After a successful trip to China in 2026, Elders Wool is inviting wool growers to join us once again - this time for a 15-day tour of Italy.
We'll follow Australian Superfine Merino from leading spinning and weaving mills to some of the world’s finest fabrics. You'll gain behind-the-scenes industry access, while experiencing iconic destinations including Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and Naples.
"The hands-on access and attention to detail were excellent, right down to dinner that night. Timing and planning of everything was spot on.”
- T &T Martin - New South Wales. 2025 China tour participant.
2027 Italian tour overview
- Dates: 1 to 16 May 2027
- Duration: 15 days in Italy, plus international travel time
- Cost: $11,750.00 per person, twin share
- Single supplement: $2,370.00
- Tour style: Fully guided, industry-focused and professionally organised.
The tour combines exclusive wool industry access with some of Italy's best-known cultural experiences. See the full itinerary below. - Who is it for?: Wool growers and industry participants interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the Italian textile industry and the global market for Australian wool.
Meet your host
Our tour will be arranged and hosted by Andrew Dennis, of Rosewood Wool Services - a name familiar to many Elders' wool clients. Andrew commenced work with Elders in 2001, working in both international and national roles before moving into an independent consulting role.
Since 2012 Andrew has hosted grower tours to international destinations including China, Vietnam, Argentina and Italy, many exclusively for Elders clients. He takes great pride in hosting well organised tours where participants just have to "get on the bus each day at the prescribed time".
Got a question? Here's the answer
Find the answer to some of the questions we get asked most
The tour will be moderately paced, with travel between cities primarily by air-conditioned coach. Some mill visits involve stairs, while walking tours in destinations such as Venice and Rome may include extended periods walking on cobblestone streets.
A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is therefore recommended.
The tour cost includes:
- international flights (economy class)
- accommodation
- all meals
- coach and other organised transport
- industry visits
- guided touring and organised activities included in the itinerary.
You will need to cover:
- travel insurance
- personal shopping and expenses
- snacks and refreshments
- alcohol purchases
- optional activities or arrangements outside the organised itinerary.
Economy flights are currently planned with Emirates via Dubai. Alternative routing through Singapore or Hong Kong may also be considered if required.
Yes. Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades can be arranged at an additional cost, subject to availability.
Yes. You are welcome to arrange additional European travel following the tour at your own expense.
If extending your stay, you can depart from the group in Naples, rather than returning directly to Australia.
Read an outline of each day's activities below.
Depart from Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, with planned flights connecting through Dubai.
Following the stopover, the group will travel together to Milan, arriving the following afternoon.
Arrive in Milan before traveling by coach to Biella, one of the world's most important wool textile regions.
Check into your hotel. There is time to settle in and explore before a welcome group dinner.
We begin our industry program with a journey through the wool supply chain, from combing and spinning to weaving and finished fabric.
Planned visits include Romagnano, Vitale Barberis Canonico and Botto Giuseppe.
Time and weather permitting, the afternoon may include a visit to the Sanctuary of Oropa.
Today we visit Tollegno 1900, an historic producer of worsted fabrics and wool yarns for knitwear, producing millions of metres of fabric each year.
The visit will include an opportunity for you to explore the Tollegno outlet before we continue to Fratelli Piacenza, which specialises in noble fibres including Superfine Merino, cashmere, yak and camel.
Today we travel north to Quarona, for a planned visit to Loro Piana.
You'll learn about the role of Merino wool within one of the world's leading luxury brands before continuing to Milan for the afternoon.
Today we'll visit The Woolmark Company team in Milan for a discussion on the wool industry, market developments and trends across Italy and Europe.
We'll then spend the afternoon exploring some of Milan's most recognised landmarks and cultural attractions.
Depart Milan for Valdagno, to visit Marzotto's spinning and weaving operations.
You'll see a different scale of Italian textile manufacturing, with a large industrial operation producing entirely within Europe.
We'll then continue to Venice for a two-night stay.
Spend the day exploring and experiencing Venice, one of Italy's most unique cities.
Today we travel south from Venice towards Florence.
We'll take a side trip to a local food producer, such as a cheese or Parma ham business along the way.
Begin the day exploring Florence, including landmarks such as the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo.
In the afternoon, we return to the wool story with a visit to Prato, one of Italy's most important textile centres. We will explore a smaller artisan mill and see how the region's family-run businesses approach textile production differently from the larger operations of northern Italy.
Today we travel to Pisa to explore the city's famous landmarks, before continuing to Volterra.
Discover the area's Etruscan history and learn more about the civilisation that preceded the Roman Empire.
Enjoy a scenic journey as we travel south towards Rome.
On arrival, enjoy a proposed late afternoon or evening tour of the Colosseum and ancient Roman sites.
We begin the day with an early visit to Vatican City.
The afternoon will provide some free time to explore Rome, with a possible visit to a nearby sheep farm also being considered.
Today we travel south to Pompeii to explore the remarkably preserved ruins of the ancient city.
We then continue to Naples and check into the final hotel of the tour.
This morning enjoy a final breakfast before travelling to Naples Airport for the return journey to Australia.
For those extending their European travels, you can begin your own arrangements from here.
Arrive home in Australia, with wonderful memories and new-found friends, following your Elders Wool Italian tour.
Still have a question?
Speak to your District Wool Manager who will be able to help you.