ITALY: Piedmont Foodie Tour – 6 days
Tour Summary
Piedmont is one of the most famous Wine Regions in the world, and it’s famous also for its superb gastronomic specialties such as Truffle, Cheeses, Hazelnuts, Pastry and Chocolate.
On this tour you will travel through the heart of Piedmont from the enchanting landscapes of the Langhe hills with Barolo and Barbaresco wines to the spectacular vineyards of Monferrato, from the Sparkling wines to the best cheeses in Brà and the unmistakable chocolate in Cherasco. You will stay two nights in Torino, then you will stay three nights in a 4 star relais in the Langhe area, part of a top wine estate surrounded by the vineyards and it also a renowned gourmet restaurant. At the Relais you will learn how to cook Piedmont style and you will get in touch with the local food culture. Join us on this unforgettable foodie tour and share in our passion for Italy and its culinary heritage.
Destinations: Piedmont Turin & Monferrato
Commences in: Turin:
Concludes in: Turin
Tour Style: Luxury Travel
Length: 6 days / 5 nights
Accommodation: 4 Star Luxury Hotels
Meals: Breakfasts; 5 Lunches; 2:
Transportation: Luxury private chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles
Tour Grading: Moderate:
Tour Highlights:
Sightseeing tours in Turin, Monferrato, Asti, Langhe, Pollenzo, Brà, Cherasco
Visit historic Cafès and Royal Palace in Turin
Enjoy a cooking class at the Relais and discover the local food culture
Visit two superb wineries and enjoy wine tastings
Visit the majestic Bank of Wine in Pollenzo
Discover the superb Piedmont cheeses visiting one of the best cheese refiners in Italy and taste excellent cheeses
Visit local chocolate producer where you will taste different kinds of chocolates
Visit a company that produces and cultivates hazelnuts and taste hazelnut products, such as cakes, biscuits, chocolates, cream
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Turin:
Arrival at Turin airport or train station where you will be meet by your private driver and transferred to your accommodation at the 4 star hotel in the historic centre. Turin is an elegant city, it has been the capital of the Kingdom of Savoy for over 300 years and has been the first Capital of the country of Italy in 1800. That regal influence can be seen in the architecture, cuisine and culture, in the stylishly piazzas and in the many regal homes of the Savoy family.
Later this afternoon, meet with your guide at the hotel for a 2 hour guided tour of the historic Cafés: Café Platti and Cafè Mulassano, stop at Baratti e Milano in San Carlo Square for a bicerin tasting. (bicerin is a sort of coffee typical from Turin, made with espresso, chocolate and milk) Dinner on your own this evening, there are several gourmet restaurant within walking distance from your hotel.
Day 2: Turin: (B)
Meet your guide at the hotel this morning for a guided visit of the historic centre of Turin: Royal Savoia Palace, Piazza Castello, Piazza Carlo Felice, and Mole Antonelliana.
This afternoon you may choose;
Options:
Visit the amazing Egypt Museum which houses the world’s second largest collections of Egyptian antiquities after Cairo.
OR
Take the public bus and reach the Royal Palace of Venaria just outside Turin.
Venaria Reale (UNESCO Site Heritage) was created as hunting lodges and places of pleasure of the Royal Savoy family. The enchanting scenario of the Hall of Diana designed in the 17th c. by Amedeo di Castellamonte, the solemn splendor of the Great Gallery and the Church of St. Hubert, the vastness of the 18th c. Juvarra Stables designed by Filippo Juvarra - is a masterpiece of universal baroque as well as the magnificent gardens.
Private transfer and entrance tickets can be arranged
Dinner on your own this evening.
Day 3: Turin – Monferrato: (B)
This morning travel by private car and English speaking driver to the Monferrato where you will visit two excellent, award winner wineries producing superb sparkling wines in and you will have wine tastings. Time at leisure in Asti for a walking tour and lunch on your own. Then, drive to the Relais in the Langhe area where you have your accommodation, a 4 star Relais. The Relais is located in a top wine estate and features a Gourmet Restaurant, a huge private garden, historic wine cellars and it is surrounded by vineyards. Dinner on your own this evening.
