Savour and indulge in the flavours and vistas of Piedmont and Lake Maggiore as you wine and dine in medieval towns, and discover the lakeside villages and villas of the stunning region. Explore the resort town of Stresa on Italy’s Lake Maggiore. Gaze upon the boats which run from the waterfront to the Borromean Islands, home to palazzos, villas, and fishing ports. Visit the region’s capital, Turin, offering classical splendour and rich historical heritage. Discover the hillsides spreading to the horizon, little medieval villages, each one with its own history and culture. Explore the Langhe, the historic region of Piedmont extending between Cuneo and Asti, renowned for its vineyards, truffles and cheese. Not to mention the wines, the names of which are world-renowned, Barolo, Nebbiolo and much more!
Welcome to Milan! Arrive at Milan airport and after clearing customs meet your driver and tour escort for transfer to Stresa situated on lovely Lake Maggiore. This afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of Stresa. Welcome cocktail and dinner. Meals: D
This morning embark on a cruise to Isola Bella, the beautiful Borromean island in the middle of Lake Maggiore. The island is occupied by the 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo with its extravagantly landscaped gardens. The island offers lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains. We will visit the palazzo, with its priceless works of fine art, and stroll through the flower-decked gardens then enjoy lunch together on nearby Isola dei Pescatori. On the way back to our hotel we will visit the lakeside town of Orta San Giulio – dubbed “God’s watercolour” by Italian writer Piero Chiara – with its cobblestoned streets, 16th-century town hall, and medieval houses flanking the town square. Return to the hotel. Dinner at leisure. Meals: B, L
Early departure for Milan. Enjoy a city tour to admire some of the world’s most wonderful art and architecture. Visit the beautiful Renaissance church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a World Heritage Site, see Leonardo’s magnificent “The Last Supper.” Visit the museum at the iconic La Scala, Italy’s premier opera house, and enter the 14th-century Duomo, a Gothic wonder. Free for lunch and time for shopping. Late afternoon return to Stresa for dinner. Meals: B, D
Depart the region of Lombardy today for Piedmont. Our first stop will be near Vercelli in northern Piedmont. We will find an enchanting and fertile land surrounded by watery mirrors, where humans have nurtured ancient traditions and a deeply-rooted risicultural heritage since the 1500s. In these landscapes, Italian rice began its long journey to play an important part in the country’s gastronomy. The history of rice is as ancient as a human civilization in Asia, and thousands of years of evolution passed before it even arrived on Italian soil. Visit and lunch at Tenuta la Colombara. We continue with a stop at Grinzane Cavour Castle located in one of the most spectacular settings in the Langa region. The Castle now houses the “Cavour” Regional Enoteca, a prestigious showcase for the very best Piedmontese wines and grappa ( Barolo and Barbaresco). In the afternoon a stop in the town of Cherasco, known as the “city of the seven peace treaties”, snail farming and fine chocolate production. Visit a local chocolate producer. Time to enjoy!! Arrival at your hotel in Alba for tonight’s welcome dinner. Meals: B, L, D
Saturday is the day market in Alba. We will visit this colourful food market!! We continue to Borgomale for a very special day! We will meet Silvio Pistone in his Cascina and participate in truffle hunting in the enchanting woods. Our visit includes his cheese factory where typical cheeses are produced, such as the D.O.P. Mulassano and Langhe Tuma. These cheeses are made only with raw sheep milk. A tasting of cheeses, bread and local products will follow. Proceed to Cascina Sciulun in Borgomale where the Conterno family works hard to produce uniquely elegant and prestigious wines in the heart of the Langhe. Franco Conterno will introduce you to his wine production. Enjoy a wine degustation and country lunch. In the afternoon we will continue to Rodello for a visit to a hazelnut laboratory. We will be shown the entire production process and naturally taste all the products!. Meals: B, L, D
This morning we will drive to Pollenzo to visit the University of Gastronomic Sciences, an internationally renowned university. The University is located in the beautiful Castello di Pollenzo. In the cellars of the Castle, you can find the Bank of Wine which houses a selection of the best Italian wines. Under the guidance of the restaurant Chef, we will prepare Piedmontese “Tajarin” and “Ravioli” egg pasta. This experience constitutes a special moment during which everyone will personally execute every single phase of pasta preparation: it is a simple and delicious dish, prepared exactly like our grandmothers. Next, we experience a tasting of some of the most appreciated wine regions in the world: Barolo and Barbaresco. Enjoy a special tasting of these fine wines. Lunch will be included. Afternoon return to Alba for Dinner. Meals: B, L, D
This morning we will leave the Langhe and drive to Turin. Our first stop will be at Pralormo Castle to meet marquis Addolorata. We will discover one of her special family recipes. Drive to the magnificent Sacra di San Michele, a mist-shrouded monastery perched on a rocky crag and surrounded by soaring snowcapped peaks. An important example of Romanesque architecture, this ancient abbey inspired Italian novelist Umberto Eco’s murder mystery novel, The Name of the Rose. Lunch in a local restaurant. We continue to Turin, the first capital of Italy. Afternoon walking tour to discover Turin. Enjoy welcome reception and dinner. Meals: B, L, D
Sophisticated, historic Turin, the first capital of the Italian Republic. We will visit the Palazzo Reale and Greek and Roman archaeological treasures in the Museo di Antichità. Within the palace, confines are the stunning Cappella della Sacra Sindone (Chapel of the Holy Shroud), a 17th-century architectural masterpiece that reopened in 2018 after being closed for some 30 years following a devastating fire. The religious relic is today kept out of sight in the nearby Cathedral. We will stop at Al Bicerin, the most unique café in the town, which opened in 1763 and has always been owned and operated by women. Afternoon dedicated to a visit to the city’s most fascinating sights, il Museo Egizio, with its collection rivalling the British Museum and Cairo Museum of Archeology. Meals: B, L, D
Today we will discover the Reggia di Venaria, immense, luxurious, sumptuous yet exceptionally elegant, with its French-style park of gardens considered the Italian Versailles. This afternoon we will have an interesting hands-on course. Think of a cocktail or a cocktail builder and you’ll instantly think of Vermouth. No matter where you are, the connection between this drink and Turin is natural. This afternoon we will prepare our personal Vermouth. Return to the hotel for the farewell dinner. Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast transfer from Turin to Milan (Malpensa) airport. Meals: B
