THE PERFECT VACATION FOR ITALIAN FOOD FANS
THE MONTALERO 8 DAY EXPERIENCE
So, if you love Italy … if you love Italian food … if you want a ‘behind the scenes look’ at this wonderful country … and if you’re searching for a fun, relaxing, high-quality holiday in the sun … then our food and wine experiences are for you. Think of your stay with us ‘as an English country house vacation in Italy’ – everything’s done right, but in a gentle, leisurely way and with a personal touch that makes you feel you’re among friends. So, while there’s organised cooking time and scheduled trips, there’s no pressure to conform which means you will have plenty of opportunities to ‘do your own thing’ – and if you need any help or advice, just ask, we’ll be there throughout your stay.
Fun in the kitchen
We’re very, very informal, and the atmosphere’s extremely relaxed so don’t worry about making mistakes. Everyone does. And there’s always someone on hand to get you back on track – all our courses are in English so there’s no language barrier to worry about.
Vacation Rates
- 8 day, 7 night cookery courses are €4,350 per person, excluding flights, insurance and personal expenditure. All local taxes are included.
- When 2 people book and share a double or twin-bedded room the rate is €4,150 per person. A saving of €400 for 2 persons.
- For guests not participating in the cookery courses but including the itinerary excursions, we can offer alternative activities to the classes, including bike rentals, golf, walking etc. Please request further details for non-participant activities.
- A deposit of €950 per person is payable on booking. The balance is payable 60 days prior to the arrival date.
- Bookings made less than 60 days before your arrival date must be accompanied by the full amount of the holiday cost.
Course Content
All Courses are taught in English.
- Our classes are led by experienced, local Italian chefs specialising in the cuisine of the Monferrato region.
- The classes are ‘hands-on’, not demonstrations and carried out in a specifically designed kitchen used only for our courses.
- The kitchen has work stations for 12 persons, each including food preparation area, cooking utensils, pans, etc. Hobs, ovens and sinks are shared.
- The classes are informal and intended to include a large element of fun as well as learning. These courses are for those in search of a fun and relaxing holiday with high standards of accommodation, food and wine.
- You will leave the course with a good working knowledge of food preparation of the Monferrato region, many good memories of associated excursions and experiences and you will also meet new friends.
- We use the highest quality ingredients for all food and wine experiences, sourcing most of our ingredients from local producers who share our values in using only sustainable methods of production and animal care.
Airport Transfers
- Private transfers from and return to Malpensa, Linate or Turin International airports are included in all of our tours at recommended pick-up and departure times.
- Guests will be met on arrival and taken by minibus for direct transfer to the Castello.
- Return transfers will take guests directly to the departure terminal, with assistance in locating baggage trolleys and check-in areas.
Come and stay with us
We’re Christopher and Kaarina Watkins and if you share our passion for Italian food, wine and culture, then we’d like to invite you to enjoy our Italian Food and Wine Experience in one of the country’s undiscovered regions – Monferrato. Monferrato’s part of Piemonte, which is now being called the new Tuscany for lovers of food and wine. So, while it’s not as well-known as other parts of north-west Italy, we think its culinary heritage is just as rich. We discovered and fell in love with Monferrato more than 25 years ago and, after countless visits here, it’s where we now live in a romantic medieval castle – Castello di Montalero. And we hope you’ll join us here as our guest on one of our Italian Food and Wine Experiences.
Accommodation and Facilities
- Our cookery courses vacations are 8 days from Saturday to Saturday and include 7 nights accommodation, all meals and beverages, escorted excursions and airport transfers. Alternatively, we offer a 5 day, 4 night vacation, also fully inclusive.
- 6 luxury double rooms with en suite bathrooms, totalling approx 45m2 (500 sq.ft.). Each room has either a double or two single beds, sofa with side tables, reading lamps in the room and at each bedside. Bedrooms each have a mini-fridge, and fresh tea and coffee making facilities.
- All rooms are heated and fitted with independent air conditioner units, with remote control to adjust temperature and timing.
- Bathrooms, are fitted with large shower cubicles, twin wash basins, WC, bidet, heated towel rail and comfortable chairs.
- Chambermaid service each morning, refreshing bedrooms and bathrooms, excluding Sundays.
- 14m x 6.5m south-facing pool with ample sun loungers, steamer chairs and sun parasols on the adjoining terraces.
- Large south facing first floor terrace where most meals are taken in season. A traditional private dining room with a single large dining table is used for late autumn or early spring evenings, or if guests prefer, to eat inside at any time during the year.
- Traditional drawing room with drinks tray where guests may relax, chat or read at any time during their stay.
- WiFi in all rooms.
Single Travellers
Our course itineraries and accommodation are well suited to singles travellers, who are particularly welcome at our courses.
Cook with best ingredients
This may be a 1,000-year-old castle, but our specially designed kitchens are modern and fully equipped, with utensils and food prep space at every work station. Hobs, ovens and sinks are shared. We use the highest quality seasonal ingredients, many of which you probably won’t have tasted before you and all part of the experience. Most come from local producers who share our values when it comes to sustainable methods of production and animal care.
What’s Included
- 7 nights luxury accommodationwith chambermaid service each morning, except Sundays.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, light refreshments, wines, bottled water, soft drinks, aperitivi, digestivi for the 8 day course.
- Free access to guests‘ ‘Healthy Snacks’ fridge
- 4 x 3.5 hour hands-on cookery lessons.
- 1 x 3.5 hour Italian bread, pizza and focaccia making lesson.
- Optional early morning Yoga session.
- All excursions detailed in the itinerary. Subject to change and to weather conditions.
