FINE FOOD, WINE AND WONDERS TOUR ITINERARY

Day One - Saturday (Rest and Relax Day)

Arrival: Milan/Voghera to Varzi.

You will be met by Jim at Milan’s Malpensa Airport at 1.00PM, or alternatively at the Voghera train station at 3.30PM. A well-appointed private, air-conditioned 9 seater vehicle will transfer you to "La Locanda", your Bed and Breakfast in Varzi, in time to enjoy your welcome drinks and unwind for the afternoon. In the evening we dine at Varzi's "Sotto i Portici", a delightful and intimate restaurant in the medieval heart of this charming town.

Day Two - Sunday (Fine Dining and Natural Beauty Day)

Bobbio – Medieval Town, Roman Bridge, Ancient Monastery, Beautiful Scenery.

Today begins with a scenic drive through the stunning countryside of the Staffora and Trebbia Valleys, in Southern Lombardy and Emilia Romagna respectively. After crossing the Monte Penice pass we head down to the charming medieval town of Bobbio, in the Emilia Romagna region. Lunch is in the town’s most elegant restaurant - "Il Piacentino", which is well known for its delicious anti pasti and "primi". Afterwards you get the chance to explore this little gem of a town. Two beautiful churches, a fourteen hundred year old monastery and a beautiful Roman Bridge that is full of character, are just some of the delights of Bobbio waiting to be discovered! In the evening you can simply unwind  at “La Locanda”, or take a leisurely passeggiata in the medieval town of Varzi, the home of Italy’s best Salame! Here you can also enjoy a gelato, a caffe, or a glass of wine (or two!) before retiring for the evening.

Day Three - Monday (Lake Como Day)

Lake Como – Menaggio, Bellagio and the Majesty of Italy’s most beautiful lake!

Today we visit Lake Como, one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe and a place described by the poet Percy Shelley, as ”surpassing in beauty everything I have ever seen hitherto”. Amongst the famous people to grace the shores of the lake, both past and present, are George Clooney, Gianni Versace and Pliny the Younger in the first century AD! Most of the day is spent in the Triangolo Lariano, or the central section of the lake in the towns of Menaggio and Bellaggio, where, after your ferry crossing, you can enjoy your pre-prepared picnic lunch in the gardens of Villa Melzi, beside the township of Bellagio overlooking the Lake. On our return to Varzi we take you for a delicious pizza at “Jerry’s”, Lynette and Jim’s favourite local pizzeria.

Day Four - Tuesday (Wining and Dining Day)

Walk/Winery Visit – Degustazione Lunch – visit to Medieval Town and Castle.

Today we spend the morning in the hills of the Oltrepo Pavese wine region, which is home to almost 500 producers and some very drinkable vino! On our leisurely drive to our degustazione lunch at L'Uvarara Enoteca, we stop for a coffee break and/or walk in the quaint township of Zavatarello, where an imposing, centuries old castle is perched right above the town. After our morning coffee/walk we head off for our degustazione lunch at "L'Uvarara Enoteca" in Santa Maria della Versa. Here we sample some delicious local wines in conjunction with local dishes prepared by the owner, Antonella, who is a veritable expert in local wine and produce. After lunch we visit a nearby artisan and family-run winery called Ca del Ge, which is located 300 metres above sea level and on the 45th parallel. The owner, Enzo Padroggi, is an extraordinary person and a passionate wine maker, whose pride and joy is his white dessert wine called "Passito", made from either Moscato or Croatina grapes. The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi, where you can eat dinner at one of the pizzerias, trattorias or restaurants.

Day Five - Wednesday (Walk, Picnic and Pamper Day)

Abbey of San Alberto Di Butrio and Salice Terme/ Nazzano Optional Walk.

This morning we explore the Abbey of San Alberto di Butrio, a place that exudes spirituality and serenity. It is a medieval gem nestled in a green, lush landscape high in the hills above the Staffora Valley. The Abbey was built nearly a thousand years ago by the noble Malaspina family, for San Alberto, the cave-dwelling hermit-turned Saint who cured their mute son. There is also a most curious tomb located here that is said to have been a temporary resting place for the body of an English King!!

Lunch will be enjoyed at the beautiful home of Jim and Lynette'e good friends Oliviero and Adelaide Masi. This has been a major highlight of prior guests' tour experiences. Guests will experience the delectable tastes of Adelaide's home cooking, and will also be able to peruse and purchase a range of artwork produced by Oliviero and Adelaide. Oliviero is a long standing professional artist who has exhibited his work internationally for over 30 years.

