The Culture of Food in Piedmont with Elizabeth & Sophie Minchilli
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Piedmont
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May 9-15, 2027
Sophie and I have been traveling to Piedmont together for the last 25 years. I first brought her here as a child while researching my food guides and attending the Slow Food Salone del Gusto, held in Torino every two years. Over time, we both fell in love not only with the elegant city of Turin, but also with the surrounding countryside and its extraordinary food and wine traditions.
We are so excited to share this region, which somehow still remains off the radar for many travelers. The rolling hills of the Langhe produce some of the world’s most revered wines, including Barolo, while the forests nearby are home to the legendary white truffle, one of Italy’s most prized culinary treasures. From tiny meat-filled plin to delicate tajarin dressed simply with butter and truffles, the pasta here is among the finest in Italy. And the region’s beautiful produce — including its famous hazelnuts — is transformed into some of the country’s most beloved confections and chocolates.
Over six days, we’ll experience Piedmont the way we love it most: through what we eat and drink. We’ll move between small towns and countryside, stopping often—whether for a taste of freshly made cheese, a long lunch, or time spent cooking together. It’s not about rushing from place to place, but about savoring each moment.
We’ll be based in La Morra, in the Langhe and Torino, staying in two different hotels. Our days will be full, but never overwhelming, with time built in to wander on your own in the evenings—whether that means an aperitivo in a quiet piazza or getting a little lost in the streets.
Most of all, we can’t wait to introduce you to the people who bring this region to life: winemakers, cheesemakers, chocolatiers, truffle hunters, and cooks who continue to preserve Piedmont’s rich culinary traditions with passion and pride. I hope you can join us! – Elizabeth & Sophie
Day 1: Arrivals & Introductions
Hotel
We begin our week in the Langhe, in one of the region’s most picturesque towns: La Morra. Our home for the week is the luxurious, 4-star boutique hotel Corte Gondina. We love this charming retreat, which is located at the edge of the village and has it’s own spa and pool.
After settling in, you’ll find a welcome package in your room, including a copy of the itinerary, a tote bag for any treasures you pick up throughout the week, and a personal guide to La Morra with recommendations for places to eat and shop to help you make the most of your free time. We’ve also left you some special treats to start our week.
Drinks & Dinner
We will gather on the terrace for a welcome drink to kick off the week and get to know each other. You will meet Elizabeth and Sophie, who will tell you what we will be doing during the week.
Our first dinner is a short walk away, down a country road, to one of our favorite restaurants in town for our first introduction to the foods – and just as important – wines of this region!
Day 2: Truffles, Barolo & Grappa
Morning
Today we will venture into the countryside to begin our exploration of the Langhe. We will be joined by Valerio, our local guide for the week.
Nestled in the renowned Barolo wine region of Serralunga d’Alba, this historic biodynamic winery is both a fully sustainable farm and a nonprofit outdoor school for local children. As we explore the Langhe hills, we’ll discover the rich ecosystem that thrives among the vineyards and forests.
Our morning begins with Francesca, one of the few female truffle hunters in the region, and her dog as we walk through the woods learning about the secrets, traditions, and life cycle of the prized truffle.
After the hunt, we’ll meet the winery’s owner, who will share his philosophy on sustainable farming and biodynamic winemaking. Today, the estate is one of the only biodynamic wineries in Barolo, with 37 acres of vineyards in Sinio and Serralunga d’Alba. We’ll conclude the experience with a tasting of some of the winery’s finest wines.
Lunch
We will then move on to a local agriturismo for a long leisurely lunch beneath the mulberry trees. And if we have found truffles, they will most certainly make their way into our pasta!
Grappa
The perfect way to finish any lunch is with a glass of grappa — not just because it tastes good, but because Italians swear by its digestive powers (and they may be right!).
On our way back to the hotel, we’ll visit Gianni and his daughter Cecilia at their family-run micro-distillery. As we tour the distillery and aging rooms, we’ll taste their handcrafted grappas along with their award-winning apple acquavite.
Dinner
Dinner is on your own tonight. We’re happy to offer recommendations or help with reservations.
Day 3: Hazelnuts & Barolo
Hazelnut Farm
One of the most delicious exports from Piemonte are hazelnuts – and all the products made from them. We will spend the morning learning all about this small nut: wandering through the panoramic orchards, learning how these nuts make their way into candies, spreads and more before heading to the tasting room where we will taste our way through 15 different delicacies
Winery
Our next stop is to one of the most famous wineries in the Barolo region. The Estate has been making wine since 1340 and we will have a private guided tour through centuries-old cellars and offering insight into the craftsmanship and heritage behind their wines.
