A DI-VINE JOURNEY

After breakfast meet your private guide in your hotel lobby and enjoy a morning walking tour of Verona’s delightful centro storico. Well known as the setting for three of Shakespeare’s plays, most importantly for the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, the city offers so much more than a romantic retreat. Here your heart may well miss a beat as you catch a glimpse of its Roman amphitheatre and gaze up at the magnificent palazzi. You may find yourself falling in love with Verona’s pretty courtyards and charming squares. Beyond the well-known fiction, there is a bustling, culturally thriving city and genuine history waiting to be explored.

Verona’s early beginnings remain a mystery but we know the area was inhabited in the 4th century BC and, thanks to its strategic geographic position as a suitable spot for northern border control, became a Roman municipium in the 1st century BC. Evidence of the city’s ancient past can still be seen in the existing street pattern that traces the Roman chess-board layout and in archaeological remains scattered throughout the city. Verona flourished under the rule of the Scaliger dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries and continued to prosper during the almost four hundred years of Venetian domination, up until the 1700s. The surviving architectural masterpieces and urban fabric reflecting Verona’s development over 2,000 years have earned the city its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A meticulously assembled collage of fine buildings and decorative elements from several historic epochs makes up the attractive historic centre. Roman ruins, Gothic monuments, medieval towers, Renaissance facades and modern-day shop windows all jostle for your attention.

Your guide will lead you through the centuries and point out the city’s best-loved landmarks. The grandiose, remarkably well-preserved Arena in Piazza Bra is one of Verona’s most impressive sights. Built in the 1st century AD, it is Italy’s third largest Roman amphitheatre and could seat up to 25,000 impassioned spectators who once gathered here to watch gladiator games and executions. The Arena, with its excellent acoustics, still draws crowds today as an entertainment venue hosting theatre performances, concerts and the internationally-renowned summer opera festival.

Another of Verona’s major attractions is located on Via Cappello. Here, according to legend, you can find the very house where Romeo swore his eternal love to Juliet. Visitors from all over the world line up to touch her bronze statue’s breast, hoping to get lucky in love, and to snap shots of the iconic balcony. Although Shakespeare is extremely unlikely ever to have set foot in this city and his characters are fictional, Verona’s fame is inextricably tied up with the destiny of the protagonists of this world-famous tragedy. The 14th century palazzo actually belonged to the Dal Cappello family, a name that sparked a link with the Shakespearian Capulet, thus lending a semblance of veracity to the legend.

A short walk will take you to picturesque Piazza Erbe, the city’s trading hub. People have assembled here since ancient Roman times, when the area was occupied by a forum. Today the square is the site of the fruit and vegetable market as well as a favourite meeting spot with young Veronesi who gather here for ritual evening aperitivi. Listen as your guide gives you details about the striking structures that surround the piazza: the arcaded portico of the medieval Casa dei Mercanti, the Mazzanti Houses, adorned with beautiful frescoes, the elaborate Baroque facade of Palazzo Maffei and the 84-metre-tall Lamberti Tower looming over the city. Not to be missed on your stroll about town are also the nearby Piazza dei Signori, the centre of Verona’s political life for hundreds of years, and the Arche Scaligere, the monumental tombs of the Lords of Verona.

After the tour your private chauffeur will pick you up and drive you to the Valpolicella wine region. The Latin etymology Val polis cellae, meaning “the valley with many cellars”, attests to Valpolicella’s ancient viticultural tradition. Extending for 240 square kilometres across the foothills of the Lessini mountains, between Verona and Lake Garda, this is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine-producing regions. Wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to visit a highly-esteemed estate, located in an enchanting setting on the grounds of a Renaissance villa. Built at the request of humanist and landowner Giulio Della Torre in 1560, the mansion perfectly fulfilled its functions as a working farm, from which to supervise the estate’s agricultural activities, and a peaceful luxury retreat, where the owner and his privileged guests could come to meditate, relax and idle the summers away. Accompanied by a member of staff, you will explore this truly marvellous country house and learn all about the history and refined symbolism behind its construction. Highlights include the central courtyard, blending references to the design of an ancient Roman domus with a typically Mannerist taste, the hall of mirrors, decorated with original medallion portraits of poets of antiquity, and the awe-inspiring zoomorphic fireplaces featuring a lion, a sea monster and a devil. After the visit sit down inside the mansion’s dining room to be served a delicious lunch paired with the estate’s wines.

