CORK & FORK:  Wine and Food of Northern Italy
Join Eleven Winery and Bainbridge Island based Cross Cultural Journeys on a remarkable food and wine experience to Northern Italy. The tour will take us from Milan in the North, South/Southwest to Piemonte, onwards to Genoa, East to Emilia Romagna and into Tuscany's Florence and a day tour to Siena. We will explore the wines of Northern Italy, from the red Barolo, the Spumante and Moscato of Piemonte; to the Lambruscos of Emilia Romagna and the Chiantis of Tuscany. An extension will also be offered to those who would like to spend a few extra days to visit Rome or one of Italy's many famous beach resorts. Unlike most wine and food tours, we will  immerse ourselves in the Italian culture, and visit with the Italian people in their communities. We will learn about Italy's cooperative movement; visit the Parmesan factory and some other world famous brands. Most importantly, we will explore the many ways Italy is growing grapes and producing organic wines - some of the leading in the world market. And of course - lots of amazing pasta and pizza!

Day One: Arrive in Milan
Day Two: Milan
Day Three: Piemonte
Day Four: Genoa > Reggio Emilia
Day Five: Emilia Romagna / Parmigiano Reggiano
Day Six: Reggio Emilia > Florence
Day Seven: Florence
Day Eight: Day trip to Siena
Day Nine: Departure from Florence > Home (or extended stay to Rome)

EXTENSION:
Day Ten: Florence > Rome
Day Eleven: Rome
Day Twelve: Rome > Home

* Learn from local wine makers and culinary experts and chefs about wine and food culture

* Visit wineries; farms and tasting rooms
* Learn about the growing of organic grapes; producing organic wine

* Pairings with Italian and international cuisines 
* Learn about get the intersections between cooperative management, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship and cultural preservation in the Emilia Romagna region

* Explore some Italian history & architecture
* Understand Italian cultural values and our own cultural biases 

* Immerse ourselves in Italian food & drink, visit amazing cultural treasures, speak some Italian and have a lot of fun!

* The extended journey to Rome will include visits to the Colosseum; The Spanish Steps; Forum Romana; and other cultural treasures in the country's capital

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:

Early bird discounts are available for bookings until June 30th. Please enter "EARLYBIRD" in the discount code box, and let us know who your Happiness Engineer is.

INCLUDED: All accommodations (double or multiple occupancy; or single room for a supplemental fee); full breakfast daily at the hotels, 3 lunches and 3 dinners per final itinerary (B, L, D); local guides; guest speakers; all wine tastings per itinerary; all activities and entrance fees on itinerary; preparation materials; transportation/coach bus; bottled water; one CCJ trip manager;  two Eleven Winery co-hosts. 

CROSS CULTURAL JOURNEYS FOUNDATION:   

CCJ will funnel $100 per traveler to the Cross Cultural Journeys Foundation to support an Italian not-for-profit or charitable organization (TBA).

NOT INCLUDED: International air travel from USA to Italy; airport transfers; alcoholic drinks not on the itinerary; extra wine at wine tastings; meals not on itinerary. Excursions not on the itinerary; tips for local guide and driver (optional, yet customary); travel protection insurance.  

TRAVEL PROTECTION: Cross Cultural Journeys is not responsible for cancellation expenses that you might incur before or during our trip.  You may want to check first to see if your current insurance policy covers travel abroad, but we have found that most do not. We strongly encourage considering taking out travel interruption and evacuation insurance to cover any emergencies abroad such as evacuation, or reimbursement for cancellation due to your own illness or an illness in your family. Some plans require you to take out this insurance within 21 days of your deposit to cover pre-existing conditions. CCJ has partnered with TravelSafe. You can visit our online portal to explore different plans. We encourage you to choose a plan covers travel interruption before you depart, as well as during the trip. CCJ is not responsible for events beyond our control in this regard.  

Please visit the Cross Cultural Journeys - TravelSafe online portal to find a plan that works for you. You can also call TravelSafe directly at 1-800-523-8020. Make sure you mention that Cross Cultural Journeys is your tour operator to receive our special rates.

Trip Manager Cilla Utne
President, Cross Cultural Journeys

Cilla acquired CCJ in 2015. With a B.A. in language and intercultural studies, and an MBA in Sustainability from Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Cilla is passionate about the intersections between sustainable behaviors and cultural values. In an earlier corporate career, she facilitated intercultural training programs for executives living and working across cultures. A native of Sweden and a world traveler, she has lived in Spain, the UK, Chile, and Guatemala. Cilla is based on Bainbridge Island since 2006, where she co-parents her teen son; practices yoga & meditation; and takes long walks with her French bulldog. She's currently working on the final draft of a memoir about her mother’s childhood, contemplating how unresolved trauma can impact future generations. This will be Cilla's third visit to Italy.

