Castles & Wine: Italy

Our journey continues into the breathtakingly beautiful Barbaresco region, where densely planted vineyards line the steep hillsides like meticulously tended gardens. At our first stop, we dive into the magic of Barbaresco with a tasting at one of the region’s most acclaimed wineries, including a glimpse into its remarkable cellar. Our next visit takes us deeper into another historic cellar, where you'll learn about 'crunchy bubbles' and the classic method of crafting sparkling wine.

After lunch, we’ll enjoy a relaxed visit to the charming town of Barbaresco and its regional wine shop. Here stands the tallest tower in the region, a lasting remnant of a former castle. From Barbaresco, we continue to Alba, the region’s bustling trade center and host of the world’s oldest White Truffle Fair, taking place during our visit. You’ll have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of truffles, from traditional truffle hunts to the art of preparing this prized delicacy. Enjoy dinner on your own in Alba before we return to the hotel.

Today, Barolo takes center stage as we explore the region, moving from village to village and taking in the charm of the towns and the grandeur of the landscapes. Our first castle visit of the trip is to Grinzane Cavour, where we’ll enjoy an inside tour and browse its own wine shop—a perfect stop in the heart of Barolo country. We’ll also have immersive visits with two esteemed winemakers, one in La Morra to the north and another in Monforte d'Alba to the south. These visits will serve as a Master Class in cultivating Nebbiolo grapes and crafting exceptional Barolo wines.

Today’s lunch offers a special treat—a panoramic view of vineyards draping the rolling hills. We return to Barolo in time for you to explore the charming and quirky Corkscrew Museum. Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Heading south, we visit the heart of the wine cooperatives in southeastern Piedmont, where small, family-run vineyards thrive. Our first stop is the regional wine house in Nizza Monferrato, where you’ll have the chance to taste some of the finest Barbera wines. We then continue to the charming town of Gavi, celebrated for its renowned Gavi di Gavi, a distinguished white wine made from the Cortese grape. After lunch in Gavi, we’ll visit the local cooperative’s wine house before departing Piedmont.

Our scenic drive through Liguria takes us along the stunning Mediterranean coastline, renowned for its pesto, fresh seafood, and exceptional olive oil. We arrive in La Spezia, our home for the next two nights, just in time for a special treat: a visit to an olive oil producer. Tonight, we’ll gather for a group dinner in La Spezia.

Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 and a must-see for many travelers, consists of five vibrant fishing villages nestled along the Ligurian coast. Each town boasts its own unique charm and beauty. Rather than rushing to visit all five villages in one day, we choose a more relaxed and photogenic approach by exploring the two most stunning towns by boat. This allows for more quality time in each village and offers breathtaking views from the sea.

We begin our day with a visit to the charming town of Porto Venere, a favorite haunt of renowned writers and poets. From there, we’ll take a boat to Vernazza, officially recognized as one of the most picturesque towns in Italy. You’ll have approximately three and a half hours to explore the town and enjoy lunch, with many of the best photo opportunities located in the surrounding hills. Afterward, we’ll board a boat to Manarola, where you’ll have two hours to uncover the secrets of this fascinating fishing village. We’ll catch the last boat back to La Spezia, where you can enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Castles are built from stone, but palaces are crafted with a more luxurious material: marble. Today’s first special treat is a visit to the renowned Carrara marble quarries, perched high above the Mediterranean at the edge of Tuscany. Michelangelo famously carved Carrara marble, and this exquisite stone was used in the construction of landmarks such as the cathedral in Pisa and the U.S. Capitol Building. We’ll explore the history of this versatile stone and gain an up-close view of how it is cut and transported, taking 4x4 vehicles with local guides deep into the mountains.

Our second highlight today is the enchanting walled hill town of San Gimignano, famed for its well-preserved medieval architecture and iconic skyline. Surrounded by seemingly endless olive groves and vineyards, San Gimignano is also the birthplace of the celebrated Vernaccia white wine. We arrive in time for lunch and have a few hours to explore this beautifully preserved medieval town. Afterward, we continue to our hotel in central Tuscany, where we’ll settle in for the next five nights. This evening, enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant featuring authentic Tuscan cuisine.

Day 7 is dedicated to exploring the breathtaking hills and valleys of the Val d'Orcia region, Tuscany's most photographed landscape. The drive itself is peaceful and picturesque. Our first stop is the charming town of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its Renaissance architecture and known as the unofficial capital of pecorino cheese. From Pienza, we’ll continue on to the enchanting town of Montepulciano, stopping along the way to capture photos of Tuscany’s iconic cypress trees.

Montepulciano, an impressive hilltop town with a blend of medieval and Renaissance charm, is a gem of unique beauty. Set high above a postcard-perfect landscape of vineyards, grain fields, olive groves, and cypress trees, it is the quintessential Tuscan town. This area is also among the world’s finest wine-making regions and the birthplace of the prestigious Vino Nobile - our first encounter with the esteemed Sangiovese grape. We’ll have the entire afternoon to explore Montepulciano, including a visit to one of the city’s premier wineries. Upon returning to our hotel, you’ll have the evening free to enjoy dinner on your own.

The flexible design of our Castles & Wine Italy tour tailors the Day 8 itinerary to the version you’ve chosen — whether it’s the full tour, the first week only, or the second week only. All three versions include a visit to the charming hilltop town of Orvieto in Umbria. A true Italian gem, Orvieto offers a blend of history, art, culture, natural beauty, and its own renowned white wine, Orvieto Classico. Each tour variation allows ample time to stroll the picturesque streets and enjoy lunch. We’ll also make a special stop at a nearby winery, where you’ll enjoy excellent wines and pleasant views of the town.

The full tour version does offer some other options. Please see the Extensions tab for details on the itineraries of each version of the tour.

