Arrive Turin

Transfer to the Langhe.Three nights.

Staying in a castle hotel in Italy is always a special pleasure, but even more so when it is in the heart of one of the foremost wine and gastronomic areas in the world, the spectacularly beautiful Langheregion of Piedmont, home to white truffles, handcrafted cheeses and Barolo. Your hotel, nestled in the hills and surrounded by vineyards, has been artfully restored to its former glory as a noble residence but equipped with luxurious and modern amenities.

Easy visits from your hotel include a day of vineyard visits and wine tasting, where you will learn about the local viticulture and winemaking techniques for Barolo, Roero Arneis and the other local DOCG wines.Make a gastonomic pilgimage to the home of the Slow Food Movement in nearby Brà, being sure to stop for an apertivo in the Enoteca Regionale. No visit to the Langhe would be complete without a morning at a Castelmagno cheese producer, to observe the production process firsthand.

Transfer to Modena. Two nights

Relax in a spacious country apartment, set on a family farm, complete with swimming pool and typical restaurant serving their own organic produce.The perfect location to visit Modena and Parma.

Spend a morning at an traditional Balsamic Vinegar producer, just outside Modena

One of Italy’s most traditional products, together with olive oil and parmigiano cheese, is the famous balsamic vinegar of Modena, aceto balsamico.This product is aged at least 12 years and even up to 100 years.Historically it was used as a woman’s dowry, and indicated a family’s wealth.This balsamic vinegar producer, the Acetaia di Giorgio, is in the heart of the balsamic vinegar area of Modena, and the family is very welcoming and proud of their production.A visit to their “acetaia” is very interesting, from a historical, cultural and of course gastronomic point of view.

Continue your gastonomic tour of Emilia-Romagna with a visit to top Parmigiano Reggiano producer, during the early morning daily production.

Experience first-hand the strict traditional methods used to make Parmigiano Reggiano.
Unlike other famous cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano cannot be industrially produced; in the words of the advertisement ‘it is formed’ only by the expert hands of the cheese master carrying out the same artisan method as has been done for centuries.

In an afternoon, visit a one of the best Prosciutto di Parma producers, located in Langhirano.

Learn why traditional methods and the work of many and nature are essential to a quality prosciutto, and understand the importance of the air coming down from the Appenines, bringing with it the fragrance of the sea, in the drying process.

San Martino di Venezze Cooking School.Six nights.

For lovers of Italian food, this is a unique hands-on opportunity to participate in small groups in a cooking holiday experience. The local women of the Veneto will share their techniques, special ingredients, and family recipes. Our classes are ideal for cooks at all experience levels. And you'll join them a tavola to enjoy what you've prepared.Your program includes four cooking classes, each lasting about three hours.

Also included in the culinary program:

A day in Chioggia, a small fishing village south of Venice. First, a visit the to Mercato Centrale, the main food market, and the outstanding fish market. Cooking lesson and lunch today will be at one of Chioggia's oldest and best trattorias.

A wine tasting course focusing on the nearby regions of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei) and the Valpolicella, to prepare you for your upcoming excursions. This wine tasting covers four wines, all paired with a small appetizer or abats faim (mainly local cheeses and cured meats). You will study each wine in depth as you discuss the names, colors, aromas, tastes, food pairings, serving temperatures, best ages, alcohol levels and geographical areas.

Vineyard Visit to nearby Bagnoli, at Il Dominio di Bagnoli, famous for their red Friularo.

Vineyard Visit in the Euganean Hills, where you will go to a famous local producer and have a guided wine tasting.

A full day in Valpolicella wine country , famous all over the world for its Amarone. Visit to the Villa Monteleone Vineyard, where you will visit the vineyards and the cellar, finishing with a tasting and light lunch in their charming garden (weather permitting). Drive through the lovely Valpolicella countryside to arrive at the Cantina Mazzi, which has been run by the same family for over 100 years. Our visit will include cellar visit and wine tasting.

All vineyard visits and tastings are led by a profesional Italian Sommelier.

Transfer to Valdobiaddene.One night.

Stay in a rustic bed and breakfast in the heart of Prosecco country.A morning visit to a small prestigious salumificio, where you can see the production process of specialty cured meats such as Giacomini, which is seasoned with spices and the local Prosecco.

Visit vineyards of Prosecco and Cartizze, followed by a wine tasting in a select cantina.Lunch at a typical agritursimo, where you can taste the simple, authentic local cuisine.

Transfer to Friuli Venezia Giulia.Two nights.

Stay in a charming rennovated villa in Friuli, and experience the genuine hospitality of this region.

Spend a day touring the area of the Collio, famous for its quality white wines such as Ribolla Giallo, Sauvignon and Tai (Tocai).Visit the vineyard and cantina of a top producer of these outstanding wines.Enjoy lunch at a typical trattoria called frasca.

The following day, stop in the nearby hill town of San Daniele to sample the famous prosciutto that is produced there – a hidden gem of Friuli.

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