9 days in the Italian Lakes andPiedmont … · lake inspired Hemingway to write his acclaimed novel "A Farewell to Arms". Winston Churchill chose Lake Maggiore for his honeymoon in

9 days in the Italian Lakes andPiedmont

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Day 1 – Arrival Stresa

Upon arrival in Milan airport you will be met after customs and transferred to your hotel in Stresa

(~1hr).

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Stresa in Lake Maggiore.

Stresa is a resort town on Italy’s Lake Maggiore. This gorgeous lake, located at the foot of the Alps, is

divided into three parts: the western shore is in Piemont region, the eastern shore is located in

Lombardy region and the northen end belongs to Switzerland. In spite of its name which means "the

largest one", it's just the second biggest lake in Italy. It's however the longest one in Italy. The lake

was excavated by a tongue of ice and its final configuration was given at the end of the last glaciation

about 10 000 years ago. It's a lake rich in art and culture where one can't help but marvel at the

perfection of its sceneries. The lake's beauty was already known to the Romans who used to call the

lake "Verbanus". Illustrious artists and distinguished personalities like Flaubert, Goethe, Dickens,

Dumas, Queen Victoria, Fogazzaro, Manzoni were attracted and fascinated by these landscapes. The

lake inspired Hemingway to write his acclaimed novel "A Farewell to Arms". Winston Churchill chose

Lake Maggiore for his honeymoon in 1908.

Dinner at leisure and overnight at your accommodation.

Your hotel for the next 3 nights

Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & SPA - Garden View Room

The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees is located in Stresa, it lies on the shores of Lake Maggiore and

combines sumptuous elegance and tradition with the charm of the Italian luxury Grand Hotels.

Lounges are furnished in opulent shades of blue, purple and gold, the magnificent suites are a blend

of luxury and state of the art comforts. In the elegant lake view dining room or of our restaurant guest

enjoy a truly unique gastronomic experience, savouring the flavours of a locally –inspired cuisine and

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assisted by our highly skilled waiters. SPA, the “Centro Benessere di Stresa” is the right place do

indulge in relax and well-being. The rejuvenation of the body and soul is granted by the experienced

hands of our aestheticians.

Day 2 – Stresa

This morning you will be taken to your cooking class.

An authentic experience that will enable you to meet the locals and to know more about traditional

Italian food, how it is prepared and local recipes. You will prepare a multi-course meal that you will

be able to enjoy at the end of your lesson! Pasta, ravioli, lasagne, lake fish and tiramisu.

Learn how to make a great range of antipasti, fresh gnocchi, pasta, pizza, risotto and seasonal fish or

meat dishes and wonderful desserts. After the class enjoy lunch of the foods prepared in class. Menus

can be adapted to special dietary requirements, based on your personal requests. You will use the

best fresh ingredients of the season, to make simple delicious dishes with his creative touch and

always artistic presentation.





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You will be taken back to your hotel after the class.


Day 3 – Lake Maggiore and Mt Mottarone exploration.

This morning you will be met by your guide at the hotel and begin your day of visits.

You will depart in the cable car to the top of mount Mottarone.

The Stresa to Mottarone cable car takes 20 minutes to get to the top of Mount Mottarone (1,491m2/

4,892 ft2).

Mount Mottarone is considered a "natural balcony" from which there are 360° panoramic views across

the Po Valley to the Alps. From the summit which is a 15 minute walk from the cable car station you

can see seven lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Varese, Lake Comabbio, Lake

Monate and Lake Biandronno.

Then continue to Stresa pier to begin you Lake Maggiore's Isola Bella & Borromeo Islands cruise.

You will enjoy a mini cruise in the Borromeo Gulf. Admire the gorgeous lake's coasts, the pretty villages

and little towns, the historical villas and memorable gardens.

Reach Isola Bella and Borromean islands for an exclusive private tour in the Borromeo palace, an

incredible building dating back to the 17th century.

You will be taken back to your hotel after the cruise.






