WHATSCOOKIN in Piedmont
with Britt Bunyard
SEPT 25TH - OCT 7TH 2018 (Extra 3-day extension)
SEPT 28TH - OCT 7TH 2019
Program
3-day extended tour
Vercelli (3 nights)
Wed Sept 25 (extended stay)
Pick up at Milan-Malpensa International Airport at an hour to be established once everyone’s flight schedules are in. We recommend you book a flight that lands in the early afternoon (2pm – 4pm) as there will only be one transfer to hotel in Vercelli. If you remain within our suggested time slot you can avoid having to wait at the airport for a long time if you arrive too early (or having to reach the hotel by your own means if you arrive too late). Check into rooms and freshen up. Orientation walk around Vercelli. Stroll through the cobble-stoned streets of this pleasant town and perhaps sit at an outdoor café in the charming central square, almost entirely surrounded by porticoed houses. The town's most important monument is the 13th century Basilica and cloister of San't Andrea built in the unique Romanesque-Gothic style of the area. Early(ish) dinner for Italian standards at one of the town's excellent restaurants.
Day 2 Vercelli - Thurs Sept 26
After breakfast head for the vine-clad, rolling hills of the beautiful Langhe region of centuries-old winemaking traditions. The idyllic landscape is studded with hilltop villages, castles, Romanesque churches and farms, and is one of the most harmonious winegrowing areas you'll find anywhere. After lunch in a local trattoria, visit the wine cellars of a Barolo winery to taste what is perhaps one of Italy's most-prized wines. Return to Vercelli in the late afternoon.
Day 3 Vercelli - Fri Sept 27
After breakfast go to Stresa on Lake Maggiore where we will catch a boat to visit the Borromeo Islands. Our first stop will be the botanical gardens of Isola Madre with its great display of different colored flowers, palm trees and a huge Kashmir cypress, the largest in Europe. Have lunch at Isola dei Pescatori, a picturesque fisherman's village. Finish the tour of the islands at Isola Bella. Visit the opulent palace with its stunning grottoes and its elaborate, Baroque gardens of whimsy where white peacocks strut about. Return to Vercelli.
Day 4 Turin - Sat Sept 28
(beginning of myco tour)
For those on the extended tour we will transfer to Turin after breakfast and visit the city's most prestigious museum, the Museo Egizio which houses the most important collection of Egyptian treasures outside of Cairo.
For those arriving today there will be one pick up at Milan-Malpensa International Airport at an hour to be established once everyone’s flight schedules are in. We recommend you book a flight that lands in the early afternoon (2pm – 4pm) as there will only be one transfer. If you remain within our suggested time slot you can avoid having to wait at the airport for a long time if you arrive too early (or having to reach the hotel by your own means if you arrive too late). In the afternoon meet all guests and go for a walk through this elegant city filled with handsome buildings, grand squares and art nouveau cafés. Have dinner in one of Turin's many great restaurants.
Day 5 Turin - Sun Sept 29
After breakfast go on 1st Foray in the Mandria Park. Meet the local mycologist who will be leading us. The foray will start at Cascina Brera, within the park, seat of the Regional Mycological Center and of the Piedmont Mycological Association. Have lunch in a trattoria within the park. In the afternoon we will go on a horse-carriage tour of the park. Before returning to hotel we will stop at PANfunghi one of the leading companies in Italy in the dried porcini sector. Return to Turin in the late afternoon.
Day 6 Turin - Mon Sept 30
After breakfast go on second foray in the Mandria Park, still lead by the same mycologist. This time we'll be circumnavigating the perimeter of a big lake found on the grounds. Have lunch in a nearby trattoria. After lunch visit the Giordano Cioccolato laboratory, one of the most famous chocolate makers in Piedmont. After visiting the workshop indulge in a chocolate tasting. Return to hotel.
