Tempestuous Culinary is pleased to announce a new partnership with G/Hardy Tours who will now act as our booking and operating partner. To book this tour, please click on the register now buttons
Piemonte
The land of truffles and wine - Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and more. On this ten day all-inclusive tour we spend two nights in Torino (Turin) with its glorious Napoleonic architecture, signature chocolate and outstanding food and shopping. Home of the Winter Olympics in 2006, it is Italy's fourth largest city.
Then we take up residence in a luxurious villa for a week and explore my hidden gems - Madonna della Neve, Alba (Home of the Alba Truffle Festival), Cessole, Alba and the Barolo region - La Morra, Barolo, Dogiliani and more where we taste exquisite wines. We go truffle hunting one day and cook that evening with our bounty!
We take in Santuario Di Vicoforte, a marvellous cathedral with the largest unsupported dome in the world. We take a hike one afternoon through the Langhe Hills. We visit the Slow Food University and enjoy rare wines at the Banca Del Vino. We make a day exploring cheeses of the region visiting Bubbio and Roccoverano for its DOC Robbiaolo cheese. And of course we cook with the products of the region each evening back at our stately Italian villa.
Maximum 12 people (10 days/9 nights
€6995 pp/do - US$8295
Single supplement $750
The land of truffles and wine - Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and more. On this ten day all-inclusive tour we spend two nights in Torino (Turin) with its glorious Napoleonic architecture, signature chocolate and outstanding food and shopping. Home of the Winter Olympics in 2006, it is Italy's fourth largest city.
Then we take up residence in a luxurious villa for a week and explore my hidden gems - Madonna della Neve, Alba (Home of the Alba Truffle Festival), Cessole, Alba and the Barolo region - La Morra, Barolo, Dogiliani and more where we taste exquisite wines. We go truffle hunting one day and cook that evening with our bounty!
We take in Santuario Di Vicoforte, a marvellous cathedral with the largest unsupported dome in the world. We take a hike one afternoon through the Langhe Hills. We visit the Slow Food University and enjoy rare wines at the Banca Del Vino. We make a day exploring cheeses of the region visiting Bubbio and Roccoverano for its DOC Robbiaolo cheese. And of course we cook with the products of the region each evening back at our stately Italian villa.
Maximum 12 people (10 days/9 nights
€6995 pp/do - US$8295
Single supplement $750
Day 1 September 17
Welcome to Turin. Your host Chef Michael Howell meets you at the grand Turin Palace Hotel after your arrivals from the Turin Caselle Airport or Porta Nuova Train Station.
Michael is the former co-chair of Slow Food Canada and a chef of 30 years with a passion for Italy and all things Slow. He has travelled extensively in this region, the home of Slow Food. Torino (Turin) is the capital of this region and the economic powerhouse of northwestern Italy. FIAT was founded here. Bicerin ( a delicious chocolate drink) and Vermouth are from here. Risotto and butter rule. When Napoleon conquered Northern Italy his wife Josephine decided to remake Torino in the image of Paris so its architecture reflects both Italy AND France.
We settle in for two nights at the luxurious Turin Palace - a beautiful boutique hotel stones throw from Stazione Porta Nuova. After checking in and a little rest and refresh, we venture into the old city for our welcome dinner of traditional Piemonte favourites at the venerated Ristorante Marchese. After a post prandial stroll through the charming streets of Turin to work off dinner, we make our way back to the hotel for a good night’s rest and prepare for our culinary and cultural adventure!
Welcome to Turin. Your host Chef Michael Howell meets you at the grand Turin Palace Hotel after your arrivals from the Turin Caselle Airport or Porta Nuova Train Station.
Michael is the former co-chair of Slow Food Canada and a chef of 30 years with a passion for Italy and all things Slow. He has travelled extensively in this region, the home of Slow Food. Torino (Turin) is the capital of this region and the economic powerhouse of northwestern Italy. FIAT was founded here. Bicerin ( a delicious chocolate drink) and Vermouth are from here. Risotto and butter rule. When Napoleon conquered Northern Italy his wife Josephine decided to remake Torino in the image of Paris so its architecture reflects both Italy AND France.
We settle in for two nights at the luxurious Turin Palace - a beautiful boutique hotel stones throw from Stazione Porta Nuova. After checking in and a little rest and refresh, we venture into the old city for our welcome dinner of traditional Piemonte favourites at the venerated Ristorante Marchese. After a post prandial stroll through the charming streets of Turin to work off dinner, we make our way back to the hotel for a good night’s rest and prepare for our culinary and cultural adventure!
Day 2 September 18 -
We enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel and then we head to the world renowned Egyptian Museum for a private, skip the line guided tour to revel in some of the most renowned Egyptian artifacts in existence. After our 1.5 hour visit, we continue on a leisurely guided walking tour of the city, through the Old City, the Main square including the Palazzo Madama, the Palatine Gate then to the Mercato Centrale for a browse around this iconic market and lunch if you wish on your own. Your guide will suggest some stalls for the most authentic and tasty Torinese treats.
