“Piemonte” (known as Piedmont in English) is located in the
north-west of Italy, bordering France. Piemonte provided the
Kingdom of Italy with its monarchs – the Savoy family.
The regional capital- Turin is the home of the 2006 Winter Olympics
- 7 Nights in the spa-town of Acqui Terme
- 4 Nights in Stresa on Lago Maggiore (of the famous Italian Lakes district)
Among the region's prized products are Truffles from the Alba area,
cheeses such as Gorgonzola, and a delicious range of biscuits and
chocolates. And we are just in time for the Truffle Festival in Alba !
"Piemonte" wines :
- Barolo
- Barbaresco
- Asti Spumante
- Vermouth
Much of the region is mountainous, covered in ice and snow, reaching up to the heights of Monte Rosa (4,633m), but the region is one of contrasts - from rich rolling vineyards to the mountain wonderland of the Gran Paradiso National Park.
Our tour starts off in Acqui Terme which is in the 'High Monferrato' region of Piedmont offering a unique scenery where woods alternate with vineyards and is accentuated with antique medieval castles. Acqui Terme itself is a gracious spa town and as it happens Rose discovered some really great fashion factory outlets one of which we will visit. By the way, wonderful spa treatments are available here too! Then it's on to the beautiful Italian Lakes.
Our passengers have always enjoyed the experience
of travelling in a small convivial group, and therefore
space is limited to a maximum of 16 persons.
OUR ITINERARY -
Sat. Oct. 8
A transfer will be offered from Turin to Acqui Terme, where we will
check-in to our 4-star hotel for 7 nights. The afternoon is free to
settle in before our Welcome Dinner .
Acqui Terme, has been a flourishing spa town since Roman times due to its
therapeutic waters. The surrounding area is scattered with hot springs, the main one
in Piazza della Bollente, right in the centre of town. Here the water gushes out at a
constant temperature of 167F. During the "Belle Epoque" Acqui became one of the
most frequented spas of Europe, hosting the likes of Winston Churchill and the
European Royal families. The town has retained the atmosphere of a gracious and
cultured centre bringing its charm and sophjstication into the 21st century.
Sun. Oct. 09
After breakfast, we travel to Alba, home of the famous" white truffle". We are just in time for
the annual "Truffle Festival" offering all the pageantry of medieval times including grand period
costumes and 'sbandierata' (intricate flag tossing). This festival celebrates the "trifula bianca"
(white truffle). There are over 100 qualities of truffles, but the most famous are the white truffles
of Piedmont. Here you go - lunch can be a gastronomic affair as you wander the market stalls
of this festival. This is harvest time and Piedmont has a rich agricultural heritage offering an
exquisite array of harvest and fresh farm produce from exotic cheeses to wonderful home-cured
meats. This will be a lunch you won't forget. After lunch, we go to La Morra, to browse through
the vineyards and and cellars of one of our favourite Piedmont wilneriles. Our tasting here will feature the
"King of wines - the wine of kings" - Barolo.
The evening is free in the town of Acqui Terme.
Mon. Oct. 10
After breakfast we enjoy a guided tour of Acqui Terme, where, at the turn of the century, you could
bump into a who's who of European royalty. Afternoon & evening are free to explore or visit the spa
Tue. Oct. 11
This morning we get in touch with this amazing area by walking its country lanes. Our passengers
enjoy the up close and personal experience introduced to them by the guides and their stories.
There will be free time for lunch - in the afternoon we drive to Strevi to visit the vineyards and
cellars of a winery featuring Asti & Brachetto wines
Wed. Oct 12
Another one of those up close and personal experiences with our walking guides. Piedmont food
traditions run deep and today we are going to sample a specialty dish enjoyed by the families of this
region and shared by their neighbours in the south of France. We are sure you will enjoy this light
and intriguing dish and it comes with local wine. The afternoon is free for exploration, spa treatment
or just "be Italian". Enjoy people watching as you sip an "aperitivo" at the café on the town square.
Thu. Oct.13
Today we travel to Cocconato d'Asti where we shall spend the morning at a discount outlet that
has the latest fashions for the entire family at great prices. Terrific Christmas shopping opportunities!
We will enjoy a lunch in Robella in a lovely agriturismo, where we will have a typical Piemontese
lunch with wine. This afternoon we visit the Castle of Razzano where we end the visit in their
wine cellars with a tasting of a selection of the famous Barbera wines.
Fri. Oct. 14
Again this morning we offer one more guided walk through the lovely Piemontese countryside.
Afternoon free. Tonight we have arranged dinner in a favourite restaurant in Acqui Terme.
Sat. Oct. 15
After breakfast we leave Acqui Terme and travel toward Lake Maggiore, our route will take us
through the famous Vercelli, rice growing area, where they produce all the sophisticated
epicurean rices such as Baldo, Balilla, Carnaroli, and Vialone Nano to name just a few. We will
enjoy a tasting of rice dishes and local products before our lunch, which includes wine. In the
afternoon we have a special activity - a cashmere factory outlet store!!!! Ready-made garments
and cashmere by the yard - they have 50 shades of black!
On our way to Stesa we have a wine tasting featuring the Nebbiolo from the
"Lands of Northern Piedmont". Later we check into our hotel in the town of
Stresa, on the coast of Lago Maggiore- our home for the next 4 nights.
Dinner included
Sun. Oct. 16
Lake Maggiore, the second largest of the "Italian Lakes", stretches for
65 kms. Bordering Piedmont, Lombardy and Switzerland, it is sheltered
by the Alpine range. Today is a free day to explore the town of Stresa,
situated in a panoramic and picturesque position on the lake, facing the
Baromee isles. The hotels and villas built in Liberty Style make it elegant
and unique. You can also hop on a boat to visit the incredible botanical
garden on Isola Madre, or we can direct you to a lovely restaurant for
lunch on Isola dei Pescatori,which was made popular by the first English
tourists in the 1850's. Dinner included
Mon Oct. 17
Today we shall travel along the entire valley to arrive at Alagna Sesia, at
the foot of Mount Rosa. This is Alpine scenery at its best! These are
majestic mountains covered by forests and glaciers. Their lifts make them
one of the biggest interconnected mountain resorts in Europe. You have
time to stroll the streets of the town, or visit the ethnographic museum
ethnographic museum before we meet for lunch in a typical local restaurant.
In the afternoon we have a bit more time to visit the historic town -
Alagna then drive through the Alta Valsesia Nature Park before returning
to our hotel. Dinner included.
Tue. Oct. 18
No trip to the mountains is complete without a cable car ride. Today
we take the cable car to Mottarone & transfer to Lake Orta. Here we
will have time to visit the old town and lunch. Next we visit the mystical,
sacred Island of San Giulio. The meditation walk is a nice experience.
We then return to our hotel before our farewell dinner in Stresa.
Wed , Oct. 19
After breakfast, we will provide a transfer to Milan, Malpensa airport.
COST : $3829.00 Canadian Funds / $3075.00 U.S. Funds
Rate Includes:
- 11 nights accommodation based on sharing twin room
- 11 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 6 dinners
- 4 winery visits/tastings
- 3 guided walks
- All transportation as mentioned in itinerary
- All taxes
- Escorted by Rose Tomassini