DOMODOSSOLA (3 nights)
Day 7 Domodossola - Tues Oct 1
After breakfast transfer to hotel in Domodossola stopping in Orta San Giulio along the way. Walk around this charming lakeside town and take a short boat ride to visit the tiny San Giulio island. Free time in the town for you to get a bite to eat in one of the many places on the lake front. Continue journey north reaching new hotel around 4pm. Check into rooms and settle in. Claudio and Marco will lead a walk in town in the evening which will conclude at the restaurant where we'll be having dinner.
Day 8 Domodossola - Wed Oct 2
After an early breakfast catch the 8:30am scenic train that will lead us to our next mushroom hunting grounds. Meet the new local mycologist who'll be our leader during the next three outings. Have lunch in a local trattoria. Stop at a small, family-run, local ‘salumeria’ that's famous in the area. Return to hotel.
Day 9 Domodossola - Thurs Oct 3
After breakfast the local mycologist will lead us on another foray higher up the mountains. After lunch we will visit a local goat cheese farm where along with getting to pet some baby goats you'll also get to try the fabulous cheese made here. Return to Domodossola.
Asti (2 nights)
Day 10 Asti - Fri Oct 4
After breakfast transfer to new hotel in Asti. Today we will be going on our last foray with which will be a rare treat as we will be looking for mushrooms in the park of Villa Taranto which also houses exceptionally beautiful botanical gardens with an incredible collection of flowers and plants. After foray continue journey to Asti stopping in a country tavern along the way for lunch. Arrive to new hotel, check into rooms and go for a walk lead by Marco and Claudio to discover this pretty town.
Day 11 Asti - Sat Oct 5
After an early breakfast we'll be off to Alba to take part in the opening of the international white truffle fair. You will get access into the Alba white truffle market which is considered the highlight of the fair, an exhibition area dedicated to the Tuber magnatum Pico where you'll be able to admire, smell and even purchase this precious fungus. After lunch we will be returning to Asti. In the evening we will be having dinner in one of Asti's best restaurants to indulge in a farewell white truffle dinner. As no visit to Piedmont would be complete without tasting some of the exceptional wines produced in this region the in-house sommelier will guide us on a wine tasting journey during dinner, pairing some of the best-known Piedmont wines to the dishes we'll be having.
Hotel near Malpensa (1 night)
Day 12 - Sun Oct 6
After breakfast transfer to new hotel close to Malpensa airport. En route go on a truffle hunt in the Agriturismo Gagliardi di Mombercelli. We will spend the day at the agriturismo staying on for lunch which will include getting a taste of their truffles as well. Reach new hotel in the afternoon. Dinner on your own. Say goodbye to everyone as people will be leaving at different times the following day.
Day 13 - Mon Oct 7
Departure from Milan-Malpensa airport. We recommend you book a flight that departs around noon (11am – 1pm). We will only offer a limited amount of transfers to airport therefore if you remain within our suggested time slot you can avoid having to wait at the airport for a long time if your flight departs very late or having to reach hotel by your own means if your flight departs very early.
"There are two types of people who eat truffles: those who think truffles are good because they are dear and those who know they are dear because they are good."
J.L. Vaudoyer
FUN. REAL. ENLIGHTENING.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- ACCOMMODATION
- ALL BREAKFASTS AND DAILY LUNCH OR DINNER
- ALL TRANSPORTATION MENTIONED IN ITINERARY
- ENTRANCE FEES TO ALL ACTIVITIES MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY;
- WALKING TOURS THROUGH ALL THE TOWNS;
- 6 MYCO FORAYS.
*All activities are subject to change on the basis of which options are deemed to be the most suitable in terms of current culinary standards, the weather conditions on a given day, and other relevant criteria.
Rates
Extended trip
€ 3705 SINGLE
€ 3185 SHARING
Solely mushroom trip
€ 2850 SINGLE
€ 2450 SHARING
Price does not include airfare
Please contact us to receive a booking form which includes payment methods we support along with our terms & cancellation policy.
contact us: info@whatscookin.it