A short drive will then bring you to another renowned winery. Here, on a tour of the cellar, you will get to know about wine-making and ageing methods, become familiar with the particular features and regulations that define Valpolicella wines and discover the unique characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so special. Top off your day with a tasting of the estate’s wines and a toast, then rejoin your chauffeur and return to your accommodation in Verona.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel in Verona and relax on the ride to Franciacorta. En route stop in the lakeside town of Sirmione. Here your private guide will be waiting ready to lead you on an unforgettable tour of Lake Garda’s “pearl of the islands and peninsulas”, as celebrated by ancient Roman poet Catullus.

As you access the town over a bridge you will certainly notice the remarkably well-preserved 13th century castle, strategically perched at the edge of the lake from where it safeguards the only entrance to the old town. This rare instance of a medieval port fortification, complete with crenellated turrets and towers, was originally built by the Lords of Verona as a defence against enemy attacks and uprisings. Once a sturdy fortress designed to fend off intruders with its impenetrable walls and surrounding moat, the Castello Scaligero now beckons the visitor to step into the charming streets of Sirmione.

The area is known to have been a fashionable summer hideout since the 1st century BC, when wealthy ancient Romans retreated here, drawn by the glorious climate and healing properties of Sirmione’s thermal springs. More than 2,000 years have gone by but this timeless tourist haven keeps luring guests to its shores with a unique blend of archaeological treasures, glorious landscapes and limpid, refreshing lake waters. While you weave your way through the town’s medieval alleys, lined with tempting eateries and quaint shops, your guide will point out Sirmione’s most noteworthy features, including the late-15th century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and its precious frescoes.

Not to be missed are the so-called Grottoes of Catullus, the most extensive and striking example of a private Roman villa in northern Italy. Today only a maze of crumbling walls and teetering stone arches survive at the tip of the peninsula, but you are invited to pause and conjure up a stirring image of the luxurious villa that must have stood on this very spot. The mansion, whose construction definitely required sophisticated engineering expertise, once featured long porticoes and terraces overlooking the lake, lavish mosaic decorations, wall paintings and even a private spa.

After the tour a gourmet meal will be served at one of Sirmione’s finest addresses, famous for its marvellous lakeside setting and exquisite fish-based tasting menus. Depending on the season, you might be treated to crispy scampi and seabass seasoned with lemon and chive, tortelli with gorgonzola, Breton lobster and walnuts, baked Morone fish dressed with roast meat sauce… Buon appetito!

Next, meet your skipper at the dock and soak up the wonderful scenery of Lake Garda on a private boat ride. Here natural beauty and architectural marvels merge perfectly, creating one of Italy’s finest landscapes. As you glide along the rippling waters, take in the breathtaking sights of deep green slopes, elegant villas and the pastel-hued towns that pepper the lake’s shoreline.

In the afternoon your private chauffeur will be waiting at the parking area ready to drive you to your hotel in Franciacorta where you will be staying for 2 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver outside your hotel in Franciacorta and relax on the ride to Piedmont. En route bite your way into Milan’s culinary scene and get a true taste of local lifestyle on a private food tour. As you stroll through the city’s historic districts sampling mouth-watering delicacies you will discover that Milan is so much more than a fashion hub.

Unveil the tasty side of the city and see where real Milanesi eat, drink, purchase food and treat themselves to typical aperitivi. Along the way your guide will discuss local food traditions, explain the history behind regional cuisine and entertain you with stories and fun facts on the origins of Milan’s best-known dishes.

You may not know that the celebrated gorgonzola cheese and the delicious Christmas dessert panettone are centuries-old Milanese inventions. Among the city’s traditional dishes are also busecca (tripe served in tomato soup), cotoletta alla milanese (breaded veal fried in butter), polenta (a creamy dish made with cornmeal) and risotto alla milanese infused with saffron. Legend has it that Milan’s famous risotto was first created in 1574. A master glass-maker of Milan’s cathedral used to nickname his pupil Zafferano as he liked saffron so much that he put it everywhere and even used it to stain the glass gold. The master glazier used to tease Zafferano saying his obsession would eventually lead him to put saffron in his rice as well. One day, after many years of teasing, the young man decided to play a trick on his master, whose daughter was to be married. During the wedding dinner he sprinkled the yellow spice in the risotto and created a gold-tinted dish to the amazement of the guests. The risotto was a resounding success and not a grain was left.

An indispensable ritual in the life of every self-respecting Italian is the prima colazione… Begin your day like a local, delighting your senses on a croissant and an expertly brewed coffee or cappuccino at the bar. Then follow a trail of Milan’s signature aromas, dropping in at nearby food stores to sample their latest treats. Tasty highlights might include traditional mondeghili meat balls, Lombard cheeses, scrumptious slices of pizza, puff pastry horns filled with cream, gelato and a glass of wine… cheers to classy Milan and the last word in cuisine!

