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Vineyards, Festivals and the “Slow Food” Philosophy in Piedmont

Program Number: 20210RJ
Start and End Dates:
10/19/2013 - 10/27/2013; 4/20/2014 - 4/28/2014; 10/19/2014 - 10/27/2014;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: Italy
Price starting at: $2,695.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Food & Wine
Meals: 14; 6 Breakfasts, 1 Brunch, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners    

Discuss, study and taste the revolutionary effort to “unite the pleasure of food with responsibility, sustainability and harmony with nature” in Piedmont, the region of Italy where Carlo Petrini founded the International Slow Food Movement in 1986. In kitchens, out in the vineyards and even on a white truffle hunt led by a “trifalao” and his dog, learn about Piedmont’s amazing foods and wines and why its chefs, farmers and winemakers are embracing the slow food philosophy.




Highlights

• Join an expert “trifalao” to search for the famed white truffles of Alba, a delicacy treasured the world over.
• At the vineyards of the Langhe, Piedmont’s hilly grape-growing area, learn about wines including Barolo, Barbaresco and Dolcetto.
• Sample outstanding local dishes and learn about their ingredients and preparation.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile at a time, some uneven and hilly terrain and stairs without railings.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Turin; coach to Barolo, 5 nights; coach to Turin, 2 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Turin
Coach to Barolo
5 nights

The comune of Barolo, a village of about 750, is your base for exploration of Piedmont. Delve into region’s cuisine, combining the best of Italy and nearby France, as you enjoy meals at local restaurants, members of the “Slow Food Alliance". In the city of Vercelli visit the “Borsa del Riso,” the Italian rice exchange, and a rice paddy field to investigate this important cash crop. Attend a seasonal food festival (focused on wine in the spring, truffles in the fall) showcasing the region’s best. See how ancient methods are used to produce cheese and sausage at Caseificio Murazzano.



Coach to Turin
2 nights
Departure

Turin, the former capital of Italy, is characterized by the “Baroque” and “Liberty” styles architecture. It is important to know that the Baroque found its greatest expression in Turin thanks to the Savoy Royal Family. Visit the ancient and picturesque market of “Porta Palazzo” the largest open market in Europe.




Italy

“Dolce far niente,” the “sweetness of doing nothing.” This ode to leisure is a distinctly Italian phrase, and yet the expression does not do justice to the hard-work ethos of the nation’s inhabitants. The monuments, art and civilization bequeathed to the people of modern Italy are a testament to the industry of their forebears, and the legacy lives on in today’s Italians, who work hard to better enjoy the sweetness of repose.
Accommodations
Turin: Historic, family-owned hotel. Barolo: Four-star hotel in the heart of fashionable Quadrilatero Romano.
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Barolo
  Barolo (Cuneo), Italy 5 nights
   Grand Hotel Sitea
  Turin, Italy 2 nights
 Hotel Barolo
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: The Brezza family has been working in the hotel and restaurant-sector for three generations, turning an authentic vocation of their land into a family business. Antonio and Oreste, and their wives, Mariuccia and Carla, together with their children, Giacomo, Marco, Tiziana and Enzo, have commited themselves, as an historical heritage of their own, to pay honour to an ancient tradition. This latter is rooted and much cherished in the Barolo village.
  Contact info: Via Lomondo 2
Barolo (Cuneo),  12060 Italy
phone: +39 0173-56354
web: www.hotelbarolo.it
  Room amenities: The rooms are well furnished and provided with every kind of comfort: air conditioning, television, telephone, cocktail cabinet and refrigerator and internet connection. After dining, clients are welcomed for the night, in the Cannubi vineyard at n. 212, or in one of the vineyard surrounded bedrooms, furnished with XIX century Piedmont pieces of furniture. From their windows, the Barolo castle, home to the Barolo wine, can be admired.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: € 110.00 DBL, € 80,00 SGL B/B Advanced reservation are required and depending upon availability. Please also check the hotel website for special offers
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Grand Hotel Sitea
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Located in the heart of Risorgimento Turin, just off the very central via Roma and Piazza San Carlo, and a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Castello, the Grand Hotel Sitea charms guests with its discretion and reserve. Built in the early 1900s and featuring a traditional brand of hospitality, the hotel is superbly positioned for those who want to be able to get about the city centre on foot, to visit the heart of the old town or for shopping. Its atmospheres, really refined in every detail, make it a reference point for its high-profile hospitality, while its exclusive cuisine and the attentive service make the Grand Hotel Restaurant an appreciated gourmet stop.
  Contact info: Via Carlo Alberto 35
Turin,  10123 Italy
phone: +39 011 5170171
web: www.grandhotelsitea.it
  Room amenities: The Standard Double and Superior rooms are elegantly furnished in classical style. All rooms are provided with independent air conditioning system, satellite TV, pay TV, telephone with a direct external line, modem plug for internet fast connection, internet connection directly from television, cable radio and minibar. The bathrooms, all equipped with shower or bath, have hair dryer, courtesy toiletries, bathroom linen and slippers. The Buffet Breakfast, included in the hotel service, is served at the restaurant from 7:00 to 10:30. The internet service for guests staying at the hotel is free of charge.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: DBL220 B/B, SGL175 B/B euros Advanced reservation required and depending upon availability. Please also check the hotel website for special offers
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Start Time: Hotel check in time 3:00 pm or 4:00 pm Program begins at 6:00 pm in the hotel lobby. You will be staying at Hotel Barolo that night.
  End of Program:
End Time: 6:00 am in the lobby of the hotel. For later departures check out is at 11:00 or 12:00pm You will be staying at Grand Hotel Sitea the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Passports are needed. No visa required for US citizens in Italy
  Parking availability:
Parking is free for the lenght of the program at the Hotel
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: No train or Bus are available to site.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Barolo (Cuneo)
  Nearest city or town:  Cuneo
  Nearest highway: A6 Highway
  Nearest airport:  Turin airport
  Transportation to site: There will be a shuttle bus available to participants (with included air from Road Scholar) from the airport to the Hotel. Transfer service from the airport to your Hotel is provided on the day of the group arrival only .
  From End of Program
  Location:  Turin
  Nearest highway: A5 Highway
  Nearest airport:  Turin airport
  Transportation from site: There will be a shuttle bus available to participants (with included air from Road Scholar) from the Hotel to the airport. Transfer service from the Hotel to the hotel is provided on the day of the group departure only
Elevation Note: There is no elevation above 3000 Feet.

