Piedmont Wine Offer: All this wine talk – are you thirsty yet!?
Direct from Barolo, our wine offer is a mix of historic and up-and-coming producers from the Piedmont wine region. What makes this offer special? Wines not easily found outside of the area.
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Check-in: Castello di Sinio in Barolo Italy
Wondering where to stay in Piedmont wine country? Castello di Sinio FOR THE WIN(E). As we continue our exploration of the Piedmont wine region, let’s start talking lodging and accommodations. First up, Hotel Castello di Sinio situated perfectly between...
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Barbera Wine Pairing Lessons Direct from Piedmont
Tips from Piedmont on Barbera wine pairing. From fish to pasta to meats of all kinds as well as Barbera BBQ wine pairing ideas.
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Barbaresco & Barolo Wine Pairing Tips Direct from Piedmont
Tips and tricks for Barbaresco and Barolo wine pairing with tips from the winemakers. Recipes and pairing ideas, both traditional and unique. Buon appetito!
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What is Piedmont, Italy known for?
Everyone is talking about this Northern Italy travel destination. But, really, what is Piedmont, Italy known for?! Piedmont’s most obvious treasure is wine. More specifically, Barolo and Barbaresco. But, the Piedmont region offers far more than just world-famous wines....
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Piedmont culture in a glass – vermouth and coffee
Turin is the capital city of Piedmont and a favorite cultural city of Europe for many reasons. But, two of the most fun, help you start the day and the evening. Piedmont culture is all about coffee and aperitivo. ...
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Piedmont Food: The region’s gastronomic superstars
The Piedmont region in Northern Italy is known for its artisan cuisine. Here is everything you need to know about the local Piedmont food you must try!
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When to Visit Piedmont, Italy
Want to visit Piedmont, Italy? Here is some information on travel seasonality, what to expect and Piedmont travel tips each season, event info and more.
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Piedmont Region: One of the best places to visit in Northern Italy
Get to know the Piedmont region, a Northern Italy travel destination with a bit of everything. Learn where is Piedmont, top cities, activities and more.
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Piedmont Wine: An intro to the grapes and wines
As part of our Piedmont Wine Travel Guide, we’ve shared all you need to know about the grapes and wines produced in Italy's Piedmont wine region.
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7 Tips for International Travel with an Infant
Welcome back to our contributing writer, Valerie Quintanilla, a new mom who’s little man already has more stamps in his passport than I did when I was 25. Val is an expat living in Italy and a wine and...
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The Piemonte Wine Trail: Barbaresco Wine Tasting in Neviglie
Happy Wine Wednesday! We’re in for a treat this week with a guest post from Valerie Quintanilla, one of Italy’s newest expats, living her dream in Piemonte, Italy and sharing her wine tales at GirlsGottaDrink. Her recent wine adventures...
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Travel to Piedmont Italy: Champagne Sabering – with a wine glass!
On my travels in Piedmont travel my tour guides with Travel Langhe took us to lunch in the Barolo town of Serralunga d’Alba. We were greeted at Centro Storico by the restaurant’s lively proprietor, Alessio. Armed with nothing more than a bottle of champagne and...
Read moreItalian Wine Merchants Redux: Wine Tasting New York City
Our frequent readers (thank you!) may recall a post I did last year about a trip to New York City that included a stop at Italian Wine Merchants (IWM). I was on a hunt for a New York City wine...
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The Intoxication of Piedmont
By Valerie Quintanilla The food, the culture, and of course the people are nearly as intoxicating as the wines of Piedmont Italy. All have now firmly planted themselves in my heart and soul. Yes, if home is where the...
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Hiking and Wine Tasting in Barolo
By Valerie Quintanilla I wanted to hike in Lake Como, but Mother Nature had other plans. Luckily I had a day of hiking and wine tasting in Barolo Italy planned with Kerrie from Australia. We started the near the...
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Piedmont Wine Tours: Harvest Lunch in Barbaresco
By Valerie Quintanilla Tuesday morning started low key. I had no Piedmont wine tours planned so I thought I’d just hike it out a bit, write, read, and have a leisurely day in Neive. Returning from my morning walk...
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Wine Tours in Barolo Italy
By Valerie Quintanilla Saturday morning started bright and early with a quick breakfast at my B&B (they just kept bringing food – such is the theme here!) Then, I was off with Robert for a wine tour in Barolo...
Read moreItalian Wine Travels: Ah, Piemonte….
By Valerie Quintanilla If there is a heaven and we each get our own version, mine would mirror Piemonte. Calgone, take me away. In 2009 I had a business meeting with an Italian colleague visiting Denver for a project....
Read moreThings to do in Lake Como
Day two of my travel to Lake Como brought more rain. Ah well, it wasn’t pouring as it had in Milano or Bellagio (or my first 18 years in Vancouver, Wash.) I still had hiking on the brain and...
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A Rainy Stay in Italy’s Lake District: Things to do in Lake Como
By Valerie Quintanilla I made it to Varenna in just over an hour from Milano by train. The sun was shining when I arrived – I’d soon learn that wasn’t to last long. But, thank goodness for the dry...
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Back to Italy – Take 4
I love first class. So, I knew I was in for a treat going into this trip to Italy. But, international first class is a whole different animal. The layout seat makes such a difference. I felt like...
Read moreFind Home in Paradise: Beautiful Salento in Puglia
In September 2011 I found my way to the heel of the boot, beautiful Lecce, Italy. The region remains a lesser known Italian tourist destination. Don’t misunderstand, the lesser known part only means a more authentic experience, incredible wines,...
