Day 1, Thursday October 3, Depart
Depart San Francisco for Los Angeles to meet your connecting Swiss Air transatlantic flight. Dinner and breakfast served on board.
Day 2, Friday October 4, Milan
Upon arrival at Milan Malpensa airport, meet your professional English speaking tour escort and transfer to your hotel for check in. The balance of the day will be free to relax and unpack. This evening welcome cocktail, and dinner at the hotel followed by an overnight stay.
Day 3, Saturday October 5, Milan
This morning following breakfast begin your first cooking lesson hosted by the culinary staff at the Hotel Excelsior Gallia or similar. The lesson will be followed by a light lunch featuring the chef's specialties. After lunch meet your local guide and begin your half day guided tour of Milan including a visit to Leonardo da Vinci's spectacular "Last Supper". This evening meet your escort and transfer to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a dinner with regional wines and regional dishes. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4, Sunday October 6, Milan/Parma/Milan
This morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel, meet your escort in the hotel lobby and board your private motorcoach for your full-day excursion to Parma. Enjoy a pleasurable drive to the Polesine Parmense, located on the banks of the Po River. Your first stop will be at a Parmesan factory where you will have a chance to taste the famous "Parmiggiano Reggiano". Next, if you have never tasted the finest prosciutto in the region, it is time to indulge yourself with some Culatello, known by the locals as the "King of Prosciutto". After seeing how this rare specialty is produced, you will enjoy a special tasting and lunch at the adjacent restaurant called "Al Cavallino Bianco". Following dinner, return to Milan for free time and an overnight stay.
Day 5, Monday October 7, Milan/Como/Milan
This morning board your motorcoach and head to the Como area for your second cooking lesson on the shores of this romantic lake. The spectacular scenery combines high mountains, lush gardens, villas, and pristine lakes. Your cooking class will focus on "typical Northern Italian cuisine" such as risotto Milanese, fettuccine with fondue and white truffles, and tortellini with pumpkin and artichoke. After your lesson and lunch, meet your escort and your private motorcoach and transfer to nearby Como for an afternoon excursion. Enjoy some time on your own to explore the town. Stop in the many artisan shops where you can purchase fine silk products, chocolates, earthenware, and much more. Enjoy dinner on your own in Como before returning to Milan for an overnight stay.
Day 6, Tuesday October 8, Milan/Alba/Cuneo
This morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel, meet your escort and board your private motorcoach to transfer to Alba in the heart of the Piedmont region. Upon arrival enjoy some time on your own to explore the town. Alba is both the mother of the Langhe and its queen. In this town of a hundred towers you will find an assortment of Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque style buildings. The historic center is arranged in a circle enclosed by ancient Roman walls. This morning Alba will come to life as the medieval roads along the Via Maestra become crowded with people browsing around the stalls. Not far from here, toward the river Tanara, is the open-air market, worth visiting for its culinary specialties, such as its "Toma" cheese, hazelnuts, its sweet "Torrone" and roasted chestnuts. Enjoy lunch on your own before before continuing on to the Prunotto Estate of the Antinori Vineyards. Enjoy a visit and tasting at their private cellars before continuing on to Cuneo, your base for the next four nights. Upon arrival check in at a lovely historic property in the heart of town. Enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7, Wednesday October 9, Cuneo/Asti Area
This morning after buffet breakfast, begin your third cooking lesson in the Cuneo region. Among the dishes you might prepare are fresh taglioni pasta in wild porcini mushroom sauce or amaretto pudding. Following your cooking lesson enjoy lunch and then begin the afternoon with a guided visit to the area's most famous wine cellars, "Amici del Moscato", where you will enjoy a special tasting of Moscato D'Asti. The hills around Canelli and along the river Belbo are the realm of this sweet sparkling wine. Following your tasting return to Cuneo and enjoy some time on your own. This evening enjoy dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8, Thursday October 10, Cuneo/Barolo Area
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day of activities, including a panoramic tour through the hills of "The King of Wines", followed by a guided visit to the Castello di Barolo, where you can enjoy a special Barolo tasting. This noble wine was first produced by the Marquess Giulia Falletti di Barolo. Today her castle houses the Ethnological-Oenological Museum and an exhibition of the best Barolo wines in the area. Following your tasting enjoy some time on your own in the vineyards. Tonight enjoy a specially prepared dinner at the castle's restaurant. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 9, Friday October 11, Cuneo/Neive
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the town of Neive to the "La Contea" cooking school, considered to be one of the top 20 restaurants in Italy. The friendly and hospitable owners, Claudia and Tonino will welcome you into their kitchens and show you the secrets of Piedmontese cooking. Their delicate and beautifully prepared cuisine has been widely presented internationally including cooking lessons in the US at the Four Season's Hotels. Enjoy your creations which include "gnocchetti", "fritto misto", or "panna cotta". Following lunch at the restaurant, enjoy a truffle hunt on the restaurant grounds. Return to Cuneo for dinner on your own followed by an overnight stay.
Day 10, Saturday October 12, Cuneo/Santa Margherita
After breakfast today, board your motorcoach and say "Arrivaderci" to the Piedmont area as you head for the Ligurian Coast. Your next destination will be Santa Margherita Ligure, an attractive seaside resort favored by the European jet-set. Comprised of palm trees, luxurious hotels, cafes and a marina packed with yachts, it is the postcard perfect image of a Mediterranean town. Upon arrival check in at your hotel. This afternoon there will be plenty of time to rest and relax before your evening sunset cruise with cocktail hour on the Riviera. This evening enjoy dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11, Sunday October 13, Santa Margherita/Portafino
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, begin your final cooking lesson including lunch. After cooking, sample your creations before continuing on to visit nearby Portafino, one of the most picturesque villages along the coast. You'll enjoy the sea promenade with palm trees, the designer boutiques, and the luxurious yachts in the harbor. This evening enjoy your farewell dinner at the restaurant " Au Magazino" in Portafino before returning to the hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 12, Monday October 14, Le Cinque Terre
Today after breakfast, board your private boat and head to Le Cinque Terre, the five isolated towns which compose one of the most beloved regions of the Italian Riviera. The towns: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Coniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are linked by well established footpaths which for many years were the only connection between them. Although today the train, and to a certain extent the road have surpassed the footpaths, they're still well maintained and showcase breathtaking ocean views and provide access to rugged, secluded beaches and grottos that will never be accessible by any other means. Enjoy the morning treking between the villages or choose one and spend time relaxing there. The entire day is at your leisure. If you don't feel up to the walk, you may take the train from town to town. Before leaving, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (Porto Roco or similar) before transferring to Stressa. Upon arrival check in at the Grand Hotel Bristol or similar. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13, Tuesday October 15, Departure
This morning transfer to Milan where you will board your transatlantic flight to return to the United States.