Custom Northern Italy Wine tourThe Slovenian frontier, Trieste & Carso, Gourmet Venice,Franciacorta sparklers, Wine & Spa in Valtellina& The great reds of PiedmontDay 1 Arrival & SloveniaMeet your guide at Trieste airport and travel by private van into the breathtaking Soca valley to your accommodations nestled in the Slovenian Alps. Stop en route in the charming village of Cividale to toast to your arrival with Ramandolo sweet wine and Gubbana cake at a sidewalk cafè. Check- in and free time to rest and settle into your accommodations in two luxury chalets overlooking the valley. Get started with our wine journey with a Welcome to Slovenia tasting regional wines. During the tasting we’ll go over winemaking and tasting technique as well as give you an intro to the wines of Friuli Venezia-Giulia and Slovenia as well as talk about our trip and itinerary. Move on to our dinner reservation at one of Europe’s finest “gourmet fusion” restaurants consisting of a Chef’s menu accompanied by fine Slovenian wines. Day 2Collio & Brda Wine tour, the boundries of Italian/Slovenian winemakingHead out for our Collio wine tour, an area that stretches across the border between Slovenia and Italy. Stop en-route to sample delicious local pastries and enjoy a Cappuccino at a historic cafè. Enjoy a private guided tour at a local winery in the Collio region of Italy followed by a private lunch served for us at the castle and accompanied by estate wines. After lunch travel back over the boarder into Slovenia and visit one of the region’s most important wineries, enjoying a guided tour with winery owner and tasting of 5 wines. Return home and relax at the resort – enjoy the spa, sauna and view. For dinner we will enjoy a very special private winemaker’s dinner with directly at the resort and catered for us by a renowned local chef, including a sampling menu of traditional Slovenian cuisine accompanied by estate wines. Day 3Travel to Venice & Grand Canal boat tourEarly AM check-out and travel to Venice lagoon. Rendezvous with our water taxi to travel to your accommodations in Venice city center. After settling into to your hotel, we’ll head out for a walk through the charming Cannaregio district and the Jewish Ghetto, stopping to grab a light lunch at a local cafè. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a very special introduction to Venice with a 1 hour private boat tour through the Canal Grande and minor canals on our way to the heart of Venice – Piazza San Marco. Free time to explore Piazza San Marco and the Basilica with the option of climbing the tower with a beautiful view over the city or having a cocktail sitting in the square that was defined by Napoleon as the most beautiful drawing room in Europe. After visiting Saint Mark’s walk through Venice’s charming streets on our way back to the hotel. Rest and relax before heading to dinner at a great local restaurant.
Day 4Venice Islands – Murano & Burano and Private Venetian Palace dinnerAfter a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel we’ll meet our private water taxi for a boating tour through the lagoons of Venice and visit to two of its most famous islands. In Murano we’ll walk the charming canal side streets and visit to world famous glass factory before moving on to the colourful island of Burano where we’ll have a delicious light lunch at a traditional Venetian Trattoria with local wine followed by free time to explore and shop for Venetian lace in Burano. Return home to the hotel in Venice and free time to rest and relax. At sunset we’ll travel by Gondola to a historic Venetian Palace for an unforgettable private dining experience, paired with great wines from the Veneto region. Day 5Gourmet Venice – exploring the markets and local cuisine of VeniceMeet Sara, our local expert, for a Gourmet Venice guided tour of the famous fish market and surrounding neighborhoods of San Polo and Rialto. After our gourmet tour we’ll stop for an “aperitivo” of Prosecco followed by a light lunch at a Canal-side cafè. Free afternoon to shop or visit the city on your own In the evening move on to a truly Venetian experience at one of the last true Trattorias of the city including a sampling menu of local fare accompanied by house wine. Day 6Lago di Iseo & Franciacorta wine tour Early AM check out and travel from Venice to Iseo lake in the heart of the Franciacorta wine producing region of Lombardy, famous for its “champagne” method sparklers. Stop to tour the impressive cellars of one of Franciacorta’s leading estates and one of Italy’s finest sparlking wine producers. After our tour head to a charming local restaurant for a light lunch on the terrace surrounded by Franciacorta vineyards. Visit another winery masterpiece in the afternoon for a guided tour of the amazing cellars and a glass of Brut. Check-in to charming accommodations in the heart of Franciacorta. For dinner we’ll enjoy a gourmet Italian “Champagne” dinner consisting of a chef’s menu of local delicacies and fresh water fish accompanied by sparkling wines from the Bellavista estate.
