Emilia Romagna & The Langhe: A Luxury Hiking Adventure from the Best Restaurant in Italy

Hike between Barolo wineries and white truffle hunts to discover a new culinary destination in Italy

Italy is famous for many things: its centuries-old culture, its renaissance masterpieces, its charming towns in a perfect, crumbling state of dilapidation. But also its cuisine. With its bold flavors, hearty portions and recipes that are written only in memory, it’s what keeps us coming back time and again. Forever on the hunt for that new flavor of Italy, we’ve landed in the Langhe. A hilly region tucked away in the northwestern region of Piedmont, it’s got our attention with its family-run Barolo wineries, traditionally-made cheeses and white truffles. The best way to see it? With long, languorous hikes over the hills, broken up by gourmet picnics and nights in luxury hotels dining with Michelin-starred chefs. Adding an additional flavor, we’ve paired the Langhe with Italy’s gourmet capital of Emilia Romagna and a reservation at the renowned, three Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana. Rounded off with a few nights on the shores of Lake Como, it’s our most mouthwatering trip yet.

Enjoy a 12-course Tasting Menu at the Best Restaurant in the World

A culinary escape to Italy could start nowhere other than Bologna. At the heart of Emilia Romagna, you’ll spend your first two nights at the Grand Hotel Majestic whetting your appetite with a host of culinary experiences – from Parmigiano Reggiano tastings with a local cheesemaker to the cooking, ageing – and dipping – of balsamic vinegar. Capping off your time here with the pinnacle of Italian fine dining, we’ll even score you a reservation at the world-famous Osteria Francescana, the three Michelin starred restaurant of Massimo Bottura (the chef and restauranteur who brought this restaurant into the world’s top 5 at the Best Restaurant Awards).

Sample Local Flavors in the Langhe as you Hike to the City of the 100 Towers

From Bologna, the local flavors continue as you head north to the Langhe. Starting off in Santo Stefano Belbo, you’ll check in at Relais San Maurizio before spending the afternoon unwinding in their expansive spa. Tomorrow, the adventure begins. We truly believe that the best way to see the Langhe is by foot and so we’ll pair you up with a local mountain guide. Setting off through the hills and vineyards of the Langhe, you’ll arrive at Castiglione Tinello at the heart of the Moscato wine region. Here, you’ll stop off at a local family-run winery where you can sample the region’s wine alongside a light lunch of fresh produce. From there, hike onto Barbaresco and cap off the day with panoramic views of the valley from the village’s iconic tower.

Spend the night sleeping amid the grandeur of Castello di Guarene before continuing your discovery tomorrow. Refreshed, you’ll start the day in Alba, or the City of the 100 Towers, where you’ll join an art historian guide to explore the city before enjoying an authentic gelato tasting. From here, it’s time to start hiking as you make your way through Treizo and onto Trezzo Tinella – just in time for a gourmet picnic lunch.

Taste Tuma Cheese with Silvio or visit in October for a White Truffle Hunt

The afternoon will then see you continuing on to a small farm just outside the town of Benevello. Here, you’ll meet Silvio, one of the last four farmers in the valley still making the local delicacy of tuma from Langhe sheep’s milk. He’ll welcome you into his home and show you around the stables before treating you to a private tasting of the cheese. Having hiked and indulged in equal measure, all that’s left to do is retire to your hotel at Relais Villa d’Amelia for the night. Though if you’re here during the autumn, why not spend the afternoon out on a truffle hunt instead? October marks the best month with the elusive white truffle beginning to make an appearance.

Become an Expert on Barolo Wine and Dine with a Michelin-Starred Chef

Lacing your hiking boots back up the next morning, you’ll be treated to panoramic views from the delicately scented hazelnut hillsides as you make your way to Serralunga d’Alba. Here, you’ll visit a local winery for a behind-the-scenes peek at the production of the region’s iconic Barolo Chinato wines before a private tasting with a local winemaker in Monforte d’Alba. From there, you’ll continue hiking into Barolo itself, the so-called ‘King of Wines’, for a spot of lunch before making your way to La Morra in the afternoon for a local honey tasting. Whisked off to Cherasco, here marks the end of your days hiking through the Langhe. As a reward, tonight we’ll arrange for a Michelin-starred chef to come and cook an exclusive private dinner for you at your hotel.

Relax at the most iconic hotel on the banks of Lake Como

Four days and over 50-miles of hiking later, the last three nights are dedicated to relaxation. In the morning, we’ll have a private driver whisk you off to the elegant shores of Lake Como. Here, you’ll check-in at the showstopping Grand Hotel Tremezzo and enjoy the next few days speeding across the lake on a private boat tour, visiting the beautiful towns of Bellagio and Varenna and relaxing by the hotel’s iconic floating pool. The perfect antidote to an active vacation if you ask us. Returning home a few days later, you can look forward to the inevitable kudos of having discovered in Italy, a country so well-known to so many, a corner few others know about.