In the afternoon rejoin your private chauffeur and reach your hotel in Piedmont where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Raise your glass to the delights of Piedmont on this full-day excursion to the Langhe region, realm of the King of Italian Wines, His Majesty Barolo. Wine lovers will learn all about this prized wine on a visit to a renowned cantina and a tour of a castle where artefacts relating to farm life are on display.

After breakfast meet your private guide and driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride, through gently rolling hills, to a Barolo wine estate. Along the way your guide will fill you in on the history of Langhe and explain why this UNESCO-listed landscape is known as one of the world’s most prestigious wine producing regions.

Upon arrival, a member of staff will greet you and show you around the property and cellar. You will hear about the different stages in the wine-making process and discover the characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so exquisite. You will also get to know the strict regulations that define the production of Barolo which must contain 100% Nebbiolo grapes and be aged at least 38 months before being released. But every winery has its own precious formulas which you will have the chance to unravel and applaud! Enjoy a guided tasting of the estate’s wines, then rejoin your driver and set off for the charming little village of La Morra for a walk and some free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, together with your guide, you will explore the quaint town of Barolo, dominated by the 16th century Falletti Castle and replete with wine shops and cellars.

The last stop on your excursion will bring you to the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, where you will find out more about local history and traditional agricultural activities. The castle’s fame is closely linked to its most illustrious resident, Piedmontese statesman and architect of the Italian unification Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, who lived here from 1830 to 1849. Today the castle houses the Regional Wine Cellar, showcasing top-notch Piedmontese producers, and an Ethnographic Museum which tells the story of the rural world. Here you will find original period furniture and items connected with Cavour and his stay, together with explanatory panels and artefacts pertaining to wine production. Among the highlights are also displays focusing on truffles, reproductions of a cask-maker’s workshop, 17th and 19th century kitchen settings and a distillery from the 1700s.

After the visit return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Unearth Piedmont’s tastiest secrets on this full-day excursion to the Langhe region. Gourmands will discover how Barbaresco wines are made and join in an exhilarating treasure hunt in the woods, courtesy of Mother Nature.

After breakfast meet your private guide and driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to a well-established wine estate near Barbaresco. The property has belonged to a noble dynasty since 1797 though it wasn’t until rather later that the winery itself was established. For almost two hundred years the family produced and sold its grapes in the Alba market each autumn. One of its owners, who began supervising the agricultural operations of the family estates in the 1960s, grew weary of seeing others benefit from transforming the fruits of their labours into wine. He decided that rather than just supplying top quality grapes to the best wine producers in the area he would produce the finest wine himself. In 1973 he began creating his first distinctive wines, labelled with the family’s coat of arms. Today, thanks to his dedication to the terroir and adoption of the highest standards of cellar practices, this estate’s wines enjoy recognition from Barbaresco lovers worldwide. On a tour of the cellar, led by a qualified member of staff, you will find out about wine production and ageing methods, get to know which grape varieties blend in Langhe wines and discover the characteristics of the soil and climate that make wines produced here so special. A guided tasting of a selection of the estate’s wines, including a Barbaresco, will allow you to savour the outstanding results of almost fifty years of constant commitment.

After some free time for lunch at a nearby restaurant you will reach the home of a trifulau, a professional truffle hunter, located between Alba and Asti. After an introduction to the history and practice of truffle hunting and an explanation of the different types of truffles to be found in each season, you will take part in an unforgettable adventure as you nose your way through the woods. It is actually the trifulau’s dogs who will lead you on the trail, while they follow this unique and precious scent, digging out aromatic treasures.

Truffles are one of the world’s most expensive, sought-after delicacies. They are the fruiting bodies of subterranean fungi that rely on a symbiotic relationship with trees. Nature has chosen to bestow these rare gifts with particular generosity on the unspoiled hills of Piedmont. A favourable climate, fertile soil, dense vegetation of poplar, hazelnut and oak all contribute to the growth and flavour of the delicious black and much prized, rare white truffle.

With guidance from your truffle seeker, you will identify different plant species, understand the ideal habitat for truffle growth, find out why truffles are considered an icon of the slow food movement and discover how dogs are trained to detect these woodland treats. After the hunt sit down to a truffle tasting washed down with a glass of wine… cheers to Piedmont!

Return to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening a delicious dinner, featuring traditional Piedmontese specialities, will be served at one of Langhe’s finest addresses.

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver outside your hotel and head for the airport, train station or your next travel destination.