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VINEYARDS and GASTRONOMY of NORTHERN ITALY
PIEDMONT, LAKE GARDA and BOLOGNA
October 12 - 24, 2011
Travel Broker Tours invites you to join Rose Tomassini on an wonderful Gastronomic 11 Night tour program of Northern Italy.
This tour will immerse you in the region's Food and Wine Culture with time to savour the local culture, history and cuisine. Along with private visits to wineries, specialty meals you will have time for person exploration of the beautiful old towns we will be visiting. This tour is fully escorted by Rose Tomassini for Travel Broker Tours.
Turin (Torino) - is a wonderful, ancient city where each moment of history has left its mark. From the disciplined grid system implemented by the Romans, its Baroque and Cultural facilities first put into place by the Savoy dynasty in the 16th century, to its role as the first capital of the Unification - it is still a city of extraordinary style, charm and elegance.
Acqui Terme - has been a flourishing spa town since Roman times due to its therapeutic waters. The surrounding area is scattered with hot springs the main one in Piazza della Bollentre, right in the centre of town. Here the water gushes out at a constant temperature of 167F. During the 'Belle Epoque', Acqui became one of the most frequented spas of Europe, hosting the likes of Winston Churchill and European Royal families. The town has retained the atmosphere of a gracious and cultured centre bringing its charm and sophistication into the 21ts century.
Bologna - is surrounded by hills and still bound by 14th century walls and 12 beautiful gates. With a population of only 600,000, is a city built on a human scale, in which people still live and work in the well-preserved historic heart. It still looks much as it was during the Renaissance with dusky red coloured buildings, wide piazzas, 16th century fountains and a stunning network of marble-floored arcades (covered walkways 24 miles of them!) with ancient shops of traditional bakers, chocolate makers, cheese shops and wine bars alongside beautiful piazzas, churches and museums in this thriving university town.
One of Bologna’s favourite ways to keep in touch with its past is through Food – the style, the quality, the tradition, the indulgent enjoyment of it. Bologna is the motherland of home made pasta where tagliatelle, lasagna and tortellini are the favourites. The preparation is second nature and truly an art form. Surrounded by rich agricultural land where artisan farms and factories produce time honoured specialties such as Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Our Program
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Tour EscortRose Tomassini
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Highlights
- Travel through rolling Piedmontese countryside
- 4 nights in the ancient Spa town of Acqui Terme with full spa facilities
- Visit to winery in Alba during the White Truffle Festival
- 4 nights right on Lake Garda in the beautiful Italian Lakes region
- Special gastronomic lunches and dinners
- Opportunity to shop at the Merlini Mushroom factory for fresh dried porcini
- Visit and tasting at an artisan Balsamic Vinegar estate
- 2 nights in Italy's Gastonomic capital of Bologna
Detailed Itinerary
WED October 12th, Depart HOME CITY
You depart on your international flight (not included in tour price) to Turin, Italy. As a full service travel agency, we are happy to assist you to arrange your flight and transfer details from your home city to join this tour.
Day 1: THURS October 13th, Arrive in TURIN
Benvenuti! Airport transfers are available. Upon arrival at our hotel we will be met by our Tour Director. You will have time to relax this afternoon before enjoying a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with our Tour Director and fellow travellers. Meals: (D) Welcome Dinner
Day 2: FRI October 14th, ACQUI TERME
After breakfast, we travel through Piedmonts rolling countryside to Acqui Terme, our home for the next four nights. We stay right in the centre of this lovely city and our hotel has a full service spa where treatments can be booked or you can arrange to just enjoy the gorgeous indoor thermal pool each day after return from the day's touring. Dinner will be served at our hotel this evening. Meals: (BD) Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: SAT October 15th, ACQUI TERME
After breakfast, we will visit Alba, home of the famous 'white truffle'. We are just in time for the annual 'Truffle Festival' offering all the pageantry of medieval times including grand period costumes and 'sbadierata'. (Intricate flag tossing). This festival celebrates the 'trifula bianca'. There are over 100 qualities of truffles, but the most famous are the white truffles of Piedmont. In the afternoon, we will drive through beautiful vineyard countryside to visit the cellars of one of favourite Piedmont wineries. Our tasting here will feature the 'King of Wines - Tthe wine of Kings' - Barolo. Meals: (B) Breakfast
Day 4: SUN October 16th, ACQUI TERME
Today we travel to Cocconato d'Asti where we spend the morning at a discount outlet that has the latest fashions for the entire family at great prices. Terrific Christmas shopping opportunities! We will enjoy a typical Piemontese lunch with wine in a lovely agritsurismo in Robella. This afternoon we will visit the Castle of Razzano where we end the visit in their wine cellars with a tasting of famous Barbara wines. Meals: (BL) Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: MON October 17th, ACQUI TERME
This morning, we are free to enjoy the lovely Piemontese countryside. Tonight we have arranged dinner in a favourite restaurant in Acqui Terme. Meals: (BD) Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: TUES October 18th, ACQUI TERME - ITALIAN LAKES (SIRMIONE)