After lunch we continue our gentle stroll to the Palazzo Reale and the iconic Mole Antonelliana. At the conclusion you rejoin your host Michael when you meet at the glorious Piazza Vittorio Veneto and be treated to an aperitivo and snack at one of Michaels favourite cafes. We go back to the hotel to rest for a bit, change and then head out to a favorite pizzeria thought by most Torinese as one of the best in town – Pizzium - quite close to our hotel.
We enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel and then we head to the world renowned Egyptian Museum for a private, skip the line guided tour to revel in some of the most renowned Egyptian artifacts in existence. After our 1.5 hour visit, we continue on a leisurely guided walking tour of the city, through the Old City, the Main square including the Palazzo Madama, the Palatine Gate then to the Mercato Centrale for a browse around this iconic market and lunch if you wish on your own. Your guide will suggest some stalls for the most authentic and tasty Torinese treats.
After lunch we continue our gentle stroll to the Palazzo Reale and the iconic Mole Antonelliana. At the conclusion you rejoin your host Michael when you meet at the glorious Piazza Vittorio Veneto and be treated to an aperitivo and snack at one of Michaels favourite cafes. We go back to the hotel to rest for a bit, change and then head out to a favorite pizzeria thought by most Torinese as one of the best in town – Pizzium - quite close to our hotel.
Day 3 September 19
We bid Turin goodbye this morning, but not before we stop at the original Eataly for provisions for the trip. Eataly was created by Slow Food to be a mecca for Italian artisanal products. Browse at your leisure while Michael does some provisioning for the week.
We make the 1 hour trip in our private luxury bus to Villa San Lorenzo (below) in the heart of the Langhe hills for 7 nights. That afternoon is a settle in and get to know your surroundings kind of day - a dip in the pool, a little time to read book enjoy an aperitivo and then we congregate to enjoy a meal in the villa prepared by our host. Michael will be cooking for the restaurant of the week.
We bid Turin goodbye this morning, but not before we stop at the original Eataly for provisions for the trip. Eataly was created by Slow Food to be a mecca for Italian artisanal products. Browse at your leisure while Michael does some provisioning for the week.
We make the 1 hour trip in our private luxury bus to Villa San Lorenzo (below) in the heart of the Langhe hills for 7 nights. That afternoon is a settle in and get to know your surroundings kind of day - a dip in the pool, a little time to read book enjoy an aperitivo and then we congregate to enjoy a meal in the villa prepared by our host. Michael will be cooking for the restaurant of the week.
Villa San Lorenzo
Day 4 September 20
Truffle Education Day! It’s up a little early to make our way to Roddi where we meet Gianni, the owner of the University for Truffle Hunting Dogs. After a what we hope is a successful truffle hunt in the neqarby hills and then some robust and truly italina bartering for some treasure, we will visit his family truffle museum for a taste of Truffles in all its forms.
Then it’s back to the villa to relax for the remainder of the afternoon and enjoy a traditional truffle dinner of tajarin with truffles, veal tartare with truffles and some rich red wines!
Truffle Education Day! It’s up a little early to make our way to Roddi where we meet Gianni, the owner of the University for Truffle Hunting Dogs. After a what we hope is a successful truffle hunt in the neqarby hills and then some robust and truly italina bartering for some treasure, we will visit his family truffle museum for a taste of Truffles in all its forms.
Then it’s back to the villa to relax for the remainder of the afternoon and enjoy a traditional truffle dinner of tajarin with truffles, veal tartare with truffles and some rich red wines!
Day 5 September 21 - Wine and Cheese Quest Road Trip.
We head out on a drive hrough the bucolic Piemontese hills to Caseificio Roccaverano where they produce one of my favourite cheeses in the world, Robbaiolo di Roccaverano a semi ripe goats cheese. Then we head to a lovely lunch at one of my favourite family run restaurants in all of Italy, Ristorante Madonna delle Neve. The showcase dish is agnolotti del plin and the fascinating WWII history behind this pasta served on a linen napkin. Then, after a brief stop in Cessole to look at where life may have taken Chef Michael, we make our way to Loazzolo for a late afternoon tasting of spectacular wines from boutique family-run winery Forteto Della Luja. We make our way back to the villa where we will have a very lite late supper.
We head out on a drive hrough the bucolic Piemontese hills to Caseificio Roccaverano where they produce one of my favourite cheeses in the world, Robbaiolo di Roccaverano a semi ripe goats cheese. Then we head to a lovely lunch at one of my favourite family run restaurants in all of Italy, Ristorante Madonna delle Neve. The showcase dish is agnolotti del plin and the fascinating WWII history behind this pasta served on a linen napkin. Then, after a brief stop in Cessole to look at where life may have taken Chef Michael, we make our way to Loazzolo for a late afternoon tasting of spectacular wines from boutique family-run winery Forteto Della Luja. We make our way back to the villa where we will have a very lite late supper.
