North Italy Fashion and Gourmet

Arrive Milan and Transfer to Hotel

Welcome to Italy, at the airport your private driver is waiting for you and will transfer you to your centrally located hotel.

Milan, with its various industrial sectors, it is considered the main industrial city in Italy. It is like a magnet for designers, artists, photographers and models.

It also has a beautiful and ancient town center dotted with palaces and monuments, a reason that pushes every day millions of visitors from all over the world to visit the city of charm.

Enjoy your free time exploring the city!! Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily, which is the largest and most heavily populated island in the Mediterranean.

The area has been under numerous dominators over the centuries, including Roman, Carthaginian, Byzantine, Greek, Arab, Norman, Swabian and Spanish masters. Due to this past, to the cultural exchange that for millennia has taken place in the area, the city is still an exotic mixture of many cultures.

Many of the monuments still exist giving the city somewhat unique appearance and the old town of Palermo is one of the largest in Europe, full of references to the past.

Palermo reflects the diverse history of the region in that the city contains many masterpieces from different periods, including romanesque, gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture as well as examples of modern art.

The city also hosts its rich vegetation of palm trees, prickly pears, bananas, lemon trees and so on. The abundance of exotic species was also noticed by the world-famous German writer Goethe who in April 1787 visited the newly opened botanical gardens, describing them as "the most beautiful place on earth".

Milan Walking Tour

Love art and architecture? Fascinated by Leonardo da Vinci and his masterpieces?

This guided tour is the ideal opportunity to delve into Milan’s fascinating Renaissance past. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you’ll uncover the secrets behind one of the most famous paintings in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

During your Renaissance tour of Milan, you’ll discover many important places.

You will experience the best of Milan, with your expert guide, you will venture into the fashionable district of Brera, known for its "shabby chic" and arty atmosphere.

Walking through the little streets, you will visit unique boutiques and very picturesque corners.

You will visit also the heart of Milan, departing from the Armani concept store and following your guide in the most fashionable streets of the city centre such as Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, and other little ones composing the Golden Quadrilateral, an area in the heart of Milan completely dedicated to luxury.

You will reach also the Duomo famous church. And then, the highlight of the tour is a guided visit of Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church, including viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

Fashion Workshop

Today, after breakfast, immerse yourself in this Milan shopping and school of design! This special combination will lead you to live first hand the top, yet hidden experiences the city of Milan has to offer you: come one, discover with us the latest Milano Fashion Tour proposal. You will walk one hour in the street of luxury, half an hour on Milan’s trademark trams and one hour in one of the most prestigious ateliers in the ultra-famous Corso Como. That’s how we do it… and we already know you will enjoy it to the fullest. Then, you will head a classy stroll in the street of the proverbial Fashion District, the Quadrilatero della Moda, if you want to say it as a true Milanese.

Your eyes will be filled with beauty: after all the art and the natural beauty the streets of the Capital of fashion have already unveiled for your curiosity pleasure, here there is the unique wit of the designers and their marvellous shopping windows, a modern gem the world looks up to when we think about class, and style and the future of elegance.

Not to mention the spectacular buildings and architectures that will surround you and your friends in this lovely walk in our company.

Second of all, you have to cruise the city like a true local, and with us you can be sure you will do it. So, let’s go, just hop on a tram on the historical centre line, the one that still sports trams with the roaring twenties interiors or the gentle Fifties ones from their wide windows, sit on the typical wooden benches, you will savor a number of city corners you will be surprised by. Urban beauty overload promised! It is also a good occasion to take a look at the Milanesi's street style and get inspired by their hugely admired understated elegance in every situation.

And third: browsing the chic Corso Como – make sure to take a look around, you can easily spot some celebrity here – we will escort you and your group of friends in the atelier of one of our fashion enfant prodige, today a relevant spokesperson for the highest Italian fashion standards.

But most importantly, here you will have the change to be part of our workshop experience. It means you will witness the in the making process of a pure Made in Italy creation. Fashion at its roots! You will create a piece yourself, you will live all the sensation, the emotions and the magic that comes from touching fabrics, admiring exclusive models and patterns… it does not get more insider than this!

Lake Como Gardens & Franciacorta Winery

Today, after breakfast awaits you a unique day to visit this enchanting Lake. You will explore Varenna’s historic centre and will visit a fascinating original winery where you can taste some local wine. You will visit also an enchanting botanic garden.

The tour starts from your accommodation and you will reach one of the beautiful place on lake Como: Varenna.