After breakfast we leave Acqui Terme and travel towards Lake Garda. Our route will take us through Milan, capital of the region of Lombardy. The city was founded under the name Medhlan, by the Insubres Celtic people. It was later captured in 222 BC and became successful under the Roman Empire. Our panoramic orientation tour shows us the Cathedral, the Duomo, 'La Scala' Opera House and the Santa Maria Della Grazia. Afterwards, we arrive in Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda. The lake and the shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona, Brescia and Trento. We check into our hotel in Sirmione for the next four nights. Dinner will be served at our hotel this evening. Meals: (BD) Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: WED October 19th, ITALIAN LAKES
Today we explore the town of Sirmione, a commune in the province of Brescia. It is bounded by the communes of Desenzano del Garda and Preschira del Garda. It was a possession of Republic of Venice from 1405 to 1797 when it was acquired by the Hapsburg Empire. It became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. We see Scaliger Castle, Santa Maria Maggiore and the Church of San Pietro in nearby Mavino. In the afternoon we enjoy lunch at a local winery in the Lombard countryside. Meals: (BL) Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: THURS October 20th, VERONA EXCURSION
After breakfast we will take the steamer of this beautiful lake to another of its favourite lakeside towns - Bellagio. Often referred to as 'Bella Bella Bellagio' it claims to be one of the most beautiful sites in Italy - spilling over the promontory in the very centre of Lake Como it is as charming as its setting; steep, stepped lanes of handsome old houses, ornate balconies spilling over with flowers and an endlessly fascinating waterfront. At the very middle of the lake it is just delightful to watch the waltz of the ferries gliding to and fro over the mountain-bound lake. Meals: (BL) Breakfast and Lunch
Day 9: FRI October 21st, VICENZA and BASSANO del GRAPPA EXCURSION
First we're off to the ancient Roman town of Vicenza, a cosmopolitan city rich in culture and history. The city came under the rule of Venice in 1404 and its subsequent history is that of Venice. It was besieged by Emperor Sigismund and Maximilian I held possession of it in 1509 and 1516. We visit the Piazza dei Signori and the Corso Andrea Palladio. Later, we travel to Bassano del Grappa to visit this town famous for its white brandy and covered bridge. We visit a nearby winery for a private tasting before returning to Sirmione where we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Meals: (BD) Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: SAT OCTOBER 22nd, ITALIAN LAKES - BOLOGNA
Our journey continues as we make our way to Sommacampagnia, home of the Merlini Mushrom Company. We stop at the store with the opportunity to buy dried porcini mushrooms, some of the highest quality in Italy.
As they can be purchased dried and sealed we can bring them back to Canada. Later, we arrive in Modena on the south side of the Po Valley. The city has automotive history and a diversified cuisine. We enjoy a lunch with balsamic vinegar tasting. Modena is the origin of the condiment and has been producing it since the middle ages. After this highlight lunch, we arrive at our hotel in Bologna for the next two nights.
Meals: (BL) Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: SUN OCTOBER 23rd, BOLOGNA
Today our local expert shows us Neptune's Fountain and the Kissing Towers. We make our way to Dozza, an Italian commune, known for its festival of the painted wall, which takes place every two years. We enjoy wine tasting at a nearby estate before returning to Bologna. This evening, we celebrate the end of our tour together with a Farewell Dinner with wine in a local restaurant. Meals: (BD) Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Day 12: SUN October 24th, DEPART BOLOGNA - HOMEWARD BOUND
After breakfast our program is complete. This morning it's 'buon viaggio' to your Tour Director and new found friends, as your tour comes to an end. Airport transfers are available. Meals: (B) Breakfast
Pricing:
Prices are in (CAD $) per person based on sharing a: |
Twin/Dble |
Single |
Land Tour - October 12 to 24, 2011 |
$3,889.00 |
On Request |
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Tour Inclusions:
- Hotel Accommodation: 11 Nights accommodation with private bath facilities.
- Meals: Breakfast Daily, 4 Lunches and 6 Dinners (including Welcome and Farewell dinners).
- Transportation & Sightseeing: All transportation and sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Fully Escorted: Rose Tomassini of Travel Broker Tours will travel with the group throughout the entire tour.
- Taxes: Local taxes on all included ground transportation, hotel accommodation and meals.
Tour Exclusions:
- International flights and airport transfers in Turin, Italy and return from Bologna, Italy are not included in the above pricing but can be arranged with Travel Broker Tours, A division of The Travel Broker and Cruise Centre.
- Personal Insurances (travel, baggage, cancellation, etc.)
- Passport & Visa Fees and Immunizations.
- All beverages (except coffee or tea at breakfast)
- Personal Charges (excess baggage fees, laundry, souvenirs, personal hotel charges, etc.)
- All optional excursions or deviations from the itinerary.
- Any item not mentioned in the itinerary or in the inclusions above.
- Tips or gratuities
Deposits and Final Payments:
- Deposits: At time of booking CA$500.00 per person + insurance premium if applicable.
- Final Payment: Final payment by July 15, 2011. Payments may be made by personal cheque, Visa or Mastercard
Return International flights are not included in the above tour but can be arranged with Travel Broker Tours.
For more information or to register for this tour please contact Debbie Lloyd at:
Travel Broker Tours
A division of The Travel Broker & Cruise Centre
1758 Bath Road Kingston, ON Canada
Telephone: 613-389-7914 or 1-800-387-7678
Email: deblloyd@thetravelbroker.ca
