{"title":"Top Things to do in Northern Italy - Lake Como, Maggiore, Piedmont","description":"Northern Italy - Piedmont, Veneto, Lago Maggiore, Lago Como, Bologna, and More. Experience \u0026amp; savour the food and wines of these regions, cooking, walking, tasting, experiencing. Our local hosts know this region well and will introduce you to their Italy. Live and enjoy like a local.","products":[{"product_id":"wine-lovers-full-day-tour-lago-maggiore-region","title":"Wine Lovers full day tour Lago Maggiore region","description":"\u003c!--Start tab labels--\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca class=\"active\" href=\"#tab1\"\u003e Description \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#tab2\" class=\"\"\u003e Details \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#tab3\" class=\"\"\u003eMore Information\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!--Start tab content--\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\" id=\"tab1\" style=\"display: block;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood \u0026amp; Wine \u003c\/b\u003e- We love this magnificent region north of Milan, its strong red wines, the food and the cheeses!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLEASE NOTE THESE ARE NOT REAL TIME BOOKINGS PLEASE EMAIL WITH YOUR DATES TO INQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA full day tour to discover the tastes and flavours of Valtellina: visit to an old grocery store dated 1883, wine tasting experience at two historic wineries plus lunch at a Michelin listed restaurant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Valtellina Valley is one of the hidden gems of Northern Italy just a two-hour drive north from Milan. If you are a wine lover this is an extraordinary destination to visit. Valtellina is the largest terraced vineyards area in Italy with its 2,500 kilometers of picturesque vineyards built over centuries is a candidate to be registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and thus get the same recognition as regions like Burgundy and the Champagne Valley. Due to the hilly georgraphy, everything in the vineyards is done by hand: during harvesting, quintals of bunches of grapes are carried in large baskets on the picker’s back along steep paths and steps to tractors for transportation to the wineries. Valtellina with its stunning alpine landscapes, its genuine gastronomy produces almost exclusively red wines, made of Chiavennasca, the local name for the Nebbiolo grape. The characteristics of these wines are less tannic and more delicate than Barolo or Barbaresco .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring this \"wine lovers food \u0026amp; wine tasting tour” you will discover the taste and flavours of this magnificient region. Get on board our private minibus in Varenna and start your journey!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli id=\"tab2\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur first stop will be at a famous and old “Bottega” (grocery store) of the valley dated 1883 for a taste of the two typical cheeses of the region, the well-rounded forms of aged Bitto and Casera hidden in back rooms surrounded by an astonishing succession of vaults, columns and beehive cells. The artisan rules of conservation, care and aging of typical Valtellinese natural products have been handed down from generation to generation by this family despite the changing trends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trip continues along the valley to a small historic Valtellina winery located in the ancient home of the noble Quadrio, in Chiuro for an unforgettable 3 wine tasting experience accompanied by cheese and cold meat specialties like the famous bresaola di Valtellina, air-dried salted beef. The winemaker Paolo carries on the family tradition with his sons Luca and Matteo respecting as much as possible the long aging time of Nebbiolo. This is the only winery at the moment that uses the precious antioxidant active ingredients of grapes to produce anti-aging creams, based on red wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLunch will be served in a Michelin listed restaurant renowned for highlighting the ancient land flavors in its dishes. This is the best time to relax and get to know your travelling companions while enjoying the world famous typical dish of “pizzoccheri” (pasta made with buckwheat floor, topped with Casera cheese, butter and cabbage) and the “sciatt”, delicious cheese-filled buckwheat fritters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour continues after lunch to your last stop - a visit to the most historic and largest winery of Valtellina born more than a century ago: Casa Vinicola Nino Negri. You will be guided through a labyrinth of cellars under Palazzo Quadrio, the company's headquarters, where you will be so amazed by the number of barrels and underground rooms while experiencing the tasting of 4 different wines so interesting that you won’t notice that you have come out in another part of the village.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis concludes your Valtellina experience and now enjoy the journey back to Varenna admiring the beautiful landscapes that surrounds Lake Como.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli id=\"tab3\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour is in English but we can cater for groups of at least 8 adults in Italian, please check with us for other language availability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e​\u003cb\u003eDeparts: Mon, 8:30 a.m.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDuration: 10 hours\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMinimum number: 2 adults\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrice: Adult from Euro 250 (group discount: 4 people - Euro 200pp)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate minibus transfer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit to an old charming Bottega (grocery store) dated 1883 plus tasting of delicious local cheeses (Bitto, Casera) .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuided wine tasting at an historic small winery (3 wines) accompanied with cheese and cold cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecial lunch at a Michelin listed Restaurant (starter, pizzoccheri, water, a glass of wine and coffee).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit and guided wine tasting at the famous Cantine Nino Negri winery (4 wines) accompanied with local specialties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e​What's not included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHotel pick-up and drop-off (please contact us for a quotation).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e​The costs of any souvenirs\/ drinks \/ snacks \/ meals that are not explicitly listed in the programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eImportant Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour is not recommended for pregnant women and children due to alcohol consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo pets allowed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComfortable shoes and clothes are advisable. Please bring a light jacket\/jumper with you as temperature in the cellars could be cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e​Not wheelchair accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e​The meeting and end point are well connected to public transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease bring a bottle of water; alternatively you can purchase one near the meeting point. ​\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tour runs rain or shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease remember that bookings are made on a first come, first served basis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e​Cancellation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to cancel your booked tour send us an email.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you cancel your tour 7 or more days before your tour you shall be fully refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are no refunds if you cancel your tour less than 7 days (168 hours) before the start of your tour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are no refunds if you do not turn up for the tour (our tours start promptly, the guide shall not be able to linger).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e​If you need to reschedule your booked tour we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please contact us directly by email or phone. In case we cannot meet your needs and you decide to cancel, no refund shall be given for tours that are cancelled with 7 of fewer days notice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease refer to our full Terms and Conditions policy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Classic Villa Vacations \u0026 More, a division of Classicvacationrental.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":7010533769261,"sku":"","price":100.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2395\/1903\/products\/valtellina-4_orig.jpg?v=1520045804"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2395\/1903\/collections\/barbaresco.jpg?v=1518723949","url":"https:\/\/www.classicvacationrental.com\/collections\/top-things-to-do-in-northern-italy-lake-como-maggiore-piedmont.oembed","provider":"Classic Villa Vacations \u0026 More, a division of Classicvacationrental.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}