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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day one : Arrive in Piemonte You depart London Gatwick on the BA2578 at 13.00 and arrive in Turin at 15.55 . There you will meet Cindy-Marie Harvey , your tour guide , for your onward coach transfer ( journey time just under 2 hours ) to your hotel in Piemonte . This evening you will dine together at the hotel in their Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant , enjoying a 4-course menu . Cindy-Marie will pair the menu with a selection of wine as an introduction to the principal wines of the region , chosen from the hotel ’ s cellar , housed in a deconsecrated chapel in the courtyard .
Day two : Barolo day After breakfast , you travel through the rolling hills of the Langhe , covered with their famous vines , towards the vineyards of the Barolo classification . Known as the ‘ King of wines ’, Barolo has a world-wide reputation for having great depth and complexity , with aromas of roses and tar . It ’ s about 45 minutes by coach to our first stop , at the family-run , multiple award-winning wine estate of G D Vajra where you discover what makes these wines so different in style according to where their vineyards are situated . The Nebbiolo grape that produces Barolo can be compared to the Pinot Noir of Burgundy in its combination of fickleness and divine qualities . Barolo is produced only from a handful of villages and you continue through the Barolo heartland to your next visit at Cordero di Montezemolo . The estate is easily recognisable by the ancient Lebanese cedar tree that overlooks their vineyard . Here you will taste their range of wines , paired with a simple but delicious home produced lunch , which may include their Grandmother ’ s recipe for pickled vegetables . After lunch it is just a drive of about 30 minutes to the small hilltop town of Cherasco , famous for two things – snails and chocolates . There will be time for a stroll before a chocolate tasting at one of the most traditional producers , which will include some inventive flavours as well as the famous Baci di Cherasco , or ‘ Cherasco kisses ’ made from chocolate with local hazelnuts . Back at the hotel in the evening there is a light supper of local salami and cheeses , bread and grissini and local hazelnuts accompanied by a selection of three local wines , perhaps a Roero Arneis , a Barbera d ’ Alba and a Langhe Nebbiolo .
Day three : Barbaresco day and Alba Today after breakfast it is just a short drive of about 30 minutes to our first visit of the Barbaresco day . The vineyards of Barbaresco are less than 25 kms from those of Barolo , they take up about a third of the land of Barolo vineyards and are very different in style . Barbaresco is often seen as the more feminine side of Nebbiolo , with a seductive aroma of violets , roses and cherries . Your first visit is to the Produttori di Barbaresco , a leading example of how to be a co-operative producing quality rather than quantity . Their wines have won numerous awards and show the attention to detail in the vineyards owned by their 50 plus members in some of the best Barbaresco Crus including Ovello , Montestefano and Pajé . You will taste some of their wines at their cellars in the heart of the village of Barbaresco . Then you continue to another of the three villages that come under Barbaresco classification , Neive , for our next tasting at leading Barbaresco producer , Sottimano . Their wines display the classic notes of cedar , tar , roses and a hint of chocolate as you discover during our tasting , before we continue for lunch at a local Osteria that features typical Piemontese specialities . After lunch you return to the hotel for some free time before venturing out late afternoon for Alba , the main town of the Langhe , whose narrow streets are lined with a cornucopia of shops , selling wine but also many gastronomic delights to take home such as salami made with Barolo or tuma cheese marinated in truffles and olive oil . There is time to explore for a while before meeting again for dinner at one of the Slow Food ’ s restaurants , where you will pair a selection of wines with dinner , possibly starting with the local Agnolotti del Plin , silky parcels of stuffed pasta served with butter and sage . You return to the hotel after dinner .
Day four : Cheese , Cuneo and Castles This morning after breakfast you head towards the town of Bra , where the admirable Slow Food Association was started and where its headquarters remain . Here we visit a renowned name in the world of Piemontese cheese- Giolotto . Started at the beginning of the 20th century , the company is still family-run . From their premises in Bra , they source some of the most fascinating cheeses from the region , and are specialists in ageing cheese to prime eating time . This morning , we enjoy a tasting of a range of wonderful regional cheeses at their premises . Lunch is not included today , but there is a choice of cafes and restaurants in the historical centre of Bra . You then return to the hotel for a rest and time to freshen up before you depart in the evening for a visit to one of the most imposing castles of the region at Grinzane Cavour . This castle was home to the Count of Cavour , a prime minister of Piedmont who was instrumental in the process of the unification of Italy . You visit the castle with its displays relating to the history of food and wine in the region and then enjoy an aperitif in the cellars of the castle , now the regional Enoteca before dining at the restaurant inside the castle . You return to the hotel after dinner .
