Day 1: After arrival in Milan, your vacation begins at the Relais San Maurizio, a unique, unforgettable place. Refined and romantic, it is the ideal place for a true time of wellness, relaxation, soothing the senses and the spirit. The frescoed halls, the 31 rooms with unique decorations, the gardens and the park with centuries-old trees are all truly enchanting.
The large outdoor swimming pool at the top of the hill provides a 360° view of the surrounding landscape. Thehotel is also home to the Michelin starred ‘di Guido da Costigliole’ restaurant and the exclusive ‘La Via del Sale’ Medical & Beauty SPA. It is a partner of the Relais & Chateaux chain.
Dinner is included at the restaurant “Guido da Costigliole” (1 star Michelin) – 4 course menu.
DAY 2
Wine Tour: Barolo and Barbaresco
You will meet your English-speaking tour guide at the hotel and you will depart to Barbaresco for a visit of one of the best wine estates of the area,La Martinwhere today some of the finest Barbaresco Nebbiolo crus (Martinenga, Asili, Rabajà) are to be found.
From here you will continue on to Neive, a small commune and town located in the Piedmont famous for its wine-producing region. This medieval village is in an elevated position with respect to the valley; the stone houses and streets going up to Piazza Italia where the Town Hall and the Four Wines Shop face are in the form of a circle. The Barbaresco DOGC wine and the Piedmont hazelnuts IGP, specialities of the Langhe are worth trying. Lunch will take place in Treiso, in a top quality restaurant, with a typical menu from Piedmont.
In the afternoon you will continue to Alba. Lovely old Alba retains a medieval flavor that’s as mellow as the wines it produces. It’s a pleasure to walk along the Via Vittorio Emanuele and the narrow streets of the Old Town, visit the 14th-century Duomo, and peer into shop windows with lavish displays of Alba’s wines; its other famous product, truffles; and its less noble, but enticing, nocciola, a decadent concoction of nuts and chocolate. From here, stroll the shopping promenade Corso Vittorio a few blocks to enjoy the low-key pace in the traffic free heart of the town.
After the time in Alba you will visit a Barolo wine producer in the district of Barolo wine, Mauro Veglio Winery. The farm consists of approximately 12 hectares in the communes of La Morra and Monforte d’Alba and they produce about 60,000 bottles, half of which is Barolo DOCG. The result of the family’s careful cultivation is the authentic essence of their “terroir” in a glass, four different Crus of Barolo: Arborina, Rocche dell’Annunziata and Gattera (located in La Morra), and Castelletto (located in Monforte d’Alba and belonging to Daniela’s family).
DAY 3
Cooking Class in Canelli and Visit of the “Underground Cathedrals”
You will meet your English-speaking tour leader at the hotel and you will head towards Canelli. The atmosphere described by Cesare Pavese in his famous novels set in Langhe, still lingers in the streets of Canelli, one of the most enchanting towns in the province of Asti. Boasting a centuries old culture of wine making, today, Canelli is famous throughout the world as “the spumante capital”. Here, in fact, is the most important production center of Asti Spumante, a prized white wine with a delicate and aromatic flavor. In Canelli, it is possible to take a real underground tour, going from cantina to cantina, which inevitably leads to the regional Enoteca (wine cellar) of Canelli and of Astesana. Canelli’s cantinas are, therefore, true “underground cathedrals”, recognized as world heritage, which extend below the city and dug out from several levels in the tuffaceous hills, creating a striking environment, true masterpieces of engineering and architecture.
The splendid historical center attached to the hill, is rich in picturesque glimpses and ancient splendor. It is dominated by a castle (1709), which today is property of the Gancia family.
At the Restaurant San Marco you will meet the chef, Mariuccia Ferrero and enjoy a cooking class. Mariuccia will revela her secrets with passion and enthusiasm and will then dine with you.
In the afternoon you will visit two wineries in Canelli. You will first visit the Contratto Winery, the first in Italy to make vintage “metodo classico” sparkling wine. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was the Contratto bubbles that were requested by the Vatican and the royal houses of Europe. In fact, the wines were exported to the far corners of the British Empire to be enjoyed by ambassadors and colonial governors. Contratto’s ultimate goal is to prove that Northern Italy has the soil and climate to make Spumante wines that rival the top sparkling wines of the world. The historic cathedral cellars at Contratto, now designated a UNESCO Heritage Site, are a real treasure, and among the finest of their kind. These huge underground cellars, covering more than 5,000 square meters, were built into the heart of the hill that protects the small town of Canelli, excavated from tuff limestone to a depth of 32 meters.
