Piedmont Italy

A Journey Worth Savoring Through Italy’s Piedmont

Everything seems richer, earthier, and more alluring in Piedmont. From the Unesco World Heritage landscapes of the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato Hills, to the cellars and workshops of Piedmont’s hardworking artisans, let this undulating terrain enchant you. This tailor-made experience will show you a different side of “Eataly,” where you’ll taste fresh produce and artisan goods homemade with love, sip wine from some of the world’s most storied wine regions, and meet passionate locals who acts as stewards of this magnificent land.

Accommodations

Located in the heart of Piedmont’s Langhe region, the Relais Villa d’Amelia welcomes you for a weeklong stay among its relaxed splendor. Once a 19th century home, the villa today — a five-star luxury property — melds its elegant past with modern comforts. Enjoy gracious spaces to lounge and unwind, explore lush garden surroundings, and soak in a spectacular view of the alps. The villa’s exclusive restaurant boasts a Michelin star.

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Once you’ve arrived at Malpensa Airport, you’ll clear entry formalities and proceed to the arrivals hall where your driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name written on it. You will then transfer to the Relais Villa d’Amelia, a 19th century Italian villa, where you will stay 7 nights. Check into your reserved suite and take your time to relax and settle in.

Dinner this evening is included at the Michelin starred restaurant of the Relais Villa d’Amelia.

After breakfast, you will head to the cozy town of Barolo, located in an ornate hollow of hills covered in vineyards and dominated by the majestic image of Faletti Castle. The castle’s formidable facade dates back to the 10th century and is the site of the regional wine shop of Barolo. Here you will visit the peculiar Corkscrew Museum and then enjoy a tour of the Marchesi di Barolo winery. On your guided winery tour, you will glimpse the wine cellars where, in the heart of the Langhe area and protected by gentle hills, Barolo wine was born.

In these historical cellars, the work that began more than two centuries ago continues today. Located in a building overlooking the castle, the cellars serve as the center of production for Barolo’s high quality wines, combining modernity, tradition, and a great heritage of winemaking passed down from parents to children for over five generations. Here you will learn the history of this prestigious wine and enjoy a special tasting. Then enjoy a light lunch featuring some of the best products hailing from this wonderful region.

After lunch, you can relax during a panoramic tour through the hills surrounding Barolo, full of picturesque vineyards. Head toward the villages of Monforte d’Alba and La Morra to admire the beautiful landscape of these Unesco World Heritage sites. You will then continue your day with a brief introductory walking tour of Alba followed by dinner at the Michelin starred Restaurant Piazza Duomo (by Reservation only). You’ll transfer back to your villa after dinner.

Enjoy a full-day excursion to the “First Capital City of the United Kingdom of Italy” — Turin — where you’ll hear surprising anecdotes and tales of this city’s fascinating past. A surprise waits for you around every corner of charming, vibrant Turin. Start your excursion with a panoramic tour by van through the hills surrounding the city for the best views and opportunities to snap keepsake photos. Then, you will saunter through the many beautiful squares of Turin, like Piazza Castello, home to the stunning Royal Palace, and Piazza San Carlo, known as Turin’s salon with all its historic cafés. During this walking tour, you will have the chance to taste the famous “bicerin,” a traditional hot drink native to Turin made of espresso, drinking chocolate, and whole milk served layered in a small rounded glass.

In the afternoon, you will have some hours at leisure in downtown Turin to do some shopping before heading back to your villa, to enjoy the rest of the day on your own.

Today you will explore the Monferrato area, one of the most renowned wine districts in Italy. To start your day, you will head to the charming medieval town of Asti, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the historical center, with its beautiful cathedral and intricate towers. During this walking tour you will learn more about the Palio of Asti, the famous horse race dating back to 1275 that is even older than the famed race in Siena.

After the tour you will have time to enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own in town. Afterwards, transfer back to your villa for an evening of relaxation.

Today is your introduction to one of Italy’s most beloved — and pungent — pastimes: truffle hunting! You will first head to the home of the trifulau (truffle searcher), where you will receive an introduction to truffles before starting your walk in the woods together, as the trifulau urges his inseparable dog to search. After your truffle hunt, you will be rewarded with a light lunch accompanied by local wines.

The day will continue with a cooking class followed by dinner at a local farmhouse. This will be another chance to meet Piedmont locals and share in their knowledge and passion for food and wine. At the organic farmhouse we have selected for your cooking class, you will also enjoy an indulgent wine tasting. After an afternoon spent making your own fresh pasta and artisan accompaniments, you’ll enjoy your Italian creations paired with local wines. You’ll return back to your villa — stuffed and satisfied! — after dinner.

Travel into the Alta Langa area, where you will visit Pistone’s organic cheese farm and meet the cheese maker in person. Here we will enjoy a light lunch and taste the sublime Langan sheep tuma paired with good wine and other specialties of the area. We will learn more about the cheese maker’s passion, work, and connection to the land during this intimate visit.

After enjoying this authentic and unique experience, you will journey on toward a local pasta-making factory to see how pasta is produced in this area. And of course, you will have the chance to taste some of the lovingly produced pastas before returning to your villa for an evening at your leisure.

Enjoy a half-day panoramic tour of the Barbaresco wine zone. The fertile Piedmontese DOCG zone of Barbaresco is responsible for producing some of Italy’s finest wines. It occupies the same region and uses the same grape (the Nebbiolo) as Barolo, but is just a third of its size. Soils here are lighter, both in color and weight, and more calcareous, producing full-bodied wines of exceptional quality. Here you will have the chance to visit the local winery and taste Barbaresco from some of its most prestigious crus.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure at your villa. Use your time in this peaceful setting to enjoy one final day of relaxation, and perhaps enjoy the spa, before your farewell dinner at the Castello di Grinzane restaurant.

Say your goodbyes to this enchanting country as your board your private transfer, via mini bus, to Milan Airport.

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