
August 3 - August 11, 2023
Wine & Dine
Wine & Dine
Enjoy the very best of the Italian countryside as we hope from vineyard to sightseeing. This week we explore different types of vineyards and enjoy a variety of traditional foods of the region.
Day 1: Leave for Milano-Malpensa airport. From NYC area you will arrive the next day.
Friday - August 4
Day 2: Arrive at Milano-Malpensa for pickup at 10:30 at the airport and transfer to Bedonia. In the afternoon, you will have time to settle into your room, explore the town, or relax. Wine and appetizers will be served at the Villa. We will walk into town for a typical dinner of the region.
Meals: Wine and Appetizers
Saturday - August 5
Day 3: Piacenza/Vigoleno - Small Family Vineyard & Winery
After breakfast, we will visit the Casello winery. See how the grapes are cultivated, wine is made and enjoy a tasting that pairs food with various wines made on the premises at this family-owned vineyard in the Emilia Romagna region. We later visit the medieval village of Vigoleno. It has a tower with a catwalk along the top of the wall that overlooks the valley below. There are only a handful of locals living behind these walls. It makes for an amazing adventure to wander these alleyways. There are many doors and structures that will be calling to your camera.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Sunday - August 6
Day 4: Parmesan Cheese factory/Live music
After breakfast, we will head down the road to the local Parmesan cheese factory. Here we will wander around the facility while they are actually in the process of making this prestigious cheese. Then, we will have the chance to buy it on the premises at exceptional prices. We ride to the top of the nearby mountain to a trattoria where we have an authentic meal (included) and the opportunity to dance to a live band with the locals!
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Monday - August 7
Day 5: Felino/Torrechiara - Ceci Cantine Winery
After breakfast, we will explore the castle of Torrechiara which has frescos on nearly every wall or ceiling. This iconic castle is one of the most well-preserved examples in Italy of its kind. After seeing the magnificent art and different styles of architecture that were added over the years, we will stroll the cobblestone streets to see how the people
behind the wall live. A visit to the Ceci Cantine will give us the opportunity to taste other wines made in the region, enjoying lite fare while overlooking their vineyard.
Meals: Breakfast and Lite Lunch
Tuesday - August 8
Day 6: Free day
Check out our village, go hiking, take the train to the Cinque Terra. The day is up to you! We can help with ideas and suggestions.
Meals: Breakfast
Wednesday - August 9
Day 7: Lake Garda - Costadoro Winery (Bardolino wine)
After breakfast, we will enjoy one of Italia’s most famed lakes, Garda. Costadoro Winery/Agritourism welcome us with various wines and foods that tantalize our tastebuds. Bardolino is a special red wine harvested in the Veneto region of the lake. We will dine on local aged meats along with other specialties of the area while enjoying the wine from this particular grape. Then, we will walk the town of Bardolino to experience the magical views of the lake.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Thursday - August 10
Day 8: Modena/Maranello - Viall Di Corlo Winery
Today we will visit the Ferrari Museum. Not only will you have a chance to check out the beautiful cars over the years, but you can also have the chance to test drive one on the open roads or choose to be a passenger with a professional driver (not included). Then we will go to Modena to the Villa Di Corlo Winery where we will enjoy a light meal while paring food to their wines.
Meals: Breakfast and Lite Meal
Friday - August 11
Day 9: Return home