Day five : Wine estate for lunch and flight home Check-out of the hotel after breakfast and head to your final wine tasting at the estate of Marchesi d ’ Alfieri , who have been making wine since 1696 . This is an estate immersed in the history of the region and its wine-making , situated in the hills between Alba and Asti . They are respected for their wide range of Barbera but they also make Grignolino , another indigenous variety , a lighter red , often drunk young with tones of cherry . You discover the appeal of their wines over lunch before your onward journey to Turin and the flight back to Gatwick , the BA2579 departing at 17.00 and arriving at 18.00 .
Dates and prices This tour departs on the following dates from London for these prices per person sharing a double or twin room : 20 May 2019 £ 2590 2 October 2019 £ 2690
Supplements : Single use of double £ 380 per person Deposit payment : £ 400 per person
We include
• Flights with British Airways London Gatwick to Turin , Euro traveller . Club upgrade available on request at a supplement .
• Transportation from Turin airport in a small luxury coach for a maximum of 14 people , with one piece of luggage per person .
• English-speaking tour guide with knowledge of the wine and food of Piemonte .
• Four nights ’ bed and buffet breakfast in superior double or twin rooms at the Relais Villa d ’ Amelia .
• One 4-course dinner at the Villa d ’ Amelia on day 1 in the gourmet restaurant with wine
• One simple supper at the Villa d ’ Amelia on day 2 in the bistro with wine
• Other meals included as follows : Lunch with wine on day 2 , lunch with wine on day 3 , dinner with wine in Alba on day 3 , dinner with wine on day 4 , lunch with wine on day 5 .
• Entrances and wine tastings as mentioned in the itinerary
Relais Villa d ’ Amelia , Benevello The four star Relais Villa d ’ Amelia , member of the Small Luxury Hotels , sits amid 7 acres of parkland and hazelnut groves about 20 minutes ’ drive from Alba and about 35 minutes ’ drive from Barolo . In its transformation from estate villa to hotel , it has retained its traditional features , which blend in with contemporary furnishings of its 37 bedrooms . The Villa d ’ Amelia has a Michelinstarred restaurant whose chef Damiano Nigro trained with Gualtiero Marchesi , an outdoor swimming pool and wellness centre . We include the hotel buffet breakfast with a wide choice of items . Cooked eggs and freshly squeezed juice can be ordered . A la carte is also available at a supplement .
Optional additions Extend your holiday with a few days in the regional capital , Turin . This is a great city to explore on foot thanks to seemingly endless porticoed buildings in the historic centre . Sections of the old Roman walls remain and are located close to the Porta Palazzo , where the vibrant open air and covered foodmarket is found . Turin possesses numerous baroque cafés , where you can indulge in the local bicerin , a blend of espresso and hot chocolate or find your way to enjoying a local aperitif , Vermouth . There are all sorts of museums and galleries , from Egyptology to Fiat cars , Flemish and Dutch masterpeices to the cinema museum . We recommend that you stay at the 4 star Grand Hotel Sitea or the 5 star Principe di Piemonte .
Different travel arrangements If you want us to arrange flights on different dates and from UK regional airports , or to extend your holiday with a stay elsewhere in Italy , just let us know . If you are not arriving from the UK , then we can give you a price that excludes flights and perhaps with extra transfers included . We will adjust the details and the price accordingly .
Terms and conditions This tour is based on 14 people participating . If there are fewer than 14 people participating we may modify the tour ( smaller coach but the visits would remain the same ). We do reserve the right to alter the itinerary if we cannot be accommodated at any of the venues for any reason closer to the date of departure . Holiday insurance is not included but it is absolutely essential that you are fully insured .
Phone 01392 441275 to make a reservation or to discuss your holiday plans 39