You will then visit Coppo Winery, a family owned winery famous for its famous sweet sparkling wine Moscato (Muscat). The company flourishes, as the elegant family mansion in the heart of the city testifies, with its long series of cellars tunneled out of the hillside that reveal the different geological layers of various epochs.
DAY 4
Transfer to Santa Margherita Ligure with stop in Asti
You will meet your English-speaking tour leader at the hotel and you will depart towards Castagnole delle Lanze.
Here you will visit La Spinetta Winery. The Rivetti family story begins in the 1890s, when Giovanni Rivetti, grandfather of the three Rivetti brothers, Carlo, Bruno and Giorgio, left Piedmont for Argentina. Like many Italians of that time, he dreamed of returning rich and a powerful man, perhaps even one day able to make a great wine in his homeland. He never did, though his son, Giuseppe (nicknamed Pin) did. Pin married Lidia, bought vineyards and began to make wine. In 1977 the family took up residence at LA SPINETTA (top of the hill) in Castagnole Lanze. It was the heart of the Moscato d’Asti country, home of a rather light and simple dessert wine. But the Rivettis believed that Moscato had the potential for greatness and set out to prove it by making Moscato Bricco Quaglia and Biancospino. Eventually though the family’s vision became even grander. In 1985 LA SPINETTA made its first red wine, Barbera Cà di Pian. After this many great reds followed: In 1989 the Rivettis dedicated their red blend Pin to their father and now they have added Barbaresco and Barolo to their production.
Afterwards you will continue to Asti where you will have some free time and a light lunch in a typical Trattoria. Asti’s largely pedestrianized centre makes for a pleasant stroll. The town became a Roman colony in 89 BC, and after existing as an independent city-state in the 13th and 14th centuries, it was passed around between Spain, Austria, France and finally the Savoys, prior to unification. During the late 13th century the region became one of Italy’s wealthiest, with 150-odd towers springing up in Asti alone. Since the 1850s the grapes grown on the plains around Asti have produced Italy’s top sparkling wine, Asti Spumante (often just referred to as Asti to avoid being lumped in with poorer-quality spumante).
You will then continue towards Santa Margherita Ligure, a beautiful old resort town favored by well-to-do Italians, Santa Margherita Ligure has everything a Riviera playground should have—plenty of palm trees and attractive hotels, cafés, and a marina packed with yachts. Some of the older buildings here are still decorated on the outside with the trompe l’oeil frescoes typical of this part of the Riviera. This is a pleasant, convenient base, which for many represents a perfect balance on the Italian Riviera: more spacious than the Cinque Terre; less glitzy than San Remo; more relaxing than Genoa and environs; and ideally situated for day trips, such as an excursion to Portofino.
Check in at the Grand Hotel Miramare, a white art-nouveau building set between the blue of the sea and the green of a park. This is the pure nd simple picture of a place that colours every moment spent in the heart of the Italian Riviera. guests who are made to feel special.
Dinner is included in the restaurant of the hotel on the arrival day (3 courses with mineral water and coffee).
DAY 5
Portofino with Food Tasting at Castello Brown. Indulge your senses with the alluring beauty and delightful flavours of Portofino during this special culinary tour.
You will depart with your tour leader on board of an a deluxe minibus directed to Portofino. Here you will have a nice guided tour of the little town with your private local English-speaking guide. Through the centuries Portofino functioned primarily as a fishing village and, occasionally, as a small naval port, today it is a classy resort-village. Portofino’s miniscule bay is neatly packed with pricey yachts, common pleasure boats and, as a vestige of its past, some fishing boats. The waterfront is lined with multicoloured pastel buildings, canopied outdoor cafes and a quay fit for strolling young lovers and its surrounding hills host bougainvillea-garnished villas owned by the rich and famous.