Chianti Classico is perhaps Italy's most iconic wine and certainly the best-selling red from Tuscany. We dedicate an entire day to exploring the Chianti region, where we’ll experience the exquisite vintages crafted from the revered Sangiovese grape. Though Chianti may not boast the dramatic landscapes of Barolo or Val d'Orcia, it holds its own charm, with a picturesque mix of dense forests, rolling vineyards, patterned olive groves, and quaint, rustic villages.

Our journey begins in the north, working our way south through the heart of Chianti. We start with a tasting at a picture-perfect castle winery, then pause for a coffee break in the charming town square of Greve in Chianti. From there, we make our way to the enchanting hilltop town of Radda in Chianti, surrounded by vineyards, where we’ll enjoy a memorable wine-pairing lunch. Afterward, there's time to explore the town's boutiques or visit a cozy winery bistro. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the historic Castello Brolio, birthplace of the Chianti appellation. Upon returning to our hotel, the evening is yours to relax and dine at your leisure.

Our final full day in Tuscany! Have we saved the finest expression of the Sangiovese grape for last? That’s for you to decide, but Brunello di Montalcino is undoubtedly one of the world’s most acclaimed wines. Today, we embark on an in-depth journey into the heart of Brunello in the charming medieval town of Montalcino.

But first we begin with a drive a bit further south to the Maremma region near Grosseto, where the Etruscans once cultivated wine. Here, we visit the quaint hillside town of Scansano, birthplace of Tuscany's best kept secret, Morellino di Scansano. At the regional wine house, we’ll uncover the nuances of this unique, sea-breeze-infused vintage made from the beloved Sangiovese grape.

Then it’s back to Val d'Orcia and Montalcino, where we have over four hours to immerse ourselves into the town and the world of Brunello, Italy’s longest oak-cask-aged wine. After a leisurely lunch, we delve deeper into this renowned appellation at the Brunello Winegrowers Consortium, where we’ll gain insight into the terroir, craftsmanship, and dedication behind this exceptional wine. You’ll also have time to wander the town and taste the fruits of its rich wine tradition. We’ll return to our hotel in the evening, where you’re free to relax and enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Our journey brings us to Emilia-Romagna, the birthplace of many of Italy's most iconic foods and renowned pasta specialties that have captivated the world. Our first stop is the enchanting Rocchetta Mattei, a beautifully restored 19th-century fairy-tale castle. Built by an eccentric nobleman who gained fame as a self-taught healer, this unique structure is an eclectic blend of architectural styles, forming a mesmerizing maze of hallways, staircases, and hidden passages.

We then pause for lunch in the picturesque hills west of Bologna, where a unique microclimate nurtures thriving vineyards. This area is home to Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto, one of only two DOCG wines in Emilia-Romagna. By mid-afternoon, we reach Parma, where we’ll enjoy a food and wine tour through the heart of the city, followed by time to unwind at our hotel before an indulgent wine-pairing dinner. In Emilia-Romagna, every meal is a celebration of quality ingredients, artisanal traditions, and masterfully balanced flavors, making it a true paradise for food lovers.

This morning, we’ll visit an official Parmigiano Reggiano producer for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the creation, storage, and handling of this remarkable cheese. Experience the rich sensory journey of Parmigiano Reggiano production and discover how a thousand years of tradition, craftsmanship, and passion come together to produce a truly inimitable dairy masterpiece.

Our next stop is Mantua (Mantova), a treasure trove of Italian art and architecture, where we’ll explore the stunning Ducal Palace before enjoying lunch. This palace is Italy’s largest architectural museum complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, we head to the captivating city of Verona, often called the “Gateway to Italy.” Known for its vibrant history, culture, music, and architecture, Verona invites us to explore its old town on a walking tour. We’ll visit notable sites, including the Roman amphitheater, Castelvecchio (the old castle), and, of course, Juliet's famous balcony. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special dinner to conclude an unforgettable day.

We begin the day with a visit to the extraordinary Castello Scaligero, a striking 14th-century fortress set on a narrow peninsula along the southern shore of Lake Garda. This beautifully preserved castle, surrounded by water, showcases classic medieval architecture—imposing, powerful, and monumental. After exploring the castle's impressive interior, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the lake, arriving in Bardolino for a relaxing lakeside lunch, naturally paired with a fine Bardolino vintage.

Our afternoon is devoted to the distinguished Amarone, the crown jewel of Valpolicella wines. Crafted uniquely from dried grapes, Amarone is renowned for its remarkable aging potential and complex flavor profile. Amidst Valpolicella’s rolling hills, we’ll visit two esteemed producers of this richly fruity yet dry, velvety, full-bodied wine. Tonight, you’ll have time to explore Verona and enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Today, we head west along the Strada del Franciacorta, a scenic wine trail winding through rolling hills dotted with patchwork vineyards, towers, castles, and charming stone villages, leading to the southern shores of Lake Iseo. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Franciacorta’s celebrated sparkling wines, crafted in the traditional méthode champenoise. We then travel along picturesque back roads to Bergamo, a lively city with a medieval core. Taking a funicular to the historic upper town—protected by impressive Venetian walls — we’ll explore and enjoy lunch. You may want to sample some unique local dishes, such as capù (gratin-stuffed cabbage dumplings), polenta taragna, or casoncelli, a beloved stuffed pasta.

Our journey continues with a scenic stop at Lake Como, where we’ll pause for a cappuccino and photos before arriving at our country manor hotel north of Milan’s airport. You’ll have ample time to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s flight before we gather for a memorable farewell dinner on the beautiful shores of Lake Varese.

It’s time to say Arrivederci as we take you to Milan Malpensa Airport for your journey home.