The First Italian Grand Tasting Tour - Sussex Made, Italian Soul

Guided E-bus tour tasting italian inspired Focaccia, Cheese and Wine + aperitif & digestif. Learn the secrets but also how to dance!
About this Event
# Grand Tasting Tour, Sussex Made, Italian Soul 🇮🇹🚌
**A Taste of Italy, Crafted in Sussex**
📅 **Friday 21st August 2026**
🕙 10:00 AM departure – 3:00 PM return
📍 Departs from Brighton Seafront
🎟️ £65 per person — only 22 tickets available!
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## Join Us for an Unforgettable Day
The Brighton Italian Festival is proud to present the **first-ever Grand Tasting Tour** — a one-day journey through the best of Sussex's Italian-inspired food, wine, and culture, all aboard the iconic **Big Lemon** electric bus.
From artisan focaccia in historic Lewes to organic English wine at a premier vineyard, guided olive oil tastings, a live Pizzica folk dance session, and a Limoncello toast to send you home happy — this is one day, many flavours, and unforgettable memories.
**Only 22 tickets available** to keep the experience intimate — once they're gone, they're gone, so book early!
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## What's Included
- 🚌 Return travel on the 100% electric Big Lemon bus
- 🧀 Artisan focaccia workshop & Puglia EVOO tasting
- 🍷 Guided wine tasting at an award-winning organic vineyard
- 🥂 Alcoholic and non-alcoholic aperitivo en route
- 🍽️ Grazing lunch
- 💃 Live Pizzica folk dance session
- 🇮🇹 On-board Italian language lesson
- 🍋 Homemade Limoncello and a farewell dessert
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## Tour Itinerary
**10:00 AM — Departure, Brighton Seafront**
Board the Big Lemon, meet your host, and settle in for an on-board Italian lesson as we head into the Sussex countryside.
**10:30 AM — Stop 1: Lewes**
*Caccia & Tails — Artisan Focaccia & Puglia EVOO Workshop*
Learn the secrets of fresh artisan focaccia and taste it fresh from the oven, paired with a guided olive oil tasting featuring EVOO and olives imported directly from Puglia.
**12:30 PM — Stop 2: Oxney Organic Estate, Rye**
*Vineyard Visit & Guided Wine Tasting*
Explore England's premier organic vineyard with a guided wine tasting and cheese pairing, then dance off lunch with a high-energy Pizzica folk dance workshop led by Mariangela Franco.
**2:30 PM — Stop 3: The Secret Italian Finale**
We end the day at one of Sussex's hidden gems of Italian culture — homemade Italian dessert, a final Limoncello toast, and time to soak it all in before the journey home.
**3:00 PM — Return to Brighton**
Arrive back at Brighton Seafront full, happy, and a little more Italian than when you left.
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## Meet Your Cultural Guides
- **William Ranieri** — Interactive Italian language session covering essential travel phrases and food terminology
- **The Cheese Hut** — Sussex cheese expert leading an Italian-inspired cheese and grazing experience
- **Mariangela Franco** — Talk on authentic Pugliese retreats plus the live Pizzica dance session
- **Giannella Olive Oil & Focaccia Genovese** — The secrets of focaccia making, plus EVOO production, harvest, and tasting notes
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## The Details
**Price:** £65 per person
**Includes:** Big Lemon bus transport, all tastings, winery visit, grazing lunch, Limoncello, and workshops
**Seats:** Only 22 available, to keep the group intimate
**Departure point:** Brighton Seafront
**Return time:** 3:00 PM
**Contact:** [email protected]
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### 🎟️ Only 22 seats — book yours now. Sussex Made, Italian Soul awaits.










Agenda

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Meet on Brighton Seafront

Info: The Big Lemon Bus will be waiting for you on Brighton Seafront near the Pier

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Caccia and Tails

Info: Meet Elisa from Caccia and tails , learn all the secrets about Focaccia and EVOO and taste the beautiful pairing

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
On the route Aperif

Info: Learn all about Cheese made in Sussex with an Italian Soul , have a small aperivo Italian style and chat Italian with Mariangela and William

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Oxney Organic Estate

Info: Arrive at Oxney Vineyard where you can taste the cheese you learned about and guided tasting of italian inspired wines made in Sussex. Great photos opportunity around the Estate and finally learn how to dance Pizzica with Mariangela

🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
Digestive and dessert at Crocodile Cafe

Info: Meet and greet a genuine gem of Italian Cuisine in Saltdean. Taste a small homemade dessert accompanied by a glass of digestive.

🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Return to Brighton

Info: Same location on the seafront but with a lot more memories to talk about and a little bit more italian ;)