The town is striking with its brightly colored antique buildings hovering over sparkling blue water. And the surrounding luxuriant green hillsides of the Portofino Promontory are equally stunning. A very pleasant walk heads up to the right as you face the harbour: here you’ll find a very attractive walking path through one of the largest concentrations of flora and fauna in the Mediterranean. For some fantastic views of the entire bay and the Tigullian Gulf, you will walk up the hill to the Church of San Giorgio. Perched high above the town, this church contains relics of St. George brought over by crusaders from the Holy Land. From here you can walk to another great lookout point at the Punto del Capo, the Portofino lighthouse.
You will then proceed for a tasting of fine Italian food and wine at Castle Brown. Montague Yeats Brown of the British Consul purchased the castle in 1867. Brown converted the structure into the charming dwelling you see today. Upon entering the terraced gardens, take in wonderful panoramic views over Portofino from this breathtaking setting.
Guido Porrati, an Italian food and wine expert, and his chef lead a memorable tasting experience that emphasises the richness and variety of the Italian cooking tradition. Your entertaining food and wine experience is conducted in English, and includes enthralling stories about local traditions, anecdotes, myths and legends. Every single ingredient and dish offered is introduced in an engaging, lively style so you can appreciate their flavour, value and history. .
Lunch will then be included at the famous Splendido Hotel. Set on a verdant hillside overlooking the picture-perfect harbour of Portofino, with its luxury yachts bobbing at anchor, Hotel Splendido is one of Italy’s most glamorous retreats. For gourmet cuisine in a spectacular setting, La Terrazza is one of life’s before-you-die experiences. A destination in its own right, it offers succulent seafood, a range of pasta dishes and other Italian and regional specialities, all cooked to perfection by Chef Corrado Corti and his team. The terrace, filled with the fragrance of beautiful scented flowers and plants, offers breathtaking views over Portofino Bay and the Tigullio Gulf. The delightfully mild climate of the Italian Riviera ensures pleasant open-air dining for most of the year.
Dinner is included in the restaurant of the hotel on the arrival day (3 courses with mineral water and coffee).
DAY 6
Cooking Class at Manuelina in Recco and Afternoon Stroll in Camogli.
You will meet your driver and your English-speaking tour leader, be transferred to Recco, and experience a cooking class at restaurant Manuelin. The atmosphere is one of the most classic Ligurian villa, surrounded by greenery, where the art of acceptance is the expression of an ancient culture, mixed with comfort and functionality.
You will learn how to prepare the famous “focaccia” with cheese, Focaccia di Recco as well as the real pesto sauce from Liguria. Ligurians almost make a religion of their devotion to pesto sauce and its main ingredient, fresh basil. The pasta that you will prepare at Manuelina is “corzetti stampati”. Corzetti stampati’s large, coin-like shape is made by first cutting a circle out of a sheet of pasta and then embossing the disc with an ingenious wooden tool aptly called a corzetti stamp.
In the afternoon you will proceed to Camogli where you will have some free time to stroll around on your own. Camogli is a small fishing village located at the base of Monte di Portofino, in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. Camogli features a small harbor, with colorful houses built right up to the fine beach and guarantees a very special gastronomy tradition (focaccia in particular).
Dinner is included in the restaurant of the hotel on the arrival day (3 courses with mineral water and coffee).
DAY 7
Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Ligure to Florence
You will meet your driver and your English-speaking guide and transfer to Florence.
Check in at the Hotel L’Orologio, a themed design hotel on Piazza SantaMaria Novella. It offers stylish rooms with free Wi-Fi and marble bathrooms. Each room is unique, displaying photographs and paintings of a specific wristwatch model. The elegant rooms feature mahogany floors and furniture. A buffet breakfast is served in the top-floor dining room, which boasts lovely views of the square.
AFTERNOON
Tour of the Highlights of Florence – 4 hrs
A very knowledgeable local guide will meet you at your hotel and with her you will discover the beauties of Florence.
You will start from the Ponte Vecchio, and see Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi, Piazza del Duomo and end at the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses the David.
DAY 8
Medieval Siena and Cooking Class
The school is based in a building from the 1200’s which has recently been restored, only a few yards away from Piazza del Campo in the centre of Siena. Mrs. Lella will welcome you in her Cooking School housed in the ancient slaughterhouse at Fontebranda. Lella will tell you about herself and the story of her cooking school while moving among burners, pots, pans and bowls filled with sugar, flour, cocoa and all the different kind of spices: “I have always loved cooking since I was a child. I should have inherited this art from my grandfather who was a real gourmet. I have always dreamed about opening a cooking school where I could share the secrets of the traditional Sienese cooking!”.