After lunch guests will have the opportunity to visit to the nearby town of Salice Terme, which is historically famous for its thermal springs and health spas. Over the years it has been frequented by luminaries such as Julius Caesar, who rested and bathed here on his way back from battle in Gaul. Here you can be pampered in the health center, or enjoy the benefits of its healthy sulphurous water. Nearby, there is also an excellent outdoor pool where you can choose to relax on deck lounges or enjoy a cool dip (open June to August only). If you don’t want to be pampered, or have a swim at Salice Terme, you can choose to take a delightful walk in the surrounding countryside or enjoy a wine tasting at a nearby cellar door.

The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi, where you can eat dinner at one of the local pizzerias, trattorias or restaurants.

Day Six - Thursday (Classic Architecture Day)

Vigevano – Certosa di Pavia – Pavia

We begin our sixth day in Vigevano, a small city well known throughout Italy and the world as a centre for shoe-making excellence, and for having one of the most beautiful Renaissance piazzas in all of Italy - the Piazza Ducale. We stroll the streets of the old part of the city, and then spend our free lunch dining “al fresco” in the Piazza. After lunch we head to another hidden gem of Italy, the Certosa di Pavia, a stunning fourteenth Century monastery hidden deep in the countryside between the cities of Milan and Pavia. Later that afternoon we move on to the classy university city of Pavia, once the capital of Lombardy, which is located on the banks of the Ticino river. We dine together here at one of Pavia’s traditional restaurants for an evening’s sample of the local fare and then return to La Locanda for a good night’s sleep after a busy day!

Day Seven - Friday (Market and Shopping Extravaganza Day!)

Varzi – Piemonte (Serravalle, Gavi and San Sebastiano Curone)

Day seven is a day that allows guests to start off by relaxing and unwinding in the sleepy medieval town of Varzi. In the morning we visit Varzi’s local market and have the opportunity to see the delicious produce on offer, along with an interesting assortment of other wares. The market or "mercato" was traditionally a cattle and produce market, and cattle farmers from the surrounding hills would congregate once a week, not only to trade in their produce, but also to meet with their friends and fellow farmers. Today, even though the cattle are no longer there, one can still imagine what it may have been like, as older townsfolk gather and converse in their local dialects amidst the market’s shoppers.

After experiencing "il mercato di Varzi", you will be taken to another world altogether - a contemporary designer shopping village in nearby Serravalle della Scrivia. At Serravalle you can literally “shop till you drop” in an outlet containing a magnificent array of famous Italian brands, including of course the iconic Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. Here you will also pleasingly find that these brands have much smaller price tags than elsewhere. Before this though, we will explore a centuries old Piemonte wine cellar that houses international award-winning wines and enjoy lunch at their delightful restaurant "Il Gallo". The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi, where you can eat dinner at one of the local pizzerias, trattorias or restaurants.

Day Eight - Saturday (Fashion and Style Day)

Milan – Ra Canva da Berto

Today we have a free day in Milan, the capital of the region of Lombardy and arguably the fashion capital of the world! After being dropped off in the morning guests will have the whole day to explore the varied and interesting sights of this unique city. Several interesting itineraries will also be available to guests, depending on whether one is keen on shopping, art or food. Regardless of your desires we will help you to make the most out of your day! A day of walking around Milan and building up an appetite will also come in handy, as in the evening we will be eating our farewell dinner at "Ra Canva da Berto", an Agriturismo* close to Varzi that is well known for its lively atmosphere and scrumptious  home-cooked food. Buon Appetito!

Day Nine - Sunday (La Valtellina - Apple Orcards, vineyards and beautiful mountains)

Varenna - La Valtellina – Tirano

Today we depart Varzi and Southern Lombardy and head up to the area in the northern-most part of Lombardy known as La Valtellina. Spectacularly located in a very picturesque valley, La Valtellina shares its border with Switzerland. Your free lunch will be spent in the charming town of Varenna, on the eastern shore of Lake Como. After lunch we head to the lush valley of La Valtellina where our cosy Bed and Breakfast awaits us! After our arrival and once you have settled in, you have the opportunity to explore the tranquil town of Tirano, or to simply relax amidst the apple orchards and vineyards at our residence, "Al Vecchio Torchio" (At the Old Wine Press). If you decide to vist Tirano don't forget to sample the Sforzato, a prized local red made from late-ripened nebbiolo grapes - it's a true delight! Tonight is a free dinner at Al Vecchio Torchio.

