Culture and passion for food and wine. That is the main common denominator of the three different territories that you will explore during your journey.
You will be captured by the spectacular views with rolling hills, picturesque hamlets and vineyards as far as the eye can see.
Learn about the Piemontese wines and their “king” Barolo in the Langhe and discover between hills, castles and monasteries the beauties of the Oltrepò Pavese, one of the most well-kept secrets of Italy.
Get deep in the “Food Valley”, where some of the signature ingredients of Italian gastronomy, such as Parmesan and Parma ham, are produced and you will be spoiled with the Emilian cuisine.
7 nights & 8 Days
From Piedmont down to Emilia
A fantastic food trail across three regions where some of the country’s most iconic delicacies originate
Chef
Dennis Cesco
Chef
At only 16, Dennis Cesco’s passion for cooking took him to follow a professional path starting from the most humble roles in the kitchen brigade to working alongside the most famous international chefs. He worked with Michelin star‘s chef Alain Solivérès, Yannick Alléno and Christoph Pelé. In 2013, he became the favourite pupil of Chef Damiano Nigro who, in 2021, handed over to him the kitchen of the DaMà, the Relais Villa D’amelia restaurant
Restaurant
Journey
Day 1 – Arrival
A relaxing welcome drink followed by dinner at Villa d’Amelia, a renovated nineteenth-century “Cascina in the heart of the Langhe between lush woods and with a magnificent view of the Alps and the soft hills of Barolo.What a perfect starting point for your food and wine experience !!!!
Overnight at Villa D’Amelia
Day 2 – Along the Wine Route of Barolo, the King of the Italian wines
Discover this surprising territory rich in culture but most of all in food and wine. you will visit the elegant Alba and family-run winery Pio Cesare. End your morning in Alba with a three Star Michelin lunch at Piazza Duomo with a tasting menu created by the renowned chef Enrico Crippa. Let’s go to the countryside driving through The Unesco Landscape of the Langhe and stop in the charming towns of Barolo, La Morra e Vergne before ending your day with a wine tasting at GD Vajra winery.
Overnight at Villa D’Amelia
Day 3 – Along the Wine Route of Barbaresco, the Queen of the Italian wines
Do you know why the town of Neive is listed among the most beautiful Villages in Italy? This is one of the many things you will discover today driving along rolling hills and vineyards as far as the eye can see. A day in the Barbaresco region and in the highest, most pristine part of the Langhe, the Alta Langa. You will learn about the Barbaresco wine, at the winery Francone in Neive and discover the secret of the “Sparkling Metodo Classico or Champenoise” production of the Alta Langa Docg at the Serafino winery.
Overnight at Villa D’Amelia
Day 4 – Oltrepò Pavese
It’s time to say goodbye to Piedmont and continues towards the Lombardy region. Visit the elegant Pavia and have lunch at before continuing to one of Italy’s best-kept secret: The Oltrepò Pavese. A delightful triangle of land with rolling hills, spectacular panoramic views, castles, medieval villages and monasteries, and excellent wineries still to be discovered by wine enthusiasts from all over the world. Tonight you will stay at the Prime Alture wine resort. You will be welcomed with a wine lesson where you can sip the best wines while learning to recognise their colours, aroma, and flavours and end your day with a delightful dinner paired with wine.
Overnight at Prime Alture
Day 5 – Emilia and the Food Valley
Today we explore the famous “Food Valley” where some of the signature ingredients of Italian cuisine are produced. Learn how the Parmigiano Reggiano is made at the Caseificio Montecoppe; enjoy the panorama of the vineyards from the terrace of Monte delle Vigne winery while sipping a nice glass of Lambrusco and visit Torrechiara Castle while you will learn about the love story behind its construction.
Being in the heart of the “Food Valley,” you can not miss the opportunity to learn the secret of Emilian cuisine with a cooking class followed by dinner with the chef of Corte Finzi.
Overnight at Corte Finzi.
Day 6 – Parma and its great cured meats
Culatello, Parma ham and much more traditional cured meat. That is what you will taste during the visit at the producer Antica Ardenga in Soragna. After lunch continue to Parma. See the city centre’s main highlights and discover why Parma has been recognized by U.N.E.S.C.O. as the first and only Creative City of Gastronomy in Italy and the Italian Capital of Culture 2020.
Overnight at Corte Finzi
Day 7 – Modena, Balsamic Vinegar and more
Start your day strolling around Modena city centre, a city rich in culture and history, before indulging in a lunch at La Badessa in San Donnino. In the afternoon discover all the secrets of Modena’s Black Gold on an exciting journey through the barrels of Acetaia Leonardi.
The day draws to its close, and so our journey. At the Corte, Finzi will be waiting for you to say goodbye with a superb Barbeque dinner !!!
Overnight at Corte Finzi
Day 8
It is time to say goodbye and see you soon for your next journey!!!!!
Partner Hotels
A charming hotel set in a converted 19th-century farm estate amid vineyards and historic hamlets in Piedmont’s beautiful Langhe wine district. There’s a panoramic pool, a revitalising wellness area and a Michelin-starred restaurant taking on a gastronomic journey through the region’s flavours.
A fabulous getaway for wine fans, set in Oltrepò Pavese, one of Italy’s largest wine-producing districts. It’s well off the beaten track, yet only 50 km from Milan, with acres of lush vineyards, cozy rooms, a relaxing pool, spa facilities, and excellent traditional dining.
Just thirteen kilometers from the center of Parma arises Corte Finzi. Nestled in the colors and scents of the Parma hills, the stables of this rustic eighteen century stone farmhouse have been transformed into an intimate and warm guest house in the heart of the "food valley" known as Val Baganza, home and farmland of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