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Day 4 – Stresa to Alba

10AM pick up in Stresa by our guide and depart on your day.

Drive to your hotel in the Barolo zone (~2 hrs).

Afternoon begins, appropriately, at the Castle of Barolo, the birthplace of Barolo wine. Barolo is

dubbed “the king of wines and wine of kings,” and today we see why. We’ll dip into the castle’s

enoteca, then visit the castle's former proprietors, the Marchesi di Barolo. It was in this winery that

Barolo was first created by Giulia Colbert Falletti, a French noblewoman who was the Marchese di

Barolo during the Napoleonic period. We’ll see the original 150-year-old barrels in their antique cellar,

as well as 19th C. bottles in their library. Then we’ll have a taste.

A second winery follows: Depending on availability, that will be either Ceretto, located in an old

hunting lodge of the King of Piedmont, or else Conterno Fantino, a smaller family-run winery with a

beautiful new cellar in the town of Monforte.

Driving from town to town, you’ll see some of the most magnificent vineyard landscapes in the world

and understand why in 2014 UNESCO designated this area a World Heritage site.



Palazzo Finati- Superior Room





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Our “city” hotel: Located in the historic center of Alba close to the main piazza, the 4-star Palazzo

Finati is an elegant 19th century palace that was recently renovated, taking care to preserve the

original architecture while offering modern amenities, from internet access to shower water massage.

Day 5 – In the Piedmont Kitchen

The morning brings a cooking lesson in Alba. Our hostess is expert at making classic piemontese

dishes do-able by anyone! We’ll roll up our sleeves for this hands-on experience, then dine on our

efforts at lunch.

The afternoon features one winery visit. If available, we’ll head to Domenico Clerico, one of the

winemakers who revolutionized Barolo wine in the 1970s and who continues to run the show at his

new cellar, one of the most spectacular architecturally in the area. Alternatives include Dosio, Fratelli

Revello or Fratelli Alessandria, all boutique Barolo wineries.

If there’s time and interest, we’ll visit the Castle of Grinzane

Cavour. Now a museum, this was the home of Italy’s first Prime

Minister, Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. Like an Italian Thomas

Jefferson, this politician was equally adept at wine and became

a seminal figure in the creation of Barolo in the 1800s. At the

museum, a film will provide an excellent historic overview.

You will be taken back to your hotel after the visit.


Day 6 – Turin

You will be escorted by our guide to Turin for the day.

For several centuries, Piedmont royalty lived in Turin.The House of Savoy left behind a legacy of

opulent architecture fit for kings, which gives this city its elegant flair. The walking tour of Turin in

the historical center will wind past baroque royal palaces and stately porticos, passing by such

landmarks as the Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama. The afternoon offers free time to pursue your

interests (such as the world-famous Egyptian Museum or fascinating Museum of Cinema, with

hands-on gadgets of early moving pictures or the shroud of Turin) or ascend Turin’s tallest pinnacle

for a spectacular view of the city and Alps.





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You will be taken back to your hotel after the tour.


Day 7 – Truffles & Mountain Cheese

Today you’ll meet a truffle hunter and his dog. The duo will provide an in-field demo of dog training

and truffle hunting in the hazelnut groves. You’ll learn why truffles are so rare and expensive, why pigs

aren’t used anymore, and what commands the hunter uses (in dialect!) to interact with his eager-to-

please pooch.

After the hunt, we'll stop at another top Barolo winery, Damilano. This is larger producer that dates

back to the late 1800s and has one of the best price/value range of Barolos around. Here we’ll do a

side-by-side comparison of their “basic” Barolo versus three cru, or single-vineyard Barolos.

We then drive to higher elevations in the Alte Langhe. Too high for grape-growing, this is cheese

country. Our buffet lunch is at a Murrazzano cheese farm, where we'll have a tour, then feast on

freshly made mountain cheese, salumi, fruit, and light-as-air hazelnut cake.

