Highlights
* Visit the elegant town of Turin, Italy’s first capital when the Italian Kingdom was founded in 1861
* Walk through the vineyards of the Langhe region which produces some of the best wines in Italy (and the world!)
* Learn to prepare regional dishes and pair them with wines during a cooking class at a winery
* Taste a variety of Nebbiolo wines, from Roero to the world-famous Barolo
* Explore the picturesque villages of the Langhe, Roero, and Susa Valleys
* Experience the thrill of truffle hunting with a local trifolao and his dog
* Enjoy some of Italy’s best chocolate
Trip price includes
7 nights accommodations plus all activities and transfers as per itinerary (more details to come soon!)
Not included
Some lunches and dinners plus anything not listed in the inclusions and anything other than water at group meals. More details to come soon!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Independent arrival in Torino
Make your way independently to the city of Torino (Turin in English), which is about an hour from Milan by train. Torino is a prosperous and elegant city, home to Italy’s “industrial revolution” as well as to its former royal family. Tour the city with a local guide and learn all about the rich history and culture of the region, setting the stage for the rest of our week together. Overnight Torino. Hotel and dinner included.
Days 2-3: The Dramatic Churches and Charming Towns of the Susa Valley
The soaring mountains and verdant valleys of the Val di Susa lie between Torino and the French border and create a marvelous backdrop for our first few days of exploration. You’ll see an impressive Medieval Abbey and walk in the footsteps of pilgrims on the old Via Francigena that used to connect Canterbury with Rome. Enjoy delicious lunches and try some of the local “ice wine” before relaxing at your charming small hotel. Overnight Val di Susa.
Day 4-5: Roero & Barbaresco
Head southeast for two nights in the heart of the Barbaresco wine-making region. Beautiful walks during the day help us build an appetite for the amazing cheese and wine we taste at lunches, dinners, visits with local producers, and cooking classes. We also explore the Roero area, famous for its hearty Nebbiolo wines and rich (and hard to find!) truffles. Follow a friendly canine as he hunts for truffles and then relax by the pool at your hotel at the end of a lovely day. Overnight near Barbaresco.
Day 6-7: The Culinary Delights of the Alta Langa
Our gastronomic journey reaches its peak as we explore the area around La Morra and Barolo, one of Italy’s most celebrated wines. There are vineyards as far as the eye can see and we’ll walk amongst them on the way to hilltop towns and wineries. As famous as the region is, you’ll still feel like you’re far from the crowds and you’ll find warm hospitality at our small hotel for these final two nights. Overnight near La Morra.
Day 8: Departures
Transfer to the Torino Porta Susa train station for departures. Breakfast and one group transfer included.
Jeanne –
I took this trip with a group of my girlfriends. It was the best trip of my life! Seriously. It was so well planned and executed. We were blessed to have two very experienced guides; Manu and Melissa. They took such great care of us, even breaking up some of the hikes so the less-athletic gals could participate but also have a more comfortable, shorter hike. Every accommodation was beautiful with great views. And the food was over the top. After spending a couple of days in Rome on our own before Piedmont, it was great to get away from the crowds and experience the beautiful countryside and the slower pace in Piedmont. I would highly recommend this trip with WildSage.
Lynne Wright –
The Piedmont Walking tour was an amazing trip. We experienced beautiful vistas of the vineyards and foothills. We visited ancient churches, saw Roman ruins and Medieval structures. Having our fabulous guides Manu and Melissa share their knowledge about the region added huge value to our exploration of this region. The food and the accommodations were beyond my expectation. This was a trip that will live with me always. Thank you Wild Sage for a great experience.
Theresa Cox –
Manu is a bundle of sunshine and enthusiasm in a truly wonderful package. We were invited to a customized tour (so not exactly what you see here) in the Piedmont area with friends who had traveled with her before. They insist they will never travel in Italy without her, and we soon learned why.
Manu is incredibly knowledgeable, and what she doesn’t know she is quick to learn. She goes out of her way to accommodate the wishes (and sometimes quirks) of her clients and seems more like one of the gang than a guide in her willingness to engage and adapt. Her knowledge of the history and culture, and her language skills and attention to detail make her the clear leader of said gang!
From hiking (partially in the Maritime Alps) and a stay at a truly lovely, and remote hotel, to visiting the wine caves, to eating in fabulous restaurants, this trip really gave us a grand overview of the area – thanks to Manu’s early planning and excellent execution. She never hesitated to make ‘one more stop’ to be sure we got the most from our time with her. She was always on the lookout for things to add to our tour and to future tours. Those of you who take future tours will benefit from her efforts. Manu even has a magic pack with cures for blisters and other hiking maladies. Manu and Wild Sage exceeded our loftiest hopes for a wonderful trip and we look forward to traveling with her again someday.
Sarah –
I’d never been on a tour before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but this trip exceeded all my hopes. Manu and Melissa created an excellent trip that included beautiful hikes, history, delicious local food & wine, charming hotels, a really fun cooking class and more. Everything was presented with keen knowledge and joy. We all felt so well taken care of! They could not have been more thoughtful. They quietly moved the vans in the early mornings to accommodate people’s various hiking desires and when I had a bit of a medical emergency Manu very generously took the day to help me get it sorted. I can’t recommend Wild Sage any more vigorously! I’d love to take another trip with them!
Mikel and Diane –
Our visit to the Piemonte (Piedmont) in October 2024 was our third tour with Wild Sage. After two visits to Tuscany, we redirected our focus to this beautiful region of Northern Italy.
A few words about Wild Sage: We cannot imagine traveling to Italy (or Wild Sage’s other destinations) without Wild Sage, Manu and Claire. This was our third private departure with them. Considering our earlier tours, traveling with Manu and Wild Sage is much more a reunion of friends than a “tour.” Because of Wild Sage’s planning and on-the-ground daily involvement, we are allowed to enjoy our time, which is a rare gift. Before each tour, we like to review maps, conduct research and make suggestions for activities and destinations. Our input is graciously received and converted, through experience, scouting and research, into more and better than we imagined. When we are together, we also appreciate the flexibility Manu employs to address unexpected events and unforeseen opportunities. Manu and Wild Sage always deliver more than we expect; this is not an exaggeration.
A few words about the tour: Based out of the stunning hilltop village of La Morra, in the heart of Barolo and Barbaresco country, we enjoyed a 10-day private departure. Our journey included two days of hiking and an overnight stay high up in the lovely Valle Maira, in the Occitan Alps. The Valle Maira was authentic and spectacular, with alpine landscapes, ancient culture, and warm hospitality. We also ventured to the Alta Langa where we visited a family-run organic hazelnut farm. We toured the farm and enjoyed a lunch consisting of farm-produced food. While the entire meal was exceptional, the tajarin (a traditional egg pasta) with a hazelnut preparation was a wonderful and unique surprise. The balance of our time was spent walking between and touring the villages, vineyards, orchards and wineries of this beautiful region. The villages are historic and charming. The food and wine are world class.
Once again, Manu and Wild Sage planned and delivered an exceptional adventure. We are already planning our next departure with Wild Sage.