Benvenuti (welcome in Italian)! Have you ever dreamed of visiting one of the most famous areas in the world for wines? How about exploring one of the Italian regions renowned for white truffles? Ever thought of visiting the cradle of Slow Food and tasting for yourself what inspired founder Carlo Petrini to start the Slow Food movement in 1986?
The Roman outpost of Turin (Augusta Taurinorum at that time, now Torino in Italian) founded in the first century BC has seen a dramatic change since the Dukedom of Savoy moved its capital from Chambery in 1563 and started to transform the village into a city. Over time, Turin acquired extensions to its “city print” that included new Baroque buildings, and royal residences across the nearby countryside.
Turin was also the first capital of Italy in 1861 and it was here that some brilliant politicians helped to unify of the country and liberate it from Austrians, French and Spanish dominations with the endorsement of the King of Savoy.
On our three itineraries you will have the opportunity to visit two UNESCO Sites not only in Turin, but also in the nearby areas of Le Langhe and Monferrato, and on our two-night post-tour extension you will explore the romantic Lake Orta in the north of the region. Piedmont represents a unique corner of Europe at the crossroads of Europe at the crossroads of Italy, Switzerland and France, and thus offers a mix of different cultures and traditions, wonderfully featured in the local cuisine.
Agriturismi (usually a family-run “farm stay” combining agriculture and tourism), local cheese, wine makers, truffles (starting in October), and the culture of Slow Food will be highlighted on these unique journeys through Roman towns and tranquil countryside. You can also look forward to one of the largest varieties of Italian recipes given the proximity to France and its strong culinary influence.
On one of our special departures you will learn firsthand about Slow Food attending two days of its biannial Salone del Gusto & Terra Madre in Turin where you have the chance to meet enthusiastic food lovers, artisans and farmers from all over the world.
On our tour in October “Truffles and Wine: Piedmont during the Harvest” you will learn all you want to know about the local noble nectars with visits to wineries and tastings during an exciting moment in the region! You will discover the sought-after underground mushroom attending the world-renown Alba truffle fair and meet two truffle hunters in action with their dogs. Two dinners will include either black and white truffles, featured in different local recipes and paired up with local wines.
We look forward to traveling with you!
TOUR DATES AND PRICES
Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8
DATES (7 days)
For more info, dates and availability please contact us.
TOUR PRICE
Per person in double occupancy: from $2,950
(tour price will vary and contingent upon availability of cozy agriturismi and 3-star hotels or more elegant 4-star hotels)
Single Supplement: $490
In addition, we pledge to donate more than 1% of your trip price to food literacy and environmental non profit organizations
|
Day |
Activity |
Hotel Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
|
1 |
|
3- or 4-star Hotel in Turin
D |
|
2 |
|
3- or 4-star Hotel in Turin
B |
|
3 |
|
Agriturismo near Moncalvo
B, D |
|
4 |
|
Agriturismo near Moncalvo
B, L, D |
|
5 |
|
Agriturismo or 3- or 4-star hotel near Alba
B, L, D |
|
6 |
|
Agriturismo or 3- or 4-star hotel near Alba |
|
7 |
|
B |
- Visit to a Slow Food Presidium, a local winemaker, a Nougat and chocolate producer and a castle
- Truffle-hunting demonstration with local experts and their beloved dog
- Exposure to local culture and history with native, bilingual, experienced Tour Leaders
- Tastes of regional grapes and local foods (white truffles only available in October )
- Up close and personal looks at agriturismi and the methods behind Piedmontese cuisine and agriculture
- Explore four ancient Roman towns: Turin, Asti, Alba, Pollenzo and Acqui Terme
- Traditional, local recipes to bring home with you that feature mushrooms and truffles!
- Daily walking opportunities for a healthy lifestyle
- Visits to Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences, and Bank of Wines
- Discover the baroque Basilica of Superga, the UNESCO Sites of the Royal Residence in Venaria, and of the Langhe and Monferrato areas
- Extend your trip for two more nights with our post-tour option to romantic and exclusive Lake Orta featuring the UNESCO Site of the Sacred Mount of Orta
Piedmont lies at the crossroads of Italy, Switzerland and France. Headquarters to Slow Food and the University of Gastronomic Sciences, it is also the beloved home region of Food.Stories.Travel. founder Cristiano Bonino.
From the capital city of Torino with its diverse architecture and 11 miles of porticos to the stunning hillsides of Langhe and Monferrato, now both UNESCO World Heritage sites, we will savor the best expressions of Piedmont’s signature flavors and wines. Near Alba, we will also have the chance to see how truffle hunters and their beloved dogs pursue the revered white truffle!
Our first two nights we’ll spend in Turin (Torino in Italian) learning about the first capital of Italy with its elegant atmosphere, Baroque buildings, historical cafés, the UNESCO Site of the royal residence of Reggia di Venaria and the Basilica of Superga that we’ll explore together.
From Turin we’ll explore the area of Monferrato, starting with its capital Asti and a visit to a historic nougat producer where we of course taste the typical chocolate sweets and torrone (nougat in Italian). Then we’ll head near Moncalvo to settle into our agriturismo, a family-run “farm stay” combining agriculture and tourism. Typically, agriturismi feature room and board in a farmhouse, which has been partially or totally transformed to provide accommodation and, in our case, also meals.
Moncalvo is renowned for the Ruché local indigenous grape and the white truffles that, even if less sought-after than the ones from Alba, still attract a lot of people in love with the Tuber Magnatum Pico (the Latin name for ‘white truffle’) when they become available in the fall
Our expedition also will lead us to the high Monferrato, an area nestled between the northwest coastal region of Liguria and the Langhe area. The quaint Roman village of Acqui Terme, famous for its natural hot springs, is a perfect spot for a morning stroll followed by a stop in at a small winery for lunch.
