Piedmont, Slow Food’s Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre

Ever dreamed of visiting the cradle of Slow Food and learning firsthand about the food culture of Piedmont, which inspired founder Carlo Petrini to start the Slow Food movement in 1986? Now you can on this “good, clean and fair” (the motto of Slow Food International) seven-day immersion through a unique corner of Italy at the crossroads with Switzerland and France, while attending the Salone de Gusto event in Turin.

See here for more info on Piedmont region.

Piedmont, Slow Food's Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre

Dates & Pricing

Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8

DATES (7 days)

For dates, info and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE

Per person in double occupancy: from $3,490

Single Supplement: $590

For travel in 2021 and beyond, your tour is carbon neutral! In addition, we donate more than 1% of your trip price to food-literacy and environmental non-profits that share our values. (Details here)

Tour Highlights

Visits to Salone del Gusto, Terra Madre, University of Gastronomic Sciences and Bank of Wine
Visit to a Slow Food Presidium of cheese, a local winemaker and a Torrone producer
Exposure to local culture and history with native, bilingual, experienced Tour Leaders
Tastes of regional grapes and foods from local Slow Food Presidia
Up close and personal looks at agriturismi and the methods behind Piedmontese cuisine and agriculture
Strolls through four ancient Roman towns: Pollenzo, Alba, Asti, Acqui Terme, and Turin with its UNESCO Sites of royal residences
Daily walking opportunities for a healthy lifestyle
Traditional, local recipes to bring home with you!
Some of the more famous wines of Italy, such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and lesser-known Grignolino, Dolcetto, Brachetto, and Favorita
Extend your trip for two more nights with our post-tour option to romantic and exclusive Lake Orta featuring the UNESCO Site of the Sacred Mount of Orta

What's Included

6 nights of accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels and agriturismi
6 breakfasts and 2 lunches
5 dinners with 3 or 4-course menus and foods from Slow Food Presidia
1 walk in Turin’s historic center with a native
2-day entry fees to Salone del Gusto
1 taste workshop (make your selection in advance before the tour)
1 visit to an historical café and tasting of famous Bicerin local beverage
1 visit and tasting to a Torrone producer
1 wine tasting and visit to local winemaker during lunch with his family!
1 visit to Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences and Bank of Wine
1 cooking demo in an agriturismo and 1 truffle hunting demonstration near Alba
1 visit and tasting at a Slow Food Presidium of cheese
Comfortable transportation by 9-seat van for all transfers as cited in the itinerary
Bilingual, professional Tour Leaders
Transfers to/from Turin Airport at beginning and end of the tour
Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers during tour

What's Not Included

4 lunches and 1 dinner on your own
Alcoholic beverages at group dinners (including wine and spirits)
Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended. See more info here)
Gratuities for your Tour Leader
Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, snacks, gifts

Itinerary

Day 1 - Turin Airport to the Langhe Area

Meet your Tour Leader at Turin airport for a private group transfer to the Langhe area, recently listed with Monferrato as the 50^th UNESCO World Heritage Site of Italy, and check in at our agriturismo (a family-run “farm stay” combining agriculture and tourism).

Typically, agriturismi feature room and board in a farmhouse, which has been partially or totally transformed to provide accommodation and, in our case, also meals that we’ll enjoy tonight mostly featuring locally-sourced and organic ingredients.After your long flight feel free to enjoy some rest or join us on a nice walk in the vineyards to learn more about sustainability here!
Day 2 – Around Alba

Today we’ll visit the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences and the Bank of Wine in the Roman town of Pollenzo. Lunch will be at our agriturismo, where a local chef will demonstrate a Piedmontese recipe for us and we’ll savor the local cuisine.

Meet a truffle hunter and see him in action with his dog sniffing and rooting for truffles, while discovering the secrets of this noble and revered underground mushroom, the Tuber Magnatum Pico (the Latin name for ‘white truffle’). Today we’ll also visit a castle, which houses the local regional wine cellar and learn more about the local grapes grown here such as Nebbiolo, Arneis, Dolcetto and more!

