Barolo Vacation | September 19-26, 2020

Garlic Mike’s Wine, Cooking, Castles and Truffles in the Enchanting Valleys of Roero and Barolo

This is not your Mother’s Italy tour group with 3 bus loads of people. Be prepared for intimate, small groups.
We score this vacation week a 10 out of 10… But of course, don’t just take our word for it. Read reviews here!

Sept 19-26, 2019 Garlic Mike’s Adventure

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Sep 19 – Sep 26, 2020 543 PRIVATE GROUP: Garlic Mike’s Wine, Cooking, Castles and Truffles in the Enchanting Valleys of Roero and Barolo

What People

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Amalfi Coast

The Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome to The Roero Region!

We’ll be taken by luxury motor-coach to our hotel set on the estate of a 17th century castle in the Roero wine region – The Marchesi Alfieri. Aperitivi in the beautiful garden of the Hotel, sampling the wines of the estate, getting to know each other; followed by a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Cooking Class at the Castle – Sommelier Wine Tasting

Breakfast at the hotel. Regional Fare: Cooking Class resulting in lunch. Time to rest, enjoy the grounds of the hotel or even take a stroll in to town. Late afternoon with our friend, Alessandro, a local certified sommelier for a wine tasting and pairing. Alessandro will help us discover the nuances and complexities of the wines from the Langhe and Roero Valleys. Dinner at a local restaurant or trattoria.

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BAROLO Tour TRIP

Day 3: The Italian Alps – Castelmagno Cheese Producer & Perfume making

Breakfast at the hotel. On our way to the Alps, we will stop at a local producer of the most amazing cheese to come from this area. Drive up to the San Magno Sanctuary, to take in the sights. Lunch will be at a local trattoria. Visit the Muses Savigliano. From the 17th century, along with Grasse in Provence, France, was one of the first producers of perfume in all of Europe. We will visit the museum and have a perfume and cologne making experience where, when we finish, each guest will have their own personally-made bottle of perfume to take home with them! Tonight’s dinner will be a Tapas-style dinner at a local establishment.

Day 4: Cooking Class with Marina at Marsaglia Winery – Castello Grinzane Cavour

Breakfast at the hotel. Traditional Italian Fare Cooking class at the nearby Marsaglia Winery with Marina Marsaglia, resulting in lunch. Visit the Castle of Grinzane Cavour. This was the home of Camillo Benso, one of the noblemen that helped shape the future of Italy during the 1860 unification, and Italy’s first Prime Minister. He was also the first producer of Barolo wines. We will tour the castle and wine cellar. Visit to La Morra or rest at the hotel; followed by pizza dinner.

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Day 5: Day in Torino – Discover the Historic Café’s of Turin - Bicerin Cafe – Chocolate – Vermouth Mixology - Apericena

Breakfast at the hotel. We start our “Caffé Crawl” when we visit the historical center of Torino and begin with the traditional Piedmontese breakfast, the “Bicerin”. Visit one of the oldest café’s, the Caffe’ di Palazzo Reale, the palace where the King of Italy once lived! We’ll have a little something here before moving on to another historical caffe/osteria for a little relaxation, good wines and local fare. Free time OR for the ones who are interested in guided tour up to the Mole Antonelliana tower. Then, make our own Vermouth at the Martini Distillery, where the famous cocktail derives from. Similar to our perfume experience, we will be given the ingredients, different spices and herbs, to create our own unique blend of vermouth that we will be able to take home with us! At the distillery, we will also have our Apericena, the classic Northern Italian Happy Hour with an impressive array of fabulous small-plate appetizers, wine and other adult beverages.

Day 6: Cooking Class – Alba – Truffle Hunting – Family- Style Dinner with Friends

Breakfast at the hotel. Refined Italian Cooking Class at the hotel, resulting in lunch. Time to explore the historical center of Alba with its great shops, bars, cafes and street scene. We will go on a truffle hunt with a local truffle hunter and his faithful dogs in search of the fabulous black truffles of the area. We’ll have a casual dinner with the truffle hunter and some of his family and friends.

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Day 7: A Day in Langhe Valley - Lunch in a Vineyard - CDV Traditional Farewell Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Head over to the Langhe Valley to sample some Barolo and other wines of the area. Tour a family-run winery of Barolo wines. Lunch today will be at the winery in their vineyard. Spend some time exploring the town of Bra. Great for last-minute shopping, strolling the streets, have a gelato, espresso or other beverages. Special Farewell Dinner

Day 8: Goodbye 🙁

Sadly, our week comes to a close this morning.

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