1st Day: Alba
Arrival in the south of Piemonte and accommodation in hotel centrally located in Alba. Welcome drink, dinner and overnight stay.
2nd Day: Alba
After a light breakfast at the hotel, we begin our tour with an enchanting excursion to Alba. You will discover Piemonte’s vintage wines and outstanding cuisine. This is the land of the Dolcetto, Barolo, Barbera and Barbaresco wine. Piemonte is also famous for its precious truffles, its hazelnuts and chocolate.
In the morning, together with your guide, you will explore the beautiful sights of Alba with its historical centre, its numerous medieval towers, its wonderful cathedral dedicated to St. Lorenzo, the church of San Giovanni with its marvellous paintings and frescoes and the old city hall. After a tour of the town, you will have free time to wander around and experience the atmosphere or this wonderful town at your leisure. Following on from Alba we will travel by bus to a countryside of rolling vineyards. In this location, renowned for its specialist wines, you will observe the characteristic soil and climate; necessary for the cultivation of special grapes, the various techniques used in production and later sample some of the finest wines with a wine tasting in a typical wine factory. A light buffet of typical local products will also be provided. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
3rd Day: Torino
After breakfast, we depart for the city of Torino. Here an expert local guide will show us the treasures of the city- the historical centre with its Royal Palace, the Palazzo Madama (with its museum of ancient art) which stands in the centre, the Royal Palace, residence of the Savoia Family till the 1865, the Cathedral built in the 4th century, Piazza San Carlo, the most fascinating square of the city, the Regio Theatre, and much more.
Once the tour is completed, you will have free time to explore the city at leisure.
For a spectacular view of the city, you can take the glass elevator to the Antonelliana Tower, the highest building in the city, or alternatively, you can stroll around and shop to your heart’s content along 18km of elegant shops and boutiques. Lunch in a typical cafe. Another site of interest in the Egyptian Museum which houses the famous ‘Shroud of Turin’. Also on view are some of the most important masterpieces of Egyptian culture such as the statue of Ramesse II, which rests alongside the tomb of Kha and Mirit (who were husband and wife) and numerous statues of the pharaohs, sarcophagi, mummies etc. You can also visit the Museo del Santo Santuario, where you will find the sacred urn, which is believed to have contained the sweat of the body of Christ and where you will find an impressive image of Christ. As an alternative, you can continue shopping! In the afternoon, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
4th Day: Montefferrato / Vercelli
We travel to an area called Monferrato, famous for its wine and spumante production and also for its production of rice. Along the way we will stop in Asti, the capital of this region, and explore the town. After, we continue on to the province of Verceli. Reaching this area is like entering a water world. We will pass through rice fields- a huge area covered with water and rich fauna, and inhabited by blue and grey herons as well as many other species of birds.
The Principato of Lucedio Farm is located in Trino – the heart of this rice-growing region. The Cistercian monks who later, in the 15th century introduced the cultivation of rice to the area founded Trino in the 12th century. We will visit a farm to observe the different methods of rice production and later enjoy a wonderful meal at the farm to sample the many varieties of risotto. In the afternoon, we will visit the Holy Mountain of Crea, where 23 chapels stand in honour of the Blessed Virgin. Guests are then free to dine alone in a restaurant of their choice. Overnight stay in the hotel.
5th Day: Castle of Racconigi
Visit with tour guide to one of the most popular castles of the Savoia Family- the Castello di Racconigi. This excursion includes a tour of the first and second floors, the kitchen and chapel. We will also visit the splendid park, which surrounds the castle. The park is truly a testament to the architects who designed it and the gardeners who maintain it. Lunch is included in this excursion. In the evening we will celebrate our last night with a special dinner in a local restaurant in Pollenzio. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
6th Day: Departure
Breakfast and departure. End of our services.
- full board starting with dinner on the 1st day to breakfast on the 6th day (except dinner on the 4th day)
- 3 stars hotel accommodation – centrally located, rooms with private services (classification of hotel according to Italian standard)
- welcome drink on arrival
- full day guided tour on the 2nd, 4th and 5th day
- a visit to a farm with wine tasting and local products on the 2nd day
- half day guided tour of Torino (2 hours)on the 3rd day
- a light lunch in a typical Caffé in Torino on the 3rd day
- a visit to a farm with light lunch on the 4th day
- a visit and entrance fee to Racconigi’s Castle on the 5th day
- light lunch during the tour on the 5th day
- special dinner in a typical restaurant (drinks included) on the 6th day
- a personalized booklet with all relevant information necessary for your stay
- our assistance throughout the whole stay
- all services specified in the above program
- dinner on the 4th day (see the supplement)
- drinks in general (except on the 5th day where drinks are included)
- entrance fees to the sites (except Castle of Racconigi)
- bus services according to the above program (parking included) – see the supplement
- all services not specified in the above program
This tour is also available to groups arriving by flight, including a local bus service.