Breakfast at the Relais and head on to visit one of the best wineries of the nearby province of Piacenza, which real connaisseurs will discover as one of the richest wine estate areas of Italy, with up to 18 PDO wines ranging from local to international varieties, to start with its still or sparkling elegant red Gutturnio.

Tasting lunch at the end of the visit. On the way back to Parma, stop-by gt the charming fortified village with own fortress in Vigoleno: a walk within its high walls will let you live a romantique escape and the un mistakable atmosphere of the Italian Middle Ages…and don’t forget to try a sip of Vin Santo, a liqueur wine produced in minimal quantities only by the best vintages.

A last must-stop in a completely different landscape, i.e., the lowlands of the Po River, will make your day: you can’t skip the emotion of combining Culatello di Zibello PDO, one of Italy’s most artisanal cured meats, with the local sparkling red/rosé Fortana del Taro.  This magic combo will be served in another castle, which nowadays houses not only the aging of Culatello, but also a Michelin-starred restaurant and a
country-chic relais de charme: no need to add a dinner after it! Back to the hotel and overnight

Check out, meet our guide in Parma and start your tour of the Food Valley icons! First of all, visit an authentic producer of Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO: you’ll first see the hand-made making, then the salting process in the pools and finally the “wheel cathedrals”, real walls of mountains of cheese in a single room. Tasting at the end. Photo stop at the medieval Castle of Torrechiara, dominated by its romantic castle: for sure the most spectacular amidst the Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza and Northern Italy, dating back to 1448 DC.

After that visit one of the family-run Prosciutto di Parma factories producing the mythical Prosciutto di Parma. You will get to know why the best ham can only be made in the hills of Parma, where the Marino wind blows from the Ligurian Sea through the so-called Food Valley of Italy. Full lunch based on the typical products of the territory in a farm-to-table restaurant, Parmigiano, Prosciutto as well as other kinds of local cold cuts, a typical filled pasta dish (tortelli di Parma), and homemade cakes. All paired up with local wines like Lambrusco and Malvasia! In the afternoon, transfer to the province of Reggio Emilia OR Modena for a guided visit + final tasting at a family-run production site of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar PDO.

End of activities and transfer to the Franciacorta wine region between Lake Iseo and Lake Garda (administratively: Lombardia). Check in at a local luxury country resort, with a welcome drink and typical dinner to follow.

Breakfast at the hotel and head on to your tour to discover the Franciacorta PDO wines. First of all, you’ll have to visit Berlucchi, worldwide famous for their different kinds of precious spumante wines made according to the classic champagne method.

Final tasting at the end of the visit and a typical lunch at one of the typical restaurants of the area. In the afternoon, visit another world-famous winery located in a spectacular location called Bellavista: after the cellar tour, you’ll experience their unforgettable tasting of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero.

Final dinner in a restaurant in the area and a night at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Verona or Milan airport.