Savor Piemonte
A Taste of Torino
Elegance, Heritage & Cheese
“Together we’ll explore Piedmont’s rich cheesemaking heritage visiting a traditional Castelmagno producer high in the mountains, meeting a renowned affineur who ages wheels to perfection, and spending time with two of Italy’s legendary cheesemongers, whose passion and expertise continue to celebrate the country’s finest cheeses. Along the way, we’ll savor other icons of Torino’s culture, from chocolate and vermouth to the silky layers of a bicerin to the cellars of Bra where the Slow Food movement was born.” – Emilia D’Albero
SPRING 2026
May 29 – June 5, 2026
SPRING 2026
June 9 – 14, 2026
LATE SPRING 2025
May 30 – June 6, 2025
Sep 26 – Oct 3, 2025
PROGRAM DETAILS
Day 1
DAY 1
Benvenuti a Torino
Arrive and settle into your elegant city retreat for the week, a favorite boutique hotel perfectly located in the heart of Torino. As evening settles over the city, gather for a warm welcome aperitivo and vermouth tasting, tracing the origins of this iconic aperitif back to 18th-century Torino, where it was first crafted by herbalists and alchemists blending local wines with aromatic botanicals from the Alps. Then we’ll settle down to dinner in a charming space housed within the walls of a former 17th-century church. Here you’ll meet your guest host for the week, Emilia D’Albero, along with Danielle and Michelle of Vita Casalinga, as the group comes together for the first time over shared plates and conversation. A gentle evening walk through Torino’s graceful streets and grand piazzas sets the tone for the week ahead.
Day 2
DAY 2
Torino’s Royal Heart
Begin the day with a guided walk-through of Torino’s regal avenues, where the House of Savoy once shaped Italy’s destiny. Renowned cafés dating back to the 1700s will be among our stops, an essential part of local life and the city’s elegant history. We’ll head to a legendary cheese shop run by three generations of women for a very special tasting. After lunch in a quaint bistro for a traditional regional dish, in the afternoon we’ll immerse ourselves in another of Torino’s elegant traditions with a workshop at a boutique perfume atelier. Here, we’ll learn how Torinese perfumers once collaborated with apothecaries and royal courts, blending Alpine botanicals and imported essences to create scents as complex as fine wines. Guided by fragrance experts, you’ll craft your own bespoke scent to take home, an olfactory memory of your time in Piemonte. After time to rest and refresh or go for a stroll on your own, we’ll head to a favorite locals’ spot for a lively meal together.
Day 3
DAY 3
Day 4
DAY 4
Savoring Slow Food
Today we travel south to Bra outside Torino, birthplace of the Slow Food movement, but not before making an important first stop at our favorite Castelmagno cheesemaker. This decadent Alpine cheese, known for its crumbly yet creamy texture, once graced the tables of the House of Savoy, with records dating back to the 13th century. Its DOP status and limited Alpine production make it one of Italy’s most treasured cheeses.
In the charming town of Bra, we’ll have lunch at the historic bistro that launched Slow Food before stopping for a visit to legendary affineurs, cheese agers, who have aged Parmigiano Reggiano for five generations in Piemonte, a region not usually associated with Parmigiano. Our guest host Emilia D’Albero shares a personal connection here: Giorgio Cravero provided the cheese that helped her earn the title of Best Cheesemonger in the World at the Mondial du Fromage in France.
The day concludes with our friends at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in nearby Pollenzo, home to the Banca del Vino, Italy’s “Wine Bank,” which houses the very best wines from all the regions of Italy in this medieval village turned university campus. We’ll enjoy a wine pairing special setting. After a full and memorable day, the evening is yours to relax and reflect.
Day 5
DAY 5
Day 6
DAY 6
Arrivederci!
Departures after a leisurely breakfast. Arrivederci Torino!
YOUR GUEST HOST: Emilia D’Albero
We’re honored to partner with passionate guest hosts and expert guides. We’re thrilled to have Emilia D’Albero as our host on our trip to Torino. Named Best Cheesemonger in the World at the Mondial du Fromage in Tours, France, Emilia made history as the first American to earn the title. Based in Philadelphia, Emilia is celebrated for her deep knowledge, artistry, and storytelling, bringing cheese to life as both craft and culture. Torino, and Piemonte hold a very special place in her art and she is so excited to share her passion and knowledge with you.
PRICE
The price of the “Savor Piemonte | A Taste of Torino” Tour for 2026 is 5,900 euros per person for double occupancy/6,900 euros per person for single occupancy. Tour is limited to 12 guests.