Equipment Requirements: No equipment is required
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: in flight
(Saturday, October 19)
   
 In Transit: Overnight in transit

Day 2: Check in / orientation meeting / Lecture / welcome cocktail
(Sunday, October 20)
   
 Afternoon: Arrival in Turin. Check-in at the Hotel Barolo in Barolo. Orientation meeting, presentation of the program and leecture: "Introduction to the Slow Food Movement: Philosophy, Mission,Vision". Welcome cocktail
 Dinner: Dinner at the Hotel
   
Accommodations: Hotel Barolo
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Grinzane / Lecture / Alba
(Monday, October 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the Hotel
 Morning: Excursion to Grinzane Visit the medieval village Truffle hunt with an expert guide “trifolao” and final taste of typical dishes prepared with truffle On-site lecture on “the History of white truffles”
 Brunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Transfer to Alba. Free time at Alba Return to hotel
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Barolo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Vercelli (La Borsa del riso - The Rice stock exchange) Fontanafredda / Lecture
(Tuesday, October 22)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Departure Vercelli. Meet with the English-speaking guide and visit to the “Borsa del Riso” ”, the most important rice stock exchange of Europe. Guided visit of Vercelli
 Lunch: Light lunch at the Cascina Valdemino (a rice farm)
 Afternoon: Departure to Fontanafredda Visit to Cantina Tenimenti with on-site lecture on “Piedmont’s wine history”. Wine tasting, followed by snack along with local specialties Return to hotel
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Barolo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Dogliani Winery (Dolcetto wine)
(Wednesday, October 23)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the Hotel
 Morning: Departure to Dogliani Walk in the vineyards of a wine cellar following a visit to the cellar for briefing on local wines.
 Brunch: Light lunch at the winery (variety of salami and cheeses, cold appetizers) with tasting of the cellar’s wines.
 Afternoon: Guided visit of Dogliani, the country of the Dolcetto (dry wine made with black grapes known for black cherry and licorice flavors). Visit to the “Bottega del Vino” (wine shop), which encompasses the best of the local production of the Dolcetto of Dogliani. Return to the Hotel
 Dinner: Dinner on your own
   
Accommodations: Hotel Barolo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch

Day 6: Murazzano / Pollenzo / Monticello
(Thursday, October 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Departure to the Casificio Murazzano Visit to the Caseificio Murazzano producer of the famous cheese “Murazzano Dop” and of sausages according to ancient recipes which makes stronger the link between the product and the territory Cheese tasting Transfer to the “Bottega del Vino” in Pollenzo for visit and wine tasting Departure to Monticello Visit to “Eataly Monticello
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Free Time
 Dinner: Dinner at the Boccondivino restaurant, member of the Slow Food Alliance
   
Accommodations: Hotel Barolo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Cherasco, Departure to Turin, Check in at the Grand Hotel Sitea and visit the city
(Friday, October 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Departure to Cherasco “the chocolate city”, which boasts the most important chocolate firms in Italy. Visit to a chocolate firm: chocolate tasting Departure to Turin Check in at Grand Hotel Sitea
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Afternoon: Guided tour of Turin Visit to the ancient and picturesque market of “Porta Palazzo” in Turin, the Largest open market in Europe
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Sitea
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Alba, Free time
(Saturday, October 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Departure to Alba Visit the truffle market.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own.
 Afternoon: Free Time
 Dinner: Dinner at the local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Sitea
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Departures
(Sunday, October 27)
   
 Depart From: Morning departures from Turin airport based on flight schedule time
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Piedmont: Passion for Piedmont


Author: Matt Kramer


Barolo: Barolo (At Table)


Author: Matthew Gavin Frank


The Italian Truffle Guide the Ultimate Guide to Italy's Greatest Culinary Treasure


Author: Touring Club of Italy




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