Departure Date for 2008: October 12

Alessandra's wine trip begins in Milan, which is just a short drive from Como Lake, the edge of the Italian Alps and the Valtellina - a relatively unknown Italian winemaking jewel. Here the semi-dried Nebbiolo grape is transformed into the delicate but forceful Sforzato wine. You will then journey to northeast Italy's luxurious Veneto region to sample Amarone and Recioto wines - the products of the ancient winemaking art of appassimento.

Next, you will make your way south to Central Italy and Gubbio, Italy's best preserved medieval village, where you can sample wines of the Sangrantino grape and dance till dawn on the piano nobile ”(noble floor) of Alessandra's privately-owned, 150-room ancestral palazzo.

From here, you will travel to the renowned wine region of Tuscany where you can wash down Ribollita and other spectacular local dishes with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile of Montepulciano. On the way, you will meet some of Alessandra's friends and local characters that will give you an authentic feel for this famed Italian land.

Finally, you will complete a full circle by going back north to Piedmont, where you will receive an intimate introduction to the Nebbiolo grape from a local viticulturalist in his privately-owned vineyard. The full bodied Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the world's finest wines, come from this region and you can try them accompanied by Polenta con Cinghiale. By the time you get to Turin a grand finale will be awaiting you - a farewell feast worthy of a Savoy King.

In all of these celebrated wine regions you will walk through ancient vineyards and remote hill towns where every vine plays a fundamental role in the life of each village.

Highlights:

• Six wine tasting experiences in the Valtellina, Veneto, Umbria, Tuscany and Piedmont.

• Three-course meals throughout the trip and complete introductions to the most significant culinary traditions of central and northern Italy at hidden and spectacular restaurants and trattorias.

• Two cooking classes lo learn how to prepare your favourite dishes.

• Olive oil tasting to learn how to select and use one of the most important ingredients in Italian cuisine.

• Visit the cities of Milan, Verona, Turin, Umbrian/Tuscan hilltowns and the most important museums and artistic attractions.

• Experience village life, market visits and local hand crafted production in Montepulciano, Gubbio and Alba.

• Exploration of Como Lake and Garda Lake.

Journey Details:

• Departure date for 2008:
October 12

• Length: 13 days, 12 nights

• Price: US$ 3,975 per person in double room (land only).
Price includes travel insurance.

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and a detailed day by day itinerary