Day 6 September 22
Pasta Class at the Villa. Enjoy a light breakfast and then be prepared - for those inclined, after a restful morning- for an immersive experience with our villa host Clay making pasta, resulting in your lunch - if you want a break from the kitchen, take a walk on the grounds or through the nearby pastoral landscape. Paint a landscape. Drink in Piemonte. Hike the hills that afternoon. Michael will prepare a dinner that evening - Osso Buco with Risotto Milanese!
Pasta Class at the Villa. Enjoy a light breakfast and then be prepared - for those inclined, after a restful morning- for an immersive experience with our villa host Clay making pasta, resulting in your lunch - if you want a break from the kitchen, take a walk on the grounds or through the nearby pastoral landscape. Paint a landscape. Drink in Piemonte. Hike the hills that afternoon. Michael will prepare a dinner that evening - Osso Buco with Risotto Milanese!
The streets of Alba
Day 7 September 23
Alba and Pollenza - We’ll make our way to Alba and take a gentle stroll through this lovely small city, the white truffle capital of the world. Maybe we will find some! There are some terrific street eats in Alba too to stave off your appetite. Mid afternoon we make our way to The Slow Food University in Pollenzo and the Banca Del Vino for a tour and tasting of rare wines. This repository of the best wines in Italy was created by Slow Food to ensure that the more that 1300 varieties of wines grown in Italy are not lost to the sands of time. Michael was the president of Slow Food Canada for a number of years and has insight into the ethos behind the “Ark of Taste” We will purchase some to enjoy at dinner that night back at the villa prepared by Michael .
Alba and Pollenza - We’ll make our way to Alba and take a gentle stroll through this lovely small city, the white truffle capital of the world. Maybe we will find some! There are some terrific street eats in Alba too to stave off your appetite. Mid afternoon we make our way to The Slow Food University in Pollenzo and the Banca Del Vino for a tour and tasting of rare wines. This repository of the best wines in Italy was created by Slow Food to ensure that the more that 1300 varieties of wines grown in Italy are not lost to the sands of time. Michael was the president of Slow Food Canada for a number of years and has insight into the ethos behind the “Ark of Taste” We will purchase some to enjoy at dinner that night back at the villa prepared by Michael .
Day 8 September 24
Pecchenino Winery and La Morra - We have arranged a special VIP tour and tasting at Pecchenino, one of the most prestigious wineries in the region that specializes in what is to me the most underrated wine in Italy, Dolcetto. We also visit the town of Barolo to visit the castle and the corkscrew museum, and if we are lucky, find some local porcini mushrooms that I have found in the past there.
Then we head WAY WAY up to the magical town of La Morra for a view across the Barolo region and an early evening pizza at Per Bacco - a famous VPN pizza restaurant. We drive back to the villa for some gelato and cordials to wind up a full day.
Pecchenino Winery and La Morra - We have arranged a special VIP tour and tasting at Pecchenino, one of the most prestigious wineries in the region that specializes in what is to me the most underrated wine in Italy, Dolcetto. We also visit the town of Barolo to visit the castle and the corkscrew museum, and if we are lucky, find some local porcini mushrooms that I have found in the past there.
Then we head WAY WAY up to the magical town of La Morra for a view across the Barolo region and an early evening pizza at Per Bacco - a famous VPN pizza restaurant. We drive back to the villa for some gelato and cordials to wind up a full day.
The hilltop city of Mondovi
Day 9 September 25
Hot air balloon ride day! The most quintessential way to understand and view the beauty of the Piemonte countryside - We head out very early for the 40 minute drive to where we prepare for our ride across the Piemonte countryside over the city of Mondovi that culminates in a refreshing breakfast after you land. You are returned to Mondovi where Chef Michael meets with the bus
Then we usher you to view the glorious Sanctuario di Vicoforte (below) a stunning and visually arresting triumph of architecture with the largest unsupported dome in the WORLD! After the visit we will enjoy a light lunch overlooking the basilica - there are several restaurants immediately adjacent to the Sanctuario. We then head back to the villa and enjoy a final group dinner prepared by Michael and evening of relaxation and discussion of the trip highlights and memories to share forever!
Santuario Di Vicoforte
Day 10– September 26
Departures -We’ll rise early and depart for Turin and your return flights or further adventures. Try to schedule your flights for 2pm or later or better still spend a final night somewhere in Turin or Rivoli (near the airport)
Departures -We’ll rise early and depart for Turin and your return flights or further adventures. Try to schedule your flights for 2pm or later or better still spend a final night somewhere in Turin or Rivoli (near the airport)
