Overview
Piedmont, Italy’s north-western region, is famous for outstanding cuisine and rivers of world-class red wines such as Barolo, Barbera and Barbaresco.
Go truffle hunting in Italy for the prized white truffle and learn from the master chefs how to cook an authentic Piemontese feast.
Combined with the vineyard-laced hills of the UNESCO site Langhe, this is truly is a gourmet’s paradise and perfect for insiders.
Recommended for:
If you prefer to travel at your own pace with our local guides, our private trips are for you. Our culinary journeys focus on immersion into the local culture. We introduce you to experts who invite you into their culture and kitchens to participate. Min 2 guests.
Highlights:
Location
Piedmont (Piemonte) in Northern Italy is a noble and stunning region with Turin as the jewel in its crown. The streets and squares of this former capital of Savoy, a city of writers and industrialists, exude a theatre-like quality and natural elegance. Piedmont also boasts the Langhe and Montferrat, which were both recently declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Mid-way between the Alps and the sea, the hills of the Langhe form the most internationally well-known area of Piedmont thanks to its culture of gourmet wine and food.
Spectacularly beautiful old towns, orderly vineyards and hills crowned with ancient castles which look straight out of a film set are home to excellent wineries where visitors can sample Barolo, the “king of wines”, and its entourage: Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera and Moscato.
And of course there is Alba, located in the hills of the Langhe and epicenter of trade in Italy’s top culinary commodity — the white truffle.
Hands On Cooking Class in Alba
In this special cooking class at a castle near Alba in the Piedmont, you will learn how to create delicious Piemontese favourites whilst being inspired by a local chef trained in the Langhe with a genuine passion for Piemontese foods. The class is located in a restored castle in a small Piemontese village and led by a Master chef who uses selected natural ingredients and innovative ideas to create dishes with passion and taste. The class includes the preparation of a four-course menu then a sit-down meal accompanied by wonderful local wines.
About the cooking course/ chef
Cuisine
Truffles – Chocolate – Cheese – Coffee – Wines!
The region’s most highly-prized product is the white Alba truffle, the “Tuber magnatum”, a real underground treasure which triumphs in autumn in the finest local restaurants served alongside a variety of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheeses and Piedmont hazelnuts, “Tonda Gentile delle Langhe”, which form the basis of Gianduja chocolate.
Between the locals and chocolate there is a 350 year old love affair and it’s no surprise that Piemonte and Turin have both played a leading role in the Italian chocolate industry.
Slow Food
The world-famous Slow Food Movement started in Piedmont and the restaurants in Alba proudly advertise their allegiance to the movement.
Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization, founded in 1989 to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of fast life and combat people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from and how our food choices affect the world around us.
Since its beginnings, Slow Food has grown into a global movement involving millions of people, in over 150 countries, working to ensure everyone has access to good, clean and fair food.
Piedmont’s Wines – Barolo, Barbera, Barbaresco
The wines of Piedmont are of exceptional quality and usually made with grapes unique to the region on tiny family plots, making the countryside a lovely patchwork of vineyards and small farms.
Barolo is called the king of reds and is considered one of Italy’s top three wines, the richest and heartiest of the Piedmont wines, and the one most likely to accompany game or meat. Barbaresco, like Barolo, is made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape though it is less tannic. Barbera d’Alba is smooth and rich, the product of the delightful villages south of Alba. Dolcetto is dry, fruity, mellow, and dry, not sweet, as its name leads many to assume. Nebbiolo d’Alba is rich, full, and dry.
The white Spumanti DOCGs are the sparkling wines that put Asti on the map, and Moscato d’Asti is a floral dessert wine, while the fiery local Piedmmont grappas are none too shabby either.
Accommodation
Stay in an elegant hotel, located in the heart of the Langhe region, just a few minutes away from the truffle capital Alba.
