We had an excellent group leader, Gabor, and great bus driver. We were blessed with an exceptional bus driver, Kristian. With the exception of one overnight at a hotel on Mt Uckna, the accomodations and meals were very, very good. We ate at Michelin starred gourmet restaurants and had exceptional meals at a goat farm and an olive farm. We were also blessed with an exceptionally compatible group of 5 other couples.

Piemonte! Beautiful mountains, vineyards, forests...A part of Italy obviously influenced by the countries and cultures that share its borders. Remnants of ancient history. A grand and lavish royal history. Piemonte had much to do with shaping Italy as it is today. Turin is a great city to realize the effects of the innovators of this region on the world even today: automobiles, cinema, food (canned vegetables!). So many "firsts". And Cuneo! What a proud and lovely city. Our guide, Lisa, made this the tour I will recall as a favorite. Her personal love of the area came through in her words and choices for adventure. Lisa connected me with nature. She wove me into the community in ways that felt real. It wasn't about delicious food and wine. Lisa made me feel that I was in a place that I could call home.

What’s not to like about the Piemonte Staycation. Lisa has designed a great tour of the region that includes terrific and unique activities with amazing food and drink. Because we were located in just two places, Turin and Cuneo, we could settle in and unpack for days. Touring from a base location was good in this area because the landscape is beautiful, there is a wide variety of activities and the food and drink are delicious. Having lived in the area since moving to Italy as a young woman, Lisa has personal knowledge of Piemonte and has relationships with the local guides and restauranteurs. We very much enjoyed her stories and experiences. She also invited collective conversation with the group that welcomed participation from all. Memorable activities include a 150 foot climb to the dome of a church for an up close view of the fresco. An afternoon in Alba to see the donkey Palio with extraordinary costumes. A truffle hunt. A pasta and gnocchi cooking class. Hikes in the mountains. Wine tasting. Grappa tasting. Visiting a cheese farm Local market and produce tasting. Each day was both exciting and relaxing knowing that we were in good hands with Lisa.