Food and Wine of Northern Italy

Depart the US for Milan Malpensa Airport

Arrive at Malpensa airport and transfer our hotel in at a beautiful resort on Lake Como. We have time to relax. In the evening we have our Welcome dinner on the terrace of our hotel (if weather permits). The menu is of all organic products from their garden and the fish is from the lake. (D)

This day is dedicated to the visit of the Lake Como. After breakfast we walk to the dock where a private boat takes us along the Lake, visiting the World Heritage Site, Villa Balbianello. This Villa has one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. We continue our lake tour by boat and enjoy lunch at the small island of Comacina with its spectacular scenery. Our lunch spot is famous for its view and the local food, like trout in red thyme sauce and the free range chicken casserole. We have an afternoon walking tour in the historical center of Como. For those interested, we can also walk up a small hill to the small town of Brunate for a 360 degree view of the lake. Return later in the afternoon to Bellagio and dinner in a local fish trattoria. We can try carpione, a delicious marinated local fish salad with their local mayonnaise. (B, L, D)

After breakfast take some time to relax or wander the narrow streets of Bellagio. Late in the morning we drive to Lake Maggiore with a stop for lunch in a typical countryside restaurant specializing in homemade lasagna made with radicchio and taleggio (cheese) sauce. In the afternoon we arrive in Stresa, once a small town of fisherman, it is now a town of 5,000 with Art Nouveau hotels. We walk through this beautiful lake village and have dinner in one of the authentic Osterias, drinking local wines with cheese and cured meats. (B, L, D)

Today we explore Lago di Maggiore. After breakfast, a private boat takes us around the Lake, visiting the enchanted gardens of Villa Taranto before lunch at the fisherman trattoria on the Isola dei Pescatori (Island of the Fishermen). The trattoria has a terrace right on the lake. The owner fishes every day on the lake to provide fresh fish for his restaurant. Their specialty is risotto with whitefish. This island is the smallest of the Borromean Islands, with only 50 inhabitants. Early in the afternoon we return to Stresa and take a bus ride to Lake Orta, visiting the cozy little village and the Island of San Giulio and its Monastery. Dinner is on our own. Wander down the narrow streets of the village where you can choose from of the nice hidden restaurants. (B, L)

After breakfast enjoy a relaxing morning before driving towards the wine country of Piedmont. Stop in Monferrato and visit the gorgeous little medieval town of San Giorgio. Lunch is in an authentic country house which also produces wine. After lunch, we enjoy a visit to a winery where the owner greets us. From here we go to Dogliani and check into Foresteria dei Poderi Einaudi, one of the most important wineries in Piedmont. It is owned by the same family as the founder, the first Italian President of the Republic, Luigi Einaudi. We are guests for dinner at the house of one of the family members. (B, L, D)

Today we meet in the lobby and walk about 5 minutes. We participate in a Piedmontese cooking class in a lovely organic farmhouse managed by a local family. The grandmother and grandfather teach us how to make tajerin, a typical homemade pasta of the region. We also taste their delicious organic vegetables, picked, grilled and served as appetizers. After lunch we come back to our Relais to visit the vineyards, and its historical cellar and have a wine tasting. Early evening we move to Mondovi and visit the Medieval town in the upper part using the cable car. We return to the Relais and an hour later meet in the lobby and go to dinner at a restaurant where we taste the famous fritto misto piemontese. The dish is made of thirty pieces of different meats, freshwater fish, fruits, vegetables and sweets, all on a single plate. (B, L, D)

After breakfast we drive to the beautiful wine region of the Langhe. The first stop is at a local salami producer. We have with a tasting and we learn about its salami production. Then on to visit a Barolo wine producer close to Bra with lunch and a tasting of the famous local pasta and local cheeses. The local appetizer specialty is the salsiccia di Bra, a soft sausage filled with local cheese and white wine. Early in the afternoon we visit the University of Food and Wine founded by Carlo Petrini the creator of the Slow Food Movement. We also visit the Museum of Wine and taste some unique selected vintages. From here we visit Alba, the capital of the truffle. We walk in the narrow streets of the old town before going to a local restaurant for a cooking demonstration of the Agnolotti del Plin (small pieces of flattened pasta dough, folded over filling of roasted meat or vegetables) followed by our Farewell Dinner (B, L, D)

Today we head to Torino for a tour of the first capital of Italy. With a local guide, we discover the Capital, in the historic region of Savoy, which was annexed by France in 1860. Our visit includes a stop at the Royal Palace and the Mole Antonelliana. Once housing a synagogue, the Mole Antonelliana now housing a movie museum it is the tallest museum in the world. Lunch is in one of the historical restaurants of the Piedmont capital for a taste their famous bollito, a mix of boiled meets with a great combination of homemade sauces. After lunch we partake in a private chocolate tasting at one of the most famous chocolatier in Turin. We then have free time to visit the Egyptian Museum, which has one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world, or explore the city on your own. We also visit Café Al Bicerin which is the oldest cafe in town. Return to our resort after some free time before a light dinner at the hotel (B, L, D)

Today, depart for the airport in Milan or perhaps choose to remain a bit longer. (B)

• Airport transfers and all land and lake transportation
• 9 nights’ accommodation
• All meals as describe in itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Local guides, entrances fees for items in the itinerary
• Tips for driver, guide and meals as listed in the itinerary
• Water on the bus

• Airfare
• Personal expenses
• Meals not noted in itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Passport/visas