Italian Connection | 1.800.462.7911 | www.italian-connection.com
Highlights: Exquisite white truffles, fabulous variety of walks, finest wines, luxurious lakeside retreats, great little towns, dining in our friends’ restaurants.
Piedmont is rich in gastronomic traditions, home to great Barolo
wines and pungent cheeses, yet with a natural beauty and lush
countryside that is ideal for exploring on foot. We walk through a
landscape of perfectly ordered vineyards and hazy rolling hills,
then on to romantic lakes and tiny cobblestoned villages, sampling
the very best of this intriguing domain. We’ve chosen autumn
as the most alluring season to experience Piedmont, when
Italy’s prestigious Truffle Fair takes place, and the finest
white truffles adorn our meals.
Day One: We rendezvous in the great city of Turin, once the aristocratic capital of the Savoys. Our first stop is the castle of Racconigi, a relatively modest hunting lodge from the Savoy dynasty, where a mere 40 servants staffed the kitchen. Continue to the porticoed town of Cherasco, where we lunch at a local trattoria, and follow that up with a stop in the town’s historic chocolate shops. At last it’s time to take an 8 km (5 mile) walk winding through the hills, where our efforts are rewarded with great views. We continue down through the vineyards with just a hint of an appetite returning as we reach our hotel. Located in the center of Alba, this 9-room inn has been lovingly decorated and will be our home for 3 nights. Tonight we are treated to a leisurely meal of Piemontesi specialties, and a generous sampling of this region’s fine wines.
Day Two: Our 13 km (8 mile) walk begins in the cobblestoned village of Neive and follows the chalky hills to the town of Barbaresco, where we tour the cellars with a wine expert. After a picnic lunch, when we sample some of the marvelous malodorous cheeses that are a local specialty, we continue through the vineyards all the way back to our hotel. Free night for strolling in town with dinner on your own.
Day Three: We visit the lofty castle of Serralunga, with its soaring tower offering an amazing lookout, before beginning our 14 km (8.5 mile) walk. Our route meanders through well-tended hazelnut groves and chestnut woods before reaching the hilltown of Monforte, with glorious views of the surrounding hills. After lunch we continue on to the famous wine town of Barolo, producer of the heady rich wine of the same name, where even the town’s castle has been turned into a wine cellar. Tonight we visit the Alba Truffle Fair, with the heady perfume of the prized white truffle permeating the town and we’re treated to a dazzling truffle-based dinner.
Day Four: We take an 8 km (5 mile) walk from the pleasant town of La Morra to Santa Maria, where a superb lunch awaits us. We then drive north to the Italian Lakes region to the charming town of Orta San Giulio, replete with fanciful wrought iron balconies and charming cobblestoned streets. Take an optional 5 km (3 mile) walk up narrow back streets to the sanctuary of Sacro Monte, or simply relax by the pool. Our home for two nights is a 4-star hotel with lovely lakeside terraces. Free night for dinner.
Day Five: This morning we take a boat across Lake Orta to the tiny village of Corconio with its pastel-painted houses and softly fading frescoes. Our delightful 15 km (9 mile) walk follows a system of ancient mule tracks that connect undiscovered villages far removed from the vestiges of tourism, and we stop along the way for a generous picnic lunch. We dine tonight in a friend’s restaurant renowned for its excellent pasta and silky sweet panna cotta.
Day Six: Today we embark on a 14 km (8.5 mile) walk that winds up to the top of Mottarone, with a dazzling view of both Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. On clear days, you can see the Alps! After a well-deserved lunch of polenta con gorgonzola, we take a spectacular cablecar down to the town of Stresa. Tonight we bask in the luxury of a welcoming lakeside hotel on Lake Maggiore, with splendid gardens and a pool. We celebrate our week with a magnificent dinner, accompanied by the few Piemontesi wines we have yet to taste.
Day Seven: A short transfer to the Stresa train station by 9:30 am. Arrivederci!
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