top of page
Village of Treiso in Langhe region, northern Italy, unesco heritage in autumn.jpg

The Very Best of Piedmont Italy

An Unforgettable 10-night Experience

16 October 2022 - 26 October 2022

Sip, taste, cook, and explore this breathtaking region of Northern Italy with Billie Joyce, Nashville's leading wine expert, educator of wine, and creator of ' Thru The Vines'. 
Indulge on an unforgettable 10-night experience in Italy's premier wine and food capital, bountiful Piedmont.

Beauty . Freedom . Taste . Spirit

(Excerpt from Piedmont Tourism Guide)

 

Ancient villages and contemporary art, cities of art and unique landscapes. Find your experience among peaks and plains, hills and lakes, in the ninety-six protected natural areas and five UNESCO World Heritage sites of Piedmont. Savor the slowness of the walks on the paths of spirituality, or recharge your energies in the twenty thousand kilometers of paths on foot or by bike. Breathe in the outdoors. Sit at the table of a land that is singular for its uniqueness but plural for its variety and flavors: truffles and rice, excellent cheeses and wines, chocolate delicacies; you can choose from forty-six starred chefs, typical trattorias, wine bars, historic city cafes and mountain huts.

This exclusive tour has been thoughtfully designed for lovers of good food, exceptional wines, and areas of natural stunning beauty.  Sip, taste, cook, and explore Piedmont, Italy's number one wine and food destination, with Nashville's leading wine expert, Billie Joyce. 

The Very Best Of Piedmont

​

​

10-NIGHT ITINERARY

​

“La vita è bella! ”

Sunday 16th October 2022

WELCOME TO ITALY

Private transfer from MXP Milan airport to Albergo dell’Agenzia hotel or similar.

Check in at afternoon/evening at leisure.

​

7.30 PM Welcome dinner at the Garden restaurant and meet your wonderful guides.

Albergo dell'Agenzia.jpg
Image by CHUTTERSNAP

Monday 17th October 2022

TRUFFLE HUNTING

Breakfast in hotel

9.00 AM private transfer to La Casa del Trifulau (about 20 min). 9.30 AM – 12.30 PM If you are a truffle lover this is the right place for you. The Alba truffle is the most expensive food in the world. It grows wild and cannot be cultivated.

The truffle hunting will start with a short explanation of the local traditions and the environment. During the truffle hunting you will see how the search and discovery of the black or white truffle works, like the truffle hunting dog the territory with its nose and when it finds a truffle under the ground, it begins to dig.

Return to the House of the Trifolau (truffle hunter) where you’ll have the possibility to visit his house: picking item, furniture, images, and memories of the past.

The tour will end with a truffle tasting and wine and will last about 3hrs.

12.30 PM short transfer to a nearby restaurant where you’ll have a typical lunch.

2.45 /3.00 PM transfer back to your hotel and arrive at about 3.30/4.15PM. Rest of the day at leisure

Tuesday 18th October 2022

LANGHE WINE TASTING

Breakfast in hotel

12.00 PM Transfer to Ca’ del Baio winery (30 min), a family run winery for four generations.

 

12.30 PM to 2.00 PM Ca’ del Baio winery is in the heart of the Alba’s Langhe.

Peasant care, excellent exposure, only one weeding in spring, simplicity, no tricks, and so much common sense are the main ingredients of Ca' del Baio, the recipe for producing typical and territorial wines that can impose themselves, for their beautiful naturalness, in a view as crowded and competitive as that of Barbaresco.  Here you will have a guided tour, ending with Nebbiolo and Barbaresco wine tasting paired with grissini and cheese.

 

2.00 PM (30 min about) transfer to the second winery called Franco Conterno.

 

2.30 PM The visit will last about 1h 30 min and you’ll taste 6 different vintage years of Barolo Reserva. You’ll taste a platter of local cold cuts and cheeses as well.

 

Transfer back to your hotel and arrive at about 3 PM. Rest of today at leisure.

Wine, cheeses and grapes in a vintage setup..jpg
Cooking Class

Wednesday 19th October 2022

COOKING CLASS IN CASTIGLIOLE D’ASTI

Breakfast in hotel

​

9.30 AM Transfer to Costigliole d’Asti cooking class.

10.00 AM your private Chef will welcome you and the cooking class will start. You’ll learn how to prepare a full Italian Menu composed of 4 courses.

