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8 Day Luxury Culinary Holiday in a Historic Castle in Piedmont, Province of Alessandria
Castello di Montalero, via Castello 12, Montalero, 15020 Italy
Italy Culinary Vacation
Discover Piedmont! This undiscovered region of Italy has much to offer seasoned travelers with an interest in food and wine, nature, Italian history, architecture, and some of the most splendid panoramas from the local hill towns and villages anywhere in Italy. The cuisine of the Monferrato draws its inspirations from the closing mists of spring and autumn - think truffles, porcini mushrooms, light red wines, and wild boar! At Castello di Montalero, you can learn to cook these regional dishes and many others in an atmosphere of calm and easy-going hospitality. Learn to cook like an Italian!
Meet the instructors
Beppe & Marco
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Highlights
- 5 half-day cooking classes
- Truffle hunting - In season
- Visits to wine and food producers, local markets
- Gourmet dinners with local wines and grappas
- 1 dinner and 1 lunch at local restaurants
- Airport transfers in private minibus
- 7 nights accommodation
- All meals included
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
6 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Finnish, Italian, Spanish, Swedish
Group size: Maximum of 12 participants
Airport transfer included:
Milan–Malpensa Airport
Airport transfer included:
Turin Airport (Caselle Airport)
Airport transfer included:
Linate Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
Check-out Time:
12:00
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Lounge
- Multilingual staff
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Bicycle rental
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Library
You will stay in one of Castello di Montalero's luxury double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, totaling approximately 35 square meters (350 square feet). Each of the 6 rooms has either a double or two single beds, a sofa with side tables, reading lamps in the room and at each bedside. Bathrooms are fitted with large shower cubicles, twin washbasins, WC, bidet, heated towel rail, and comfortable chairs.
Chambermaid service each morning, refreshing bedrooms and bathrooms, excluding Sundays. There are a 14.5 meters x 6.5 meters south-facing salt water pool with ample sun loungers, steamer chairs, and sun parasols on the adjoining terraces. Large south-facing first-floor terrace where most meals are taken in season.
Traditional drawing room with a drinks tray where guests may relax, chat, or read at any time during their stay are also available. Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.
Program
Day 1: Saturday - Arrival
- Transfer from Malpensa International Airport
- Welcome drinks at Castello di Montalero
- Free time to relax, sunbathe, swim or walk
- Aperitivi followed by dinner
Day 2: Sunday
- Leisurely breakfast
- Lunch at Mongetto Dre Caste restaurant, Vignale Monferrato
- Return to castello to capture the last rays of the Italian sun by the pool
- A light, candle lit dinner on the terrace
Day 3: Monday - Cooking course, wine class, culinary visits
- Leisurely breakfast
- Cookery lesson at 09:00 until 13.00
- Lunch of the day's course theme
- Afternoon break to sunbathe, swim, relax
- Visit to local goat cheese producer
- Wine tasting at local cantina
- Return to castello for aperitivi and dinner
Day 4: Tuesday
- Leisurely breakfast
- Cookery lesson - 9.00 a.m. until 12.30 p.m.
- Lunch of the day's course theme
- Truffle hunting (for vacations after September 30)
- Wine tasting at local cantina
- Return to Castello for dinner and sommelier evening.
Day 5: Wednesday
- Leisurely breakfast
- Italian bread and pizza class - 09.30. until 13.00.
- Lunch of the day's course theme
- Free afternoon, sunbathe, swim, relax
- Dinner at local restaurant
Day 6: Thursday - Cooking course, truffle hunting, wine tasting
- Leisurely breakfast
- Cookery course at 09:00 until 13.00
- Lunch of the day's course theme
- Wine tasting at local cantina
- Aperitivi followed by dinner at the castello
Day 7: Friday - cooking course, wine class, culinary visit
- Leisurely breakfast
- Cookery course at 09:00 until 13.00
- Lunch of the day's course theme
- Wine class over lunch with a local wine expert
- Afternoon break to sunbathe, swim, relax
- Visit to local ,olive oil producer
- Wine tasting at local cantina
- Return to Castello for farewell dinner
Day 8: Saturday - Departure
- Leisurely breakfast
- Dependent on flight timings, sunbathe, swim and relax prior to transfer to Malpensa
Course content
All courses are taught in English.
Montalero Cookery lessons are led by experienced, local Italian chefs specialising in the cuisine of the Monferrato region.
The lessons are hands-on, not demonstrations and carried out in a specifically designed kitchen used only for the courses.
The kitchen has work stations for 12 persons, each including food preparation area, cooking hob, cooking utensils, pans, etc. Ovens and sinks are shared.
The lessons are informal and intended to include a large element of fun as well as learning. These courses are for those in search of a fun and relaxing holiday with high standards of accommodation, food and wine.
You will leave the course with a good working knowledge of food preparation of the Monferrato region, many good memories of associated excursions and experiences and you will also meet new friends.
*Montalero Cookery uses the highest quality ingredients for all food and wine experiences, sourcing most of the ingredients from local producers who share its values in using only sustainable methods of production and animal care.