Matt Albee

Founder & Winemaker, Scientist. Chef. Bike racing fanatic.
Eleven Winery

It may seem unlikely, but winemaking brings aspects of all of these things together. Making great wine requires careful study, meticulous preparation, and long hours of hard work. Matt's deep experience in the lab, the kitchen, and on the road prepared him well for the day that he first wandered into the cellar, and emerged changed. Winemaking encompasses all that is important in life: respect for the earth, hard work and careful study, sharing experiences with friends and family. Matt lives with his wife and two sons on Bainbridge Island. He is very excited about this sharing this experience in Italy with Eleven's wine club members and his Bainbridge community.

Alana Correll
General Maneger, Eleven Winery

Alana grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from BHS in 2007. She took a year off after high school to work and spent 4 months traveling in Ghana and Egypt. She attended culinary school at the Art Institute of Seattle and have worked for Eleven winery since June 2018. A mother to an almost 6-year-old son, she enjoys horseback riding, reading, hiking, travel, and (of course) food and wine! She has been to Italy once, but not since 2001. She is looking forward to going back as an adult and experiencing the rich culture and food while learning more about the wines and the wine industry of Northern Italy.

Bon Giorno, Milano! Make your way to our first farm stay to meet your fellow travelers. Located about 30 minutes outside of central Milan is Argiturismo Dolce Luna. This lush property includes a magnificent garden of olive groves, palm trees and fruit trees with free-roaming animals such as horses, geese, donkeys, goats, ostriches, cows and birds. Bring your swimwear! If you arrive early you can relax by the pool with a refreshing beverage! Dinner will be a farm-to-table dinner on the property at 8 pm.
Sleep: Agriturismo Dolce Luna, Milan 
(D)

After a farm breakfast, and perhaps a little time meeting the resident animals, we drive into Milan to meet our local guide to take us for a local biking adventure. For participants who do not wish to bike, we will have another guide doing a walking tour of a few of Milan's neighborhoods. In the afternoon we will visit Leonardo’s Vineyard (La Vigna di Leonardo) which lies tucked within the lush gardens of the Casa degli Atellani, an elegant private residence. This will provide us with a unique opportunity to experience the Milanese Renaissance. We will have dinner together at a traditional Milanese restaurant in the city center.

Sleep: Agriturismo Dolce Luna, Milan 
(B/D)

Early departure for Piemonte. We will meet our local guide in Alba for a walking tour. Wine tasting & lunch at a local winery. Evening to explore Alba after checking in at your hotel. Dinner on your own.

Sleep: Hotel I Castelli, Alba
(B, L)

After breakfast, we depart for Genoa. We will meet our local foodie guide in the beautiful Piazza S. Matteo and stop at one of the best bakeries in town. We'll explore the labyrinth of narrow streets and discover some charming spots such as Piazza delle Vigne and Piazza Banchi. We'll stop at the old port and by Sottoripa, a very old street that represented one of the first markets in town, where we can try some seafood. We will visit a wine cellar located in the oldest part of the city for a tasting. The tour will end with handcrafted dessert. 

After our tour, we will make our way to Reggio Emilia for a wonderful agriturismo stay at a former dairy farm. Dinner on your own.

Sleep: Agriturismo La Razza, Reggio Emilia
(B, L)

After breakfast at the agriturismo, we will meet our guide and begin our explorations of Emilia-Romagna. We will start with a visit to 4 Madonne Casery, a Parmesano Reggiano factory. Next stop will be Acetaia La Tradizione, where we will learn about the art of making balsamic vinegar. Lunch at Locanda Smeraldi is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Dinner at our beautiful agriturismo!

Sleep: Agriturismo La Razza, Reggio Emilia
(B, D)

Today we explore continue to explore Reggio Emilia! After breakfast we will once again meet up with our local guide for a visit to an organic winery. A wonderful lunch will follow. Afternoon departure for Florence. After checking in at our hotel in the heart of the city, we will join our Florence guide for a welcome drink. Then take an opportunity to experience Firenze at night with dinner on your own.
Sleep: Le Stanze del Duomo, Florence
(B)

Experience all that the "Jewel of the Renaissance" has to offer! A full day guided walking tour of Florence's beauty and history! This will include visits to the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery. Early evening wine tasting in the heart of the Florentine old town. For dinner you'll get an unforgettable panoramic view of the city in a welcoming and peaceful environment up in the hills.

Sleep: Le Stanze del Duomo, Florence
(B, D)

Today we set out early for a day trip under the Tuscan sun to Siena. We will have a wine tasting and a leisurely farewell lunch at a winery in San Gimignano...followed  by a stop for gelato! Return to Florence and (if you're still hungry) enjoy dinner on your own. Pack and prepare for your journey back home.

Sleep: Le Stanze del Duomo, Florence

(B, L)

Today, for those not extending their tour, we say arrivederci to Italy for now, and catch our flights back home.
(B)