OUR ITALIAN COOKERY VACATIONS INCLUDE ACTIVITES AND EXCURSIONS
ITALIAN COOKERY VACATION ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
These are some brief details of excursions and activities included, or available, in our Italian cookery vacations. All excursions are escorted and led in English.
WINE TOURS AND TASTINGS
Monferrato is the leading wine area of Piemonte. It includes the World famous zones of Barolo, Barbaresco, Gavi and many other lesser known zones producing wines of the highest quality. Wine tours are to relatively unknown local producers and to others of international repute, providing opportunities to taste their wines and to meet the winemakers. Tastings are often accompanied by light aperitivi.
INFERNOT ROUTE
Infernots were created under, or at the side of, wine cellars and originally used to store and age bottled wines, often for several years, until reaching maturity. They were mostly carved into the hard ‘Tufo’ stone, on which most of the Monferrato region lies. Nowadays, modern wine making techniques allow wines to mature in controlled conditions where bottling and aging is carried out more effectively. Many of the Infernots of Monferrato are now included in the newly created “UNESCO World Heritage” zone of Monferrato. Some are open to public viewing at certain times of the year and are a must see for wine enthusiasts
TRUFFLE HUNTING
Depending on the season (September – November), truffle hunting can be arranged, led by an experienced hunter with truffle hounds. You will join Pier Angelo, with his faithful hound, and explore the nearby ancient woods and meadows for the elusive white truffle. And remember – Finders Keepers!
WALKING AND CYCLING TOURS
The Monferrato has much to offer those guests with an interest in walking and cycling. Most agricultural land in Italy is freely open to walkers to roam at will, whilst acknowledging the need to show respect for the land and environment. Castello di Montalero is an excellent base for exploring the areas by walking or cycling, there being many tracks and minor roads nearby. For those seeking to explore the wonderful Monferrato countryside by bike, there is a rental shop in nearby Moncalvo where bikes can be rented by the day or the week. https://monferrato.bike For non participating guests, the bike rental costs are included in the rates.
Walking through nearby forests
Cycling along small roads through vineyards
FOOD MARKETS
Throughout Italy, food markets are held regularly each week in most larger villages and towns. They sell fruit and vegetables, cheeses, salamis, all produced and harvested from local sources and further afield. Despite of the growth of supermarkets, these markets are still actively supported. Within the cookery courses, a morning trip to a local food market is arranged where guests can assist in selecting and often tasting seasonal ingredients used in the courses and also in the preparation of meals at the house.
LOCAL PRODUCERS
Excursions to local organic producers of goats cheeses, salamis, bread, fresh pasta and to local butchers and enoteca. Visits to the world renowned Italian food and wine store Eataly in Turin or Milan can also be arranged.
GRAPE HARVESTING
For autumn/fall tours, vendemmia mornings will be available, subject to weather and timings of the harvest, where guests can join a grape harvest team in collecting grapes. A great way of relaxing and taking in the atmosphere of the peaceful vineyards.
GOLF
In Monferrato, there are opportunities to discover several local golf courses, including: Margara Golf Club https://www.golfmargara.it/en/ and Golf Club Feudo d’Asti http://www.golffeudoasti.it
ASTI PALIO
The famous and exciting Palio d’Asti is usually run in early September each year. We can arrange trips for those interested in experiencing this unusual Italian festival of 21 horses racing through a short course around the Piazza Alfieri, in the centre of the historic Roman town of Asti. Each horse represents one of the many parishes of the town of Asti and other nearby towns and villages. The competition is fiercely contested and an exciting, although brief, spectacle to watch. This event has been held since the 13th century and is enthusiastically attended by locals, so important to book well in advance for seats. Trips are for minimum 6 persons and bookings for this event should be made by June 2020. The trip is an included option and will take the place of one of the other Itinerary excursions, subject to seat availability and sufficient numbers of guests booking.
The Montalero 8 Day
Italian Cookery Course
8 day, 7 night cooking courses are €4,150 per person, single occupancy, or €3,850 per person, double occupancy, excluding flights. All local taxes are included.
7 nights luxury accommodation with chambermaid service each morning, except Sundays.
The Montalero 5 Day
Italian Cookery Course
5 day, 4 night cooking courses are €2,400 per person, single occupancy, or €2,200 per person double occupancy, excluding flights. All local taxes are included.
4 nights luxury accommodation with chambermaid service each morning, except Sundays.
The Montalero 3 Day
Italian Cookery Course
3 day, 3 night cooking courses are €1,875 per person, single occupancy, or €1,775 per person double occupancy, excluding flights. All local taxes are included.
3 nights luxury accommodation with chambermaid service each morning, except Sundays.