Trento Wine Tour

Lunch will follow at one of our favorites, Casa del Vino in Avio. On the terrace overlooking stunning mountain scenery, enjoy a superb lunch paired with excellent Trentino wines. After lunch, stretch your legs at the Castello di Avio, an evocative medieval castle dating back to the 13th century (and the keeps are even older) set overlooking Avio village. It’s a gorgeous spot and you can enjoy a walk on the grounds and the interior including the “Stanza d´Amore” (Love Room) with beautifully painted frescoes. Both the emperors Charles V and Maximilian of Habsburg have stayed at this castle! In the late afternoon finally, head to your fabulous lakefront hotel. You are staying at Lido Palace, a mythical luxury hotel, and spa in Riva del Garda. Riva was a favorite lake resort for the Royal Habsburgs in the late 1800’s and a number of famous guests have stayed here from Russian aristocrats to the Vanderbilts. These days it is a very cool, renovated top class resort offering a stellar spa, a Michelin starred restaurant and more informal dining options, not to mention extensive gardens and views to die for. Have a lovely evening and settle in.

A convivial “pranzo” will be organized for you at Scrigno del Duomo, in a dining room set in a 17th-century wine cellar. Have an aperitif with the sommelier’s guidance under the pergola and then sit down to a terrific creative lunch. The chef always has excellent seasonal dishes that in fall might be ravioli with pumpkin mousse and sage and in spring might be orecchiette with fresh peas and pancetta. After a chef’s tasting menu, enjoy a digestive walking tour of this most delightful town. Explore the enormous Renaissance Duomo, the medieval Palazzo Pretorio and admire the facades of the Palaces on the Via Belenzani. You’ll have some free time to poke around Trento’s cute shops and cafes on your own after the private tour. Head back to your resort then in the early evening. We suggest you try the onsite Michelin starred eatery, Il Re della Busa. Get a table on the candlelit terrace and taste dishes like seared scallops with smoked potatoes and raspberry citrus vinaigrette, and Cannoli stuffed with lake pike, wild spinach, and pine nuts.

You will almost definitely be famished by now and lunch is just down the road at the warm and cozy Locanda delle Tre Chiavi (Three Keys Inn), a Slow Food hub with a zero mile ethos. Taste local dishes like potato cake with smoked cheese and speck, pork ribs with crispy polenta and sauerkraut, and apple strudel with cinnamon ice cream (this area is nearly South Tyrol and the cuisine is heavily influenced by Austria). After a delicious filling meal, take in a vineyard walk at the Balter estate. Your host will give you a tour of the boutique cellar, castle and wine cave before enjoying a tasting of their best wines including the sparkling Brut Riserva, which won the coveted Three Glasses award by Gambero Rosso. Arrive at your resort in the early afternoon and relax. Tonight we suggest a visit to darling Malcesine, about 20 minutes from your hotel for an aperitif and dinner tonight.

Super Top Chef Herbert Hintner (cookbook author of “My South Tyrolean cuisine”) is at the helm at Michelin starred Zur Rose, the gastronomic mecca for foodies visiting Northern Italy. Sit on the charming terrace and dedicate the next few hours to tantalizing your taste buds with the chef’s taster menu. Enjoy pairings of South Tyrol/ Alto Adige wines from estates like Alois Lageder, Elena Walch, and Manicor. Before heading to your resort in the late afternoon, you can visit the Castel Roncolo, there is a gentle hike there which will aid the digestion! Free evening to enjoy a lakeside walk and a light bite.

Lunch is next right at the 16th-century castle overlooking the lake. Chef Stefano Bertoni’s signature style is healthy, local cuisine reinterpreted. You can choose from the lake or land tasters, and fish lovers will love the Bigoli pasta with Lake Sardines, Pine Nuts, Raisins and Candied Lemon while meat fans will enjoy the Spiedò (Steak fillet with porcini). Enroute to Verona, your base for the next two nights you will stop in one of the best olive oil producers in Italy, Olearia Caldera, located on the Western shore of Lake Garda in the picturesque Valtenesi Garda. Seriously chic olive oils! Enjoy a tour of the frantoio and a tasting of some of their best high end oils including Garda Bresciano D.O.P. 100% Casaliva Extra Virgin, Garda Bresciano D.O.P. 100% Leccino Extra Virgin, and the Gran Cuvée Ugo Caldera Olio Extra Vergine d’Oliva (made with Leccino, Gentile di Chieti, Peranzana, and Coratina olives). Fun and you will find it hard not to buy half the shop! This evening you will arrive to romantic Verona, one of Italy’s most elegant towns. Free evening to explore the city´s sights and restaurants with our tips.

After lunch, head back into Verona. Freshen up and enjoy some free time for sightseeing, resting, shopping, Verona has beautiful specialty shops for food and wine lovers and great shoe shops. In the early evening, your private guide will meet you in the lobby and take you on a sunset tour of the town. Begin with a visit to the ancient Roman arena, where the annual opera takes place. Carry on to other sites like Juliet’s balcony, popping into wine bars en route. You will taste your way around Verona tonight with easygoing snacks and tastings of Soave, Bardolino, and Amarone wines. This is a great way to conclude your week in Northern Italy, enjoy!

We hope you had an amazing time and we hope to see you again!