A superb renovation of an 18th century estate, placed on a hill crest between lush woods and hazelnut trees, with breathtaking views over the Alps and the delicate Barolo vineyards. The perfect base to discover this magical territory, rich in flavours and tradition. The elegant and warm interior and the gardens of the villa are designed with the charming atmosphere of a private home, with great personal care for each guest.
Dates 2025
Available year-round upon request.
Alba’swhite truffle fair and market, one of the best in Italy, takes place on weekends from early October through mid-November
Minimum 2 guest.
3 or 6 nights. Our suggested 3 nights/ 4 days itinerary is a food experience in its own right or can be added on to an extended itinerary.
Both itineraries can be entirely tailor-made according to your preferences.
Prices 2025
3 nights/ 4 days
from Euro 1690 pp (based on min 2 pax)
6 nights/ 7 days
from Euro 2500 pp (based on min 2 pax)
Includes
3 nights/ 4 days
Includes:
- 3 nights in hotel
- Daily breakfast
- Round trip transfers airport to hotel
- Private Barolo wine tour with car and driver
- Wine Tastings at 2 top rated Barolo wineries, vineyard visit
- Private truffle hunt with expert and dog
- Time to explore Alba and Barolo
- Reservations for lunches and dinners as desired
6 nights/ 7 days
Includes:
- 6 nights in hotel
- Daily breakfast
- Transfers from airport and hotels
- Half day private walking tour in Turin with chocolate tastings
- Spa experience in the Langhe
- Full day private Barolo wine tour with car and driver
- Wine Tastings at 2 top rated Barolo wineries, vineyard visit
- Private truffle hunt with expert and dog
- Sensory lesson on truffles
- Hands on cooking lesson, recipes and lunch
- Full day private Barbaresco wine tour with car and driver
- Time to explore Alba and Barolo
- Reservations for lunches and dinners as desired
Excludes
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Getting There
Nearest airport is Turin, Genoa or Milan. Rent a car, alternatively we will arrange all local transfers.
Map
Sample itinerary for 4 days/ 3 nights
Day 1
Arrival and transfer to Langhe region – optional dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant
Day 2
Full day guided tour through Barolo – fortified villages and vineyard visits – wine tastings at family-run wineries
Day 3
Truffle hunt with trifulao – sensory lesson on truffles – lunch on white truffles – afternoon and evening at leisure
Day 4
Breakfast and departure
Sample itinerary for 7 days/ 6 nights
Day 1
Arrival in Turin – Optional gastronomic dinner
Day 2
Full day guided tour through Turin – visit to well established chocolate producer and tasting
Day 3
Transfer to the Langhe – explore charming town of Monforte – half-day spa experience
Day 4
Full day guided tour through Barolo – fortified villages and vineyard visits – wine tastings at family-run wineries
Day 5
Truffle hunt with trifulao – sensory lesson on truffles – lunch on white truffles – afternoon and evening at leisure
Day 6
Hands-on cooking class at beautiful castle near Alba – afternoon at leisure
Day 7
Full day guided tour through Barbaresco – hill-top villages and vineyard visits – wine tastings – lunch at the region’s best Michelin-starred restaurant
Day 8
Breakfast and departure
Happy guests…
Memories we treasure forever
My husband and I have just returned from the most fabulous experience in Italy. The cooking class at the castle was really special and the truffle hunt was extraordinary. A memory we will cherish forever and we are still talking about. I can’t wait to get my hands onto some truffles and cook some of the delicious dishes we learned to impress our friends and family! It was a delicious and fascinating experience and I would recommend it highly to anybody who is serious about their food and wine!
Ros H., NY, US
Amazing experience
“The truffle hunt was an amazing experience for our entire family. It was fun to roam the forest with Giorgio and his dog. And of course to finally find and taste the precious truffle.
The wines to go with it were excellent and we also very much enjoyed our cooking course with Angelo.
We are so happy to discover this new region, off the beaten track, and already look forward to coming back for another adventure with you!”
Martin S., London, UK