Varenna, with Celtic origins, steep alleys, colorful houses and beautiful churches, is the most charming town on the Lecco side of the lake. One of the three pearls of Lake Como, together with Bellagio and Menaggio has enchanted visitors over the years.

We will visit the church of San Giorgio, a true masterpiece of the 14th century famous for its black marble floor and its beautiful frescoes adorning the interior of the basilica.

We will then proceed to the tiny St. John the Baptist church, one of the oldest churches on lake Como dating back to the eleventh century. We will walk down ancient stone alleys passing by elegant cafes and artisan workshops finishing on the panoramic and romantic lakefront "passeggiata degli innamorati" (lover's walk), a beautiful walkway not to be missed. You will meeting local aristocratic family who will tell you their story. And finally, you will go to Franciacorta Wine district for a Champagne Italian wine tasting. Optionally you can lunch will be served in a lakefront restaurant where you will sample typical freshwater fish starters and delicious pasta (a non-fish menu will also be available).

Bernina Express

Crossing Valtellina Valley, you will have the opportunity to admire a landscape characterized by villages, castles, churches and, above all, the terraces dedicated to the cultivation of the vineyard.

Wine is one of the most prestigious products of this valley. Stop a Tirano for a visit to the village and take the opportunity to taste the local specialities of this region: pizzoccheri and bresaola. Later, clear the custom and get on board of the “Bernina Express red train” for a 2:30-hour breath-taking train ride along with one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world, through incredible landscapes made of lakes, peaks, glaciers.

Do not miss the opportunity to take a picture of the spiral viaduct of Brusio and the Morteratsch eternal glacier: landmarks of this great ride. Once in St Moritz, you can choose between a walk through the most prestigious international fashion stores, a promenade along the lake or simply sip a hot chocolate in one of the cafés of the village.

Finish your trip with a panoramic drive back to Milan across Graubünden, Bregaglia and Chiavenna valleys.

Transfer to Turin

Today, after breakfast, you will check out from your hotel to be transferred to your next fabulous destination, Turin.

You will make the transfer by business-class train and met at Turin station by a private driver and will transfer you to your centrally located hotel.

Turin is the capital of Piedmont and is known for the refinement of its architecture and its cuisine. To the north-west of the city the Alps rise up.

Sumptuous baroque buildings and old cafes line the avenues and the great squares of Turin, such as Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo. Nearby is the high spire of the Mole Antonelliana, from the 19th century, which hosts the interactive exhibitions of the National Cinema Museum.

Gourmet Walking Tour of Turin

Meet your guide to begin your delicious tour through this culinary wonderland.

Learn a bit about the history of Turin, which dates to ancient Roman times and was the first capital of a unified Italy. Find out about Piedmont's important culinary contributions. Stop into a selection of wonderful bars and restaurants to try some local favorites such as bagna cauda, agnolotti pasta, Barolo rice, and the region's famous truffles.

Indulge your sweet tooth with zabaione or a chocolate and hazelnut cream. Sip some of Italy's finest wines, like Barbaresco, Barolo, Barbera, and Asti. As you walk through Turin, pass by some of the city's important monuments and attractions.

Get tips from your guide about visiting places like the wonderful National Cinema Museum, the Royal Palace, or the Risorgimento Museum.

You will visit the Egyptian museum, is the world’s oldest Egyptian museum; founded in 1824, it ranks second only to Cairo. Dedicated exclusively to ancient Egyptian culture and art, the museum's collection has been the subject of interest for some of history’s most important scholars, for instance, Jean-François Champollion, decipherer of the Rosetta Stone.

To such is attributed the fact that Turin is considered to be the city where Egyptology began.

After you will visit the National Automobile Museum, currently named after Giovanni Agnelli, it is considered one of the most important and oldest automobile museums in the world.

Finally, you will go to the southern area of a Torino, next to the ex FIAT Lingotto factory where you will found Eataly, the temple for gourmand.

Its official date of birth is 2007. It is considered the starting point of the Italian food and wine revival, pride and joy of Torino, that is becoming more and more attractive.

The old Carpano plant, a milestone in the history of Vermouth (invented here) is nowadays a rare and precious place, where it is possible to discover the best products from all over Italy.

Turin - Free Time

Today, after breakfast you will have a free day to explore the city. I suggest you to Starting from Palazzo Madama, you can visit the Royal Palace, the Reinassance building, home of the first king of Italy.

Walkthrough the royal apartments, the Armory and the royal library! Next to the Royal Palace, there is the Duomo, which holds the Holy Shroud since 1578. The inside of the cathedral is a real gem of the Baroque Age, one of the most flourishing times in the Turin area.

