, and rich culinary traditions.
• The morning begins with a visit to Agricoltura Nuova, a remarkable social cooperative and multifunctional farm located on the outskirts of Rome. This inspiring project combines sustainable agriculture with social inclusion, offering visitors a unique insight into innovative farming practices and community-driven production. During the guided visit, participants will discover the farm’s diverse activities, including organic vegetable cultivation, livestock breeding, dairy production, and on-site transformation of products. The visit provides a meaningful perspective on responsible agriculture and short supply chains, deeply rooted in the local territory.
• Continuing into the heart of the Castelli Romani area, the group will reach a selected local winery, where a guided tour of the estate and production facilities will introduce the traditions and techniques behind the region’s renowned wines. From vineyard to cellar, guests will gain a comprehensive understanding of local grape varieties and winemaking processes.
• The experience culminates with a wine tasting followed by a typical lunch, featuring regional specialties carefully paired with the estate’s wines. This convivial moment offers an authentic immersion into the flavors and hospitality of the Roman countryside.
• In the afternoon, time permitting, a short stop in one of the characteristic villages such as Frascati or Castel Gandolfo may be included for a pleasant stroll and to enjoy panoramic views over Lake Albano.
• Return to Rome in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure.

November 14, 2027 – Rome/ Tourism Highlights 

Overnight: Rome – 4* hotel (BB)
Included Meals: Breakfast

• Open day for guests to explore Rome on their own.

It is highly recommended you book entry tickets for the popular tourist attractions ahead of time. These include:

• The Colosseum
• The Vatican
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Sistine Chapel
• The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• Rome’s Pantheon
• Tiber River cruise
• Underground tour of Rome

Frederick Travel Waterloo can assist with entry tickets and assistance if required.

Note: Our Tour Manager will be available for any questions/ direction/ recommendations our group may need on this day as they explore Rome on their own. 

November 15, 2027 – Rome – Maccarese Farm – Olive Oil - Naples 

Overnight: Rome – 4* hotel (BB)
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

• After breakfast and check-out, departure by private coach towards Naples.
• En route, stop for a visit to Azienda Agricola Maccarese, one of the most important and best-known agricultural realities in the Roman countryside. The visit offers an interesting introduction to a large-scale and highly organized farming model, with insight into land management, livestock activity, technological innovation and sustainability practices.
• After the visit, continue south towards Naples.
• Lunch in a typical Agriturismo or traditional restaurant.
• In the afternoon, we continue towards the Lazio countryside for a stop at Olio dei Papi, a prestigious olive oil producer deeply rooted in the tradition of the region. The visit includes a guided tour of the estate and production facilities, where guests will learn about the cultivation of olive trees and the process of producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The experience concludes with a tasting session, allowing participants to appreciate the distinctive aromas and flavors of the different oils.
• We arrival in Naples in the late afternoon. Dinner in a traditional pizzeria, where guests will enjoy the authentic Neapolitan pizza, a true symbol of local culture and gastronomy. Overnight in Naples.

November 16, 2027 – Pompeii – Wine Estate - Sorrento 

Overnight: Sorrento 4*
Included Meals: Breakfast + lunch tasting + dinner

• Breakfast, check-out and departure towards Pompeii.
• In the morning, guided visit of Pompeii, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and rediscovered centuries later, Pompeii offers a unique and moving glimpse into daily life in the Roman world. The visit will be arranged with an itinerary suitable for the group’s pace and interests.
• After the archaeological visit, continue to a wine estate located on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Here the volcanic soil, the dramatic landscape and the local wine tradition come together in a very distinctive setting. The visit will be followed by a lunch tasting featuring regional wines and typical products.
• Optional Visit – “Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio” Producer ss an alternative to the winery visit, guests may enjoy a visit to a local producer of the renowned Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP, cultivated on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvius. The experience includes a brief introduction to traditional growing and preservation methods, followed by a tasting of this unique product, celebrated for its intense flavor and connection to the Vesuvian territory.
• In the afternoon, continue to Sorrento, check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

November 18, 2027 – Farm Experience & Amalfi Coast 

Overnight: Sorrento 4*
Included Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

• This morning is dedicated to an immersive agricultural and culinary experience in the Sorrento Peninsula.
• The group will visit Azienda La Sorgente, a local farm where lemons and olive trees are cultivated and transformed into emblematic products of the territory such as extra virgin olive oil and limoncello. The estate is also connected to the preparation of fresh dairy products, allowing guests to appreciate another essential expression of Campania’s food heritage.
• Following the visit to the farm and its productions, the group will take part in a hands-on cooking class focused on one of the area’s beloved dishes: gnocchi alla sorrentina. Lunch will be served on site.
• In the afternoon, excursion to Amalfi for a discovery of this historic maritime town, with time to enjoy the unique setting between sea and cliffs.
• For the return, the program foresees a boat ride from Amalfi to Salerno, an elegant and practical solution that avoids the limitations imposed on tourist coaches along the coastal road. From Salerno, continue back to Sorrento by private coach.
• Dinner and Overnight in your Hotel in Sorrento.

November 19, 2027 – Buffalo Dairy Farm & Free time in Sorrento 

Overnight: Sorrento 4*
Included Meals: Breakfast + Lunch

• After breakfast, departure towards PAERSTUM region for a visit to a buffalo dairy farm, where the group will discover one of southern Italy’s most iconic productions: Mozzarella di Bufala.
• This experience is conceived as both technical and enjoyable. Guests will learn more about buffalo breeding, milk quality, the key steps of cheese production and the characteristics that distinguish buffalo mozzarella from other fresh cheeses. Where possible, the visit will include observation of the production areas and a final tasting lunch with the farm’s specialties.
• Return to Sorrento.
• The afternoon will be left free for personal time: a relaxed stroll in the center, shopping, a café break overlooking the sea or simply time to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings.
• Dinner at leisure and overnight in Sorrento.

November 20, 2027 – Buffalo Dairy Farm & Free time in Sorrento 

Overnight: Rome – 4* hotel nearby the airport (BB)
Included Meals: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

• After breakfast and check-out, departure from Sorrento heading towards Rome.
• The morning begins with a visit to the Agrozootecnica F.lli De Gennaro in Bacoli, a well-established family-run farm representing the rich agricultural traditions of the Campania region. The farm is engaged in the breeding of cattle, pigs, and poultry, offering a comprehensive overview of diversified livestock farming. During the visit, participants will gain insight into animal husbandry practices, feeding systems, and farm management, with a focus on quality production and respect for local traditions. This visit provides a valuable opportunity to understand the link between primary production and the regional food culture.
• Lunch in a typical Restaurant / Agriturismo
• Following the visit, we travel towards Caserta. Upon arrival, we will have a guided visit of the magnificent Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest royal residences in Europe. Commissioned by the Bourbon kings of Naples in the 18th century, the palace impresses with its grand architecture, lavish interiors, and spectacular gardens featuring fountains, waterfalls, and long perspective avenues inspired by Versailles.
• After the visit, continue to Rome. Arrival in Rome in the late afternoon and check-in at the hotel (conveniently located near the airport). Free time to relax before the group gathers again for a farewell dinner (in hotel), a final convivial moment to conclude the journey together.

November 21, 2027 – Departure

Included Meals: Breakfast

• Independent transfers to Rome Airport according to flight schedules
• Optional private transfers available upon request.