Group Tour Itinerary SAMPLE

Escorted Small Group Wine Tour of Piedmont, Italy

— Taste Barolo, Hunt for Truffles, and Hike through Vineyards at the Base of the Italian Alps —

Small Group Tour Overview

Join the Euro Travel Coach team on an exploration of one of our favorite parts of the world: Piedmont.

Meaning "foot of the mountain," this beautiful region located in northwest Italy is home to the luscious wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, pungent white truffles, breathtaking scenery, and regal palazzi. It’s truly the ideal place for an Italian wine tasting holiday. We will eliminate all the hassles of traveling to ensure that you will be able to fully relax and enjoy all the pleasures Piedmont has to offer. We’ll go on a Barolo wine tour, dine at the best restaurants in Piedmont, and experience the culture of northern Italy. The only downside is that you won't want to leave!

Small Group Tour Size

You'll be joined by 8-10 other travelers. Chelsea, Greg, and Betsy from the Euro Travel Coach team will serve as your hosts and will be available 24/7 to assist you during the trip.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
We go with your group and travel on your dates

When would you like to go?
If you are a small group of people who want to travel together, we can travel on the dates you choose.

Contact us via email to discuss dates. We can travel on this itinerary again, or can further customize it just for you and your fellow travelers!

Inclusions

• Villa accommodations for seven nights

• All breakfasts

• Six dinners (including wine for the table)

• Three lunches

• Transportation to all excursions

• A cooking class

• Hazelnut farm tour & tasting

• One Langhe wine lesson and tasting

• Two winery visits and tastings

• One city tour with a local guide

• Vespa excursion (or alternative)

• 24/7 support from the Euro Travel Coach team

Accommodations

All seven nights of your trip will be spent in a beautiful villa located on an old Barolo winery. We will have the place all to ourselves, which will allow you to unpack, settle in, and truly feel like a local. Each room has its own en-suite bathroom for your comfort. The property has a lovely pool, a sauna and a tennis court. In the mornings, we will provide a wonderful breakfast featuring local produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods.

Piedmont Tour Guides

The Euro Travel Coach team will be available to you throughout the trip to take care of all your needs, handle the logistics, and answer any questions you may have along the way. In addition, on our excursion to Alba, we have carefully selected a local, licensed Piedmont tour guide who will lead us on a walking tour of the city. She is a knowledgable and entertaining guide who will point out the beautiful art, architecture, cultural marvels, and local food that surround you, and she’ll share fascinating stories of the city. She will also provide you with fantastic restaurant and shopping recommendations. During the truffle hunt, you’ll be escorted around the rolling hills of Piedmont by a truffle expert and his carefully trained dog, who will help you find some of Piedmont’s precious tubers.

Price: from $4500 per person* + airfare
($750 non-refundable deposit required to book)

*Additional fees apply for single-room occupancy. Please inquire.

Small Group Piedmont Wine Itinerary

DAY ONE IN PIEDMONT
Arrive & Dine

A member of our team will reach out to you before the trip to assist with arranging transportation from the airport (additional fees apply). Upon arrival at the villa, you can explore the area or relax by the pool. A local chef will prepare a traditional, three-course Piedmontese meal to welcome you to Italy. During dinner you can sip on a selection of local wines and get to know your fellow travelers.

DAY TWO IN PIEDMONT
Explore Alba & Cook with a Local

Following breakfast at the villa, we'll head to the white truffle capital of the world, Alba. You'll be shown around the city by a local guide who will share the history of the city and show you around the bustling piazzas and pedestrian streets. After the tour, you'll have time to explore on your own, perhaps stopping by the International Truffle Festival to admire the treasured funghi on display (extra fees apply). The day will conclude with an Italian cooking class back at the villa. You'll learn how to make 'plin' pasta among other Piedmontese delights.

DAY THREE IN PIEDMONT
Hiking, Dining, and Wine Tasting in the Vineyards of Barolo

Following breakfast at the villa, you'll be driven to the quaint hilltop town of La Morra where you can wander the cobblestone streets. From here, we will hike through the vines to Palas Cerequio — an ancient village that has been transformed into a luxury resort — where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterwards, we will continue our hike, ending in Barolo. You can explore the many wine shops in town and enjoy the lovely views from the terrace of the town's imposing castle. Then, you'll be treated to a tasting of wines from the Piedmont region along with a selection of local cheese and charcuterie at Enoteca La Vite Turchese.

DAY FOUR IN PIEDMONT
Hunt for Truffles with a Pro

We'll start off the morning with a trip to a farmer's market where you can be immersed in the local culture. Afterwards, you're in for a real treat: no trip to Piedmont in the Fall would be complete without feasting on white truffles, but we've arranged something even more special — the chance seek out the famed mushrooms with an experienced Truffle hunter and his dogs. The hunt will be followed by a magnificent lunch that incorporates your precious findings. Afterwards, you can walk off lunch in Seralunga where you'll be free to have dinner on your own (the ETC team can assist with reservations).

DAY FIVE IN PIEDMONT
Visit a Hazelnut Farm

In addition to wine and truffles, Piedmont is famous for their hazelnuts. In fact, Nutella was invented in Alba! On this day, we'll hike to Cascina Barroero to learn first-hand about Hazelnut farming. On the guided tour of the property, we'll learn about the harvesting, shelling, and baking processes, then enjoy a lovely lunch featuring hazelnuts and other products from the farm. After, you'll have the chance to visit a winery before heading back to the villa for a light dinner.

DAY SIX IN PIEDMONT
Visit a Winery & Dine at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

After breakfast, we’ll head out for a Barolo wine tour and tasting at Rivetto, a modern producer with a beautiful estate. After taking a tour of the property and tasting several of their excellent wines, we'll visit the hilltop villages of Monforte and Barbaresco where you can explore on your own. In the evening we'll enjoy a six-course meal at the Michelin-starred restaurant, La Ciau del Tornavento, which is one of the best restaurants in Piedmont. Given the restaurant’s gorgeous views, massive wine cellar, and stunning food, it's sure to be a meal to remember.

DAY SEVEN IN PIEDMONT
Vespa Tour

After breakfast, we’ll all hop aboard Vespas for a beautiful ride through the hills. We'll soak in the glorious countryside, stopping for lunch (on your own) and shopping opportunities along the way (note that we would be glad to arrange an alternative activity if you choose not to participate in the Vespa ride). The day will conclude with a farewell dinner back at the villa.

DAY EIGHT IN PIEDMONT
Return Home

If you’re anything like the Euro Travel Coach team, you’ll be sad to leave the vine-covered hills of Piedmont. We’ll make it as easy on you as possible by preparing a farewell brunch (depending on your flight time) and assisting you with arranging a transfer to the Milan or Turin airport (additional fees apply). Once you’re at the airport, you can start planning your next trip to Italy!

INTERESTED IN EXTENDING YOUR TRIP TO ITALY? INQUIRE ABOUT OUR TRAVEL CONSULTING SERVICES.
GROUP TOUR PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT ON COACHING AND CUSTOM ITINERARY SERVICES.

Note: This is a sample itinerary that is subject to change.