Day 1. WELCOME TO SAN PELLEGRINO TERME
After transfer from the airport, you are welcome to check in at one of the city's charming family-run hotels located on the small square. we meet in the afternoon for a walk in the city where you can hear about the spa history, about the water and the amazing buildníngs that permeates San Pellegrino Terme even today .. An aperitif in the square and then a walk to the brewery. The brewmaster shows us the brewery, we taste their beers and then eat our dinner at the brewery's restaurant in the village.
Food included: Aperitivo, evening dinner at the brewery's restaurant incl beer, water & coffee
Day 2. COFFEE & SWEETS AND UP IN THE MOUNTAINS
We pack an overnight bag for one night and check out from the hotel. We can of course leave the rest of our luggage at the hotel. We start the day with coffee and a visit to a coffee roastery where we get to learn about the coffee beans and roasting depending on which coffee is to be brewed. One of Italy's best patisseries will be a nice stop on the way before we go towards Lake Como and a delicious lunch. Then it's time to go up into the mountains, it is a great walking, easy but uphill or we take a seat in the jeep and get help all the way up. Here awaits a charming Rifugio owned by a proud family. They serve food from the region and the lady in the house is widely known for her pear and chocolate cake. Before dinner we will eat and talk local cheeses. A little different depending on which season the trip goes. Summer trip: We visit the Locatelli family, who in the summer traditionally have their animals grazed on the mountain slopes and meadows in the area. Here the cheese is produced directly on site in Baitan, the animal stable and summer house and what better way than to taste cheese, salami and a glass of wine with glorious views of mountains and valleys? Spring and autumn trip: Here we go for a visit in one of the valley's local dairies
We stay in the mountains overnight and sleep at the classic Rifugio, hostel. All rooms with shower and toilet.
Food included: Breakfast, pastry tasting, lunch, cheese tasting, rustic evening dinner at Rifugio including wine/beer, water & coffee
Day 3. SMALL-SCALE FARMERS WITH PASSION AND KNOWLEDGE, LUNCH AT AGRITURISMO
After breakfast we say by by and Ciao to the Rifugio and head down the valley again. Today we'll visit organic fruit and berry farm in San Giovanni Bianco. Berries and fruit are grown here, which provide jam, marmalade and wonderful accessories for the food - the local wig, spinach, is exciting. We pass the historic village of Cornello dei Tasso, the tax station from the time when Venice was dominant in the trade structure in Europe. Our old trade route Via Mercatorum was an important part of the exchange between northern and southern Europe. The postal system with stamps that we still use today, has its own small museum in the village. Further down the valley, a great local lunch awaits. Here we eat a wonderful lunch and if we are lucky with the weather, it is set up under the trees in the park and we can enjoy both food & drinks for a long time. In the afternoon we go back in San Pellegrino Terme and you are free to enjoy as you wish with food & drink for the evening *
Food included: Breakfast, lunch at Agriturismo including wine/beer, water & coffee
* Possibility to enter the wonderful termal bath QC Terme, contact us for more information when booking
Day 4. DRINKS 'DAY, SWEET, STRONG AND WORLD CLASS BUBBLES
Today is drink day and we head to the area around Bergamo, Iseo and towards Brescia. We are going to Franciacorta, an exciting wine region that produces the Italian champagne "Franciacorta". Bubbles are produced in the very highest class by about a hundred producers who meet the high quality requirements. But we start backwards and see where the grape residues go - well to the distillery where they become the strong drops of Grappa. The family business Peroni with grandmother in the lead produces award-winning Grappa and we see how it goes and of course get to taste their large and varied selection. Then it's time to move on to the sparkling wine and lunch in Franciacorta. The food is eaten at one of the vineyards and rounded off with a tour of the production where we learn about "il metodo classico" - the champagne method.
After lunch and bubbles, we head towards the valley again and pass Scanzorisciate and take the opportunity to stop to enjoy the sweet and award-winning wine Moscato di Scanzo, perfect for a chocolate dessert!
The evening in San Pellegrino Terme is free to enjoy as you wish with food & drink.
Food included: Breakfast, lunch at the vineyard incl Franciacorta, water & coffee and tastings
Day 5. DEPARTURE FROM SAN PELLEGRINO TERM
Depending on your flight times, the transfer to your airport will be adjusted. If there is time, Bergamo city is charming and perfect to stroll around, enjoy a refreshing drink at the piazza and then take the airport bus (15 min) to the airport. For those of you who go directly to the flight, we are happy to stop and fill your cheese storage on the way so that some of your favorites can come home.
If you want to stay for more days, we are happy to help you with tips and accommodation, perhaps a rental car to drive around and continue exploring the area's goodies.
Food included; Breakfast
