The Wine Hub 2010 – September 11 – 18 (7 days – 8 nights)
Italy Tour 1: Veneto/Emilia Romagna/
Tuscany
Guided by: Mr Alioscia Lombardini – president of Movimento Turismo del Vino Toscana
Day 1 – Saturday Sept. 11th
Arrival at Malpensa Airport Milan; rendezvous with Guide and coach.
Departure to
Verona (200km/2h)
Arrival in
Verona, aperitif & buffet dinner at the Hotel Accademia (
Verona city center)
Concert at the Arena di Verona: ENNIO MORRICONE in ENNIO MORRICONE FOR THE CINEMA
World famous contemporary music composer and orchestra conductor. Award winning with film soudtracks like ‘Cinema Paradiso’, ‘the Untouchables’, ‘Once upon a time in America’, ‘The Mission’ and many others.
Overnight Stay at Hotel Accademia**** (city center – 450mt from the Arena Amphitheatre)
Day 2 – Sunday Sept. 12th
Departure for BORGO DEI POSSERI WINERY -
ALA (
Trento) 60km/45min
Mr Martin Mainenti, the owner and manager of this estate, will welcome us and show us his vineyards among the Dolomites: a most beautiful mountain setting with stunning views to enjoy. He’ll show us his vinification and ageing cellars while explaining the philosophy of his limited boutique wine production.
Lunch together with the owner and wine tasting seminar held by Mr Alioscia Lombardini.
Departure for
Verona
Late afternoon guided visit of the CITY OF
VERONA (2h)
Walking among its majestic roman, medieval, gothic style buildings and monuments: Ponte Scaligero on the river
Adige, The Basilica S. Zeno Maggiore, Piazza dei Signori, the Balcony of Juliet’s house, Piazza delle Erbe and much more.
Dinner at the restaurant
LA BOTTEGA
DEL VINO with guided tasting of 3 Amarone della Valpolicella labels,
Verona’s historical wine.
Overnight Stay at Hotel Accademia**** (city center – walking distance 110mt)
Day 3 – Monday Sept. 13th
Departure for COLLI AL LAGO WINERY – SAN MARTINO DELLA BATTAGLIA (Desenzano del Garda) 40km/35min
A
50 hectares farm and winery located not far away from the Lake Garda shores, in the DOC lands of ‘Lugana’, ‘San Martino della Battaglia’ and ‘Garda’.
Tocai and Lugana grapes are grown for their white and sparkling ‘spumanti’ wines while Sangiovese, Marzemino and Barbera for most of their reds.
Visit and tasting at the winery while having lunch on the estate.
Departure for SIRMIONE 8km/15min
Boat excursion on the
GARDA
LAKE (2h) with stop at Punta San Vigilio for a coffe break.
Departure for
PARMA 150km/100min
Free Dinner *
Overnight Stay at Hotel Toscanini**** (city center – facing the banks of the river
PO)
Day 4 – Tuesday Sept 14th
Departure for PARMIGIANO REGGIANO producing factory (1,5h)
Visit of factory during the process of cheese making, visiting the ageing rooms and tasting different age parmesan cheese
Departure for LAMORETTI WINERY – LANGHIRANO (
Parma) 25km/40min
A
20 hectares family-run farm, founded by ‘Uncle Giuseppe’ in the 30’s after coming back from the family emigration to USA. Wine tasting and lunch session will happen with a view to the nearby
Castle of
Torrechiara. Grapes grown there are the white Malvasia di Candia, Barbera and the famous Lambrusco together with other international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot etc…
After lunch we return back to
Parma and/or Hotel for some free time and relax
Dinner @ ACCADEMIA BARILLA the first International Culinary Institute in
Italy
Overnight Stay at Hotel Toscanini**** (city center – facing the banks of the river
PO)
Day 5 – Wednesday Sept 15th
Departure to ACETAIA DI GIORGIO – MODENA 60km/55min
The Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of
Modena is a condiment unique in the world, made from the cooked must of autochthonous sorts of grape, matured thanks to a slow acetification and a natural fermentation. Acetaia di Giorgio, old mansion of the 14 Barbieri brothers, in the heart of the city of
Modena keeps all the glamour and the attraction of very ancient rites and of centuries old tradition.
Guided visit of the old rooms of the Acetaia and traditional balsamic vinegar tasting session.
Free Lunch * (eventually go straight to galleria Ferrari and free lunch at the museum’s cafeteria)
Departure for GALLERIA FERRARI – MARANELLO 20km/30min
Real and true keeper of the Myth Ferrari, the official museum of the Company in Maranello gathers in its internal the cars, the images and the trophies that wrote the Ferrari successes in the world.
Leaving for
FIESOLE –
FIRENZE 150km/140min
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Hotel Villa Fiesole****(on the hills of
Florence, overlooking the city)
Day 6 – Thursday Sept. 16th
Leaving for
Firenze town center
Guided visit of the CITY OF
FIRENZE (2h)
Through its main monuments and historical buildings: Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio on the Lungarno, square and church of Santa Croce, Church of Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistry.
Free lunch * and free time in town
Departure for
LA GIGLIOLA WINERY – MONTESPERTOLI 60km/80min
Nestled in the hills of Italy´s Chianti region, this winery extends over approximately
300 hectares, 60 of which are covered with vineyards an 40 of which consist of olives groves.
Visit of the cellars and tasting together with the owners in the old villa’s kitchen
Back to hotel for relax on the magnificent terrace and swimming pool
Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel Villa Fiesole****
Day 7 – Friday Sept 17th
Departure for CASTELLO DI BROLIO – CASTLE AND WINERY 80km/85min
Guided visit (2h) of the gardens, the family chapel and crypt, museum, cellars and final tasting session of 3 wines
The castle was awarded to the Ricasoli noble Florentine family in 1141. The baron Bettino Ricasoli (19th century), also Prime Minister of
Italy during the unification process, with his fond passion for wine and experimentation invented the first and original formula of the world famous ‘Chianti Classico’ wine. A piece of history of wine was built there. Today, top wines are still produced : traditional red wine labels as well most innovative whites and supertuscans.
Lunch at the OSTERIA DEL CASTELLO under the high pine tree forest overlooking.
Departure for
SIENA
Guided visit of the TOWN OF
SIENA (1,5h)
A walk in ancient medieval times: Monte dei Paschi building, Piazza Tolomei, Piazza del Campo with explanation of the Palio horse race, Via di Città and Accademia Chigiana, the Cathedral and Santa Maria della Scala.
Back to Hotel
Dinner at RISTORANTE IL CIBREO (
Firenze town center)
Overnight stay at Hotel Villa Fiesole****
Day 8 – Saturday Sept 18th
Departure from Hotel in
Fiesole to
Roma
Fiumicino
International
Airport 315km/200min
List of services included:
- 7 overnight stays in the above mentioned hotels
- Continental breakfast buffets
- All meals mentioned,
10 in total (whether buffet, light or 3 course dinners)
- Complimentary house wine during dinners at hotels
- Visit of 5 vineyards including tours and wine tasting sessions
- Entrance fees and tickets to: Ennio Morricone Concert, Boat trip on
Lake Garda, Galleria Ferrari
- Visit and tasting at: Parmigiano Reggiano factory, Acetaia di Giorgio.
- Guided visits of the towns of:
Verona, Firenze,
Siena
*Where meals are not included, Guests will be assisted in booking at local inns and restaurants, if they require.
List of services not included:
- Flight booking
- All meals defined as ‘free’
- Service tips
Quote: retail price
USA
- Double room, per person: € 2.235,00
- Single room, per person: € 2.625,00