MORE ABOUT YOUR ACCOMODATIONS
Opera 35 offers an elegant retreat in the heart of Torino. Set within a beautifully restored historic palazzo on one of the most charming residential streets in Torino, the hotel feels like a stylish home blending classic architecture with modern, understated design. We love our guests on all our trips to feel as though they are truly living in Italy for the week, and this hotel is no different. Its central location makes it easy to step out on foot to experience the city’s cafés, piazzas, and museums, while inside you’ll find a serene and comfortable home perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration. We always make sure our guests are treated to little extra touches!PAYMENT
Reservations are secured by deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. Only a down payment of 25% is needed to reserve your spot, and monthly payment plans are available for the remainder. The cost is divided evenly by the number of months left before the trip with final payment needed 60 days prior to departure. Reserve your spot and we will send you a link to make your deposit and receive a full itinerary with all locations and timing for the day. Prior to making your deposit, you may also use the reservation form to ask any questions you may have.
DATES
Spring 2026
June 9th – 14th
SPRING 2026
May 29 – June 5, 2026
SPRING 2026
June 9 – 14, 2026
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• 5 nights
• Optional group Zoom call for packing tips, general trip planning for before and after tour, Q&A
• All group meals throughout the tour, including wine at each meal.
• Private driver throughout the tour
• Daily cooking experiences – some are hands-on, some are demo style, and some are tastings. You are always welcome to just watch (and eat!) if preferred.
• Visits to local farmers & tastings
• All tours and experiences
• Tips for bus drivers and guides (we want you to just relax and enjoy the moment so we have taken care of this)
NOT INCLUDED
• Airfare
• Travel & health insurance
• Shopping and personal expenses
• Food, drinks, and snacks that are not included in the itinerary
• All other expenses incurred during free time
TRIP FAQ
Cooking experiences
We will be immersed in food and wine during the week. Some of the experiences are hands-on, some are demo style, and some are tastings. You are always welcome to just watch (and eat!) if preferred.
Physical Activity
This is an active trip. Be prepared for lots of walking, cobblestones, stairs, and long, exciting days!
Rest time
This is a busy tour as we want you to get the most experiences that you can, however, rest time is important too! While we will be out most of the day, there will be quiet moments of downtime built in to allow for slow and leisurely moments to be sure you are soaking it all in. This is not a jam-packed trip to say you saw it all – this is about experiences you will keep with you for a lifetime.
An Exclusive and Inclusive Experience
Unlike most tours available, our tours are limited to 12 people. Why is this so important to us? This allows for a more intimate and personalized experience enhancing the quality of interactions and ensuring that everyone’s questions and needs are addressed thoroughly. A smaller group fosters a stronger sense of camaraderie among participants and facilitates deeper connections and more meaningful interactions with the locals you will soon call friends.
Food & Drink Allergies
Wine is culturally served at all meals – however there will always be an option for a nonalcoholic beverage like clean spring water, sparkling water or a nonalcoholic aperitivo. Italy is a wonderful place for people to visit with dietary restrictions as options are all around, however on this trip we are visiting local farmers and experiencing unique tastings that include regional cheeses, meats and seafood. For this reason this particular trip is not suitable for vegans. We will be organizing amazing vegan friendly tours so stay tuned!
Flight & Airport Tips
The closest airports are Pisa International (Galileo Galilei Airport) or Florence Airport (FLR-Peretola). We’d recommend you fly in at least 2-3 days prior to the start of the tour to acclimate to the time difference. We will meet the group at the train station in Pisa Centrale Train Station on day one of the trip so plan to head back to Pisa regardless of where you visit prior. Additional details will be provided after booking. We are happy to discuss more details on ideas for other places to see before or after the trip on our Group Zoom Call.
Payment, Refunds and Travel Insurance
Your spot is confirmed once you pay the 25% deposit. We want you to book your trip with confidence therefore if for any reason you change your mind you have 48 hours for a full refund of your deposit. After 48 hours the deposit is non-transferable and non-refundable. Remaining balance is due four months before the start of the tour. In the unfortunate case that you should need to cancel we are happy to provide you with a credit towards a future trip as follows:
• 90+ days prior 100% credit towards future trip
• 30-90 days prior 50% credit towards future trip
• Less than 30 days no credit possible
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance which is not provided by Vita Casalinga. It is important to have coverage for things like personal accidents, medical treatment, repatriation, trip cancellations, theft, and lost property. You can explore affordable options through TravelEx Insurance.
We suggest giving them a call to choose a plan that fits your needs. “Cancel For Any Reason” upgrades are available, which provides flexibility if you need to cancel your trip for any reason. Please note, at this time TravelEx requires you to purchase your policy within 15 days of paying your deposit for the widest range of options and upgrades. This is subject to change and we suggest calling them as soon as possible after purchase.
