Itinerary

6 Night Itinerary

Please note: Walks are optional. If you have other interests, just let us know and we can change the day’s plan for you.

Sunday

Meet your group at Turin airport or railway station. Leave for Barolo a one hour drive away. In Barolo you stay at a pretty, three star, family-run hotel in town with lovely views of Barolo castle and vineyards.

Dine on authentic Piedmont specialties at a great local restaurant as you drink a line-up of great local wines.

In Barolo, you’ll visit the charming Brezza family in their winery cellars, where the father or son sits with you around a wooden table lit by candles and tastes their wines with you. Conversation with them may stray to topics like family and friendship, so when you see them again in their restaurant for dinner, they feel like old pals.

Monday

Explore the hill town of La Morra on a one hour guided stroll. From a piazza, take in splendid views of the Barolo wine area valleys, while your guide points out towns you’ll visit.

Visit a winery near Barolo well known for its award winning wines and warm hospitality. You’ll feel their passion for their wines as they tell you all you ever wanted to know about Barolo, Barbera, Nebbiolo and other local wines. One wife is from California, married into the family years ago and plays an important role in running the winery. You’ll meet her and hear her interesting life story over a glass or two of their wines.

Drive along winding country roads, gazing in awe at the spectacular hill views and up to hill town Castiglione Falletto. Light lunch alfresco on a cafe patio with lovely wine country views.

Drive to a fine restaurant outside a Barolo wine country town for a hands-on cooking class with a young, passionate, creative chef who welcomes you warmly. Some of his typical, local dishes with his creative touches: delicate little torte with asparagus and cod, tasty risotto with Barbera wine and tuma cheese cream, semifreddo with boysenberries, white chocolate and mint. Savour your creations with great Piedmont wines.

Tuesday

Drive up about 30-40 minutes into the hills to a small, family farm to meet a man passionate about making his sheep cheeses in a totally natural way. Learn how he makes his cheeses in the cheese making room. In a divine picnic, you sample a range of his cheeses as he eagerly tells you all you’d ever want to know. You may even meet his sheep!

Drive to the scenic Barbaresco wine country hills and visit a family run winery to chat and taste their excellent wines. The charming owner will tell you her inspiring story how she became a single mother as a young woman, took over running the winery and now manages it with her adult son.

Just outside the town of Barbaresco, enjoy a hands-on cooking class on several dishes with the delightful owners in a well known restaurant set among vineyards. Enjoy your full menu dinner with Barbaresco wines in their cozy dining room or out on their shady terrace with marvelous vineyard views.

Wednesday

In Barolo visit a welcoming family’s winery where the adult daughter now plays a major role in running with winery with her father, well known for his strong, sometimes witty “no barriques” stance. They believe in using large wooden barrels. As you tour and taste, the daughter will tell you her winery career story.

Drive to nearby Monforte for a stroll and light lunch of typical Piedmont hot and cold appetizers at a local restaurant. Piedmont is famous for its incredible array of appetizers.

Return to town of Barolo for a guided stroll, visit the interesting Barolo wine museum, the Barolo castle where “the Mother of Barolo” lived, and if you wish, the humorous Corkscrew Museum.

Dinner is in a typical restaurant for more delicate Piedmontese fare.

Thursday

Stroll through the delightful medieval heart of Alba, a small bustling city. Browse the high quality clothing and houseware stores or tempting gastronomy shops like “Peccati della Gola—Sins of the Throat”. Light lunch in Alba on your own.

Shops in Alba close about 1:00 and open about 4:00.

Drive back to the Barolo wine country to visit a well known winery near La Morra, run by a woman and her niece. Over a tour and tasting, they’ll tell you their stories about their lives and wine careers.

Dinner on your own. Barolo has a variety of good restaurants.

Friday

In the hill town of Serralunga, visit a unique medieval castle, renovated in 1340. With the castle’s entertaining guide, discover ingenious architectural features that kept invaders out. On the top floor, marvel at the 360 degree views of the countryside and town.

If you wish, we can go on an optional 45 minute walk through the vineyards at Serralunga.

Visit a family’s farm where friendly Francesca shares a slice of their everyday life with you. They produce cheeses and most of what they eat. Eat a light, scrumptious farm lunch and chat with her at the table. Visit the farm after lunch to experience a slice of country life.

Back to your hotel for a rest.

Drive to Sinio where friendly local women, excellent home cooks, welcome you warmly to a community kitchen for your hands-on cooking class. They show you how to make their families’ traditional dishes, share cooking secrets with you and dine with you around the table. Lots of fun!

Saturday

If you have time, experience market day at the street stalls in Alba, bursting with local people. The colour, pace and sounds of this action filled extravaganza will amaze you. A lively, genuine slice of Italian life! If we go to Alba, lunch is on your own.

Reluctantly depart for Turin or for Alba’s train station and leave your new Piedmont friends, taking with you the women’s stories, your inspirations and heartfelt memories of all the laughter, sensual experiences, beauty, food and wine you shared together.

More information from Mama Margaret & Friends Cooking Adventures In Italy:

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