Lunch
We will then sit down to a magnificent lunch, featuring hand made agnolotti di plin prepared by the resident nonna. Throughout the meal, we will enjoy a carefully curated wine pairing, featuring the estate’s finest labels, including their award-winning Barolo.
Afternoon
To walk off our lunch we head to the ancient town of Barolo for a leisurely passeggiata.
Dinner
Dinner is on your own tonight. We’re happy to offer recommendations or help with reservations.
Day 4: Morning Market, Cooking and Cherasco
Market and Cooking Class
Our first stop is the lively market of Fossano, where a vibrant mix of Langhe products and delicacies from the Province of Cuneo can be found. We will stroll through the market stalls, discovering local specialties, seasonal produce, and artisanal products (bring your tote bag!) The perfect introduction to the cooking class that follows.
Today we have to work for our lunch. We are spending the morning with Raffaella, who is hosting us in her beautifully restored 19th century farmhouse. The kitchen, once an old stable, is now her cookery school. We will of course be trying our hands at making plin, the tiny filled pasta, as well as several other dishes. Lunch is the fruits of our labor.
Afternoon
We head to nearby Cherasco, a charming village far off the the tourist trail. We will make one important stop during our passeggiata: A pastry shop famous for the local cookies, Baci di Cherasco. Created in the late 1800s, these irregular-shaped treats are said to resemble two lips meeting in a kiss.
Dinner
Dinner is on your own tonight. We’re happy to offer recommendations or help with reservations.
Day 5: Goats, Cheese, Chocolate & Vermouth
This morning, we’ll pack our bags to change hotels. But before we get to our new lodging in Torino, we have quite a full day.
Morning
Paolo’s farm is located in the hills of Roero, where cheese is produced naturally, guided by the rhythm of his goats. Paolo passionately believes that the herd leads the process, preserving a close and respectful relationship between nature and production. The visit is very much hands on (so dress appropriately!) We will be walking through the woods with the goats and even get a chance to try hand-milking – learning gestures passed down through generations.
Lunch
A feast at the farm which will center around the fresh and aged goats cheeses, as well as seasonal salads, soups and freshly baked breads.
Afternoon
After the one-hour drive to Torino, our first stop will be a sweet one. Chocolate making has a long history in the city, and we will visit an artisanal workshop that has been preserving Torino’s chocolate-making tradition since 1930.
We will meet the owner, who will introduce us to the art of chocolate making. We will discover the secrets behind specialties such as Preferiti—chocolates filled with whole cherries—as well as their refined pralines, candied orange peels, and dragées.
Hotel
We will then check into our home for the next two nights, the historic 5-star luxury Grand Hotel Sitea. You will have time to rest and relax before meeting up in the early evening.
Vermouth & Tramezzini
We will begin our stay in Torino with a time-honored Torinese tradition: gathering at a historic café for a small glass of vermouth. This fortified wine was invented here, and in the elegant setting of a beautiful 19th-century caffè, we’ll learn all about its history and production. Our guide Elena will lead us through a tasting of several styles of vermouth.
To accompany the tasting, we’ll enjoy another Torinese specialty: tramezzini. These delicate triangular tea sandwiches were also invented in Torino, and they remain one of our favorite local traditions.
Dinner
Dinner is on your own tonight. We’re happy to offer recommendations or help with reservations.
Day 6: Torino
Morning
This morning we’ll join Elena for a three-hour walking tour of Torino. As we make our way through the grand arcades and cobblestoned streets of Piedmont’s elegant capital, we’ll learn about the city’s rich history, architecture, and culture.
Just as important as Torino’s architectural landmarks are its culinary ones. Along the way, we’ll stop to sample some of the city’s most iconic specialties, including a classic bicerin — the famous layered drink of coffee and hot chocolate — as well as giandujotti, Torino’s beloved hazelnut chocolates, before finishing at one of our favorite gelaterias.
Afternoon
The afternoon is completely free for you to enjoy on your own, shopping, visiting one of the many museums, or just wandering. We are happy to help you plan your time.
Farewell Dinner
Our final dinner will take place in a restaurant housed inside the Palazzo Graneri della Roccia, an elegant and lively hub for book readings, literary events, and cultural gatherings. The atmosphere feels more like a refined private club than a restaurant.
This special evening features a five-course meal offering a modern interpretation of traditional Piedmontese cuisine, the perfect way to celebrate the end of our time together in Torino.
Day 7: Departure
Check-out
Our tour is officially over, and after one last breakfast, you will be checking out of our hotel in Torino.
