Food and Wine Tour in Piedmont
A Journey of Flavors: Savoring the Food AND Wine Delights of Italy’s Piedmont
Indulge your senses in our 6-day Food and Wine Tour, a culinary expedition through the enchanting region of Piedmont in Italy. Known as one of the most refined gastronomic areas of Italy, Piedmont is a paradise for food and wine lovers.
In this captivating journey of flavors, we focus on the Langhe and Monferrato hills where you get to shake hands with the artisans and food producers who keep alive the culinary traditions of the region.
Stay five nights in a charming luxury countryside retreat set on the vineyard-clad hills of Piedmont, in the heart of the Langhe and Monferrato wine regions. Wake up every morning with breathtaking views, relax by the pool and feel at home in our handpicked boutique hotel.
Step into a charming trattoria and let your taste buds be captivated by the rich aromas of truffles, the velvety texture of risotto, and the melt-in-your-mouth tender cuts of renowned Piedmontese beef. Don’t forget to sample the mouthwatering regional cheeses, like the creamy Robiola and the pungent Castelmagno.
As you explore the picturesque vineyards of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato hills, you’ll discover the secrets behind Piedmont’s famous wines, including the elegant Barolo and the aged Barbera d’Asti. Embark on exclusive wine tastings led by passionate winemakers willing to make your experience beyond the ordinary.
Join us on this gastronomic adventure and let the Food and Wine Tour of Piedmont enchant your palate, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Fantastic five days tour with my family. Everything was exceptionally organized and even the slightest problem was taken care of. Marco is really good at his job: he will entertain you with a well balanced mixture of information and cool facts, always given with a smile. Definitely recommend !
Riccardo T. – November 2021
Read all reviews on Tripadvisor and on Google
Trip Highlights
Stay five nights in a charming countryside inn
Tasting of 12 cheeses with the cheese refiner
Exclusive wine tastings of Barolo, Barbera d’Asti, Barbaresco and more
Michelin-star dinner
Guided tour of Turin and chocolate tasting
Hands-on cooking class
Rice farm tour and risotto lunch in cozy trattoria
Private driver for 6 days. Friendly Italian tour guide
TRIP BASICS
6 days | 5 nights
From / To Milan (see below flight information)
Learn more about the perks of our Small Group Tours To Italy
Learn more about Meet Piemonte and the team of Tour Guides
5 NIGHTS IN THE WINE REGION
Surrounded by 360° views over the vineyard-clad hills of Piedmont, relax in well-appointed rooms with hard-wood floors and exquisite details.
DATES ON REQUEST
Rates for full tour package (with driver, airport transfers and full-time guide)
- From 2650€ per person, in double occupancy (with a minimum of 6 participants)
- Customized private tours for 2 guests, on request
Rates for self-guided tour (no driver, use your own vehicle)
- From 1620€ per person, in double occupancy (with a minimum of 6 participants)
Go to What’s Included
The rate includes (full package rate):
- 5 nights at Relais Monvì (or similar hotel), breakfast included
- Private transportation for the entire program as per timing and itinerary described in the program below
- Tour guide services for 5 days
- Rice farm tour and risotto lunch
- Wineries tour in Barolo and in Barbaresco and premium wine tastings of 4-5 wines each;
- 1 farmer’s dinner in Barbera d’Asti winery paired with wine tasting
- Cheese refiner experience with tasting of 12 cheeses
- Chocolate and coffee drink in Turin and private guided tour in the city center
- 1 cooking class and dinner with 4 courses, water, wine and coffee;
- 1 dinner in traditional restaurant with 4 courses, water, wine and coffee;
- 1 Michelin-star dinner (set 4-course menu), no wine
- Truffle hunting with the dog;
- 22% VAT
- Limited Liability Insurance and “Fondo di Garanzia” insurance (against Tour Operator bankruptcy and other extraordinary events)
The rate includes (self-guided rate)
For this option, there is no drive, nor full-time guide but we include the guide in Barolo (3 hours) and in Turin (2 hours)
The rate does not include (full package rate):
- Hotel city tax
- Truffles at meals
- Wine at the Michelin-star dinner
- Personal travel insurance
- Any other meal, tasting, entrance fee, transfer, tip, personal expense and anything else not mention above in the field “rates include”.
Day 1 – The Food and Wine Tour in Piedmont sets off in Milan
Meals included: light lunch and dinner
Late in the morning, meet your driver in Milan (at the airport or in the city center) and set off for our mouthwatering Food and Wine Tour in Piedmont.
Drive to the plains of the Po River where an extraordinary hydraulic net of man-made canals transformed the valley in the largest rice paddy region of Italy.
Step into a rice farm for an unexpected and informative insight tour before sitting in a cozy trattoria and savoring two types of the best Italian risotto. Known for its velvety texture, risotto is prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients like grandma used to do, starting from a thick and tasteful broth.
Charming Countryside Hotel in Piedmont
After lunch, drive to a charming countryside hotel in Piedmont, your home for the next five nights.
