Best of Both Worlds Food and Wine in Italy
If Gastronomy is your’ thing’, then there could be no better way to spend your holiday than sampling some of the best food and wine that Italy can provide. For the ultimate in experiences and with just a bit more effort sampling the delicacies of two regions can be more than doubly rewarding!
Starting at the L’Albereta Locanda in Franciacorta, near Lake Iseo, in the North you will be treated to a tour of their well-known Bellavista winery with a wine tasting and a demonstration of how their sparkling wines get from the vine to the bottle. The legendary chef, Gualtiero Marchesi will then prepare and eight course tasting menu for you accompanied by suitably delicious wines. Over the course of a four day stay, you can truly immerse yourself in the whole ambience of this remarkable gastronomic retreat and when the high life gets a bit too exhausting the hotel also will include two 50 minute massage sessions in its ultra-modern Henri Chenot spa! As if this was not enough to whet your appetite you will also receive a bottle of L’Albereta’s exclusive Vigna Leone Chardonnay to either enjoy during your stay or to take away with you.
With the benefit of a swift transfer by 1st class rail from Milan to Pisa, travelling to the L’Andana hotel in the Maremma region of Tuscany will be made all the more enjoyable with the knowledge that at the end of your journey some of Tuscany’s most delectable dishes will be awaiting you. La Trattoria Toscana, managed by world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant and not only do the chefs prepare the food in front of your eyes, you have the option of enrolling in one of their cookery classes.
To work off all the food (and wine) you consume, there are beautiful grounds in which to walk, run and play tennis. There is a lovely swimming pool and the hotel can organise riding and cycle hire. Alternatively, you could just indulge yourself some more in the hotel’s excellent spa, which incorporates many of ingredients grown on the estate into its therapies.
4 nights at the L’Albereta Locanda and 3 nights at the L’Andana hotel costs from £2400 per person including flights to Milan, 3 days car hire, 8 course tasting menu, wine tasting and 2 massage sessions at the L’Albereta, as well as accommodation with breakfast for 3 nights; 1st class rail from Milan to Pisa; 3 days car hire and accommodation with breakfast at the L’Andana.