Depart at 8:30 a.m. from Starhotels Ritz in Milan to the hilly area of Monferrato in the Southeast of Piedmont Region. Arrival in Acqui Terme, an old city founded by the Romans and famous for its original aqueduct. In the old town, you can admire “La Bollente”, a beautiful white stone structure built to protect the amazing hot spring with water at 75°. After a short walk in the old town, depart to Casale Monferrato, the capital of the ancient Dukedom of Monferrato. The old town includes several beautiful buildings with different architectural styles, such as the Fortress, the Civic Tower, and the Cathedral. Free time for lunch and depart in the afternoon to Turin, capital of the region—crossing the North of Monferrato with short stops in Moncalvo, a nice village at the top of several vineyards and Crea, where it is possible to visit the local Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage. Arrival in Turin and spend overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Your full day is dedicated to visit the town. Depart to Superga, the second hill of the region. Here, visit at the Basilica, built at the beginning of the 1700 by the command of the King of Sardinia, Victor Amadeus II as a dedication to the Virgin to celebrate the victory of the Piedmont Army versus France and Spain. Continue to the famous Savoy Route, including the Royal Palace in Venaria, the greatest abode of the Royal Family. This imposing structure inspired the French architects during the project of renovation of the Palace of Versailles near Paris. Built in the second half of the 1600 by the command of the Savoy Duke Charles Emmanuel that gave it as a gift to his wife—the palace presents the main central building as well as the largest park of the region. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you visit Turin—the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, the main center of car factory FIAT, cultural and university center. It is now, the fourth biggest town of the country for its number of inhabitants and the third for industrial development. The visit of the downtown includes Piazza Castello, with Palazzo Madama, Old Roman Gate, and the Royal Palace; the Mole Antonelliana, the major landmark of the city, built by the architect Alessandro Antonelli in 1873. It houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, the National Museum of Film, the Cathedral, which hedges in the Shroud, a linen cloth bearing the image of a man who appears to have been physically traumatized in a manner consistent with crucifixion of Jesus—according to the catholic tradition, and Piazza San Carlo with its galleries in typical Piedmont style. Walk through Via Roma and Garibaldi, where you have a free time to enjoy the everyday life of this amazing city.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, in the Langhe, you will be invited to taste a glass of an extraordinary local red wine: Barolo. Moreover, you can discover products made with both white and black truffles. Depart to Asti. The city presents Roman and baroque style and tracks of the Middle Age and of the Renaissance. In the world, it is known due to its top production of wines, of which the most important one is the Asti Spumante. Visit of the downtown: Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, Piazza Roma with the monument to Italy, the Red Tower of the Roman age, the baroque palaces, and the Middle Age towers. Later, continue to Alba town considered as the capital of the Langhe, district of hills and strong production of wines, known also as the regional leader in the ambit of buying and selling of truffles and chocolates (Ferrero, the multinational factory in the production of tea, chocolate, and biscuits all over the world). Founded in the pre-Roman age, Alba had an important role in the Middle Age. Visit of the Cathedral, the old town center with the road of business, Vittorio Emanuele and Cavour and the City Hall Palace.
Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, through an amazing trip among hills and vineyards, arrive to Grinzane Cavour that houses the castle with the same name and some of the main wine bars of the area. There, the first Italian Prime Minister, Camillo Cavour created the myth of the Barolo and La Morra, a small village of the Middle Age. It grounds its richness on the so called “Red gold”, the Barolo. Visit of the old town with great views towards the Langhe hills. Then, return to Turin. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Fenis to look up to the castle built in the XII century, located in the highest valley of the region. Built by command of the family Challant, because of a reason of prestige, now it represents as one of the most charming masterpieces of that age in all Northern Italy. Then, depart to Courmayeur, a small village located at the bottom of the Mont Blanc, the last Italian place before the frontier with France. Enter in the collective imagery due to its 11 km long tunnel between Italy and France under the Mont Blanc. It presents a unique and wonderful landscape among the best and most fascinating peaks of the Western Alps. Free time in the beautiful old town. Continuation to Aosta, the capital of the autonomous region of Aosta Valley, the smallest region of our country located in the middle of the highest mountains of the Alps. Old town, founded before Christ and partially built by the Romans according to the typical style of a Roman camp (core and parallel streets). Still today, Roman tracks are extremely evident: Arch of Augustus, the Praetorian gates, the old entrances of the city and the modern district with the modern works as the Cathedral and Piazza Chanoux with the City Hall.
Free time for lunch and then, way back to Milan. End of our services.
Grazie e arrivederci!