Sunday – Get settled and welcome dinner, an intro to traditional regional Italian cuisine
Arrival in Alba on your own. Private transfer to our accommodation, a beautiful B&B, up to the hills, overlooking the countryside with scenic vineyards. Drive to the pretty little town of Monforte. Welcome dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant in the center.

Monday – Visit at Gancia and wine tastings at Braida winery
The day starts with a late morning drive, passing through beautiful and panoramic roads, charming villages like Neive and Barbaresco, to Canelli, where the famous wines Moscato and Spumante are produced. Light lunch on the way. Visit Gancia, one of the most famous wineries in Italy, where the wine is aged in large, spectacular cellars called “the underground cathedrals of Canelli.” They are magical, hidden places, nominated by UNESCO for inscription on the World Heritage List. Wine tasting at a very well known winery, in the area of Barbera. After the visit drive to another wonderful restaurant -considered one of the best in Piemonte- where the food is outstanding and the owners are warm hosts.

Tuesday – Wine tasting at Fontanafredda, torrone factory visit and cooking lesson with a family chef  
In the morning leave for an incredibly huge winery that belonged to the Savoias, royal family of Italy, named Fontanafredda. Visit and aperitif in the winery. Then drive to Sinio, to visit a torrone factory, -a typical sweet made with honey and nuts, specialty of Piemonte- and a honey producer, very much passionate about his job. Honey tasting. Proceed to Serralunga with its antique castle, driving along a panoramic road on our journey. Walk in the narrow streets of the little town. Lunch at an unpretentious but good restaurant in the center. Back to our B&B for a rest. In the late afternoon drive to a very close farmhouse for our cooking lesson with Antonia. Dinner of our creations.

Wednesday – Torino: guided tour and shopping in the charming city
In the morning drive to Torino, beautiful Italian city and place of the last winter Olympic games. Guided tour of the city with an English speaking guide. Light lunch at one of the oldest and most fascinating Italian style bars in the city center, with a warm atmosphere. Free time for shopping. Back to the hotel. Dinner at a very special restaurant.

Thursday – Truffle hunting with the typical "trifulao" and cooking lesson
In the morning drive to a little hilltown of the Langhe for the truffle hunting with Giovanni. His family has hunted truffles and trained truffle dogs since 1880! After the truffle hunting we will have a light lunch at his home, outside, very close to the castle. In the afternoon visit of the family winery at our B&B, followed by the cooking lesson with a very good chef. Dinner of our creations.

Friday – Barolo wine tasting, and farewell dinner
Drive to La Morra, the terrace of Langhe. From this village we have the most panoramic and wonderful view of Langhe area, heart of Barolo wine production. Proceed to Barolo, the Italian town that gives the name to the most important wine of Piemonte. Then drive to a famous winery, Marchesi di Barolo, for a visit of the winery and tasting of the king of red Italian wines: Barolo. Light lunch at a nice farmhouse in the country side, in Novello, owned by a young couple, with menu based on cheese. Back to the hotel. Then drive to Diano D’Alba, stopping at Castello di Grinzane Cavour, a spectacular castle! Farewell dinner at a very charming trattoria with a view of the vineyards.

Saturday – Departure day
Departure after breakfast at the hotel.

PRICE PER PERSON
IN DOUBLE ROOM EUROS 2580
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT EUROS 220

Included:
• 6 nights in lovely B&B (breakfast included)
• 2 Italian cooking lessons as indicated in the program
• private transport and assistance on arrival and at departure
• local tour director English speaking throughout
• meals as written in the program with selected regional wines, mineral water and coffee
• all excursions, visits and tastings specified in the program

Not included:
• flight ticket
• personal expenses
• everything not written in the program

2009 DATES
14-20 JUNE
13-19 SEPTEMBER