Included excursions
All excursions will be escorted in a minibus with driver provided. Wine tours will be to relatively unknown local producers and to others of international repute. Tastings are often accompanied by a light aperitif.
Depending on the season (October-November), truffle hunting will be offered, which will be led by an experienced hunter with truffle hounds. Within the cookery courses, morning trips to local food markets are arranged where guests can assist in selecting and often tasting seasonal ingredients used in the courses and in the preparation of all meals at the Castello.
Excursions to local organic producers of goats cheeses, salamis, bread, fresh pasta, and to local butchers and enoteca are also included.
Instructors
Beppe Sardi
Beppe Sardi is well known throughout Italy as one of the most convivial of teaching chefs. Beppe also co-produces a fabulous Barbera wine, "Rebarba", which guests will enjoy during their stay. Hosting his own TV programmes, Beppe is known for his mastery of classic Piemontese cuisine, having been the successful owner of the renowned 'Il Grappolo' restaurant in Alessandria until recently. Beppe leads the cookery courses throughout parts of September and October with particular emphasis on those autumnal dishes for which Piedmont is so much appreciated.
Marco Zottorelli
A rising star chef from Alessandria, Marco is an inspiring new face of Piemontese cuisine with his modern techniques on traditional dishes. Marco has a strong repertoire of skills in creating pasta dishes in addition to those classic Piemontese meat and game dishes.
Location
This culinary vacation will take place in the region of Piedmont, Italy. During your vacation, you will stay at the historic Castello di Montalero, a 17th-century house built on the foundations of the original 11th century fortified castle, built to protect the ancient, and then important, road between Casale Monferrato and Turin.
Distances
- Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) - 1 hour 20 minutes
Features
Activities
- Swimming
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
General
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Mini bar
- Multilingual staff
- Terrace
Services
- Room cleaning
- Tour assistance
- Wireless internet
Food
Breakfast each morning will typically include pastries, fresh bread, homemade and locally produced organic honey, jams and marmalades, local salamis and hams, local cheeses, cereals and muesli, fresh fruit, juices, herbal and regular teas, as well as Italian, American or decaffeinated coffees.
Lunches are included and will be largely dependent on the selected itinerary. For example, on cookery courses, you prepare lunches during the morning courses. A typical lunch might include fresh pasta or risotto, salads, vegetables, etc.
Dinners will be at the Castello most evenings and will include several courses of locally sourced ingredients. A typical dinner will include antipasti, pasta or risotto, meat or fish course, including fritto misto di pesce in the summer months, followed by desserts typical of the region and local cheeses.
On two occasions, guests will be accompanied to a local Trattoria or Osteria serving Monferrato specialties. All wine, aperitivi, digestivi, and refreshments throughout the tour are included. Where available, organic produce is used in all dishes prepared at the house. Food allergies, vegetarian, and other dietary needs can be catered for. Please advise details in advance.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Organic
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Golf
In Monferrato, there are opportunities to discover several local golf courses, including Golf Club Monferrato, Margara Golf Club, and Golf Club Feudo d'Asti.
Asti Palio
The famous and exciting Palio d'Asti is usually run in early September each year. Montalero Cookery can arrange trips for those interested in experiencing this unusual Italian festival of 21 horses racing through a short course around the Piazza Alfieri, in the centre of the historic Roman town of Asti.
Each horse represents one of the many parishes of the town of Asti and other nearby towns and villages. The competition is fiercely contested and an exciting, although brief, spectacle to watch. This event has been held since the 13th century and is enthusiastically attended by locals, so important to book well in advance for seats.
Trips are for minimum six persons and bookings for this event should be made by June 2019. The trip is an included option and will take the place of one of the other itinerary excursions, subject to seat availability and sufficient numbers of guests booking.
What's included
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners, 6 lunches, including 1 dinner and 1 lunch at a local restaurant
- Wine, bottled water, soft drinks, light refreshments, aperitivi, and digestivi
- 5 half day cookery lessons
- Excursions and activities as shown on the itinerary, including transportation, tour guides, and refreshments
- Diploma of completion
- Printed booklet of recipes learnt during the course
- All local taxes
What's not included
- Airfares
- Costs and expenses outside of the itineraries
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance (it is recommended that you take out adequate travel insurance)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
MXP
Milan–Malpensa Airport
71 km
Transfer included
TRN
Turin Airport (Caselle Airport)
43 km
Transfer included
LIN
Linate Airport
93 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP). Transfers to and from this airport are included in all of the tours at recommended pick-up and departure times. Montalero Cookery will pick you up from the airport.
Guests will be met on arrival and taken by minibus for direct transfer to the house. Return transfers will take guests directly to the departure terminal, with assistance in locating baggage trolleys and check-in areas.
Airport: Milan–Malpensa Airport
Airport transfer included: Milan–Malpensa Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Turin Airport (Caselle Airport)
Airport transfer included: Turin Airport (Caselle Airport)
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Linate Airport
Airport transfer included: Linate Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 60 days before arrival.
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