Piedmont is the second-largest region of Italy; bordering France and Switzerland. 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.
Piedmont has a cuisine unlike any other Italian region. Traditional Piedmont cuisine relies on rich flavors, full-bodied wines and indulgent desserts. In Piedmont, the majority of the food will be rice, pasta, polenta, cheese, gamey local meat, truffles, vegetables and legumes. Mushrooms, nuts, truffles and grapes are all gathered in the autumn, including the elusive and expensive white truffles.
Your 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. Gioacchino has established relationships with food producers, restauranteurs, olive oil companies, chocolatiers, vintners and confectioners. Along the way, Gioacchino has developed a keen sense of quality foods and wines which he passionately shares through his unique tours, tastings, and products.
FOOD PRODUCERS:
Grappa Distillery, Truffle Producer,
Wine Producer, Nougat Producer,
Cheese Producer, Polenta Producer,
Wine Producer, Chocolate Producer,
Rice Producer
MILAN > TORINO
Tuesday, October 25
Morning arrival to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Gioacchino will pick you up and bring you to hotel NH Santo Stefano in Torino. This hotel is located right in the center of the city with shopping, restaurants and bars. Check in, unpack and relax. Enjoy some free time until we head out on a guided walking tour of Torino. Later that night, we’ll walk to La Smarrita 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 > NOVARA
Wednesday, October 26
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to Azienda Agricola La Mondina Company, a rice producer in Novara. We’ll take a tour of their facility and later enjoy a delicious tasting lunch with the producers. We’ll get back to the hotel in Torino late afternoon. Don’t forget, you’re on your own for dinner tonight.
TORINO > CHERASCO
Thursday, October 27
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll meet in the lobby for a guided walking tour of Torino. After the tour, you’ll have plenty of free time to grab some lunch and further explore the city. Later, we’ll set out to Ravera Company, an award-winning chocolatier in Cherasco. Once we’re back, you’ll have some time to get ready for dinner. We’ll meet up around 7:30 and walk to La Badessa for a group dinner.
TORINO > QUATTORDIO > SILVANO D’ ORBA > CORSO DELLA LIBERTA
Friday, October 28
While we enjoy breakfast at the hotel, the aTTavola staff will collect luggage as we prepare to head to Quattordio, where we will be staying at the beautiful Hotel Relais Rocca Civalieri (located outside the city with a nice spa and great massages). Check in, relax and unpack.
Lunch on your own today before we set out to Distilleria Gualco, a Grappa Distillery located in Silvano D’Orba. We’ll learn about the production of Grappa and have a tasting. Back at the hotel, we’ll refreshen up and get ready for dinner at Enoteca Regionale Di Canelli in Corso della Liberta.
QUATTORDIO > COSTIGLIOLE D’ASTI > SERRALUNGA DI CREA > ALESSANDRIA
Saturday, October 29
After an early breakfast, we’ll head off to Costigliole D’Asti to go truffle hunting and have a tasting a La Casa del Trifulau Company. From there, we’ll drive to Tenuta La Tenaglia in Serralunga di Crea for a tour of their facility. We’ll enjoy a four course lunch overlooking the beautiful winery. Back at the hotel, you’ll have some time to relax or explore Quattordio. For dinner, we’ll drive to Alessandria where you will have time to explore the small city on your own…shop, eat or grab a drink!
QUATTORDIO > ASTI > LA MORRA > BRA
Sunday, October 30
After breakfast, we’ll head to the legendary Barbero Company (famous for torrone and chocolates ) in Asti. We’ll then head to the village of La Morra for a tour and tasting at Mulino Sobrino, a producer of artisan flours and polenta. After, we’ll travel to the town of Bra, where we will visit Slow Food University. On our way back home we’ll see landscapes of unique beauty and vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. You’re on your own tonight to explore, shop and dine.
QUATTORDIO > ROCCHETTA TANARO
Monday, October 31
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head over to the local market to pick up the ingredients for today’s cooking class (which will be dinner tonight). After a light lunch at Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, we’ll begin cooking our traditional Piemontese meal with a professional chef. We’ll meet in the hotel lobby later for a group dinner back at Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta
QUATTORDIO > MONALE > ALBA
Tuesday, November 1
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to Monale for an artisan cheese tasting at Cascina Aris. After, we’ll drive to Alba, a picturesque town renowned worldwide for its succulent white truffles, velvety red Barolo and Barbaresco wines. Here you can find some of northern Italy’s best restaurants and you will be free to have lunch on your own. Later, we’ll head back to the hotel where we will have our last dinner together at the hotel. Pack your things tonight because tomorrow we head home!
QUATTORDIO > MILAN AIRPORT
Saturday, November 2
After breakfast, we’ll head to Milan Airport (MXP) where we will all say our goodbyes.
Ciao for now!