TURIN AND THE “SLOW FOOD” IN PIEDMONT

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
5 days and 4 nights
Italy (Barolo, Cherasco, Alba, Bra, Asti, Turin)
Italy (Turin)

Description

Day 1 Turin

Arrival in afternoon Check-in at your hotel, then you are free to soak up the charming atmosphere of the town wandering amongst the beautiful buildings and gardens or enjoy a glace of wine as the sun sinks slowly over the urban landscape.  Dinner and overnight stay in Turin.

Day 2 Turin

Full day dedicated to the former capital of Italy with its noble Baroque and Mannerist buildings, elegant squares and historical cafés. Walking guided tour of the historical centre of Turin including the Piazza Castello, lined with several historical mansions, Palazzo Madama, the San Lorenzo Church and the Royal Theatre, continuing to the Royal Palace and the Antonelliana Tower. We will visit the Royal Palace, the first and most important of the Savoy residences in Piedmont and the stage for at least three centuries of Piedmont politics. We will admire also the Cathedral where is kept the Holy Shroud (a linen cloth believed by the Catholics to have been the burial shroud in which Jesus was wrapped after he was taken down from the cross; not exhibited to the public). But Turin means also chocolate, a passion which has lasted for 450 years, so during the tour we will stop to a characteristic Café to taste the typical “bicerin” – traditional mixed drink of coffee and chocolate. Enjoy the afternoon at your own peace. Maybe you want to visit the Mole Antonelliana, symbol of Turin and former Jewish synagogue, now hosting the amazing Cinema Museum. You could take the panoramic lift, which rises inside the cupola and up to a terrace from which you can enjoy a breath-taking view of the city. Dinner and overnight stay in Turin.

Day 3 Cherasco, Bra, Barolo Castle, La Morra

Departure to Barolo area. Our first stop will be the town of Cherasco that combines snail farming and fine chocolate production in a historic setting. Here you will visit a traditional chocolate producer and sample a variety of chocolates, including the renowned baci di Cherasco. Cherasco is also renowned for the largest antique market in Piedmont and one of the most important in Italy. After a pleasant walk through the historical centre we cotinue to Bra, home of the cheese that bears the town's name and birthplace of the influential Slow Food movement promoting and protecting the heritage, traditions and culture of genuine food. We will visit the town and a cheese-producing farm that dates back to the early 1900's to enjoy a guided tasting of a variety of their cheeses. Winding among hills and vineyards, we arrive to the Barolo, heart of the production of the world-famous Barolo wine. We will visit the innovative Wine Museum, housed in the halls and rooms of Barolo Castle (Falletti), the winery, cellars and wine producing facilities and taste some wines with a light lunch on-site to appreciate the flavour and aroma of Barolo. The last stop of our tour will be the medieval village of La Morra, the highest of the villages of the Langhe area. From here you will enjoy a breath taking view of the surrounding hills, dotted with castles and vineyards. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Turin.

Day 4 Asti, Barbaresco, Alba

We head to the Langhe area one of Europe’s foremost winemaking regions offering some of the best panoramic views in Italy, immortalized by works of Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio in the early 20th-century. The first stop is Asti, home of the famous Asti Spumante, the sparkling white wine well known worldwide. We will visit the downtown area admiring Baroque and Renaissance buildings, the ancient Palio Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, Piazza Roma, the Red Tower. Winding among hills and vineyards, we will arrive to Barbaresco, where the Barbaresco wine is produced. This fine violet-coloured red wine is considered to be one of the great "B"s of Piedmont, along with Barolo and Barbera. After a tour of a local winery and wine tasting we continue to Alba, the capital of the Langhe Region. Named “the city of 100 towers”, this charming medieval town has a historical centre rich in Roman and Gothic monuments. But Alba is famous above all for its white truffles, fine cheese and, of course, wines and for being the cradle of the “slow food” movement. We will take a lunch with traditional truffle based dishes in a local restaurant, then we visit the town. Return for dinner and overnight stay in Turin.

Day 5 Turin

Breakfast and departure for return journey. End of our services.

 

Category

 
Economy (Scheduled Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 3 Stars
 
Comfort (Scheduled Tour)
Half Board (dinner) 4 Stars
 

Program

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Royal Residences in Turin, Vineyard Landscape of Langhe-Roero & Cherasco, Bra, La Morra, Asti, Alba

Price includes

Accommodation, depending on your option, in good 4* hotels centrally located or 3* not centrally located hotels, double occupancy rooms, as described:
4 night accommodation in hotel in Turin on a half-board basis, drinks not included
Local English speaking guides in Turin. Other languages are available on request.
Bicerin tasting in Turin
Entrance to the Royal Palace
Chocolate tasting in Cherasco
Guided visit of Barolo Castle and wine tasting
Guided visit of a cellar and wine tasting in Barbaresco
Cheese tasting in Bra
Lunch at a local restaurant in Alba

Price does not include

City tax
Bus GT for the entire tour with arrival and departure from Turin airport, including all expenses (check point and parking fees, board and lodging for driver)
Optional visits

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1   Turin - airport
  Barolo
  Cherasco
  Alba
  Bra
  Asti
  Turin

Accommodations provided in each place

PlaceEconomyComfort
Turin3 Stars4 Stars