Duration:
7 days (6 nights)
Transportation:
Included
Arrival Airport/City:
Milan Malpensa Airport
Departure Airport/City:
Milan Malpensa Airport
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A best-seller combining the country’s foodie heartland of Emilia-Romagna and the wine region of Piemonte.
Prosciutto, Parmigiano, Barolo…. does it sound familiar? An insider’s gourmet & culture tour of Parma and Piemonte to discover the rich wine and food culture through our exclusive “Master Classes” and tasting sessions. Enjoy scenic landscapes with rolling hills of vineyards, Unesco World Heritage sites and the “other capitals” of Italy: from elegant Turin, the first capital of modern Italy, to Modena, the beating heart of Ferrari motorsport excellence. Worlds away from mass tourism, this is a unique journey to the heart of Italian excellence and a hands-on meeting of many signature products of Italian cuisine
- UNESCO world heritage sites included: Royal residences of Turin, Barolo & Barbaresco “Langhe” landscapes and wineries, Modena catholic sites
- Outdoor activities (optional, upon agreement with participants and subject to meteorological conditions): light hike across wine hills and castles in Torrechiara and Barolo
- The fine art of Chocolate learned directly by a master chocolatier in The lovely baroque village of Cherasco : a finger -licking experience from the raw cocoa beans to the finest creations of a true artist
Have you ever “played” a cheese? During our Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma experience you will learn all the traditions and secrets of the preparation of these delicious symbols of Italian gastronomy directly by the makers . An entertaining and informative day topped by a wine tasting in a family run winery overlooking rolling hills and the splendid Torrechiara fortress, often a movie set. And yes, “playing” a cheese wheel with a special hammer is one of the ways to make sure it is perfect!
This tour starts and finishes at Milan Malpensa Airport.
Itineraries
Day 1
Milan to Parma via Piacenza
Your flight should arrive around midday at Milan Malpensa airport where you will meet the rest of the group and your guide/driver. From here we will drive to our first overnight destination, close to the city of Parma in the Emilia Romagna region. Along the way we will stop in the historic center of Piacenza for your first taste of Italy at an artisanal butcher's shop for an exclusive “behind closed doors” experience you are sure to remember! In the afternoon, if the group feels like it, we will visit the first of the many architectural wonders of this tour, the scenic medieval castle of Castell’Arquato. Upon arrival at the agriturismo (a tastefully renovated medieval building in the scenic countryside) you will have some time to rest before a traditional dinner to savor; a sumptuous selection of home-made traditional dishes and the world-class Parma specialties, such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, accompanied by a selection of the DOC locally produced wines, such as Malvasia and Rosso dei Colli di Parma. Meals included: L, DDay 2
Parma hills, “the food valley”
After an early breakfast including a choice of home-made cakes, we will make a guided visit to a local producer of the famous Parmigiano Reggiano to discover its traditions and techniques. A real unique experience in a temple of Italian taste. Our next stop is a visit to a traditional producer of the world-famous Prosciutto di Parma with tasting of the delicacy itself as well as locally produced cured meats salame Felino and culatello. Rounding out a trio of tasting stops today is a visit to a renowned vineyard to enjoy a selection of local Malvasia and Chardonnay DOC wines and local recipes. After this we will walk through scenic wine hills to visit the medieval fortress of Torrechiara, considered one of the masterpieces in its genre in Italy. Dinner this evening is again at the agriturismo to continue the discovery of the local home-made traditional dishes. Meals included: B, L, DDay 3
Modena, the beating red heart of Italy
Today we will take a trip to "the red heart of Italy", Modena, home not just of Aceto Balsamico di Modena but also the most famous name in motorsport, Ferrari. We will visit the Enzo Ferrari Museum built in at Enzo Ferrari's house designed by the maverick Czech architect Jan Kaplicky. Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant famous for delicious fresh pasta, dressed with a creative touch of another regional specialty, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale of Modena. We will learn its peculiar technique and specific taste with a private visit to a local producer before returning to the Parma area for a relaxing evening with optional dinner in a local restaurant. Meals included: B, L.Day 4
