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
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10-NIGHT ITINERARY
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“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.
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7.30 PM Welcome dinner at the Garden restaurant and meet your wonderful guides.
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.
Wednesday 19th October 2022
COOKING CLASS IN CASTIGLIOLE D’ASTI
Breakfast in hotel
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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.
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.
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.
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
RATES:
Minimum 6 participants – maximum 16 participants
PRICES ARE PER PERSON SHARING DOUBLE ROOMS:
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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
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(1180€ ADDITIONAL FOR SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT)
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A MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF EUR1400€ IS REQUIRED AT TIME OF BOOKING TO CONFIRM YOUR SPACE
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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