After picking you up from your hotel in Milan or Milan airport, we make our way to your luxury hotel set amongst the beauty of Lake Maggiore in Oleggio Castello. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the grounds before we head out to dinner in a beautiful local trattoria.
This morning we head out into the Alpine foothills in search of the lost kings and queens of Piemonte wines: Bramaterra and Lessona. These wines, almost fogotten, bring a classic Nebbiolo to a whole new level, reminiscent of the aromas carried along the alpine winds. This evening our wine Host Mark, will take you through a tour of Piemonte wines that we will explore in the coming days accompanied by our beautiful meal of local ingredients.
There aren’t many exciting destinations for gourmet travelers like Alba, a picturesque town in the heart of Piemonte that’s renowned world-wide for its succulent white truffles, velvety red Barolo and Barbaresco wines and wonderful fruit. Home of some of northern Italy’s best restaurants dotted along every cobblestone street, Alba absolutely deserves its reputation as the jewel of the Langhe and as one of the world’s finest food-and-wine hotspots. On our way to Alba we will stop off first for a visit to a Roero producer and then for a tasting treck through Barbaresco, picking up some wines for tasting later as well. Lunch at a local renowed Trattoria for a feast of the famous Tajarin pasta, then check-in at your impressive hotel, housed in the same complex as the University of Gastronomic Sciences and the Wine Bank, whose building is the result of painstaking restoration of the neo-Gothic collection of King Carlo Alberto of Savoy’s royal estate. After a guided walk around the town , dinner tonight will be at a local steak-house where you’ll taste various cuts of meat from the certified Piemontese “Fassona” breed both chargrilled and raw.
With one Piemonte’s University of Gastronomical Sciences and headquarters of Italy’s Slow food at our door step, Today we head on over to Piemonte’s exclusive ‘Wine bank ‘ where we train our senses with a fun approach to tasting, teaming up with expert chefs, UNISG lecturers and Wine Bank tasters for a wine tasting like no other. For those looking for a more relaxing day, or a bit of a detox, there is also the option to make the most of the luxurious spa facilities located on our property grounds, or to head into Alba for a day of shopping and mingling with the locals. In the afternoon we will all head on into Alba together for a guided walk of the town and an aperitivo. (the losing team from today’s tasting event will pay for it!) before attending a glorious dinner at Duomo hosted by 3 Michel in star Enrico Crippa.
An unforgettable experience awaits you today: we’ll drive through the Langhe region aboard our vintage cars discovering the flavors of the Italian tradition, visiting wineries and stopping to admire castles and medieval villages. Stop for lunch at a local trattoria in Monforte then back on track for some more fun and tastings! After releasing the cars we’ll be back to the hotel for some rest then have another great dinner at a renowned restaurant with a special visit to their spectacular cantina and the grottos hosting some delicious Culatello.
Spend a sparkling morning while visiting local producers of Spumante, Moscato, Brachetto and Monferrato in the Asti area. Following transfer to Turin, the region capital of Piemonte, a fascinating and vibrant city, one shrouded in mystery, immersed in history, and bursting with flavour (both literally and figuratively). You will visit the large street food market in Europe and speak directly with the farmers. High-quality local products will be served to explore the roots of Piemonte’s cuisine and you will enjoy some of Turin’s finest dishes such as zabaione, chocolate, torrone and hazelnut cream. Enjoy some free time before we head back to our relais for some relaxation. In the afternoon you will attend a cooking class back to your hotel, based on local dishes, and enjoy your efforts all together.
Your last day will start with a trip to the Garbagna area looking for famous cherries and where is grown the Timorasso wine, a full bodied white which was about to disappear before being revitalized by local farmers. And our lunch today will be served directly in the vineyard! Back to hotel for packing. Farewell dinner at a family restaurant where your tour leader will greet everyone with a final briefing round the table.
This morning we say our farewells after a beautiful breakfast You will be transferred to Turin Airport or train station for your journey home to to complete your European holiday. Private transfers can be arranged for other locations.
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