You’ll have lunch with the dishes you have prepared, and you’ll be delighted with 3 glasses of wine.

The whole activity will last about 3.5hrs.

Transfer back to your hotel afterwards

Rest of Afternoon at leisure

Thursday 20th October 2022

ASTI VISIT

Breakfast in hotel

9.45 AM short transfer to Asti (45 minutes).

10.30 AM meet the guide and enjoy a 2hours guided of the city You will enjoy the ancient city by walking through its narrow old streets you can feel and admire of the history by looking impressive medieval architecture, the baroque style has left amazing pattern in Asti's buildings, churches, cathedrals, and even part of the Roman city wall.

Time at disposal to have lunch (not include into the rate)

2 PM – 2.45 PM transfer back to the hotel.

Asti, Piedmont, Italy. St. Secondo square with the city hall and church of St.Secondo.jpg
Relais  Sant Uffizio 3.jpg

Friday 21st October 2022

ALBERGO DELL’AGENZIA TO RELAIS SANT’UFFIZIO WITH GUIDED TOUR

Breakfast in hotel 

Say goodbye to Albergo Dell'Agenzia today.

10.00 AM short transfer to Alba

10.30 AM The guide will talk about the history of the city and show ancient Romans’ ruins, the Cathedral, the medieval towers, the Town Hall which hosts some of the most important artistic masterpieces of the city and where it will be also possible to go out on the balcony facing the main square, piazza Risorgimento (or Piazza Duomo). You will also learn more about life during medieval times and listen to anecdotes and curiosities about the history of Alba.

12.30 – 2.30 PM Time at disposal to have lunch (not included into the rate)

Transfer to your new accommodation and check in at Relais Sant’Uffizio Wellness and Spa or similar

Rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Saturday 22nd October 2022

IULI WINE TASTING

Breakfast in hotel

10.30 AM short transfer to Cascina Iuli (30 min).

11.00 AM – 2 PM At Cascina Iuli the intention is to enhance this part of Monferrato, keeping clean and healthy their 30 hectares of soil, and bottle the true essence of this terroir and these hills.

Here you will have a wine tasting and lunch with the winemaker (about 3h duration).

2.00 PM – 2.30 PM transfer back to the hotel.

Sunrise on Barolo lands and fog in Langhe Region, Piemonte Piedmont. Unesco World Heritage
Chocolate Truffle Selection

Sunday 23rd October 2022

TURIN HIGHLIGHTS AND CHOCOLATE TASTING AND GAVI WINERY

Breakfast in hotel

9.30 AM transfer to Torino

10.30 AM – 12:30AM Meet the guide in Turin.

This 2-hour tour will let you discover the sweet side of Turin. It will take you through the streets and baroque “piazzas” of the city center until you’ll dip into Torino’s number one sweet delicatessen: chocolate. The tour includes a visit to a local producer of local pride and joy Gianduiotto, together with the many kinds of milk and dark chocolates or with a taste of Torino´s very famed “bicerin”, a concoction of coffee, cocoa and double cream.

12.30 PM – 1.30 PM Time for a quick lunch.

1.30 PM transfer to Gavi Winery and arrive at about 3.15 PM

The visit will last at about 1h and a half and you’ll taste 4 glasses of wine paired with a platter with cold cuts and grissini bread stick.

4.45 PM – 6 PM transfer back to your hotel

Monday 24th October 2022

COOKING CLASS IN PIEDMONT

Breakfast in hotel

9.30 AM short transfer to Turin where you’ll enjoy another cooking lesson from 10.30 AM – 1.30 PM.

Today you’ll learn how to prepare homemade pasta (tagliatelle and ravioli and some traditional sauces.

If you are a pizza lover, this is your day! You can choose to make a pizza instead of pasta dishes.

The cooking class and lunch with last about 3hrs.

Transfer back to your hotel.  Rest of day at leisure.

Enjoy you optional activity.

Making Pasta
Glasses of rose wine seen during a friendly party of a celebration..jpg

Tuesday 25th October 2022

DAY AT LEISURE AND FAREWELL DINNER

Breakfast in hotel and day at leisure to enjoy the property, or optional activity.

