Tour meets at Hotel La Palma in Stresa.

Day 1. Benvenuti in Piemonte! We’ll begin our travels together on lovely and relaxing Lake (Lago) Maggiore in the town of Stresa. We’ll meet for an aperitivo after which we’ll join the locals for a promenade along the lakeside followed by dinner together in a town featured in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. Sleep in Stresa.

Day 2. Lago Maggiore and the beautiful Borromean Islands (if available) are our destination this morning as we take a private boat tour of this stunning area. Stresa became a destination for European nobility, as well as those on the “Grand Tour” in the late 1800’s, and the islands reflect that grand history in their beautiful gardens and belle epoque architecture. This afternoon and evening will be yours to explore Stresa and the lake. Dinner on your own. Sleep in Stresa.

Day 3. Today we’ll head into the Alps on a small gauge panoramic train as it winds its way through mountain villages, valleys, over bridges and through breathtaking fall scenery. You’ll join the locals for this annual “fall foliage” train ride and will have the opportunity to taste seasonal specialties as we make stops enroute to Locarno Switzerland. Once back at our lakeside home, you’ll be free to enjoy dinner on your own. Sleep in Stresa.

Day 4. This morning we head to wine country, passing through rolling hills ablaze with fall colors. En route, to the Langhe wine region - itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site - we’ll stop at a small cooking school where we’ll learn to make wonderful local specialties before settling into our lovely boutique hotel where we’ll stay for the next 3 nights. Dinner together.

Day 5. This is the season for Piemonte’s world-famous white truffles. In the morning we’ll head out with a specially trained truffle dog and his human partner as they track down their targets. White truffles are highly sought after and we’ll have an opportunity to taste the fruits of our labor after the hunt. Then we’ll end our afternoon with our first visit to a winery in yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site: the vaulted “underground cathedrals” of Canelli, which have been used to store wine since the 1800’s. This evening you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy dinner on your own. Sleep at our boutique hotel in the Langhe countryside near Asti.

Day 6. This morning we continue our exploration of white truffles with a visit to the International White Truffle Fair in Alba where we’ll learn much more about what makes these fungi so special. Then, it’s on to a gourmet lunch featuring white truffles in this gastronomic capital. After lunch we’ll wind our way through the stunning Langhe hills with views of the manicured vineyards’ brilliant fall foliage before arriving for another gourmet experience – a guided tasting at a Barolo wine producer. Sleep at our boutique hotel in the Langhe countryside near Asti. Dinner on your own.

Day 7. Today it’s on to Piemonte’s capital city, Torino. As we make our way to this grand city, we’ll stop at one of the hunting lodges of Italy’s royal family followed by a visit of a more spiritual nature, the Sacra di San Michele. We’ll join a local guide as we explore this thousand year old hilltop monastery which was the inspiration for Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose. During our visit you’ll learn about the important role of monasteries in the maintenance and development of knowledge during the middle ages. After our visit to this beautifully somber and austere monument, we’ll end our day at our elegant and centrally located hotel, the Grand Sitea. Once settled in, we’ll head out for an orientation walk and dinner together. Sleep in Torino.

Day 8. On our first morning in Torino we’ll meet an expert local guide who will take us on a walking tour of this grand and majestic city. You’ll learn about its important ties with France as well as its role as the first capital of Italy. While on our walk you’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about the food and cafe culture of Torino – which has more Michelin star restaurants than any other city in Italy and is the home of Lavazza coffee, the world’s first Eataly, and Martini & Rossi! You’ll also have a chance to sample bicerin, a coffee and hot chocolate drink created here in Torino. In the afternoon, you’ll be free to enjoy the city on your own. We’ll meet again this evening for a historic cafe crawl during which we’ll taste often-underappreciated-but-invented-here-vermouth! Tonight you’ll be free to enjoy dinner on your own. Sleep in Torino.

Day 9. This morning we’ll meet our local guide at the Royal Palace of Torino. During our tour we’ll learn about the Savoy family who became the kings of Italy and who influenced the intellectual, architectural, and gastronomic culture in Piemonte and beyond. You’ll also hear about the world-famous Shroud of Turin which is kept in a chapel of the palace. The afternoon will be yours to explore Torino’s historic cafes, parks, the National Cinema Museum or pay a visit to the largest Egyptian museum outside Cairo. This evening we’ll gather for our last dinner together, sharing our experiences and enjoying the dolce vita in this region of Italy at the foot of the mountains!

Day 10. Tour concludes after breakfast. Trina will be available to assist with transportation arrangements to the airport or your continued travels in Italy.

Itinerary subject to change.