The Northern Italian region of Valtellina is spectacular at any time of the year. Still, winter is an extra special time to visit as apart from the fabulous food and wine, there are some excellent spas and thermal springs, and the Alps are particularly picturesque when covered in snow. On this specially designed short winter break, you will see some of Italy’s loveliest unspoiled scenery and visit boutique wine estates making intensely perfumed red wines, “Sforzato” and Valtellina DOCG. These wines are produced at high altitude on cascading terraces clinging to steep hillsides. You will indulge in plenty of “mountain cuisine” like creamy cheeses, Bresaola, buckwheat pasta -called Pizzoccheri della Valtellina- and polenta with melted cheese, all washed down with these powerful Chiavennasca based wines (the local version of Nebbiolo, used to make Barolo).
Your base for this tour will be at a historic spa hotel in the charming ski resort of Bormio, located at the gateway to the breathtaking Stelvio Pass. Bormio has been famous since Etruscan and later Ancient Roman times for its natural thermal springs, and you will enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments at your Belle Époque style hotel. Over the next few days, you will visit the beautiful towns of St Moritz in Switzerland and Bellagio in Lake Como, both great shopping destinations and extremely picturesque. Other highlights of this winter tour include an exhilarating Bernina Express train ride with spectacular views and a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow. If you love food and wine and are looking for a short winter break in Italy that offers fantastic scenery and sightseeing, then this is the tour for you.
Signature journey
Highlights include Wine Tasting in Valtellina, Ancient Roman Spa, Excursion to St. Moritz, Switzerland, Bernina Express, Romantic Horse- drawn Sleigh Ride, and Visit Lake Como and Bellagio.
Day 1Milano – Morbegno – Chiuro - Bormio
Pizzoccheri, short tagliatelle dish
Arrive at Milan Airport, and your private chauffeur will be waiting for you in the arrivals lounge. You will head north-east, towards the Swiss border to the beautiful Valtellina, about one and a half hour’s drive.
Your first stop will be for lunch at a quaint trattoria – called “crotto” locally. Get ready for some seriously delicious food, and forget about the diet today! Begin with some air-dried Bresaola and traditional Sciatt (deep-fried buckwheat pancakes stuffed with Casera cheese), followed by potatoes gnocchi with Bitto cheese and venison cooked in the unique lavecc pot, made with soapstone and bound by copper.
Intensely perfumed red wine from the Valtellina will accompany the meal, and dessert might be the delicious “Bisciola,” a Christmas cake made with figs and nuts. Finish this feast with the unique local Amaro Braulio digestif made with herbs and wildflowers collected in the surrounding valleys.
After lunch and a digestive walk, you will carry on to the premier Valtellina winery, Nino Negri, for a VIP private tour of the estate. You will see the fermentation rooms, barrel cellars. You will conclude the tour with a full tasting of four flagship wines, including Valtellina Superiore and the exquisite Sforzato Cinque Stelle and Sforzato Carlo Negri.
Even in winter, you will get a glance of terraced vineyards, held together by dry-stone walls called Muretti, which have been listed as UNESCO heritage since 2018. This type of viticulture is known as “heroic” because it is one of the most challenging vine landscapes in the world. Everything is done by hand, and harvested grapes are put in small baskets and taken down steep trails.
In the early evening, you will transfer to Bormio, your base for the tour. Check in to your charming historic hotel and enjoy a free evening. Welcome to the Valtellina!
Day 2Bormio – Bianzone - Tirano - Bormio
Outdoor pool at Bormio Spa Hotel
Today will be relaxed with some more wine tasting and free time to enjoy the spa facilities. From Bormio, your chauffeur will take you to the tiny hamlet of Bianzone, at a warm and intimate trattoria, awarded every year by Slow Food Osterie d’Italia. Here you will participate in a hands-on cooking class, learning how to make Pizzoccheri, the iconic Valtellina dish. They are hand made short buckwheat tagliatelle, with a creamy alpine sauce comprised of Bitto cheese, savoy cabbage, sage, butter, potatoes, and garlic. At lunch, you will have the opportunity to taste several Valtellina wines.