Read moreNew York City: A Trip to Italian Wine Merchants
Next stop on the Playing Italy Train: NYC for wine tasting at Italian Wine Merchants. I read Sergio Esposito’s Passion on the Vine over the New Year’s holiday in 2010/11, finishing the book in two days. I was enamored...
Read moreGifts for the Traveler
Confession: I haven’t done a lick of Christmas shopping yet (yes, I know it’s t-minus 14 days til jolly Ole’ Saint Nick arrives). As I continue to procrastinate my gift giving duties I created a list of ideal gifts...
Read moreItalian Cooking Class in Denver: Playing Italy in Denver
My recent Italian travel companion, Lisa from Canada, introduced me to a whole new Italy — one that starts and ends with cooking. Don’t misunderstand, I heart Italian food, but I always thought it was too difficult for little...
Read moreCinque Terre Relief Efforts
On Tuesday, October 25 the enchanting towns of Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza in Itay’s Cinque Terre were devastated by floods. News reports say unusually heavy flooding ravaged the region of Liguria causing flooding and landslides. Reports indicate nine...
Read moreTravel to Piedmont: More sensory overload (in a good way)
The second day I was in Piedmont I planned a wine tour, but with Aussie transplant, Kerrie. Her story is quite lovely. She and her husband traveled to Piedmont for their honeymoon. She said they were sitting outside admiring...
Read moreThe hills and wines of Piemonte
Today I start my Piemonte wine tours. I don’t think words can truly describe Piemonte (“Piedmont” to Westerners). Somehow breathtaking, beautiful, and awesome all seem quite hollow. The land showcases rolling hills, acres and acres of vineyards (150,000 acres...
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Travel to San Gimignano: A few minutes to relax
We stopped about five times in a kilometer in the hills of Tuscany en route to the farmhouse just outside San Gimignano. Talk about the photo ops. Grape vines and olive trees spread out as far as the eye...
Read moreTuscany Wine Adventures: On the road to San Gimignano
By Valerie QuintanillaIt was time to make our way into the hills of Tuscany. We found a little farmhouse outside of San Gimignano, Il Vicario, that features a cooking class and nightly dinners. It sounds perfect.The drive from Florence...
Read moreTuscany Wine Adventures: Wine tasting in Greve in Chianti
On Saturday I boarded a packed bus to the little village of Greve in Chianti for a day of wine tasting. I had a full agenda planned: check out the Chianti Classico Wine Festival and explore Italian wines at...
Read moreA night in Florence
On Friday we had a spectacular night in Florence… We had dinner at Lisa’s favorite restaurant in Florence, L’Brincello. She not only goes every time she’s in the city, but also every night! We sit down and it’s like...
Read moreSorrento: Villa Adriana Guesthouse
Our plan for Sorrento included a day trip to Positano, but we didn’t make it. We arrived in Sorrento around 2 p.m. and had a 6 p.m. cooking class. The bus ride to Positano is an hour each way,...
Read moreTraveling to Lecce: wine, burrata and siesta
The things I’ll remember most about traveling to Lecce include the local wine, burrata (an amazing cheese) and siesta.I’ve been to a number of places in Italy and have long heard about the fabled practice of siesta. Problem is,...
Read moreKickin’ it in the Heel of the Boot
By Valerie Quintanilla After 20 long hours of travel and a five hour car ride we arrived at our first destination, Bari. It was about 11:30 pm and despite near exhaustion in the car we were giddy. Luckily the...
Read moreAt least I don’t have to go thru O’Hare
By Valerie Quintanilla And so it begins… The beauty of reward travel: Denver to Dallas > Dallas to Frankfurt > Frankfurt to Roma Not ideal, but at least I don’t have to fly thru O’Hare. I’ve got quite the...
Read moreThird Stop: Cinque Terre – Hiking anyone?
When I arrived in Monterosso al Mare it was pouring rain. The weather reports said my five days *could* be more of the same. I couldn’t believe my luck. I was cursing myself as I headed out of the...
Read moreCiao, Italy…
By Valerie Quintanilla I had to take a break from my posts because my camera broke in Siena. Luckily it was after the last wine tour so a crazy amount was not lost — and what’s even more lucky:...
Read moreTips on Train Travel in Italy
Traveling by train is so easy and convenient in Europe. I was able to get my five-day, one country flexi pass in mid-August. From the date of activation, the pass can be used for two months. Visit Trenitalia Web...
Read moreFourth Stop: Wine class in Siena!
When I arrived in Siena I was ready to learn. First on the agenda, a wine class! The wine class in Siena I enrolled in was with English-speaking Rebecca from Denmark. In March of last year she opened The...
Read moreSecond Stop: Fair Verona
By Valerie Quintanilla Mission: Explore Valpolicella wine — specifically Amarone I began my Verona experience with a lonely walking tour. I was lost — the hotel’s instructions did not take me to the promised bus stop. I hiked up...
Read moreFirst Stop: Venice
By Val Quintanilla Mission: Rest and recover from my travels to Europe. I’ve been to Venice before, so I planned my first stop here simply because I was so taken by its magic. I didn’t plan any touristy adventures,...
Read moreGreetings from Italy!
By Valerie Quintanilla Buongiorno! I arrived in Venice on Monday evening after a 10 hour flight from Frankfurt, a four hour layover and finally a short trip to Marco Polo Airport. The Flight I don’t know anyone who loves...
Read moreOff to Italy: Travel Guide, Cinque Terre
Another travel guide from Rick Steves highlighting the Cinque Terre. Travel tips and tricks for the US and abroad
Read moreOff to Italy: Travel Guide, Verona
By Elaine Schoch Seriously, I think Rick Steves and Samantha Brown have the coolest jobs. Here is a short guide to Verona that Rick Steves has posted. Travel tips and tricks for the US and abroad
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