- Lunch and wines at a local restaurant.
- Diploma of completion of the Montalero 8 day Italian Cookery Course.
- Castello di Montalero apron, corkscrew, recipes notebook and pen.
- Printed booklet of recipes learnt during the course.
- Private shared transfers from and return to Malpensa, Linate or Turin International airports are included in all of our tours at recommended pick-up and departure times.
- All local taxes.
Meals
- Breakfast each morning will typically include: brioche, fresh bread, home made and locally produced organic honey, jams and marmalades, local salamis and hams, local cheeses, cereals and muesli, fresh fruit, juices, herbal and regular teas, Italian, American or decaffeinated coffees.
- Lunches are included and will be largely dependant on the selected itinerary. For example, on cookery courses, we prepare lunches during the morning classes. A typical lunch might include fresh pasta or risotto, salads, vegetables etc.
- Dinners are included and will be served at the house most evenings. Dinners include several courses of locally sourced ingredients. Drinks and apperitivi are offered prior to dinner. Typically, dinner will include antipasti, pasta or risotto, meat or fish course, followed by desserts typical of the region and local cheeses.
- On the Sunday following arrival, lunch will be at Mongetto Dre Caste in Vignale Monferrato.
- All wine, bottled water, soft drinks, aperitivi, digestivi and light refreshments throughout the vacation are included.
- Where available, organic produce is used in all dishes prepared at the house.
- Montalero Cookery uses the highest quality ingredients for all food and wine experiences.
- We source most of our ingredients from local producers who share our values in using only sustainable methods of production and animal care.
- Food allergies, vegetarian and other dietary needs can be catered for. Please advise details with your booking.
What’s not included
- Flights.
- Travel insurance. It is recommended that you take out adequate travel insurance.
- Travel outside of the course itinerary.
Discover all this for yourself
We may not turn you into a Michelin star chef, but we promise you’ll leave us not just knowing how to cook the ‘Monferrato way’ but with many of fantastic memories and plenty of new friends.
Saturday
- Transfer from Malpensa International Airport
- Welcome drinks at Castello di Montalero
- Free-time to relax, sunbathe, swim, walk…..
- Aperitivi followed by dinner.
Sunday
- Leisurely breakfast.
- Lunch at Mongetto Dre Caste restaurant in Vignale Monferrato, followed by visit to the Mongetto wine cantina and infernot.
- Return to Castello to capture the last rays of the Italian sun by the pool, followed by a light, candle lit dinner on the terrace.
Monday
- Leisurely breakfast
- Cookery class – 9.00am until 13.00pm.
- Lunch of the day’s course theme.
- Afternoon break, sunbathe, swim, relax.
- Wine tasting at Vicara Rossignano
- Return to Castello for aperitivi and dinner.
Tuesday
- Leisurely breakfast
- Cookery class – 9.00am until 13.00pm.
- Lunch of the day’s course theme.
- Afternoon break, sunbathe, swim, relax.
- Wine tasting visit to Cantina Bava in Cocconato.
- Visit to local goat cheese producer, Casa Costa.
- Return to Castello for sommelier dinner and Nebbiolo wine tasting, including the story of Monferrato Nebbiolo.
Wednesday
- Leisurely breakfast.
- Early morning Yoga session – Optional
- Italian bread, focaccia and pizza making class – 09.30am until 13.00pm.
- Pizza lunch of the day’s course theme.
- Free afternoon. Sunbathe, swim, walk, relax……
- Or optional Visit to local Piemontese olive oil producer Piero Veglio in Patro
- Aperitivi and dinner.
Thursday
- Leisurely breakfast.
- Visit to local farmer’s market to purchase ingredients for today’s lunch and dinner.
- Afternoon cookery class over lunch and preparation of dinner.
- Aperitivi and dinner.
Friday
- Leisurely breakfast.
- Vegetarian cookery lesson 09.30 until 13.00
- Lunch of the cookery class theme.
- Visit to San Giovanni risotto rice farm.
- Return to Castello for Farewell Dinner.
Saturday
- Leisurely breakfast.
- Depending on flight, or rail timings, sunbathe, swim, relax, prior to departure by private transfer.
Subject to changes according to season, weather and availability.
Participants single occupancy
- All inclusive (except flights, travel insurance and personal expenditure)
- Luxury accommodation
- First class instruction & ingredients
Participants double occupancy
- All inclusive (except flights, travel insurance and personal expenditure)
- Luxury accommodation
- First class instruction & ingredients
Excellent Experience
Chef Beppe Sardi Cuoco is fine chef and a wonderful teacher. I learned a lot, met new friends, and had a wonderful birthday trip. It was an incredible and memorable experience.
(Susan R, Nov 2023)
First-rate food travel
You are transported to a truly special place, where time seems to move a little slower and each view is more stunning than the last. Comfortable accommodations, delicious meals and the opportunity to try new wines.
(Jennifer S, Oct 2023)
Not just cookery!
Yes the views were amazing but nothing can compare to the warmth and hospitality of the family run castello! This is a most special and memorable place to visit! And can’t wait to return! Thank you Chris, Kaarina and Charlie!
(Jane T, Oct 2023)
The Montalero 5 Day
Italian Cookery Course
5 day, 4 night cooking courses are €2,575 per person, single occupancy, or €2,425 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 €2,050 per person, single occupancy, or €1,950 per person double occupancy, excluding flights. All local taxes are included.
3 nights luxury accommodation with chambermaid service each morning, except Sundays.
“FOOD SHOULD BE FUN”
(Thomas Keller – American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook writer)