You will prepare a Tuscan menu together with Mrs. Lella and you will have your lunch enjoying the dishes you have just prepared.
After lunch you will meet your English-speaking local guide for a guided tour of the centre. With its narrow streets and steep alleys, a stunning Gothic Duomo, a bounty of early Renaissance art, and the glorious Palazzo Pubblico overlooking its magnificent Campo, Siena is often described as Italy’s best-preserved medieval city. Although much looks as it did in the early 14th century, Siena is no museum. Walk through the streets and you can see that the medieval contrade, 17 neighborhoods into which the city has been historically divided, are a vibrant part of modern life. You may see symbols of the contrada—Tartuca (turtle), Oca (goose), Istrice (porcupine), Torre (tower)— emblazoned on banners and engraved on building walls. The Sienese still strongly identify with the contrada where they were born and raised; loyalty and rivalry run deep. At no time is this more visible than during the centuries-old Palio, a twice-yearly horse race held in the Piazza del Campo, but you need not visit during the wild festival to come to know the rich culture and enchanting pleasures of Siena; those are evident at every step.
Return to Florence after some free time.
DAY 9
Greve in Chianti and Villa del Cigliano
You will meet your driver and your English-speaking guide at the hotel and you will head towards Greve in Chianti.
Greve in Chianti is the center of Chianti Classico. Here you will find Antica Macelleria Falorni, a historical butchery where since the 1729 you can find the specialties of the local [norcineria], the Prosciutto Saporito di Greve and all the bagged, products also in the version of pig of Surrounded Senese and with wild boar, from the Finocchiona to the Noble Salami of Heavy in Chianti.
You will then continue to the Villa del Cigliano. The Villa del Cigliano has been in the Antinori family since 1500. The Villa is situated in the Chianti Classico area, near the village of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, in the Tuscan countryside, 20 km from the center of Florence. It was built in the second half of the 1400 on existing medieval buildings. You’ll feel like Italian nobility at this ornate villa and bucolic estate. Visit of the cellars and the estate, followed by light lunch with wine tasting.
DAY 10
Art and Culinary Tour in Florence – 4 hrs
You will meet your English-speaking guide at the hotel and you will begin your culinary tour of Florence.
Today, more than ever, food has become an art form. Lovers of good food seek traditional flavours and authentic ingredients. Your guide will first take you to the San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale, the central food market in Florence. The ground floor contains meat and cheese stalls, as well as some very good bars that have panini (sandwiches), and the second floor teems with vegetable stands.
The market building is quite impressive, but difficult to see as it is surrounded by the street market stalls filled with every imaginable leather item, scarves and anything else that might remotely appeal to a tourist.
After the visit of San Lorenzo Market with some good food tasting you will continue to a local Enoteca (wine shop) for a wine and olive oil tasting.
Olive oil is deeply rooted into the Mediterranean and Tuscan culture. Homer called it “liquid gold”, and our ancient ancestors attributed to it medicinal, magical, and purifying powers. Nowadays, hardly any Tuscan recipe can do without this traditional ingredient. We will also treat you to the traditional Tuscan bread, bruschettas, appetizers and of course Chianti Classico Wine. To end your culinary tour you will visit one of the best and oldest gelato shops in town. Here you will taste several flavours and you will learn some of the secrets of gelato making.
FAREWELL DINNER
Restaurant il Cibreo. known for its impeccable service, elegant atmosphere, innovative and high quality food. The elegance is in the substance of the food and the service, not in surface appearances. Waiters pull up a chair to explain the list of daily special and those garlands of hot peppers hanging in the kitchen window are a hint at the cook’s favourite spice. All the food is spectacular, and dishes change regularly, but if they’re available try the yellow pepper soup drizzled with olive oil; the soufflé of potatoes and ricotta spiced and served with pecorino shavings and ragù; or the roasted duck stuffed with minced beef, raisins, and pinoli.
~We hope this makes you start thinking of the all the possibilities, and begin your journey with us today!