From Parma to Barolo via the “Wine cathedrals” of Canelli
After breakfast it's time to head to the renowned Piemonte wine region, best known for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, but you'll be discovering that there's much more to Piemonte than just the big names. Our first stop in this region is at the famous “wine cathedrals" of Canelli, creators of the first Italian sparkling wine, with a guided visit to its spectacular underground cellars and tasting of their premium bubbly. After lunch in a cosy local restaurant we will reach the medieval village of Monforte to admire the picturesque architecture, seat of the dramatic events of the Cathar heresy movement in the 13th century, at the heart of the Barolo wine region. In the evening we will sit down to a classic home-style dinner to dig into a selection of starters and main courses prepared according to original recipes accompanied by local wine. Meals included: B, L, DDay 5
Barolo & Barbaresco Masterclass
The day will start in the small town of Barolo itself for a “Master Class in Red Wines" starting with a visit to the stimulating “Wine Museum" in Barolo Castle and continuing with the visit of a selection of the best wine makers to discover the secrets and traditions of Barbera, Nebbiolo and of course Barolo, “the wine for kings and the king of wines". If the group feels like it, we will continue towards Barbaresco to admire the scenic hills from the top of a medieval watchtower and sample some last glasses in a very special “temple” of wine-making. Since most wineries provide a filling tasting of cheese and cold cuts, instead of a formal dinner we prefer to leave you time to relax and to stroll around the scenic vineyards, magnificent at sunset. Our guide will be available to bring you to a good local restaurant and help you with a-la-carte choices if requested. A recommended option is an informal Italian-style aperitif-dinner, in a cosy wine bar nestled in the medieval heart of Monforte. Meals included: B, L.Day 6
Bra and Cherasco: cheese & chocolate paradise
After a sumptuous breakfast we will visit the thriving town of Bra, home of the world-famous Slow Food Association and host of "Cheese", an international festival held every September. We will take a "Masterclass in Cheese" and lunch with a traditional cheesemonger. We will also taste the famous “Robiola di Roccaverano", just one of a selection of prized cheeses from the high Alps, paired with special mustards and jams and a choice of Barbera and Barbaresco wines. From Bra we will drive to the baroque town of Cherasco, made famous by the peace treaty signed by Napoleon and the Savoy royal family, for an exclusive “Chocolate Experience" with a renowned master to discover the origins of cocoa, his secrets and unique techniques. Later in the afternoon you will have the chance to learn hands-on the secrets and techniques of a selection of the local delicacies you will have learned to love over the previous days including “tajarin” or “ravioli del plin” fresh pasta and the delicious “bunet” chocolate and amaretti dessert. Meals included: B, L, DDay 7
Turin historic & artistic wonders, then Milan
Today we head to the capital of the Piemonte region, Torino, home of the Fiat motor company. We start our exploration of this vibrant city with the open-air food market, the biggest in Europe, to sample some fresh specialties during a colorful and stimulating “promenade lunch" including the famous “Bicerin" drink in the temple of the Italian chocolate tradition. Next it's time for some history and culture with a guided tour of the historical centre of Torino, from the Roman monuments to the UNESCO World Heritage masterpieces of Baroque architecture in what was the first capital of Italy and the host city of the 2006 Winter Olympics in the foothills of the Alps. Torino has a lot to offer and would well deserve a few more days to admire the unique National Museum of Cinema http://www.museocinema.it/en , the Egyptian Museum with the biggest collection outside of Egypt https://www.museoegizio.it/ and many opportunities for day excursions such as the splendid Lake Maggiore. In the afternoon, transfer to Milan Malpensa airport or first-class train transfer to Milan to continue your journey. Meals included: B, L- Flights to and from Europe
- Tips for Tour Guides and Drivers
- Travel Insurance
- 2 evening meals (daytime tastings and other activities make these very ‘optional’)
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