Another highlight will be the Roman town of Alba, famous for Nutella, wines and truffle. Enjoy a stroll in town and join us for an exciting dinner at one of the restaurants listed in the guide book Slow Food Locande d’Italia, which features Italian regional cooking and reflects local flavor, character and sustainability, including Slow Food Presidia (projects protecting and promoting products at risk of extinction).
Day 3 – Around Acqui Terme

Today we visit the high Monferrato, an area nestled between the northwest coastal area of Liguria and the Langhe. The quaint Roman village of Acqui Terme, famous for its natural hot springs, is a perfect spot for a stroll. Today we’ll also stop in at a Slow Food Presidium of cheese as well as pay a visit to a local winemaker

Here, during lunch we can sample and savor not only the recipes of mamma Liliana but also the wines that this family has been making here for more than a century since when the great grandfather acquired this land.

Our food journey today concludes with a dinner celebrating local recipes and an array of regional wines. Here we can share our great memories and say “arrivederci” (see you again” in Italian) to the Langhe area because tomorrow we head to Turin!
Day 4 – Alba to Turin

On our way to Turin we’ll visit an historical Torrone (nougat) producer in Asti and discover how local and fresh ingredients can be combined to create such a yummy concoction. Allow some time for a stroll in this Roman town and lunch on own. Continue to Turin and after check in explore the city with a native and enjoy the magic atmosphere of its elegant historic cafés.

Turin is famous for housing the Holy Shroud since 1578 and for having been the seat of the Savoy dukedom for several centuries. Some of the royal residences have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If time allows we will visit them.

Our last three nights we’ll spend learning more about Slow Food, attending the Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre, and exploring the city all while savoring foods from local Slow Food Presidia at our exclusive gourmet dinners and visit the different booths at this exciting worldwide event.
Day 5 and 6 – Salone del Gusto in Turin

Food lovers from all over the world are here to enjoy the Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre as well. We’ll meet them, and also plenty of locals (Turineis in Piedmontese dialect) in the unique and elegant atmosphere of this Baroque first capital of Italy.

Don’t forget to contact us and book in advance your preferred Taste Workshop to discover national and international foods, meet producers, talk to experts and above all, enjoy biodiversity in a unique and exciting atmosphere!
Day 7 – Turin Airport

Post-Tour Extension to Lake Orta

Dates and Pricing

Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8

DATES (2 nights following our Piedmont or Lombardy Tours)
For dates, more info and availability please contact us.

TOUR PRICE
Per person in double occupancy: from $890
(tour price will vary and contingent upon availability of cozy agriturismi and 3-star hotels or more elegant 4-star hotels)
Single Supplement: from $170

In addition, we pledge to donate more than 1% of your trip price to food literacy and environmental non profit organizations
Day 1 – Turin or Milan Airport to Lake Orta

Your extension begins with a transfer to a local producer of Gattinara, another expression of the Nebbiolo grape grown in northern Piedmont. From here, continue on to Lake Orta and the quaint and romantic village along its shore that will serve as your base for the following two nights.

Perhaps enjoy a stroll through the tranquil town to get to know it better. Then it’s time to head up to the UNESCO site of the Sacred Mount of Orta. This climb will certainly help to work up an appetite for your lake fish dinner in town tonight.
Day 2 – Around Lake Orta

The following day spend exploring the surrounding countryside, enjoying panoramic views of both Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. Along the way, you will have the chance to stop at a local farm to visit and taste the farm’s own salami and cheese.

A short boat trip to San Giulio Island will top off your journey. Here, learn about the local monastery and indulge in the quiet atmosphere of the Walk of Silence before our last dinner at the end of an unforgettable experience in the beautiful Piedmont!
Day 3 – Milan Malpensa Airport

To request the itinerary as a PDF or to ask us any questions please contact us today!