Transfer to Tirano, to another top wine estate, Triacca. Triacca has a beautiful property and cellar, and you will taste their best cru wines, such as their Valtellina Superiore Sassella.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to enjoy the resort. You can take a scenic walk on the beautiful grounds of the resort or have a drink by the fire in the elegant salons adorned with Murano chandeliers. You will have access to the extensive spa and so why not have a dip in the natural steam cave sauna or a relaxing soak in the Ancient Roman baths. Treatments you can book include holistic massages, body scrubs, Decleor facial treatments, mud baths, thermal water treatments, sun showers, Aromatized relaxing scalp massages, and more. The resort also has its fantastic line of spa products.
Day 3Bormio -Tirano - Pontresina - St Moritz - Tirano - Bormio
Bernina Express
Expect stunning scenery today, and don’t forget the camera! Your day begins with a private transfer to the train station, hop on board the famous Red train (the “ Bernina Express”) on the UNESCO world heritage list, and considered to be one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world. Enjoy a two-hour train ride, destination Pontresina, Switzerland. Your very own horse-drawn sleigh will be waiting for you to take you on a gorgeous one-hour trip into the Roseg valley.
Lunch will be deep in the valley on a terrace facing the Alps. You will head back to Pontresina to catch the 10-minute train ride to glamorous St Moritz. St Moritz is an exclusive town in the beautiful Engadine valley that has colorfully coined itself the “top of the world.” Enjoy some free time to explore on your own, take in some shopping and stop for a late afternoon coffee or glass of vino.
In the late afternoon, you will enjoy the 2-hour train ride back to Italy, and your driver will transfer you back to your spa resort.
Day 4Bormio - Sondrio - Mantello - Lake Como - Milan
Lake Como in the winter-time
Today you will head back to Milan for an evening arrival but stopping on the way for wine tasting, lunch, and a tour of beautiful Lake Como. In the morning, your driver will escort you to Sondrio for a special visit to the family-run Ar.Pe.Pe estate (short for Arturo Pelizzatti Perego). Expect excellent Valtellina wines (like the Valtellina Superiore DOCG Grumello Riserva), hospitable and enthusiastic hosts, and incredible views.
After this morning of wine tasting and photo opportunities, next, you will arrive at a lovely farm, producing excellent cow milk cheeses, as Valtellina Bitto, Scimudin Casera, and cured meats, including Bresaola and Slinzega.
After a quick tour, you will sit for lunch at their Michelin starred restaurant, where you will have a gourmet meal with lighter, more delicate dishes waiting for you, all paired with top wines, of course.
Transfer to Lake Como en route to Milan and enjoy some free time in Varenna and Bellagio, for example. Winter is beautiful in the lakes district, and you will love the views of the snow-capped mountains in the backdrop over the peaceful lush villas that straddle the lakeside. In the evening, you will arrive at your hotel in Milan. Free evening to dine on your own with our suggestions. If you prefer, we can organize some extra days on Lake Como.
Day 5Milan
Buon Viaggio!
At your preferred time, your driver will transfer you to the airport. If you have a later flight, then enjoy some time sightseeing and shopping in Milan today. This concludes your extraordinary winter wine tasting break in Northern Italy and Switzerland. We look forward to seeing you again!
Cellar Tours private itineraries include chauffeur-led transportation, carefully selected hotels, winery appointments, restaurant planning, and practical support before and during your journey.
Depending on the destination and proposal, your tour may also include private guides, tastings, special experiences, cultural visits, regional transfers, and dining reservations.
Your custom proposal will clearly show what is included, what is optional, and what is not included.
Our custom itineraries include chauffeur-led transportation, carefully selected hotels, private winery appointments & tastings, restaurant planning, and support before and during your travel.
International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional spa treatments, gratuities and meals or tastings not listed in your itinerary are usually not included unless specifically stated.
All itineraries are private and pre-arranged for your party.
Yes, 100%. Share mobility considerations, allergies, dietary preferences, and pacing needs early so we can adapt hotels, transport, restaurants, and visits wherever possible.
