Why go on a gastronomic tour in Italy

Going on a gastronomic tour in Italy is the best way to visit some of the most beautiful places in our country and taste the best national products in their local areas. Autumn is the perfect season for this kind of getaway. It’s the time of grape harvests and wine tastings, when you can enjoy both celebrated labels and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Everyone loves good food, so why not combine travel and taste in a gastronomic weekend exploring local products and special recipes?

If you’re interested in this kind of experience but don't know where to start, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a guide with four perfect destinations that will lead you to discover truly unique flavours. 

Taste trails: discovering the Langhe

The Langhe are one of Italy’s best-known regions when it comes to food and wine traditions. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s possible to visit charming villages, castles, and wineries here, while immersing yourself in a stunning landscape that is at its most captivating in autumn, thanks to its numerous vineyards. Here’s a gastronomic itinerary in the Langhe to discover the very best of the area:

• The first stop we recommend is Barolo, famous as the home of the wine of the same name, one of Italy’s most celebrated wines. Here, you can visit the WiMu, the Wine Museum, to learn about its history and discover some fascinating local curiosities.

• A short distance from Barolo is Bergolo nelle Langhe, offering a wonderful glimpse into local history; the Bergamaschi district, in particular, is a beautiful example of a rural medieval village. 

• Heading north, you’ll reach Barbaresco, home of one of the most prized red wines. Taste it together with other typical products such as cheeses and cured meats in one of the many excellent wineries. 

• Finally, a visit to Alba is a must.  Explore its historic centre, full of places and monuments of interest, including the Cathedral and the Town Hall, as well as the medieval towers that make it famous throughout Italy. The town also hosts the International White Truffle Fair every year, offering a chance to discover everything about this prized product through cooking shows, tastings, insights, and much more. This year, it will be held from 11 October to 8 December.

Hotels in Turin, between luxury and relaxation

If you want to spend a few days in Piedmont and are looking for a prestigious hotel, the Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze is the ideal choice. This historic five-star property is located in the heart of Turin and offers a range of high-quality amenities, including the Casa Savoia Restaurant and an elegant spa with a wellness centre, perfect for relaxing and recharging after a day exploring the vineyards of the Langhe. Despite being in the city, the hotel serves as an excellent base for discovering the surrounding area. A garage is also available, catering to those travelling by car.

Culinary experiences in Parma and surroundings

Emilia-Romagna boasts an unparalleled food and wine tradition: its local products are numerous, ranging from Parmigiano Reggiano to Balsamic Vinegar, and including culatello, tortellini, and much more. It’s no coincidence that the area between the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Parma is referred to as the “Food Valley”, as this is where many of the region’s finest specialities are produced. 

Parma, in particular, has been proclaimed a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy. It’s signature product is ham, meticulously crafted and tied to a specific area, the hills of Langhirano and surroundings. Visiting this area allows you to savour the most authentic Parma ham and uncover all its secrets.

The Wine Route of the Hills of Parma 

Langhirano is one of the stops along the so-called Wine Route of the Hills of Parma, a gastronomic itinerary that winds through the hills of this province, designed to showcase local wine production and the Parmese territory. Along this route, you can visit wineries, villages, and the Food Museums. There are nine museums in total, each with its own theme, including the Felino Salami Museum in Felino, the Wine Museum in Sala Baganza, the Parma Ham Museum in Langhirano, and the Pasta Museum at Corte di Giarola.

If you are in the area, we also recommend a guided tour of one of the many local producers. At various times of the year, dairy farms, wineries and ham artisans give visitors the chance to observe up close the different stages involved in creating these regional delicacies. 

Prestigious Hotel in Parma

Your gastronomic tour of Parma and its surroundings wouldn’t be complete without an exceptional place to stay. We recommend the Grand Hotel di Parma | UNA Esperienze, an elegant property housed within the historic Palazzo Vighi in the city centre. This five-star gem, surrounded by a spacious park for relaxation, also features a renowned restaurant where you can savour the very best of local flavours. 

Wine tastings in Montepulciano

Wine enthusiasts know that Tuscany, particularly the area around Siena, is a must-visit for sampling some of Italy’s most prestigious labels. Your journey to discover these flavours will take you to Montepulciano, renowned throughout Italy for the excellence of its local wine, the medieval charm of its village, and its panoramic position between the Val d'Orcia and the Val di Chiana. 

In the hamlet of Acquaviva di Montepulciano, you’ll find Relais Villa Grazianella | UNA Esperienze. Nestled in the Sienese hills, this villa dates back to the late 18th century and is the perfect destination for an authentic Tuscan experience.

Here, you can explore the historic cellar and take part in a unique tasting dedicated to the region’s most important wines, from Chianti to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the king of Tuscan wines. What’s more, the property also offers customised tours to explore the surrounding areas with guides and agronomists, allowing you to step back in time and discover the varied and captivating Tuscan landscapes and the flavours that originate from these lands.

Tour of authentic flavours in Umbria

On 25 October, one of Umbria’s most celebrated and highly regarded wine events comes to life: L'Umbria in un bicchiere. Now in its 11th edition, the event showcases the very best of this deeply rooted tradition. Wineries from the region gather in the heart of Foligno with their most representative labels, accompanied by tastings of cured meats, cheeses, and other local products. From Sagrantino to Grechetto, and Trebbiano Spoletino, the wines offered provide a true journey through the hills and valleys of Umbria.

The event also features workshops, live music, and meetings with producers. Tasting local products thus becomes a way to combine conviviality with wine tourism. Just a short distance from this distinctive event is UNA Hotels Villa dei Platani Foligno, the perfect location for spending a few days immersed in Umbria’s food and wine culture.

This refined four-star property is housed in a Liberty-style villa dating back to 1928 and subsequently renovated. Guests are welcomed into a setting that is both traditional and modern, with great attention to detail and a commitment to providing the finest hospitality.

A gastronomic tour of Italy is the perfect way to explore some of the country’s most beautiful regions, discovering the wide variety of DOP and IGP specialities. Choose your destination, book your room and get ready for a weekend filled with exceptional food and warm hospitality.