Day Ten - Monday (Il Trenino Rosso and St Moritz) 

St Moritz, Switzerland - La Vineria

Today is a very special day indeed. Don't forget your passports because early this morning you will depart from Tirano on the Trenino Rosso for a day out in the Swiss Alps! Lap up the magnificent views of the mountains as the "little red train" meanders through a multitude of valleys and passes, climbing to a height of 2252 metres above sea level. It is truly one of the most spectacular train rides that exits today. Spend a few hours in St Moritz shopping or simply enjoying the lakeside ambience that this classic Swiss mountain resort has to offer. After your day's excursion you will return to Tirano where we eat a scrumptious four course dinner at Filippo's wine bar - "La Vineria" before retiring for the evening.

Day Eleven - Tuesday (Sondrio and Casalinga Cooking Class - I Pizzocheri)

Sondrio - Al Vecchio Torchio

Today is our last full day in the beautiful Valtellina. In the mid to late morning we will be visiting the elegant nearby city of Sondrio. After lunch we spend the afternoon at Al Vecchio Torchio with the establishment's matriarch and cook, as we help her prepare our evening's dinner - the famous local dish - Pizzocheri. We will later enjoy the fruits of our labour over an enjoyable evening's meal once all the hard work in the kitchen is done!

Day Twelve - Wednesday (Lake Maggiore and Piemonte)

Stresa - Monferrato, Piemonte.

Day Twelve commences with our departure from La Valtellina and the commencement of the last stage of our tour - Piemonte. Before we reach our lodging deep in the heart of Piemonte's wine country, we break for a free lunch in the pretty lakeside town of Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. After lunch we head off to the classic wine region of Piemonte for our final few days together, and where a host of gastronomic delights await us! Upon arrival at our lodging in Piemonte, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a free dinner.

Day Thirteen - Thursday (Barolo wine country day)

Barolo wine region, Piemonte.

Today we pay a morning visit to the township of Barolo, which is the home of its namesake and arguably Italy's most famous wine - Barolo, made from the local nebbiolo grape variety. After our visit to Barolo we will enjoy a cellar visit and lunch at a nearby winery owned by the Ceretto family. The Ceretto wine brand has been managed by the Ceretto family for three generations. Its business mission for more than 70 years has been to strive for excellence in wine making and to be an international ambassador of Piemonte and Italy. After we have visited the family's Monsarda Bernadina vineyard and winery, the evidence of this will become all too clear, as we experience the beautiful and most impressive complex at one of Ceretto's flagship wineries. Guests will also have the opportunity to sample some of Ceretto's  delicious  wines during a degustazione lunch prepared by Ceretto's award winning chef, Enrico Crippa. Lunch will be served in the winery's tasting/degustazione area which presents beautiful views of the surrounding Barolo countryside for guests to enjoy whilst dining.

Day Fourteen - Friday (Turin - The home of "Eataly" and the King's Capital)

Eataly - Turin - Moncalvo.

With respect to gastronomical delights one can definitely say that we have left the best till last on our Fine Food, Wine and Wonders itinerary! Today we pay a visit to a truly inspirational monument to the Slow Food movement in Italy and around the world - Eataly. the overriding aim of Eataly is to quash the myth that quality products must be expensive and hence avaiable to only a limited circle of privileged people. Eataly offers the best cottage-industry products at sustainable prices by dealing directly with the producers. Its main aim is to increase the awareness of consumers so that we can choose high quality products and pay particular attention to the source and processing of raw materials. Guests will have a free lunch at one of Eataly's eight different dining areas before heading into majestic central Turin (unified Italy's first capital city) for the afternoon. Our last evening meal together will be at the Ristorante Centrale in Moncalvo in preparation for our goodbyes tomorrow!        

Day Fifteen - Saturday (Farewell day)

Departure for Vercelli Train Station and Milan Malpensa Airport - End of Tour.

Today we say farewell to each other and to the lush rolling hills of Piemonte. After breakfast you will be transferred to the train station at Vercelli, a major stop on the Turin-Milan train route, or to Milan's Malpensa Airport. Alternatively you can make your own arrangements for your onward journeys. 

Legend for Meals provided

breakfast | lunch | dinner

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