Is This Tour For You?
The Culture of Food
All of our tours are designed around experiencing a place through its food culture. Nearly all activities are food-focused, with generous meals and often snacks in between. If you have a small appetite, significant dietary restrictions, are squeamish, or a particularly selective eater, this tour may not be the right fit. Our trips are best suited for those who are excited to eat adventurously, try new things, and fully engage with the local culinary traditions.
Food Intolerances
This tour takes place in Piemonte, a region known for its rich and hearty cuisine. Many of our meals are centered around local food traditions and will include meat, cheese, and pasta. If you are vegetarian, lactose intolerant, or gluten-free, this particular tour may not be the right fit. (While we’re often able to offer substitutions on our other tours, that won’t be possible on this one.) We are also in the heart of one of the most famous wine regions in the world: Barolo. We will be spending a great deal of time learning about, and tasting wines. If you do not drink wine, this tour may not be for you.
Activity Level
To participate in our group tours, it’s important that you feel confident in your mobility. Our days are often long and include up to an hour or more of walking, often on uneven terrain, cobblestones, and stairs. You’ll also need to be able to get on and off vehicles and navigate multi-story buildings, which may not have elevators. While the pace is relaxed and never strenuous, it’s essential that all guests are able to comfortably keep up with the group, un-aided, so that the schedule can run smoothly for everyone. If you can not keep up, you may be asked to sit out certain activities.
Travel Companions
Many of our guests find us through social media and know what to expect: a full week centered around food, with visits to farms, markets, and rustic kitchens. If you’re bringing a companion, make sure they’re equally enthusiastic. If they’re not interested in food or rural experiences, they likely won’t enjoy the trip, and that can affect everyone’s experience.
Pricing:
Pricing:
Double occupancy (2 people in 1 room): €8600 per person
Single occupancy (1 person in 1 room): €9400 per person
The fee includes:
- 4 nights at Corte Gondina, 4-star boutique hotel, La Morra
- 2 nights at Grand Hotel Sitea, 5-star luxury hotel, Torino
- Daily breakfast
- All of the meals, activities and transportation outlined above
- Sunday Arrival Transfer at 2pm from Torino to La Morra.
- Gratuities
Not included:
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from hotel
Itinerary:
Our tours focus on small, family-run businesses, so we reserve the right to adjust the itinerary as needed. Days may be switched, activities added or changed, and locations substituted. A final itinerary will be sent 30 days before the tour begins.
Group Size:
This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Concierge service:
The hotel can help you arrange restaurant reservations, taxis, and cars for your free time, airport, or train transfer. We also have a trusted tour agent if you would like to extend your stay in Italy before or after our week.
Each tour is so thought out, not a detail missed. I love that they are intimate and are kept at a relaxing pace. You also get breaks from the group to be on your own, which is always appreciated. I love everything food, and they do a great job curating the day tours to incorporate history as well as delish food! They have worked with many of these farms and restaurants for years and the hospitality from the hosts reflects that.
Melissa
Your Hosts for the Week
Elizabeth Minchilli
Elizabeth is one of the founders and owners of Via Rosa Tours. She has been writing about the joys of Italian life for 35 years. She is the author of 9 books on Italy, including her most recent, The Italian Table, Eating My Way Through Italy, and Eating Rome. She has written for over 40 publications, including Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, and The New York Times. Her award-winning blog is where she has shared her passion for Italian food, writing about recipes, meals, and restaurants for the past 15 years. She now publishes one of the best-selling travel newsletters on Substack. She has been leading food tours since 2011, and you can read about them in magazines and in this article from the New York Times. You can follow Elizabeth on her very active Instagram and TikTok accounts, where she shares scenes from daily life, including her tours.
Sophie Minchilli
Sophie Minchilli is a writer, tour leader, and co-founder of Via Rosa, which she started with her mother, Elizabeth Minchilli and has been leading food tours in Rome and throughout Italy since 2015. Her favorite part of the work is connecting with the people who grow, prepare, and preserve Italy’s culinary traditions. Her deep relationships with farmers, restaurant owners, baristas, and shopkeepers—many from an older generation—are joyfully visible in the videos she shares on social media. Sophie’s approach to life is rooted in slowing down and savoring everyday pleasures, a philosophy she shares in her book The Sweetness of Doing Nothing: Living Life the Italian Way with Dolce Far Niente. She documents her daily life and travels on Instagram and TikTok and also makes guest appearances on TV including the Puglia episode of Season 2 of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, available on CNNgo and Discovery+. (here is a clip)