Dates & Pricing:
Guaranteed Departure Dates 2012:
April 22nd SOLD OUT!
May 13th SOLD OUT!
June 24 SOLD OUT!
September 2nd - $2300
October 7th - $2300
November 18th - $2300
Pricing: per person based on double or triple ocupancy
Single Supplement: $600
Note: Rates are per person and include round trip airport transfers in Italy at scheduled times. Airfare available at an additional cost from your hometown.
Day by Day Itinerary:
Day 1) Arrival
Arrive at the Milan Malpensa airport and collective transfer at 4pm to the Albergo dell’Agenzia hotel in Pollenzo. Settle in, meet your tour escort, and enjoy a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant - dedicated to the products of the Slow Food Presidia of Piedmont. During the evening, there is also an introduction to the Slow Food philosophy and the activities carried out by the association and the Terra Madre Foundation.
Welcome Dinner
Overnight in Hotel
Day 2) La Morra, Carmagnola
Morning departure for a tour of the wonderful Barolo vineyards with the first stop at the La Morra scenic viewpoint to admire the hills and surrounding vineyards. Visit the Montezemolo wine cellars and taste their extraordinary wines accompanied by some of the typical local produce of Langa. Departure for Carmagnola and a visit to the Agripiemonte farm where one of the Piedmontese breeds is raised: the Carmagnola Grey Rabbit (Slow Food Presidium).
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Overnight in Hotel
Day 3) Barbaresco, Cherasco, Monforte d’Alba
Morning departure for Barbaresco to visit the cellars of the Barbaresco Producers, historically the most important in the territory, which boast several top class historical vineyards and a range of quality wines. Introduction and tasting of a selection of Barbaresco wines. Then head to Cherasco to visit the old historical center, free time to wander around the little streets which house the traditional workshops which produce the delightful ‘Baci di Cherasco’ (dark chocolates with hazelnuts). Afternoon transfer to Monforte d’Alba to visit the cellars of Ugo Chiola; introduction and tasting of his exclusive wines accompanied by local products.
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Overnight in Hotel
Day 4) Asti, Mongiardino Ligure
Morning departure for Asti to see the city; visit the Torronificio Barbero nougat museum and plant, with a tasting of the typical chocolate sweets and nougats. Departure for Mongiardino Ligure and a break at the country farmhouse Caseificio Vallenostra to taste the Montebòre cheese (Slow Food Presidium) and join in a cooking class dedicated to the Piedmontese agricultural tradition, followed by dinner. Presentation of the initiative: adopt a sheep.
Breakfast, Chocolate/Cheese Tasting, Dinner
Overnight in Hotel
Day 5) Pollenzo, Grinzane Cavour
Morning in Pollenzo, stroll through the center and visit to the Banca del Vino Slow Food (Wine Bank) for a wine tasting. Afternoon departure for Grinzane Cavour to visit the Piedmont Regional Enoteca, situated inside the Grinzane Cavour Castle, taste some of the Piedmont DOC and DOCG wines, especially those from Langa and Roero, in addition to some grappa and other local liqueurs.
Breakfast, Wine Tasting
Overnight in Hotel
Day 6) Departure
Early morning collective transfer for the Milan Malpensa airport. Arrival at the airport at 10am.
Breakfast
Hotels:
Albergo dell’Agenzia Hotel 4*, Pollenzo (Cuneo)
The Albergo dell’Agenzia is situated on the beautiful restructured neo-Gothic country estate of King Carlo Alberto of Savoy. The site also comprises the University of Gastronomic Sciences, the Wine Bank and Guido’s restaurant. The hotel itself welcomes guests to Pollenzo in an atmosphere that is warm, friendly and smart.
Note: If a change in hotels, restaurants, wineries or other businesses becomes necessary for any reason, the hotels or other businesses substituted will be equivalent of those shown.
SLOW FOOD PRESIDIA AND OTHER RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Participants will have the unique chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products - high quality, traditional foods and beverages at risk of “extinction” - and other local delicacies from Slow Food recommended quality producers, such as:
· the wines of the Barolo vineyards
· the Carmagnola Grey Rabbit
· the wines of the Barbaresco hills
· the Montebòre cheese
· the wines of the Pollenzo Wine Bank
· the wines of Barbaresco vineyards
HIGHLIGHTS
The Montébore cheese dates as far back as the 15th century. Its shape is reminiscent of a tiny wedding cake, with tiers of decreasing size, one atop the other. Legend has it that the shape was modeled on an ancient tower in the town of Montébore. It has a strong milky and buttery flavor with lingering notes of chestnut and herbs and can be eaten fresh, slightly aged or grated. The Barolo wine has been called the "king of wines" but also the "wine of kings." It is one of the world's best wines and is made from only the very best Nebbiolo grapes, grown near the town of Alba. A robust red, full bodied and very dry. The aroma is similar to ripe strawberries, tar, roses, violets and truffles. Barolo can be "hard" when young and it needs to be aged in order to become "mellow." As a matter of fact, Barolo is not Barolo until it has aged for at least 3 years, while Barolo "Riserva" must age at least 5 years. It becomes better with additional aging and is often left to age for between ten and twenty years after the vintage year.
TYPICAL RESTAURANTS FROM THE “OSTERIE D’ITALIA” SLOW FOOD GUIDE
Tour participants will taste the delicious, authentic dishes of the regional cuisine eating at restaurants selected among those recommended by Slow Food in the “Osterie d’Italia” guide, small “trattorie” that still use fresh, local produce and traditional recipes for their dishes:
· Agriturismo-Caseificio Vallenostra
WINERIES AND MORE
Tour participants will also have the opportunity to sample wines and/or local typical products at wineries, bakeries, pastry shops, farms, fresh produce markets and more, such as:
· the wines of the Piedmont Regional Enoteca of Grinzane Cavour winery
· the Baci di Cherasco and other typical Piedmontese chocolate sweets
POINTS OF INTEREST: ART, HISTORY, CULTURE & NATURE
During the tour the participants will not only discover delightful food and wines but also the most
interesting monuments, works of art, churches and natural landscapes of the region:
· the wonderful hills surrounded by the Barolo vineyards in La Morra
· Asti, rich in medieval palaces and merchants houses, many with monumental towers
· Grinzane Cavour, thus named in honor of Camillo Benso, Conte di Cavour, one of the leading
figures of the Risorgimento (the Italian unification), and its imposing castle
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