 

7.30 pm you’ll enjoy an important farewell dinner at a typical restaurant to have an authentic meal experience.

Restaurant such as: Bistrot, Osteria Enoteca L’Antico Granaio, or Trattoria Da Geppe.

Wednesday 26th October 2022

DEPARTURE

 

Breakfast in hotel

Say Goodbye to Relais Sant'Uffizio

Transfer to MXP Milan airport

San Giulio Island in Orta, Piedmont, Italy..jpg

RATES:

Minimum 6 participants – maximum 16 participants

 

PRICES ARE PER PERSON SHARING DOUBLE ROOMS:

​

Based on 6 Participants  5565€ per person

Based on 8 Participants 4955€ per person

Based on 10 Participants 4560€ per person

Based on 12 Participants 4465€ per person

Based on 14 Participants 4260€ per person

Based on 16 Participants 3865€ per person

​

(1180€ ADDITIONAL FOR SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT)

​

A MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF EUR1400€ IS REQUIRED AT TIME OF BOOKING TO CONFIRM YOUR SPACE

​

CITY TAXES ARE NOT INCLUDED 

The tax is up to 2.50 Euros per person per night for 4- and 5-star hotels.

 

Pricing & Availability are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed until deposit has been made

*City taxes, check points, port fees, train tickets, museum tickets, may change any time

​

IMPORTANT:

Vat is included. The standard VAT rate is 10% and 22%. If the VAT rate will increase, the difference of price will be charged to the client

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS NOT INCLUDED AND IS AN ADDITIONAL COST PER TRAVELER.  PLEASE ENQUIRE AT TIME OF BOOKING ABOUT THE TRAVEL INSURANCE COVERAGE.

 

VEHICLES:

Mercedes E Class: (2 suitcases 24’’- 27’’ and 2 carry on 20’’- 22’’). Maximum 3 passengers.

Mercedes minivan (7 suitcases 24’’-27’’) and 7 carry on “20 -22’’). Maximum 7 passengers.

If your luggage won’t fit in a sedan, there will be an extra charge for the minivan   +25% night supplement for guests arriving at the airport between (8.00 pm to 7.00 am)

 

Optional activities such as biking, private art tours, additional cooking classes etc. can be arrange for an additional fee.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

 

BOOKING CONFIRMATION, PAYMENT TERMS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES FOR FULL PACKAGES: 

Pricing and Availability are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed until EUR1400 deposit has been made. We will start immediately to book any reservation inquired within 24 hrs. (during work hours/local time). In the event that the service is not available anymore or is subject to price change, we will communicate to the Client the additional supplement if applicable. 

 

We require 30% down payment or €1400 per person and balance 30 days prior to Client's arrival either by bank wire or by credit card.

​

A cancellation of a confirmed package is always subject to penalty (30%)

(a) Cancellation received 31 days before the date of the experience: Refund 70%

(b) Cancellation received within 15 days before the date of the experience: Refund 35%

(c) Cancellation received up to 14 days before the date of the experience: Refund 0%

Please book travel insurance within 14 days of making initial deposit to protect any existing medical conditions, your investment, and unexpected cancellation for a covered reason. Travel Insurance is required by each participant.

​

BOOKING CONFIRMATION, PAYMENT TERMS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES FOR SPECIALS SERVICES: 

Boats services, helicopters tours/transfers, special vehicles, special locations may have different cancellation policies. Generally they are not refundable but depends on the season, kind of service, and destination. The policy will be communicated from time to time (see below):

 

CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULE POLICY FOR WEATHER ISSUES:

In case of bad weather or sever weather warnings, we may allow the cancellation for safety reasons. In case of cancellation the tour/service will be postponed (subject to availability). Otherwise, the service will be totally refunded in case the client, or the provider won't be able to reschedule. 

 

CANCELLATIONS OR SERVICE SUSPENSION POLICY DUE TO CLIENT'S ISSUE:

We reserve the right at its sole discretion to cancel or suspend any service (without getting any refund) if the client has an unfit psycho-physical condition (hallucinogenic drugs, narcotics, barbiturates, or any substance that may diminish his or her awareness or ability to react, correct equipment and if the Client in danger the other clients due to his/her inability to drive all the vehicles and motor vehicles.                                                                                                                           

​

​

bottom of page