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of the Langhe and Monferrato wine regions, the hotel is surrounded by stunning views of vineyards and rolling hills. Each hotel we work with is carefully selected to ensure that guests feel a sense of warmth and comfort throughout their stay.
At these boutique hotels, you can expect personalized service, attention to detail, and a unique ambiance that reflects the local culture. Whether you choose to unwind by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment, or take a stroll through the surrounding vineyards, you’ll experience a tranquil retreat from bustling city life. The rooms are elegantly furnished, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary design, like hardwood floors and thick comfy mattresses.
Tonight get an introduction to the refined cuisine of Piedmont in a local restaurant where we booked a table to partake in a traditional 3-course menu.
Day 2 – The Barolo Wine Tour and the Cooking Class
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
After breakfast meet your tour guide at the hotel and enjoy a panoramic drive through the eleven municipalities where the Barolo wine is produced.
The Food and Wine Tour in Piedmont today takes you to the idyllic Langhe Hills and take in the beauty of the landscape, a Unesco World Heritage site. Follow our guide for a stroll in some of the most picturesque towns of the Barolo wine region, exploring medieval castles and spotting from a high point the unique configuration of these hills.
Exploring Piedmont’s Wine Regions and Vineyards
No journey through Piedmont is complete without exploring its renowned wine regions and vineyards. The Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato Hills are home to some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, and a visit to these vineyards is a feast for the senses. As you venture into the vineyards, you’ll be greeted by endless rows of grapevines, gently swaying in the breeze, and breathtaking panoramic views of the rolling hills.
This afternoon, embark on an exclusive wine tasting led by a passionate winemaker who is eager to share his knowledge and expertise. Learn about the winemaking process, from grape to bottle, and sample a variety of wines, including some exclusive single-vineyard Barolo. Each hillside has its unique characteristics, influenced by the region’s terroir, making every sip a delight for the palate.
Cooking Class with Piedmont’s Food and Wine
In the late afternoon meet a local host in her private kitchen to learn some traditional recipes of Piedmont. A friendly, engaging, and informative hands-on cooking class focused on the seasonal ingredients available, their historical roots, and traditional ways of cooking that you can take home as a souvenir of your trip to Italy.
From antipasti to thin egg pasta, from slowly-cooked meats and succulent hazelnut-based desserts, the cooking class takes place near Alba where the Langhe Hills products are mixed to become one of the most refined cuisines of Italy.
Tonight sit at the table and taste the results of your hard work, topped with the local wines coming from the winery of our host’s family.
Day 3 – The Cheese Refiner and the Barbera d’Asti Wine Region
Meals included: breakfast, cheese tasting and farmer’s dinner
Enjoy a late morning at your own pace maybe with a walk in the vineyards surrounding your boutique countryside hotel or maybe at the spa.
Then, our driver takes you to the farmhouse of a passionate cheese refiner. This is not an ordinary dairy farm but all about an ancient art brought from France.
Piedmont offers a plethora of unique food experiences that go beyond the typical restaurant meal. Today’s cheese refiner experience is a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting an artisan dedicated to preserving the culinary traditions of the region. Take a guided tour of his aging cellar and learn about the intricate process of elevating the texture and taste of cheeses through the controlling of temperature, molds, and other exterior elements. Learn more about cheese refining on our blog.
Piedmont’s famous cheeses, such as the creamy Robiola and the pungent Castelmagno will be introduced in a guided tasting of twelve cheeses paired with jams, honey, and a glass of wine.
The Food and Wine of Asti, in the heart of Piedmont
A vacation to Italy is made of small things that will stay in your memory for a long time: people watching while sipping an espresso coffee, some shopping, maybe taking a passeggiata holding a gelato. Get to experience all of it this afternoon in Asti, a perfect example of quiet Italian provincia, where mass tourism hasn’t arrived yet.
You can visit the Cathedral, the largest example of Piedmontese Gothic architecture, and count the medieval towers still standing as you walk in the town center of Asti.
We end the day meeting another local family who opens the doors of their winery set in the Asti wine region for a full presentation of the food and wine of this part of Piedmont.
Partake in a traditional farmer’s dinner paired with the aged Barbera d’Asti, a full-bodied fresh red wine perfect to be paired with the rich food of Piedmont.
Day 4 – A vacation in Piedmont from the Langhe Hills to Turint
Meals included: breakfast
Drive for the day from the Langhe Hills to the vibrant city of Turin, the former capital of Italy in 1861 and today the capital of Piedmont.
Meet a local expert for a walking tour of the highlights of Turin’s city center which mostly developed in the XVII and XVIII century under the House of Savoy.
Marvel at the opulent architecture of masters such as Guarino Guarini and Filippo Juvarra like the highly decorated royal church of St. Lawrence, and get access to hidden treasures of Turin, often concealed behind severe-looking façades of palaces and doorways. This morning take a break in one of the historic coffee bars of Turin and indulge in the rich chocolate of Turin like the gianduiotto, a mix of hazelnut paste and milk chocolate. Regain your energies by sipping the bicerin, a mouthwatering glass layered with hot chocolate and coffee.
