Small group tour of 8 days and 7 nights. Indulge in world-class wines, a white truffle hunt, and scenic lake views on a luxurious Northern Italian escape.
Learn MoreExplore the rich culture of Northern Italy on this unforgettable journey through Piemonte and Lake Como. Begin with a walking tour of Turin, Italy’s first national capital. Discover the famed Barolo, Barbera, and Barbaresco wine regions, indulging in world-class wines and cuisine. Join a thrilling truffle hunt as the white truffle season begins, and meet a local cheese refiner – an “affinatore” -- specializing in aging fine cheeses. Then, head to picturesque Lake Como, where you’ll stay in the charming town of Tremezzo. Enjoy a day-long, private panoramic boat tour on the lake, visiting the iconic towns of Bellagio and Varenna. This tour promises a perfect blend of culinary delights, natural beauty, and cultural experiences.
Arrive on your own in Turin. Check-in at the 4-star Hotel Concord Torino in central Turin. Free afternoon. Meet in the lobby of the hotel for an orientation talk with your tour manager. Traditional Italian aperitif at a local cafè in Turin, with finger food and a drink. Dinner on your own. We will have plenty of restaurant recommendations in Turin.
Accommodation Hotel Concord Torino, in Turin Included Meals Pre-dinner Aperitif with Light BitesBreakfast and check out. Luggage will be stored at the hotel until afternoon. Enjoy an informative walking tour with our expert city guide through the elegant squares and streets of Turin, the former first Capital of Italy. Tasting of chocolate and coffee "Bicerin", in a historic coffee house. Free time for lunch on your own, shopping or to visit a museum. Transfer on our private bus to Alba in the afternoon. Check-in at the Hotel Calissano, in central Alba. Dinner is included in a traditional Piemonte restaurant within a walking distance of the hotel.
Accommodation Hotel Calissano, in Alba Included Meals Breakfast, DinnerBoard our bus to drive to the Barolo wine region. Enjoy a panoramic bus ride across the region and stop for a leisurely walk with your tour manager in the medieval village of Serralunga d’Alba, overlooked by the imposing and historic fortress. Visit the Costa di Bussia winery and enjoy a tasting of four wines including two unique single-vineyards. Costa di Bussia is a leading Barolo producer. Lunch on your own in La Morra or Barolo. Transfer to the Barbaresco region. Visit Montaribaldi Winery and enjoy a tasting of premium wines. Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own. We will have lots of restaurant recommendations.
Accommodation Hotel Calissano, in Alba Included Meals BreakfastDrive to the truffle farm (30 min.). Experience a truffle hunt with the farmer and his truffle dog. Enjoy a multi-course authentic home-made lunch in the cozy dining room of the farm. Truffles will be served in 2 of the 5 courses. Local wine is also included. Drive to Alba. Take a leisurely walk with your tour manager through medieval towers, Baroque churches, and explore on your own the vibrant shopping streets. Rest of the day is free time to relax. Dinner on your own. We will have lots of restaurant recommendations.
Accommodation Hotel Calissano, in Alba Included Meals Breakfast, LunchBreakfast and enjoy a late morning in Alba. Drive to the Monferrato hills in the countryside of Asti. Visit the aging cellar of a cheese refiner cellar and partake in a guided tasting of 12 types of cheese paired with jams, honey, wine, and a hot dish. Take a short transfer to Asti for a coffee break, gelato or traditional cookies from an artisanal workshop. Transfer to Alba and take time to relax. Short transfer to Barolo. Visit the historic cellar of Marchesi di Barolo, an iconic wine producer with over 200 years of history. A multi-course dinner is hosted in the private dining room of the winery, paired with various wine selections. Drive back to the hotel
Accommodation Hotel Calissano, in Alba Included Meals Breakfast, Cheese Tasting & DinnerBreakfast and check out of hotel. Drive to a family-run Barbera winery focused on the DOCG appellation Nizza and other local wines. After a tour of the vineyards and cellar, enjoy a traditional farmers’ lunch paired with wine tasting. Drive to Lake Como (3 hours). Take a stroll with the tour manager in the city of Como for a gelato and free time for shopping. Drive to the town of Tremezzo, located in the central lake district. Check-in at La Darsena, a boutique hotel built on the lakeshore opposite Bellagio. Enjoy a local pizza dinner on your own in town.
Accommodation La Darsena Hotel, in Tremezzo on Lake Como, lake-view rooms Included Meals Breakfast, LunchBreakfast on the lake.. Meet our local expert guide and board a private Venetian-style water taxi from the dock of the hotel. Take a panoramic boat tour in the bay of Lenno to spot some of the villas and towns. built on the lakeshore (about 30 min). Then, continue on foot on the Bellagio peninsula for an introduction to the local area’s history and step inside the iconic Villa Melzi’s private gardens. Arrive in the town center of Bellagio for an al-fresco lunch (on your own) and enjoy at your own pace exploring stores specializing in leather, silk and jewelry or sit in a café with spectacular views of the lake. The afternoon continues with a short boat ride to the town of Varenna located on the opposite side of the lake. Follow your tour manager on a walk to the upper town or enjoy free time and a gelato by the water. Arrive back at the hotel Enjoy a group farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant
Accommodation La Darsena Hotel, in Tremezzo on Lake Como, lake-view rooms Included Meals Breakfast, LunchGroup transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).
Included Meals Breakfast
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Sam Kimball is a WSET-trained sommelier and co-founder of Crush Wine Experiences, the NY area’s #1 food & wine experience company. He travels to Europe frequently on cultural and wine excursions to some of the continent’s leading wineries. As a wine professional who owns a wine retail store in the U.S., he knows the wines, culture, and local cuisine of Piemonte like no other. Before each trip, Sam performs a careful inspection of each stop, not stopping until he finds the most unique places with a true wow factor for moments that surprise and delight. Over the years, Sam has established himself as an insider at each destination to give his guests exclusive access and VIP treatment. Each authentic experience leaves no stone unturned–curating every last detail so you don’t have to! It’s not just about the places themselves, it’s about immersing yourself in the culture. With Crush Wine Experiences, Sam will take you behind the scenes to see each place in a never-before-seen light.
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Michael Keyles We attended the Tuscany 2022 and Sicily 2023 wine tours and they were fantastic! Sam is a great host and really knew how to maximize the enjoyment of everyone on the tour. He selected great wineries, restaurants and places to stay. He took us to places we would never have found on our own or on other tours. The selection of the local tour guides could not have been better. We have already signed up for 2024 Naples and 2024 Sardinia. I highly recommend Crush Wines Italy Tours!
Larry Harris Our tour of Tuscany was the highlight of an extended European vacation. The tour exceeded all expectations. The planning and execution were flawless. The choices for where to go and what to do were better than I ever could have done. Sam is an incredible host. Knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with. The destination guides were equally perfect as was the local tour host. We will definitely do another Crush Wine tour.
Irenka Jakubiak Sam offers the best wine tours and more. Every itinerary is thoughtfully planned and local guides provide the most memorable experience in every city. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each tour I’ve taken and am planning more in 2024. Tours taken include 2023 Flavors of Sicily Tour: Small group tour of 9 days and 8 nights traversing Sicily with a sommelier and expert local guide. 2021 Barolo and Barbaresco Tour: 8 days and 7 nights exploring Piedmont Italy.