Day 4: Monferrato: (B/L)
Following breakfast you will have a private cooking class with the chef of the Relais, cooking Piemonte style and discussing local food culture. Lunch will follow.
In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion through the Langhe, visit a company that produces and cultivates hazelnuts, from the tree to tasty hazelnut products, such as cakes, biscuits, chocolates, cream and different flavoured hazelnuts. You will be able to taste a variety of products. Return to the Relais and dinner on your own.
Day 5: Pollenzo Wine Bank , Piedmont cheeses & Chocolate: (B/L)
Today, travel with your guide through the Langhe and visit “Agenzia di Pollenzo”, the Royal Castle which keeps the University of Gastronomic Sciences and the Bank of Wine in Pollenzo. Located in the historical cellars of the Agenzia di Pollenzo, the Bank of Wine is a centre of storage and refinement for the best wines of Italy. At the same time it is also a museum of Italian wine, offering visitors the chance to discover our oenological heritage and to taste the wines from some of the most prestigious wineries. The Bank of Wine hosts a museum expanding of over two thousand square meters where you can transverse the Italian oenological landscape, stopping, region by region, tasting the wines that represent its history and terroir. Enjoy a private guided tour and wine tasting.
Afterwards, drive to the town of Brà where you will discover the world of the famous Piedmont cheeses. Piedmont is home to the delicious cheeses such as Castelmagno, Toma and Raschera, Murazzano, Robiola di Roccaverano and Ossolano. Bra, a Baroque town, is the cradle of Slow Food and historical centre for seasoning and trading for local cheese makers. Every two years Bra turns into the international capital of Cheese, the event which attracts thousands of cheese and dairy products lovers the cheese capital of Piedmont. You will visit a historic workshop ( cheese refiner ) where you will learn about the local cheeses, the seasoning and will enjoy a light lunch tasting local cheeses and other local specialties.
In the afternoon continue onto Cherasco, known as the “city of the seven peace treaties”, snail farming and fine chocolate production. Visit a local chocolate producer where you will taste different kinds of chocolates, included the renowned baci di Cherasco (Cherasco’s kisses). Transfer back to the Relais and dinner on your own.
Day 6: Depart Turin: (B)
Your bespoke private tour concludes after breakfast.
At your leisure before transferring to the airport or train station with private chauffeur for your onward or homebound journey.
Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise a private guide to accompany you. Some guests may wish to stay another day or more. Please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements.
Our specially curated itineraries are carefully planned and well thought out to ensure you are rewarded with the best experiences. The magic of travelling in private tours allows us to cater for spontaneity and sometimes we often find some wonderful surprises along the way and it can be these unplanned occurrences that are the most memorable. The rich tapestry of experiences and the characters you meet along the way will make this guided private tour something special and one you will remember for a lifetime.
Please Contact Us for further information.
Flexibility
The itinerary may be flexible, sometimes due to weather or sometimes for sites or events which guests may wish to see. If there is something not included in this suggested itinerary that you would like to do or see, please contact us to discuss if it is possible.
Tour Inclusions:
Exclusive and private airport / train station arrival transfers for all guests
Exclusive and private airport / train station departure transfers for all guests
2 night accommodation at 4 star hotel in Turin , breakfast included
3 night accommodation at the 4 star Wine resort in the Langhe area, breakfast included
Meals as indicated in Itinerary: B = Breakfast: L = Lunch: D = Dinner
Private transfers and excursions by car and English speaking driver as per program
Private Guide on day 1 (half day ) and day 2 ( half day )
Reservation and tickets for the Royal Palace and Egyptian Museum in Torino
Visits to two wineries and wine tastings on day 3
Cooking class and lunch on day 4
Visit to the hazelnut company and tasting on day 4
Guided visit of Pollenzo Bank of Wine and wine tasting on day 5
Visit of the cheese refiner and light lunch on day 5
Visit to the chocolate producer and tasting on day 5
Bottled water is provided in vehicle
Not Included:
City taxes to be paid at the hotels
International and or Domestic air fares or train fares
Arrival / Departure Taxes, levies and other charges
Passport and visa fees
Excess baggage charges
Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’ via FedEx or postal services
Personal travel insurance
Porterage, tipping and gratuities
Some meals and alcoholic beverages not included
Personal expenses