The rich culinary history of Piedmont
Our guide is available to suggest some great lunch options, ranging from Michelin-star restaurants to modern bistrots, as well as things to do in the afternoon.
Piedmont’s rich culinary history is deeply rooted in tradition and Turin has grown in recent years as a new destination for foodies. Celebrated throughout the city, the food and wine of Piedmont are found in Turin’s small trattorias and in Michelin-star restaurants of which the city boasts a high concentration.
Turin offers a diverse range of dining experiences that cater to every taste and preference, including some recent additions like modern cooking served in historic settings and popular chefs who came to the city to work.
Enjoy some hours of free time in the hustle and bustle city center of Turin: from riding the glass elevator to the top of the iconic Mole Antonelliana for 360° views from one of the highest rises of the city to endless shopping in elegant stores, Turin has it all.
Click here for a full list of things to see and to do in the capital of Piedmont.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own.
Day 5 – The Truffles of Alba, kings of the Food and Wine Tour in Piedmont
Meals included: breakfast and Michelin dinner
Our morning sets off with a focus on the Truffles of Alba: Piedmont offers the opportunity to participate in truffle hunting excursions, a must for adventurous food lovers.
Accompanied by a truffle hunter and their trusty dog, you’ll venture into the forests in search of these elusive treasures. Experience the thrill of unearthing a truffle and learn about the age-old techniques used to find these precious fungi.
As one of the iconic ingredients of Piedmont’s cuisine, the truffle of Alba is known as the “diamond of the kitchen” and they add a unique and earthy flavor to many traditional fat-based dishes like fried eggs, cheese fondue, creamy risotto or egg pasta served with melted butter. A symphony of flavors that will leave you craving for more.
Visit Alba, the capital of the Langhe Hills, home of Nutella
This afternoon visit the Roman-founded town of Alba, famous for its truffles, and home of Nutella which was invented here decades ago and still is produced in the first and oldest Ferrero factory.
Immerse yourself in the local culture by participating in the International Truffle Festival (available from October to December) or the produce market (every Saturday morning).
After lunch on your own, our afternoon is spent on a hill crest overlooking the wine region of Barbaresco.
This wine, obtained by aging Nebbiolo grapes, differs from Barolo for many reasons that will be unraveled in the last winery tour of our Food & Wine Tour in Piedmont.
Enjoy a final wine tasting before freshening up at the hotel and toast to the end of our foodie adventure in a well-known Michelin- star restaurant in the area.
Day 6 – Arrivederci
Meals included: breakfast
Check out and transfer to Milan’s airport
Flight Information
- Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the tour cost.
- Suggested arrival and departure airport: Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Turin (TRN).
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
- We recommend flying to Milan the day before the tour begins, to avoid possible air disruptions. If needed we can arrange extra airport transfers to Milan’ s city center, one night in a centrally located boutique hotel in Milan, and a guided city tour the following morning.
- Departure day: it takes at least two hours to drive from the countryside hotel to Milan’s airports. Flights should not be booked before 10:00 am.
On-Tour Luggage Restrictions
In addition to airline luggage restrictions, please consider that:
- Due to our van/bus space limitations during the tour, we ask you to limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person, weighing around 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).
- Each guest can also bring one carry-on and a small, soft-sided bag or backpack for day-to-day travel. The space onboard our vans and minibusses, as well as the overhead rack and the space under the seat, is typically very limited, just enough for small bags and purse
To save your spot, complete the form at the bottom of this page with any questions you may have. When you are ready to commit, you will receive via email the contract that you need to fill out with your information and sign electronically.
- The tour is confirmed with at least 6 participants
- A 30% down payment is required in order to confirm the reservation.
- The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy:
- There shall be a 250€ non-refundable processing fee (per person) on any cancellation request, regardless of the time frame within which the cancellation is submitted;
- From 90 days to 46 days before the performance of the Tourist Package, by paying a penalty equal to 30% of the price;
- From 45 days before the performance of the Tourist Package, by paying a penalty equal to 100% of the price
Read here the full terms and conditions.
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- To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances. This is not a physically demanding tour, however, there will be a lot of walking, often on uneven steps, cobblestones, uphill and downhill. One of the charming aspects of Italy is its historical and architectural conformation. Many towns and attractions can only be visited on foot, as vans and buses cannot access the pedestrian areas where most places of interest are located.
- Unfortunately we cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Our tour managers and tour guides are unable to provide ongoing individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other physical needs.
- While the driving time on our tours is limited, getting to remote farmhouses and villages may require driving on windy roads that may cause motion sickness.
- Due to the historic nature of many of the luxury boutique hotels where we stay, some rooms may include stairs and differ in size and layout.
A complete list of things to know about Italy, such as what to pack, money, electricity, health, tipping, VAT refund, and more, will be sent after the completion of the first down payment.
