Tucked into the northwest corner of Italy, Piemonte is one of the most prosperous and less visited regions in Italy. Castle-topped hill towns will delight you with stunning view of farms, fields and vineyards and the magnificent mountains that surround much of the area (pied=foot and monte=mountain) will beckon to you to gaze at their natural beauty and visit hidden sanctuaries. During our week together we will enjoy walks in the countryside, visit a cheese farm, enjoy some local wineries, exquisite food, visit the largest elliptical cupola in the world at the Sanctuary of Vicoforte and delve into the rich history of the region. 

Day 1 - Upon arrival at our hotel in Turin we will gather our small group for an introduction of this tour with an Aperitivo and a quick walking tour of our neighborhood.

Day 2 - After breakfast we will start our day with a guided walking tour of this magnificent city stopping to sample the chocolate and coffee it’s famous for, followed by a visit to Turin’s impressive Palazzo Reale. This afternoon you will be free to explore the many shops and museums at your own pace before meeting up again this evening for a Piemontese feast.

Day 3 - The Fiat Automobile company was founded in Torino and opened its first manufacturing facility in 1899. This morning will visit the Museo dell’Automobile and explore the evolution of cars in this magnificent city. After visiting the museum, we will wander over to the original Eataly where you will be free to explore and find lunch before we make our way to the National Museum of Cinema where you can spend as much time as you like exploring the museum. Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day 4 - We pack our bags and will depart on a private bus for Cuneo with a stop on the way to the beautifully restored Veneria Reale, one of the Savoy family hunting palaces where we’ll have a guided tour of the museum and a walk in its extensive garden. Lunch will be on your own before we depart for Cuneo and get checked in to what will be your home for the next 7 days as we explore the region. We’ll have a quick orientation walk on arrival and dine together in a local trattoria.

Day 5 - Market Day in Cuneo (Tuesday or Friday). Morning with a local guide to learn more about the town of Cuneo and enjoy the many flavors that the market has to offer. You’ll have free time to explore the market on your own and we will end our day with a visit to a cioccolateria to learn about the Cuneese al Rhum chocolates that the city is known for.

Day 6 - Wonderful walks, food, and wine. After breakfast, board our private bus and head towards the Langhe, home to some of the most influential wineries in Italy. After a morning walk with splendid views, enjoy a multi-course lunch in a medieval castle followed by a visit to a grappa distillery and learn to appreciate the many nuances of this digestive liquor. Arrive back in Cuneo in the evening where you can explore more or relax as you like.

Day 7 - Cheese, and Pinocchio. Today will include a tour of a local caseificio (cheese farm) where we will meet the cows and learn why the cheese in Piemonte is so delicious. We will also visit the mountain town of Vernante for a visual journey of Pinocchio through the towns many murals.

Day 8 - Truffles, wine, and a tasting lunch. Another great gastronomic experience today as we once again head to the Langhe for a truffle hunting experience, lunch in a local trattoria, and a visit to a local winery to explore the complexities of the Nebbiolo grape.

Day 9 - Outstanding architecture is on our agenda today as we visit the largest elliptical dome in the world at the Sanctuary of Vicoforte. After our morning tour, lunch will be in one of your guides favorite trattorias; the place she goes to celebrate birthdays and baptisms and sometimes just because. After lunch head into the mountains for a walk in the woods and visit a partisan cemetery before heading back to Cuneo for a free evening.

Day 10 - A day to play, one day of our tour will be given to whimsy and can really fall anytime during the last week of our tour depending on what’s happening in the area. It might be a local fair or a charming town…whatever it is will be fun!

Day 11 - Tour is over after breakfast. Your guide will be on hand to assist with departures if needed.