EPIC CULINARY ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN ITALY OCTOBER 26, 2024

Experience authentic Italy in an ancient hill town and learn the secrets of Northern Italian food and wine. First we'll savor 3 days in Torino to discover the treasures of chocolate, pasta, cheese and gelato in the plazas and avenues lined with palaces and elegant, Baroque architecture. We'll stroll the intimate streets that open to 16th century plazas dotted with cafes, shops immersing in the food, culture, art and wine. We'll learn all about negronis, aperitivo and vermouth that originated in Torino.  Next we head to the Monferrato region of Piemonte to stay in an elegant, early medieval castle to explore the riches of wine, food and scenery. Here we'll learn from locally celebrated chefs how to cook regional Piemontese dishes using the world's best ingredients chosen from the vibrant markets, farms and gardens in this region. You'll meet many local producers and taste the food and wine grown in Piemonte. There will be excursions to charming markets, local family run farms, vineyards and village trattorias

HIGHLIGHTS

Here's what we'll be doing on this amazing culinary journey

Sunday

• Leisurely breakfast. 
• 11:15 Visit to Moncalvo – The “smallest” city in Italy! Lunch at Mongetto Dre Caste restaurant in Vignale Monferrato, followed by visit to the Mongetto wine infernot. 
• Return to the Castello to capture the last rays of the Italian sun by the pool. Light supper 

Monday 

• Leisurely breakfast
• 09.30- 13.00 Cookery lesson with Beppe Sardi 13.00 Lunch of the day's course theme. 
• 15: 30 Vineyard and cantina visit to local wine producer Vicara in Rosignano, followed by a wine tasting. 
• Return to Castello for aperitivi and dinner. 

Tuesday 

• Leisurely breakfast.
•  09.30- 13.00 Cookery lesson with vegetarian chef Valeri Degiovanni 
• 13.00 Lunch of the day's course theme. 
• 15.00 Visit to goat cheese producer Casa Costa at Murisengo. 
• 16.00 Wine tasting at cantina Bava at Cocconato. Aperitivi and dinner at Castello. 

Wednesday

• Leisurely breakfast. 09.30 – 13.00 Italian bread and pizza making lesson with chef Carla Gori followed by lunch of the class theme. 
• Free afternoon. 
• Dinner at Ristorante Centrale in Moncalvo 

Thursday 

• Leisurely breakfast.
• 09.30 Visit to Farmers market in Moncalvo to purchase ingredients for lunch at the Castello.
• 13.00 Lunch at castello 
• 14.30. Departure by private transfer to Torino hotel. 

Highlights

• Experience 3 cooking classes (optional) including, pasta, bread, focaccia and 

               pizza in a fully restored medieval castle 

• Get to know Torino
• Learn the art of Negronis, Vermouth and apiritivo 
• Dinners at hyper-local gastronomic restaurants
• Authentic truffle hunt
• Explore vibrant local markets
• Journey to tiny hamlets where food and wine runs the show
•  Stop at small producers of wine, cheese and other goods along the way
• Feast on homemade pastas, risottos, cheese and sausage in family-run restaurants and trattorias
• See the stunning buildings and savor the scrumptious chocolates, pasta and cheese from local producers.

We will also go on a truffle hunt and visit the International Truffle Fair in Alba. The Watkins family's legendary hospitality makes each guest feel at home and they go overboard providing amazing food, rare wines and the best negronis anywhere! 

What's Included:

• 8 nights accommodations-3 nights at the 5* Grand Sitea in Torino and 5 nights in the Castello
• Daily gourmet breakfast
• 3 cooking classes preparing local Piemonte cuisine
• Most meals with wine included
• Luxury transportation 
• Wine tasting throughout
• Market and farm visits
• Cheese tasting
• Join our group departure October 26, 2024 or go when you want. Weekly departures for groups of 4-12 people

Not included:

• Airfare
• Gratuities
• Personal Travel Insurance
•  Expenses of personal nature such as telephone calls, cigarettes, gifts 
• Anything not indicated in the itinerary

From $7380 per person $2440 Single supplement. Please note that times and activities are subject to change.