11 days
Wine & Food of Northern Italy

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Oviglio

You will be greeted by your English-speaking assistant in the airport upon your arrival in Milan. You will be escorted to your private car and driver for your transfer from Milan to Oviglio, in the heart of Monferrato region.

Check-in at the beautiful Castello di Oviglio. The rest of your first day is free for you to relax and absorb the serene atmosphere of this charming area. Dinner and overnight hotel.

Hotel: Castello di Oviglio - Monferrato

Day 2: Langhe and Monferrato

After breakfast this morning, your local English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel to take you on a full-day tour of the Langhe and Monferrato region.

In the morning you will have a city tour of the historical centre of Alba, world famous for its truffles and wine, including Barolo, Barbera and Moscato. Wine tasting and lunch will be arranged for you in a winery near Alba. In the afternoon you will continue to Canelli to visit the Gancia Winery, where one of the most famous Italian Champagnes is produced.

Dinner and overnight at the Castello.

Day 3: Cooking class & Wine tasting

After breakfast you will depart with your English-speaking driver to the countryside near Alessandria for your cooking lesson featuring the specialities of the Piedmont cuisine. 

After you have tasted your creations for lunch, you will continue with a visit to Castle Tagliolo. The Castle is surrounded by its medieval village, and overlooks a large area of the Alto Monferrato. It is also famous for its wines and cellars, the production of quality wines of Tagliolo are secular traditions, recorded from the 15th century in the accounting books of the castle. Here you will enjoy a wine tasting before returning to your accommodations.

Day 4: Piedmonte, Cremona, Verona

Today you will departure with your English-speaking driver/guide for Verona.  On route you will stop in the town of Cremona.  Cremona is most famous for being the home town of Antonio Stradivari, maker of the Strativarius Violins.  It is also a beautiful and historic town that is well worth the stop.

Continue to your accommodations just outside Verona, the elegant Villa Del Quar.

Tonight you will enjoy a dinner at the Arquade Restaurant of the Villa. Arquada under the direction of Chef Bruno Barbieri has been awarded 2 Michelin Stars and 3 Forks by the Gambero Rosso Guide 2005.

4-Star Hotel: Villa del Quar (or similar star rating hotel).

Day 5: Verona

This morning after breakfast, our English-speaking driver will meet you for your transfer to the city of Verona . 

In Verona the local guide will meet you for a fascinating two and a half hours walking tour, starting with the Romans conquering Verona, and ending with its contemporary history, showing you the different ages of the city through all the various monuments scattered around its historical centre.

You will visit the Arena di Verona - a 2000 year old Roman Arena that still remains intact, with an opera stage that is the largest in the world. In the summer months the arena hosts opera and other performances. Visit the Ponte Scaligero for a beautiful view, and the Ponte Pietra, a Roman era bridge over the Adige River.

Next, visit Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta). Even though no one is sure that Shakespeare ever visited Verona, as the characters from the famous play were taken from a story by Luigi da Porto of Vicenza, but it is still well-worth visiting this legendary house with its famous balcony and statue of Juliet.

Visit Piazza dei Signori, a central square including a statue of Dante, who resided in Verona for a while. Continue to Piazza delle Erbe, which used to be the Roman Forum, but now its a wonderful open air market surrounded by historic buildings with frescoes and peppered with sculptures.

Day 6:  Cooking lesson and the Valpolicella Wine Region

This morning you will take part in a pasta cooking lesson in the famous kitchen of the restaurant.  You will then be able to sample what you have prepared.

After lunch you will depart with your English-speaking driver/guide for a drive in the nearby hills to explore the delightful countryside of the Valpolicella wine region. Here you will visit an evocative and historical winery, where you can taste the different local wines, including the famous Amarone.