Here, we can sample and savor not only the recipes of mamma Liliana but also the indigenous grapes that this family has been growing here for more than a century since when the great grandfather acquired this land. There will be also an opportunity to enjoy a nice walk on the hills to digest and to soak in this particular section of Piedmont.
En route to the Langhe area, recently listed with Monferrato as the 50th UNESCO World Heritage Site of Italy, we will have a chance to see the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences and the Bank of Wine in the Roman town of Pollenzo. Slow Food is a non-profit organization founded in this area in 1986 that promotes “good, clean and fair food” (the motto of Slow Food International). Today, Slow Food includes upwards of 100,000 members in more than 150 countries.
At our second agriturismo of the tour, the owner will show us around and explain what it means to run a “sustainable business” respecting animals, nature and people involved. Today a local chef will also demonstrate a Piedmontese recipe for us and we’ll have a chance to savor the local cuisine.
We’ll meet a truffle hunter and see him in action with his dog sniffing and rooting for truffles, then continue our journey with a visit to a local castle and then a stroll in the Roman town of Alba, famous for Nutella, white truffles and wines such as Barolo, Nebbiolo, Arneis and more. For our tours in October we will also enjoy a delectable dinner highlighting this noble and revered underground mushroom.
Our last day will bring us in the heart of the Langhe with views of vineyards and castles perched on the hills. Today we’ll also stop in one of the Piedmontese Slow Food Presidia of cheese (projects protecting and promoting products at risk of extinction) as well as pay a visit to a local winemaker in Barbaresco for an introduction to the indigenous grapes of this part of Italy and a stroll in town.
Our food journey will conclude with a last dinner at our agriturismo celebrating local recipes, and an array of regional wines. Here we can share our great memories of an unforgettable tour and sing along some Piedmontese songs!
Catch our group transfer to Turin airport. If you have more time please join us on our two-night post-tour extension to romantic and exclusive Lake Orta, featuring the UNESCO Site of the Sacred Mount of Orta. Arvezze, neh! (Goodbye in Piedmontese)
- 6 nights of accommodation in 3- or 4-star hotels and agriturismi
- 6 breakfasts and 2 lunches
- 5 dinners (in October also one with white truffle) each with either a 3- or 4-course menu
- 1 walk in Turin’s historic center
- 1 museum entry fee at the UNESCO site of Reggia di Venaria and 1 at a castle near Alba
- 1 visit to a historic café and tasting of the famous beverage bicerin
- 1 visit and tasting to a nougat & chocolate sweets producer
- 1 visit to Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences and Bank of Wine
- 1 cooking demo in an agriturismo
- 1 truffle-hunting demonstration near Alba
- 2 wine tastings and visits to local winemakers
- 1 visit and tasting at a Slow Food Presidium of cheese
- Comfortable transportation by 9-seat van for all travel on tour as cited in the itinerary
- Bilingual, professional Tour Leaders
- Last day one group transfer to Turin Airport for departure
- Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers during the tour
- 4 lunches and 1 dinner on your own
- Alcoholic beverages at group dinners (including wine and spirits)
- Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
- Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended and is not provided by Food.Stories.Travel.)
- Gratuities for your Tour Leader
- Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, snacks, gifts
Cristiano Bonino has led tours for North Americans all over Italy for more than thirteen years. Currently, he resides in the Boston area with his American wife. Cristiano likes to say that he has been “hybridizing” over the past three years in the U.S. He mixes the best of the both American and Italian cultures, which he loves, but never forgets his native roots in Turin.
Your itinerary has been meticulously hand-designed by Food.Stories.Travel. and Cristiano Bonino. This journey is based on their favorite flavors and unforgettable past experiences. Every establishment you will visit has been personally vetted, tested and enjoyed by Cristiano himself and his team of experienced Tour Leaders.
In some cases we’ll take you to places you could not find by yourself or in a guidebook.
Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8
DATES (2 nights following our Piedmont or Lombardy Tours)
For more info, dates and availability please contact us.
TOUR PRICE
Per person in double occupancy: from $890
(tour price will vary and contingent upon availability of cozy agriturismi and 3-star hotels or more elegant 4-star hotels)
Single Supplement: $170
In addition, we pledge to donate more than 1% of your trip price to food literacy and environmental non profit organizations
Your extension begins with a transfer to a local producer of Gattinara, another expression of the Nebbiolo grape grown in northern Piedmont. From here, continue on to Lake Orta and the quaint and romantic village along its shore that will serve as your base for the following two nights.
Perhaps enjoy a stroll through the tranquil town to get to know it better. Then it’s time to head up to the UNESCO site of the Sacred Mount of Orta. This climb will certainly help to work up an appetite for your lake fish dinner in town tonight.
The following day spend exploring the surrounding countryside, enjoying panoramic views of both Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. Along the way, you will have the chance to stop at a local farm to visit and taste the farm’s own salami and cheese.
A short boat trip to San Giulio Island will top off your journey. Here, learn about the local monastery and indulge in the quiet atmosphere of the Walk of Silence before our last dinner at the end of an unforgettable experience in the beautiful Piedmont!
After our ferry back to Lipari, we’ll share a second dinner to commemorate our delicious experience visiting and tasting this enchanting corner of Italy, the heart of the Mediterranean!
Catch our group transfer to Milan Malpensa airport.
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