A Food and Wine Adventure through Northern Italy
Dates: September 26 – October 3, 2018
Location: Arrive Milan’s Malpensa Airport depart from Venice Marco Polo Airport. Two nights in Verona, two nights in Modena, two nights in Valdobbiadene, one night in Venice
The Wine: Visits to wineries where winemakers themselves will greet us and treat us to the best they can offer; Franciacorta, Valapollicella, Amarone, Chianti, Prosecco and more. We’ll explore the entire range of wine, from local consortiums to world fabulous vintners. You’ll return with a solid appreciation of the grapes, the wines and the winemakers of Northern Italy.
The Food: We’ll taste the beautiful artisan foods of the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna like Polenta, Risotto, Tortelli, Balsamic vinegar of Modena, Parmegiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. In Verona we will visit a groundbreaking bakery, numbered among the best in Italy as well as making our own tortelli for lunch in a spectacular local restaurant. All our meals will be paired with the best local wines – maybe not breakfast
The People: Not only will you meet and learn with fascinating people in Italy, you’ll enjoy your fellow travelers. Trips in the past have included participants from all over the world, as well as Atlanta neighbors. You may find new friends and certainly great travel companions in our group!
Your Hosts: Healthy Chef Partyologist Nancy Waldeck hosts over 100 wine and food events every year, having fun translating the craft of pairing to eager audiences. A holder of the WSET 3 certificate from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, since 2015 she has shared her enthusiasm for travel, food and wine by leading small groups to interesting destinations. Demet Güzey writes about food history and culinary travel, lectures on Food Writing at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and teach Food and Culture at USAC Verona. She has a Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts, a Diploma in Gastronomy from University of Reims, and a Level 2 certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Demet lives in Verona with her husband and hosts frequent culinary courses in the area.
Cost: $3,700 pp/double occupancy – $400 single supplement. EARLY SIGNING BONUS: If you sign up and submit your deposit by March1st – you will receive a $200pp discount.
Includes: Ground transportation, hotel rooms, all breakfasts, 5 dinners, 5 lunches, all winery visits, tastings, admission fees, etc. Airfare and travel insurance are not included.
Deadline: $1,000 pp deposit due by May 1st.
The Program
Day 1 – September 26 Wednesday
Arrival in Milan Malpensa Airport, where we will greet you with our luxury van
First stop, Franciacorta where the owners will host us for a winery visit and lunch
Dinner and a two night stay in the historic Verona area.
Day 2– September 27 Thursday
Wine tasting day in Valpolicella!
Visit to THREE contrasting wineries to taste Valpolicella, Amarone and Ripasso wines for a full immersion experience. Lunch in Negrar
Visit to one of the Veneto’s most famous bakeries – for a behind-the-scene tour and tasting
Regionally focused dinner with wine pairings
Day 3– September 28 Friday
Tortelli making at a fabulous local restaurant. You’ll get hands on with the pasta making and then enjoy the fruits of your labor with wine at lunch.
Afternoon walk in Verona, guided by Demet
Drive and Dinner in Modena, famous for its balsamic vinegar and sports cars – a two-night stay in Modena
Day 4 – September 29 Saturday
Visit to a Parmegiano Reggiano producer, and a Balsamic vinegar producer to taste the culinary jewels of the Emilia Romagna region.
Visit Ferrari museum (optional or you can spend the day in Modena tasting touring and shopping)
Dinner in Modena on your own with our Suggested Restaurants List
Day 5– September 30 Sunday
Visit to FICO Eataly world, the recently opened agri-food park in Bologna dedicated to artisanal foods of Italy, with fields, factories, animals and restaurants all in one place, with lunch.
Drive to Valdobbiadene – Dinner featuring local specialties before a two-night stay in the terraced hills of the Prosecco region
Day 6– October 1 Monday
Prosecco Tasting in Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, Prosecco superior hills, a UNESCO world heritage site for their magnificent landscape of vineyards.
Lunch with everyone’s favorite sparkler!
Dinner in a local trattoria for regional food and wine.
Day 7– October 2 Tuesday
Drive to Venice, the capital of Veneto region, built on 100 small islands.
Guided Venice walking tour and a celebration lunch to conclude our culinary adventure
Free afternoon to explore and enjoy a light dinner in Venice on your own
Day 8– October 3 Wednesday
Departure from Venice airport.
We don’t believe in over-scheduling you; transit time and hotel transfers are kept to an absolute minimum. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.
If you’re in Atlanta, attend our pre-trip Food and Wine Tasting to prepare you for the fun to come!
The group is purposefully small. Our 14-person maximum includes your two host-guides. Seats have already been booked – so expect the remaining to book very quickly.