Afterwards, we visit one of our favorite Barolo wineries, Silvio Grasso, where the founder's wife,

Marilena, always provides a warm, effusive welcome—and a generous tasting, pouring comparisons

between their Barolo cru and various vintages. Mentored by Elio Altare, this winery uses barrique





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following the French example. But they also have one Barolo done is a very traditional style, adopting

methods from 100 years ago.




Hotel Villa Beccaris- Deluxe Room

Located on the outskirts of the village of Monforte d'Alba, Hotel Villa Beccaris is set in a lovingly

restored 18th century villa, once the property of General Beccaris. This luxury boutique hotel is a short

walk from the centre of this beautiful hilltop village, close to the famous amphitheatre. Other sights

are the Scarampi palace and the Piazza dell'Antica Chiesa, with its ancient bell tower.

Situated in the heart of the magnificent Langhe region, Hotel Villa Beccaris is ideal for exploring this

spectacular and unspoiled corner of Piedmont.

Hotel Villa Beccaris has 23 spacious and comfortable rooms and suites, all decorated in a style befitting

this splendid property.





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Day 8 – Barbaresco

On the other side of Alba is Barbaresco, which also works with nebbiolo but has a separate history.

We’ll start with a tour/tasting at Marchesi di Gresy, one of the largest and most historic of Barbaresco

producers. They are the sole owners of the Martinenga vineyard and vinify three Barolos from this

plot, each with its own aging regime. It’s fascinating to see the differences a few yards make!

Lunch will either be in the village of Barbaresco proper or in Neive, another commune where

Barbaresco is produced. After lunch, we’ll visit a smaller producer who, in size, is more characteristic

of the area. That might be Albino Rocca, now run by the founder’s three daughters. They’re small but

ambitious: In addition to five Barbarescos, they make the Langhe standards—dolcetto, barbera,

moscato—as well as a lovely cortese, quite rare in these parts.

Or depending on availability, we might see Bruno Rocca, Paitin, or Moccagatta, all family-run

properties with excellent wines. If time allows, we could also dip into the tasting room of the Produttori

del Barbaresco.



Day 9 – Departure

This morning you will be met and transferred to Turin airport to catch your flight back home.

Buon Viaggio!





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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

INCLUSIONS:

• Private transfer from Milan Airport to Stresa.

• 3 nights accommodation in Stresa. Garden View room and breakfast included.

• Half day cooking class in Stresa. Return transfer to yor hotel.

• Full day visit in Stresa. Including Cacble car to mount Mottarone and cruise to Borromeo

Islands.

• 7 winery tours/tastings

• A buffet lunch at the cheese farm

• Admission to Castle of Grinzane Cavour (opt)

• 3 nights accommodation in Alba. Superior room and breakfast included.

• 2 nights accommodation in Monforte. Deluxe room and breakfast included.

• Transfer from Monforte to Turin Airport.

• English speaking guide expert in Stresa and wine expertise.

• Private transportation during your tours and transfers.

EXCLUSIONS:

• International and domestic airfare

• Any entrance tickets not mentioned in the itinerary

• All meals and beverages if not mentioned in the itinerary

• Gratuity (at your discretion)

• Travel Insurance

• Items of a Personal Nature





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ITINERARY PRICING

$5645USD per person based on two travellers in double occupancy

Room category upgrade $350USD per person

Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & SPA - Lake View Room

Palazzo Finati Palazzo Finati Palazzo Finati - Junior Suite

This price is valid until Dec 31, 2017.

A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required at time of booking

Full payment due 90 days prior to travel and is non-refundable.

Unless otherwise specified, no insurance is included in the prices we offer. Into the Vineyard suggests that you

purchase travel insurance, against the following risks. Personal Injury, trip Cancellation, trip interruption,

repatriation and loss of luggage.

For a travel insurance quote, click HERE or on the image below.

No rooms or excursions have been held at the moment. Availability and price are guaranteed at time of

booking.

