Immersion Journeys in , France and Spain

The Best of Tour: Torino, the Barolo Region and May 18-26, 2020 Here's a look at what we have planned, day-by-day, for our tour adventures:

DAY ONE - Monday, May 20

Our tour will begin this evening at the Grand Hotel Sitea in the heart of historic Torino. After a welcome drink and introductions, we’ll have a brief orientation tour through our neighborhood surroundings. Then, back for our first dinner together tonight in Piedmontese style!

DAY TWO - Tuesday, May 21

This morning with the expert guidance of our guide, Sara, we’ll meander through the arcades and boulevards of Torino’s historic district as we make our way over to the spectacular Palazzo Royale, the former seat of the Savoy monarchy. In terms of sheer opulence and grandeur it holds its own against any of the grand palaces of Europe. The Royal Armory with its gilded horses and knights in armor is unique and unforgettable. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch together, then you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free. Dinner will be on your own this evening.

DAY THREE - Wednesday, May 22

This morning we’ll visit Torino’s most famous monument, the Mole Antonelliano. Originally intended to serve as a Jewish synagogue, the project was abandoned, and today the Mole is the home of the Torino National Museum of Cinema. The exhibits are interactive, and you will be able to walk step-by-step through the early history of cinema, from the crude efforts to give movement to still pictures all the way to the “talkies.” Also featured are memorable movie sets and props, including the original Golden Calf from The Ten Commandments! If it’s not overly crowded, we’ll have an opportunity to take the lift to the top of the Mole for an unforgettable 360 degree view of Torino.

After a break, later this afternoon you’ll have the option of an escorted visit to Torino’s Egyptian Museum. Newly remodeled and just down the street from our hotel, it features Italy’s most impressive collection of Egyptian antiquities. Dinner together this evening!

DAY FOUR - Thursday, May 23

This morning we’ll be leaving Torino and heading off to the wine country! But, on our way out of town, we’ll stop for a visit to Torino’s National Automobile Museum. It features not only vintage models of Fiats and Ferraris, but also classic American cars. If you have even an ounce of nostalgia for Chevy convertibles, Stingrays, muscle cars, and pointy fins, you’ll be in car heaven!

We’ll stop for a quick picnic style lunch at the original Eataly, one of Torino’s most recent contributions to world culture. Then we’ll head on to our next venue, the medieval wine-country town of Asti, about 45 kilometers to our south. We’ll meet up with our guide, Paolo, for a brief walking tour to introduce you to the charming cobblestoned streets of Asti and its very unusual cathedral. Then on to Bra to check-in to our winery-spa-restaurant-hotel! Dinner together this evening at the wonderful family-run restaurant .

DAY FIVE - Friday, May 24

Piedmont is one of Italy’s most famous wine-producing regions, rivaled only by Tuscany. It’s best known for its full-bodied reds like Barolo and Barbaresco. We’ll go wine-tasting and tour the cantinas at one of the areas most elegant wine venues, the Marchesi di Barolo winery, where you will discover why Barolo wine is one of Italy’s most distinguished (and expensive!) vintages. Lunch together at the winery, and dinner on your own this evening in Bra.

DAY SIX - Saturday, May 25

Today we will visit Bra’s neighboring town, Alba. Our guide, Anna, will take us on a guided “foodie” tour through Alba’s narrow streets to taste some of the gourmet specialties that have put this region on the map: truffles, cheeses, chocolates… Later in the day we’ll make other stops in villages and wineries to further savor the flavors of the region.

DAY SEVEN - Sunday, May 26

After breakfast we’ll leave the wine country and make our way north to Piedmont’s spectacular Lake Maggiore. Our base will be the village of , where we’ll be staying at a lakefront hotel with fabulous views of the water and the Borromeo Islands. After we check in and relax for a bit, we’ll meet up for walk around the quaint streets of Stresa and along the lovely lakefront. You’ll be free for the afternoon to do what you like: take the Mottarone Cable Car to the top of the mountain; hop on a ferry and cruise the lake; shop or stroll around Stresa; or just relax at the hotel with a glass of wine and gaze at Lago Maggiore and the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

Dinner together tonight at our favorite seafood specialty restaurant in Stresa.

DAY EIGHT - Monday, May 27

On this final day of our journey we’ll go off on our chartered boat to explore the famed Borromeo Islands. We’ll visit the Borromeo Villa on Isola Bella (where Napoleon numbers among the distinguished houseguests) and enjoy meandering through its breathtakingly beautiful sculpture gardens, along with the peacocks. Afterwards, our boat will take us on to Isola Madre where the flora and fauna have been carefully cultivated through the centuries to create an earthly paradise. Then, back to shore where you’ll have some free time in the afternoon before our final dinner together this evening in Stresa!

DAY NINE - Tuesday, May 28

This morning there will be a transfer to the airport in Milan. Until we see you again,

Arrivederci! Tour Specifics:

Cost: The land cost of the tour is $4,250. per person, based on double occupancy. Cash discount cost is $4,130. per person for payment by check or wire transfer. You may make your registration deposit using PayPal and/or your credit card and still be eligible for the cash discount cost if your final balance is paid by check or wire transfer. Single rooms are available for a supplementary charge of $750. Airfare is not included.

Accommodations: 8 nights lodging in elegant, historic hotel properties; (3 nights in Turin, 3 nights in Bra, and 2 nights in Stresa). All rooms have en-suite baths.

Meals: All breakfasts, one full-course meal daily (either lunch or dinner), additional meals as scheduled. All meals—after breakfast!—include regional wines. We carefully choose the restaurants based on ambiance and quality of cuisine. We are able to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets as well as various food preferences.

Wine Tastings: Scheduled tastings of various Piedmont wines (including small local producers as well as famous well-known producers).

Transfers: All ground transportation during the tour subsequent to your arrival at the hotel in Turin. On the final morning there will be a group shuttle departing Stresa at 9 AM and going to the Milan airport. If you need to depart at a different time or for a different destination, we can help you book a transfer through our travel partners at an additional cost.

Admissions: Entrance fees for all planned visits to monuments, galleries and museums are included.

Guided Tours with local authorized expert guides.

Small, Intimate Group: We limit the number of participants to a maximum of 16 guests.

Arrival and Departure: The tour will begin at our hotel in Turin and end with a transfer to the airport in Milan. If you require transfer services upon arrival or after the tour, transfers can be arranged through our travel partners for an additional fee.

Early Arrival/ Late Stay Options: Depending on hotel availability you may be able to arrive early or extend your stay. We'll be happy to help you make these arrangements. For trip extensions of 2 nights or less, we provide planning assistance on a complimentary basis. For extensions of 3-5 nights, there is a nominal fee of $150 to assist with trip planning including booking hotels, guides, drivers, etc. Tour Specifics:

Luggage Handling: We will provide luggage handling services all throughout the tour, commencing with your transfer from the Grand Hotel Sitea until your arrival at the Milan airport. Please be sure to have a luggage tag with your name printed clearly on each piece of luggage.

Tour Exclusions: Airfare; airport-to-hotel transfer upon arrival; hotel city tax (usually €2-5 per person, per night; payable onsite).

Experienced Tour Leaders: Your tour hosts will be Sam Hilt and Jaimi Albert assisted by our wonderful local guides.

Registration:

To reserve your place and register for this tour, please click the button to jump to the Registration Page.

There is a non-refundable deposit due of $350 per person at time of registration to secure your spot on the tour.

Please feel free to contact us via email or call us at (800) 634-3460 with any questions you may have about the tour or about traveling to Italy.

Note: Tuscany Tours reserves the right to make changes to tour venues and guides as circumstances may require.