Day 7 Valtellina Wine TourAm check-out and travel to the breathtaking Valtellina valley north of Milan. Travel to visit the wine cellars of two of the valley’s most amazing wineries, learning about Valtellina and its unique microclimates, home to one of Italy’s best kept secrets: Chivennasca - the Nebbiolo’s of Valtellina. Travel along the panoramic road to enjoy a wonerful lunch at a hidden gem family run inn offering the most authentic and delicious local cuisine. After lunch enjoy an unforgettable tour and tasting at a small family run winery in Sondrio. Check-in to accommodations in Bormio centro storico at a charming alpine Hotel. Free time to rest and settle in before moving on to a light dinner in Bormio center consisting of a tasting of local cheeses and sliced meats accompanied by Valtellina wines. Day 8Valtellina – Free day at the SpaAfter breakfast at the hotel head to the Bagni Vecchi di Bormio spa – (Well-being, nature and history since the 1st century BC ), nestled in the mountains overlooking the valley. Spend the day at the spa exploring the circuit of the 6 different spa areas http://www.bagnidibormio.it/wellness_spa_italy_bv.asp):
In the evening return to the hotel and relax or visit Bormio city center followed by a delicious dinner at one of Bormio’s finest restaurants.
Day 9 Travel to Lake Como Check out and travel to world famous lake Como, stopping en route to visit the cellars of one of Valtellina’s leading wineries and tour some of the valley’s amazing vineyards. Drive along the beautiful lakeside road and stop on our way to accommodations stop at a charming lakeside restaurant for a delicious light lunch with wine. Check in to lakeside accommodations and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring or relaxing at the hotel. At sunset head out for a private boating sunset cruise on the lake followed by a gourmet dinner of fresh water lake fish and delicious white wines.
Day 10 Piedmont – Barbaresco wine tour and Barolo winemaker’s dinnerCheck out and travel to the heart of Piedmont’s winemaking country. Arrive in the hilltop village of Barbaresco and head to a local Enoteca for a tasting of varietal wines made from the area’s 4 important native grape varieties accompanied by appetizers and a selection of local cheeses. Move on to visit the winery of a local Barbaresco producer and taste some fantastic Barbaresco wines. On your way to your luxury hotel stop at the charming town of Barolo to visit the Castello di Barolo and Enoteca Regionale del Barolo. After settling into the hotel enjoy and unforgettable gourmet Barolo winemaker’s dinner with a local Barolo producer. The dinner will be prepared for us at the castle, including a chef’s menu of traditional Piedmont cuisine accompanied by the wines of a local Barolo estate. Day 11 Piedmont - Barolo wine tourSpend the day traveling through the beautiful rolling hills surrounding the villages of Barolo, Monforte and Castiglion Falletto, stopping to visit some of the area’s finest wineries for guided tours and tastings. Start at one of Barolo’s leading estates for a guided tour wine winery owner and tasting of estate wines. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the charming village of Castiglione Falletto. Visit a historic Barolo estate and enjoy a tour and tasting with winery owners. Return home to the hotel to relax before heading out to our gourmet farewell dinner a great local osteria.
Day 12 DepartureAm check-out and transfer to Turin airport for departure
Prices for this 12 day private custom gourmet tour vary according to number of participants and preferred hotel accommodations
|