Into the Vineyard reserves the right to adjust the trip price based on market currency fluctuations, any variation

in the currency exchange between currency of payment and currency of country(s) of travel posted by the

Federal Reserve of America that is in excess of 3% at time of final payment can be added to the cost of the trip

at time of final payment. To guarantee the aforementioned quoted price you retain the option to pay the full

amount at your discretion.



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As far as possible, Into the Vineyard will satisfy amendment requests. If these requests concern an extension of

the stay, an increased number of persons, or the purchase of additional services, these amendments will be

charged in addition to the original price. For any other amendment, a fee per person will be charged.

Some international and in-country or regional airfares have advance purchase and ticketing requirements which

will be communicated at time of reservation. Additional payment to cover the costs of the airline tickets will be

requested in order to issue the tickets. Airline tickets carry penalties as per rules of the fare. Penalties are also

imposed for any changes to the air reservations made after ticketing.

We reserve the right to request additional deposits if required by hotels and suppliers. This will be

communicated at time of confirmation of booking.

Any complaint for non-fulfillment or poor fulfillment of the travel contract should be made on the spot, and

referred either to the offending provider of service or to Into the Vineyard. The complaint must describe the

grievance and be made within 24 hours.

If you have not obtained satisfaction, please send your complaint through registered mail, and join all written

evidence within 15 days after the end of your trip. The length of our investigation will determine the delay in

our response to your complaint.

Into the Vineyard shall not be held liable for any inconvenience due to Loss/theft of plane tickets at the customs

or check-in, non-presentation, or presentation of documents (ID card, passport, visa, vaccination certificate,

etc.) which have expired or have an insufficient period of validity or do not conform to the indications on the

back. In case of a failed check-in, there will be no refund of the package fare.

Unexpected incidents due to a third party: wars, political upheavals, strikes external to Into The Vineyard,

technical hitches external to Into The Vineyard, congestions on the roads or in the air space, hijacking, bankrupt

of a service provider, bad weather, delays, engine failures, thefts of luggage or other goods. No refund of any

kind will be made because of delays and itinerary changes due to the incidents mentioned above – e.g. change

in the length of the tour initially planned or of a connection. Possible additional expenses (taxes, hotel, parking)

will be payable by the customer.

Cancellations imposed by circumstances of the greatest importance and/or linked to the customer’s safety,

and/or on the command of an enforcing authority. Into The Vineyard reserves the right to modify planned

dates/times/itineraries if the customer’s safety cannot be ensured. The customer cannot claim any refund.





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Services that will not be used (transfers and excursions) will not be refunded. Services that are voluntarily

modified on the spot are subject to our service providers’ conditions: additional services that entail an extra

cost will have to be paid directly by the customer and will not entail Into the Vineyard liability.

UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

Trip costs do not include items not specified in the itinerary. Although Into the Vineyard will make every effort

to adhere to this itinerary, on rare occasions it may be necessary to make an adjustment to these

arrangements. Should such adjustment be necessary, a substitute will be offered when and where possible. If

war or terrorist activities threatened or actual, civil unrest, closures of airports or seaports, industrial action

threatened or any other event outside the control of Into the Vineyard which causes either delays or extends

the holiday or compels a change in the holiday arrangements.

Into the Vineyard reserves the right to substitute hotels or services of equal or greater quality

Into the Vineyard cannot accept liability for any resulting loss, damage or expense and any refund will be

subject to deduction of reasonable expenses.

ENTRY DOCUMENTS

A valid Passport is required for your trip. A Visa may be required for your trip we recommend checking with

the Consul General of the Country you intend to visit. Into the Vineyard is not responsible for assuring that

people travelling on Into the Vineyard trips have the necessary entry documents.

We recommend you visit the site https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit.html to review updated

requirements and information about the country you intend to visit.



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Documents

9 days in the Italian Lakes andPiedmont … · lake inspired Hemingway to write his acclaimed novel "A Farewell to Arms". Winston Churchill chose Lake Maggiore for his honeymoon in