Italy is synonymous with unforgettable food, wine, and lifestyle. For visitors wanting a true taste of Italy, there’s no better way than immersive, hands-on experiences that reveal the essence of Italian culinary and wine traditions. “Italianissimo” is designed to take travelers beyond tasting, letting them dive deep into the art of Italian gastronomy, engage with local artisans, and experience the daily pleasures of Italian life firsthand. Here are five experiences that capture the very heart of Italian culture through its most iconic food and wine.
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Parmigiano Reggiano & Balsamic Vinegar: Modena’s Artisans and Traditions
Experience Overview: Begin your Italianissimo journey in Modena, home to two of Italy’s most renowned culinary treasures: Parmigiano Reggiano and traditional balsamic vinegar. This full-day experience includes visits to local producers, hands-on workshops, and curated tastings.
Highlights:
Start at a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, where guests witness every stage of the production process, from milk collection to aging. They’ll participate in shaping and brining the cheese and sample it at various ages, learning how time affects its complexity.
Next, visit a traditional balsamic vinegar acetaia (vinegar house), housed in a family-run villa. Here, guests can observe the slow aging process and even create a blend of their own vinegar to take home.
Conclude the day with a farm-to-table lunch featuring local specialties such as tortellini, paired with Lambrusco, the region’s signature wine.
Essence of Italianissimo: This experience embodies the patience, precision, and passion behind two of Italy’s most iconic products, inviting visitors to be a part of Modena’s culinary heritage. -
Truffle Hunting & Barolo Tasting in Piedmont’s Langhe Hills
Experience Overview: Journey to the lush Langhe hills of Piedmont for an adventure into the world of truffles and Barolo wine. This Italianissimo experience combines hands-on truffle hunting with local experts and tastings at some of Italy’s finest vineyards.
Highlights:
Join a local truffle hunter and their dog for a morning walk in the forests, learning about truffle varieties, ideal conditions, and the dog’s essential role in finding these culinary treasures.Participants can try their hand at finding their own truffles.
Afterward, savor a truffle-themed lunch in a rustic osteria, featuring dishes like tajarin pasta with fresh truffle shavings, paired with regional wines.
In the afternoon, explore a nearby Barolo winery, where a sommelier leads a tour through the cellars and an in-depth tasting of different Barolo vintages, highlighting the history and craft behind this “king of wines.”
Essence of Italianissimo: This adventure invites guests to connect with nature, savor regional flavors, and enjoy an authentic taste of Piedmont’s rich culinary landscape. -
Pasta-Making and Olive Oil Tasting in the Umbrian Countryside
Experience Overview: In the heart of Umbria, Italy’s “green heart,” visitors will learn the art of pasta-making and experience the magic of high-quality extra virgin olive oil in an olive grove setting.
Highlights:
Begin with a hands-on pasta workshop in a rustic farmhouse, where a local chef teaches the secrets of handmade pasta, from rolling to shaping. Guests can try their hand at making various pasta types, including tagliatelle, pici, and ravioli.
Take a guided walk through the olive groves with a local oil producer, learning about olive varieties, cultivation, and the harvest. Afterward, enjoy a detailed olive oil tasting, where guests learn to distinguish quality and flavor nuances.
The experience wraps up with a relaxed lunch featuring the freshly made pasta, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, paired with Umbrian wines like Sagrantino.
Essence of Italianissimo: This experience captures the simple pleasures of Italian cooking and countryside living, with a focus on fresh ingredients and timeless culinary traditions. -
Mozzarella-Making and Limoncello Tasting on the Amalfi Coast
Experience Overview: Discover the world of mozzarella and limoncello on Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast. Guests will learn how to make Italy’s famed buffalo mozzarella and craft limoncello, the region’s iconic lemon liqueur.
Highlights:
Start the day at a local dairy farm, where guests will see how buffalo milk is transformed into mozzarella and learn techniques to stretch and shape the cheese themselves.
Tastings include not only mozzarella but also caciocavallo and ricotta, all made on-site. In the afternoon, head to a lemon grove for a guided tour, where guests learn about the importance of Amalfi lemons and the process of making limoncello. Guests can craft a bottle of limoncello to take home, customizing the sweetness to their preference.
Finish the experience with an alfresco meal overlooking the sea, featuring mozzarella, lemon-infused dishes, and coastal wines such as Falanghina.
Essence of Italianissimo: This adventure captures the vibrancy of the Amalfi Coast’s flavors, pairing hands-on activities with breathtaking natural scenery. -
Artisanal Chocolate-Making Workshop in Turin
Experience Overview: Step into the world of Turin’s renowned chocolate-making tradition with a hands-on workshop led by master chocolatiers. Turin, the birthplace of gianduja (hazelnut chocolate), offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn the art of chocolate from the finest artisans.
Highlights:
Begin at an artisanal chocolate atelier in Turin, where guests are guided through the chocolate-making process, from tempering and molding to flavoring with traditional ingredients like hazelnuts, which are native to the Piedmont region.
Guests will have the opportunity to create and shape their own gianduiotti (Turin’s famous hazelnut chocolates) as well as other Italian chocolate varieties, such as bicerin-flavored truffles (inspired by Turin’s coffee-and-chocolate drink).
The experience concludes with a tasting session where guests can enjoy the chocolates they made alongside Turin’s classic drink, bicerin, a warm layered beverage of espresso, chocolate, and cream.
Essence of Italianissimo: This workshop immerses guests in Turin’s rich chocolate history, from crafting classic flavors to tasting creations that highlight the art and passion behind Italian chocolate-making.
These “So Italian” experiences are more than just culinary tours—they’re invitations to dive deep into Italy’s iconic traditions, learn from skilled artisans, and taste the true essence of Italian life. Whether it’s through the creamy texture of freshly made mozzarella, the aroma of a truffle unearthed in Piedmont, or the sparkle of limoncello on the Amalfi Coast, each of these adventures is a celebration of Italy’s timeless culinary heritage.
