The Travel Group

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1 – October 1 – From Milano to Piemonte

Tour participants meet at the Milano Linate airport and board our private mini coach en route to the region of Piemonte, a couple of hours west of Milano. A welcome aperitivo and dinner await following check-in at our 4-star hotel in Alba.

Day 2 – October 2 – Majestic Barolo - The King of Wines

Getting right to business, his majesty the powerful and expressive ‘Barolo’ awaits us. Here we will learn about the different styles of Barolo and its terroir. Even if all Barolos are vinified exclusively with the Nebbiolo grape, the challenge will be to distinguish an old style Barolo producer from a new style Barolo producer! You will be certainly able to do it after our side- by-side tasting of the different styles. Afterwards, you’ll be asking ‘can you ever have enough Barolo….?’

Day 3 – October 3 – Barbaresco che Passione!

After breakfast we head uphill to the village of Barbaresco. Some people call the Barbaresco wine the younger brother of Barolo. I totally disagree, but who’s right? You’ll be able to decide today as we take a close look at its striking qualities of elegance and intensity on its home turf!

We start the day with a visit and tasting at a family run winery located in one of the best ‘cru’ – vineyards of this region. Then we stop in the main village piazza to visit a unique church which has become the home to the Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco. Recognizing that Alba is in the heart of Italy’s world famous ‘tartufo’ (truffle) region, later in the day we will embark on a “caccia al tartufo” - a truffle hunt with a local expert and his dog to see how it’s done. Truffles are very rare and expensive and are used in the best restaurants all over the world.

Day 4 – October 4 – Close Encounters of the “Barbera” and “Dolcetto” Kind

After learning about Barolo and Barbaresco, today we will discover that locals enjoy drinking every day with their food. Wines such as Barbera and Dolcetto are in every home and trattoria and served with pride.

Day 5 – October 5 – From Piemonte to Veneto

After breakfast we check out and drive east into the Padana Valley. a large flatland region and major geographical feature of Italy well known for agriculture. Here you’ll find rice for risotto (arborio and carnaroli varieties), corn and the best dairy herds used for the production of Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano DOP cheese. At lunch we will stop at a production site and sample various ages of Parmigiano cheese -- accompanied by the local Emilia Romagna wine of course!

Day 6 – October 6 – Amarone: A Legend in Italian Wines

Valpolicella (the ‘valley of the many cellars’) is the most important wine region in Veneto. Today we will learn all about its wine production and techniques, climate and cuisine. We will discover why Amarone wine is so popular, why locals dry the grapes to produce it and what they like to eat with it. We will then enjoy a lunch paired with different vintages of Amarone. Definitely one of the highlights of this tour!

Day 7 – October 7 - Aromatic wines from the Alps

The region of Trentino Alto Adige is famous for a multitude of wines, using international grape varietals (Gewustraminer, Moscato, Riesling, Cabernet) as well as local ones (Schiava, Pinot Grigio, Refosco and Lagrein). Today we will visit a quality producer located on a premier hill overlooking the Alps and the lakes, tasting samples of their production married with local food. You’ll not forget Trentino’s extraordinary and enchanting alpine geography!!

Day 8 – October 8 - From Veneto to Friuli

After breakfast we’ll be checking-out of our hotel. But before leaving the Veneto, we will take some time to visit the unique city of Verona. Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the value and importance of its many historical buildings. You’ll be able to burn off some of those calories you’ve been accumulating as you explore its classic Veronese streets; visit the balcony of Romeo and Juliet, and discover the many other artifacts from its long history. Verona is famous for its Roman amphitheatre, “the Arena” which can be found in the city’s largest piazza. In the afternoon we will transfer to our next destination in the Friuli region and check in to our 4-star hotel. Dinner follows that evening.

Day 9 – October 9 - The Most Authentic Prosciutto

Friuli is a popular wine destination, blessed by a mix of sea and mountain breezes and by its volcanic soil. The best regional aperitivo is a glass of white with a taste of the local Prosciutto. We visit the village of San Daniele where the best prosciutto is cured and stocked then distributed to the entire world under the protected denomination San Daniele DOP.

Day 10 – October 10 - Venice – End tour

After breakfast we will be checking-out of the hotel and heading off to the Venice airport at which point all participants can either begin their return journey home or choose to extend their visit, organizing the rest of their vacation as they wish.

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