Continue your visit at the Roman Quadrilateral, get lost in its alleys and reach Piazza San Carlo, the Turin's living room.

Then, see the wonderful Galleria Subalpina and walk along Via Po' before end your day with a funny visit at the Cinema Museum where you will have the opportunity to climb to the top of Mole Antonelliana!

Transfer to Alba

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Alba by private car and English speaking driver.

Piedmont Wine Tasting Experience

Today, after breakfast, a tour on the wine route of this enchanting region awaits you.

You will discover the production techniques of these fine wines known all over the world!

Home to UNESCO–listed wineries including Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero, Piedmont ranks among Italy’s most productive winemaking regions—but knowing where to find the best of them requires local knowledge. On this tour, spin through the countryside with your guide and visit some of the vineyards and cellars for which Piedmont is famous.

Sample the diverse wines in production and find out what makes Piedmont wines so special. Visit local wineries to sample wines like Dolcetto, Barolo and Barbaresco.

Lunch with a typical platter of locally-made cheeses and meats while you sip. Learn why the Piedmont vineyards of the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato are so special - they were named to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2014.

Barbera is the straightforward, easy-going charmer of Piedmont’s famed local grapes, Nebbiolo is the ornery intellectual: It may reward lovers with a deeper, more meaningful encounter—but not without a fight. Like Pinot Noir, the thin-skinned grape thrives in cooler climates. It’s often the first to bud and last to ripen, resulting in full-bodied wines with delicate aromas, yet intense tannins and high acidity.

In both farming Nebbiolo and experiencing it in the glass, there is nothing easy about this grape.

Which is why fickle Nebbiolo is perfect for expressing subtle differences in terroir— especially in the Langhe subregion of Piedmont, where soils and microclimates can differ greatly within a few footsteps. In fact, as in Burgundy, a single Langhe plot might be divided up amongst multiple vineyards.

Growing the grape in Barbaresco or Barolo will produce very different wines—even though the two famous DOCGs are only fifteen miles apart.

Barbaresco lies closer to the Tanaro River at a lower altitude; with its warmer temperatures, the region harvests its grapes earlier than Barolo.

Both regions have soils rich in lime and clay, but Barbaresco has sandier, less compact soils that are richer in nutrients, resulting in fewer tannins, and softer, more approachable wines than the heartier, firmer products of neighboring Barolo.

Chocolate and Castle Experience

Today you will savor the most sought after delights of Piedmont in this tour that takes you into the heart of the Barolo wine region. Discover the tastes of this territory!

Departing from your accommodation, your first stop will be the town of Cherasco that combines snail farming and fine chocolate production in a historic setting. Here you will visit a traditional chocolate producer and sample a variety of chocolates, including the renowned Baci di Cherasco.

Next stop is on to the imposing 13th century Castello di Grinzane Cavour; the castle's red brick profile can be seen from all over the Langhe.

Finally, you'll then head to the village of La Morra where you'll have time to shop or have lunch in a local restaurant.

Alba Free Time

Today, after breakfast, you will have free time to explore. I suggest you to visit the ancient city of Alba (it seems that the territory was inhabited already in the Neolithic age) rises to a large extent on the right bank of the river Tanaro, in a flat area surrounded by hills full of vineyards.

The municipality, although not very large, offers an innumerable range of attractions: places of art and religion, historic buildings, the famous towers and of course a remarkable gastronomic and wine tradition.

Located in Piazza Risorgimento, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo is certainly among the most important buildings of the city. The imposing religious building is in Gothic style and is built in characteristic red bricks.

Another beautiful religious building to admire in Alba is the Church of La Maddalena. In Piedmontese Baroque style, it is the work of the architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone.

Alba is also nicknamed the "city of one hundred towers" due to the high number of towers built in the past for defensive purposes (the city of Alba has often been the victim of looting).

Of the many towers today there are few left as many have been demolished and others lowered or incorporated into the surrounding buildings.

The three most important and best-preserved are all clearly visible from Piazza Duomo and are the Bonino Tower, the Artesian Tower and the Sineo Tower, all dating back to the 12th century.

Tour ends

After breakfast at your hotel, you will need to check out, because it is time to say “Arrivederci” to Italy! Your English-speaking driver will accompany you to Milan Airport for your flight back home.

We are sure you will have enjoyed your “Fashion and Gourmet” tour of Northern Italy and we sincerely hope to see you again soon for another delicious experience!