Piedmont sits right at the foot of the Alps and is arguably the most elegant region in Italy. As the birthplace of Slow Food, and home to some of the world’s most revered wines, this region arguably has the country’s richest culinary scene. Traditional Piedmont cuisine relies on rich flavors, full-bodied wines and indulgent desserts. The countryside is reminiscent of Tuscany with its rolling hills covered in grapevines.
Torino is a wonderful city with excellent restaurants and shops to explore. Views of the alps from the rooftop lounge at the hotel are spectacular! Visits to local producers are fun, informative and always include a delicious tasting lunch or dinner. They are so happy to take you behind the scenes, sharing their stories and their food. It’s an amazing experience! You will be traveling in peak season for the grape harvest and white truffle festival in Alba. You will also be visiting the area around Lake Como, with its spectacular views.
On the tour, you’ll enjoy traditional dishes from set menus featuring a variety of fresh, local, in season ingredients. Inclusive in the trip are all breakfasts, three lunches and seven dinners, all paired with wine. For meals on your own, a list of suggested restaurants will be provided. If you have any food allergies, or foods that you can not eat, please inform us during the registration process and Gioacchino will work hard to accommodate your needs.
Secure your spot on this tour by downloading the Reservation Form. Send all completed forms to cindy@palmerstours.com.
9 DAYS IN PIEDMONT*
10/23/19 – 10/31/19
*10 person maximum
TBD per person
HOTELS:
– Turin Palace Hotel
– Relais Villa D’Amelia
– Albergo Terminus
CITIES YOU’LL VISIT:
Torino, Asti, Alba, Benevello, Costigliole d’Asti, Canelli, Mango, Barolo, Vercelli, Como
ARTISAN PRODUCERS:
Wine, Rice, Nougat, Silk, Truffle, and Hazelnut
HIGHLIGHTS:
– Cooking Class
– Truffle hunting
– White Truffle Fair
– Guided tours
– Artisan Producers
MEALS INCLUDED:
Breakfast Daily
03 Lunches
06 Dinners
MILAN > TORINO
October 23
Morning arrival to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Gioacchino will pick you up and bring you to your first hotel, Turin Palace, in Torino. This hotel is located right in the center of the city with shopping, restaurants and bars. Check in, unpack and relax. Later that night, we’ll walk to La Badessa for our first dinner together.
*Please send flight information to cindy@palmerstours.com so we can arrange transportation to/from airport for you. Due to time difference, all flights should be made 1 day prior to itinerary start date.
TORINO
October 24
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head out on a guided tour of Torino. We’ll visit Guido Gobino, an award-winning Chocolatier, for a tour and tasting. Afterwards, you have the rest of the day to explore the city and enjoy lunch and dinner on your own.
TORINO > ASTI > ALBA > BENEVELLO
October 25
While you enjoy breakfast at the hotel, Palmer’s will collect everyone’s luggage as we prepare to head to Benevello. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back through time as you walk through Asti’s narrow cobble-stoned streets and 18th-century squares. On our way, we will stop in the city of Asti to visit and have a tasting at Barbero Company, the nougat producer. Enjoy free time and lunch on your own this afternoon.
Afterwards, we’ll head to our next hotel, Relais Villa D’Amelia in Benevello. This evening we’ll be dining at Hostaria Museum in Alba tonight.
BENEVELLO > COSTIGLIOLE D’ASTI > CANELLI
October 26
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to La Casa del Trifulau, a truffle producer in Costigliole d’Asti. We’ll head out as a group to go hunt for truffles! After we’ll enjoy a tasting with the producers themselves.
We will head back to the hotel where you will have time to unwind and relax before we go to Asti where you’ll get time to explore on your own. After we’ve worked up an appetite exploring, we’ll head to Canelli for dinner. Tonight our group meal is at Ristorante Enoteca Canelli.
BENEVELLO > MANGO > NEIVE > BAROLO
October 27
We’ll take a beautiful drive to the town of Mango where we will visit Gaia Nocciole Company, a hazelnut producer. Here we’ll have a tour and tasting at this this family-owned farm. The building sits on a beautiful hillside surrounded by vineyards and hazelnut trees.
From there we will drive to the town of Neive where you have time to shop and enjoy lunch on your own. Tonight we will head to Barolo where we will visit the wine producer Cantine Barale and enjoy a tasting dinner.
BENEVELLO > ALBA > BENEVELLO
October 28
This morning we will head to Alba for the White Truffle Fair. This fall festival features white truffles, exquisite wines and much more to tempt your taste buds. We’ll enjoy a light lunch and then have our Cooking Class. You’ll work with a professional chef to prepare a traditional Piedmontese meal. For dinner, we’ll gather and enjoy the meals we prepared.
BENEVELLO > VERCELLI > VARESE > COMO
October 29
After breakfast, pack your bags as we are headed to Como. Along the way we’ll stop at Cascina Brarola Company, a rice producer. Here we’ll enjoy a tour and tasting lunch. From there we’ll travel to Varese for a tour and tasting at Rossi D’Angera Company, a grappa producer.
After, we’re off to Como where we’ll check in to at Albergo Terminus. This upscale hotel has original art nouveau, is a 1-minute walk from the lakeside, and 5 minutes from Como Cathedral. Enjoy free time and dinner on your own tonight.
COMO > CAVALLASCA > COMO
October 30
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll travel to Cavallasca, a commune located right on the Swiss border. There we’ll visit Arteseta, a silk producer. After, we’ll head back to Como to enjoy some free time and lunch on your own. Tonight, we will enjoy our final dinner together at Michelin star Restaurant, I tigli in Theoria.
QUATTORDIO > MILAN AIRPORT
October 31
After breakfast, we’ll head to Milan Airport (MXP) where we will all say our goodbyes. Ciao for now!
Guide and co-owner of aTTavola, Gioacchino Passalacqua, is an artisanal Italian food exporter, gastronome and native Sicilian who divides his time between Sicily, Italy and New York. As a native Mediterranean, Gioacchino has developed relationships with food producers, restaurateurs, olive oil companies, chocolatiers, vintners and confectioners. He has traveled the world in his business as an importer/exporter, taking part in food shows from Paris and San Francisco to Chicago and New York City.
Gioacchino has a keen sense of quality foods and wines which he passionately shares through his unique tours, tastings, and products. You’ll be pleased to know, every one of our guests has rated him a 5 star tour guide!
