PIEDMONT IN SPRING 2024

Welcome to regal, beautiful Turin! Did you know it was the first capital of Italy and home to the Royal family of Savoy? 

Arrive ‘con calma’ (the Italian way of doing things calmly, you’re on vacation after all!) and check in at your hotel in the heart of the city in the early afternoon. Once you are settled in, meet with the rest of your group and your host Olivia to indulge in a favorite Italian passtime – aperitivo!

Do as the Torinese do and get to know the group over a glass of homemade vermut (vermouth) with a delicious local sandwich called a tramezzino at one of the city’s beautifully ornate and historic cafés. Dinner tonight features traditional Piemontese dishes at one of the locals’ favorite restaurants.

Day 1 Inclusions:

• Meals: Evening welcome aperitivo, Dinner with wine

Hotel

• NH Collection Torino (or similar)

Visiting the Porta Palazzo produce market is our first activity for today. The market is one of the largest open air markets in Europe and it’s where you’ll find the very best local delicacies. We’ll stop for a special tasting of traditional Piemontese cheeses at the historic cheesemonger shop in the oldest part of town.

Then you are free to explore the city for a few hours on your own. You might like to:

• visit one of Turin’s excellent museums - the Cinema Museum or Egyptian Museum
• explore the Royal Palace,
• climb the landmark Mole
• or enjoy lunch at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants

We’re exploring Turin in the afternoon, with a guided walking tour to see the city’s highlights including the Royal Palace, where we stop to explore the gardens. After admiring the Duomo, and strolling through the oldest part of the town, it’s time to visit a renowned chocolate shop and stop for a bicerin (Piemontese hot chocolate and coffee drink) and hear more stories and the history of this regal city. 

Have some time to freshen up and relax after our walk back at the hotel. Dinner tonight is at a Michelin guide restaurant renowned for its slightly modern take on the classics and phenomenal wine list.

Day 2 Inclusions:

• Tours and activities: Guided walking tour of Turin with expert local guide, cheese tasting and local maret

• Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Bicerin aperitivo, Dinner with matching wines

Hotel:

• NH Collection Torino (or similar)

Today we leave Turin and head to Piedmont’s UNESCO heritage listed wine region, Le Langhe, best known for the Barolo and Barbaresco varieties.  Our day starts with a drive through the endless vineyards lining the hills towards the picturesque town of La Morra.

We arrive for a unique truffle hunting experience in the forest with trained dogs and our private expert local trifolau (truffle hunter) in search of delicious black truffles. 

After spending some time outdoors and hopefully finding a truffle or two, you’ve surely built up an appetite! Our hosts have a delicious light lunch waiting including some specialties of the Langhe region and not to mention a degustation of three of the estate’s wines (including Barolo of course!)

Ee check into our charming country hotel after lunch and have some time to relax before we’re back on the road. This time it’s just a short distance to reach the world renowned village of Barolo, which shares the same name as the famous wine it produces from the nebbiolo grape. Here you have time to wander the streets, stop for a tasting at one of the many wine shops (and do some wine shopping), or simply wander with a gelato. 

Tonight, we head to another village in Le Langhe for dinner at a traditional trattoria. Sit back as we wine and dine you in the gorgeous village of Verduno!

Day 3 Inclusions:

• Tours and activities: Truffle hunt and wine tasting
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with matching wines

Hotel:

• Corte Godina (or similar)

After a leisurely breakfast, this morning, we are donning an apron and rolling up our sleeves as we step into a local Piemontese kitchen and learn the secrets of the cuisine, which, of course, includes traditional pasta making - tajarin or agnolotti del plin!

We’ll reap the rewards of our morning lesson with a four course lunch and three different glasses of the estate’s organic wines. All enjoyed against the backdrop of the majestic green rolling hills in the Langhe of course!

In the afternoon, you have the choice to relax or explore La Morra. Perhaps you want to take in the views from the beautiful panoramic terrace that looks out across the entire region, stock up on wine, wander the historic town, or go for a walk through the vineyards in search of the Barolo chapel.

This evening, we're headed to the official capital of Langhe - Alba. We meet our private tour guide for a guided walking tour through this truffle scented town. After learning more about its history, you have some free time to explore on your own, enjoy dinner or an aperitivo (armed with our very best suggestions of course).

Day 4 Inclusions:

• Tours and activities: Cooking class, Guided tour of Alba 
• Meals: Breakfast, 4 course lunch with matching wine

Hotel:

• Corte Gondina (or similar)

We give you a day to remember forever during our final hours in the elegant, food paradise region of Piedmont.

This morning, we set off to explore the Castle Grinzane Cavour. This fairytale castle, nestled amongst the vines, was constructed during the 11th century. Don’t forget your camera! The views of the surrounding countryside in bloom for Spring are jaw-dropping.

When in Piedmont, we do as the locals do, so of course that means stopping in at a final prestigious winery in the area. Say ‘salute’ (cheers!) as we take a tour around the vineyards and then enjoy a degustation of three delicious organic wines. 

Our final stop before heading back to Turin is at one of the borghi più belli d’Italia (the most beautiful villages in Italy) – and let us tell you, it really is gorgeous! After a walk through town we reach our destination for a delicious farewell lunch. We will try some of the classic dishes of the region you’ve yet to discover, as well as other favorites you’ve discovered during the week. 

Satisfied after a long, relaxing final lunch we head back on our private bus towards Turin where we say our farewells and you continue on your Italian journey, dreaming of Piedmont. 

Day 5 Inclusions:

• Tours and activities: Castle visit and wine tasting
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with wine
• Group departure transfer to Turin train station

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