Weekend
gourmet breaks in Italy
Winetasting
in Italy : The Prosecco Trail and wines of the Veneto
The
Veneto
A
diverse, rich area, which stretches out to the west from the Adriatic
Sea, influenced by the culture and heritage of Venice reflected
in its architecture, cuisine and lifestyle. Just north of
such great cities as Venice, Padua and Verona, at the foot of
the Dolomite Mountains lies the area of Esagono, comprising the
six towns of Asolo, Bassano, Castelfranco, Cittadella, Marostica
and Possagno. As they claim ' Six towns with a common charm and
a thousand flavours ' You should not miss the white asparagus
of Bassano, a real specialty dating back to the 16th century,
and celebrated in all the hotels and restaurants during May. Also
enjoy all the fresh spring vegetables, the sweet cherries from
Asolo and Marostica, and, in the winter, the radicchio of Castelfranco,
much of which finds its way into tasty risottos, perhaps accompanied
by a glass of sparkling Prosecco.
A
symbol of harmony between the work of man and nature, and witness
to the great wealth of noble Venetian families are the many Veneto
villas, one of the most precious treasures of this part of Italy.Examples
to savour include the work of Andrea di Pietro ( Palladio) who
introduced the classicism of ancient art into churches, palaces
and villas throughout the region. Explore the ceramics workshops,
the vineyards and winerys, the many museums and superb shops.
The
area of Mount Grappa was the decisive an strategic theatre of
the Great War. In Bassano del Grappa, There
are numerous signs of the hard battles that were fought here including
the Ponte degli Alpini, situated over the River Brenta on the
same site as the original designed by Palladio.Today you can relax
here and enjoy a visit to the Grappa distillery or an aperitif
in Nardini overlooking the town and fascinating river. - Perhaps
whilst reading 'Farewell to Arms', by Hemingway inspired by his
time in Bassano.
The
following long-weekend break is absolutely right for small groups
of people celebrating a very special occasion. Maybe some ladies
on a pre-wedding bride's weekend ( just perfect! ) or several
couples for an anniversary or special birthday, or an incentive
or social club outing. You can be assured of warm, friendly, personal
service. Enthusiasm and hospitality abound. Nothing will be too
much trouble. The food is truly superb, and you will return home
with a bank of memories, never to be forgotten. Also singles
and couples wanting to enjoy a wonderful gourmet
food and wine break in Italy would do well to consider Bassano
del Grappa. Low cost flights to Venice or Treviso, car-hire and
a carefully planned itinerary and you can relax for a week in
wonderful surroundings, explore fascinating hilltop towns and
villages and know that a wonderful, feast of the very best of
typical regional, country cuisine awaits you !
At
home with Guerrino - A Gourmet food and Wine Weekend
in Italy
Day
One Thursday
Early Evening Arrive Venice Marco Polo or Treviso Airport
Met by Giuseppe Marchetto or one of other of your hosts
in the Veneto
Transfer by minibus to your charming family-run hotel/restaurant
(pictured above ) This will be your base for the weekend. Here
is a first class restaurant and delightful hotel, in a rural situation
just outside Bassano del Grappa – home
of Guerrino Maculan (an executive and TV chef, renowned in the
Veneto) Guerrino will be your host throughout the weekend. Be
prepared for spontaneous cookery demonstrations, ad-hoc wine tastings,
a musical interlude, and warmth of welcome unrivalled in the Veneto.
You will be assured of a memorable experience)
Check-in and welcome drink.
Dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel
Dinner is always a feast to be remembered. Comprising several
courses ( the dishes seem to keep appearing forever!) Delicious,
home-prepared antipasti, perhaps a risotto with radicchio.Then
several types of pasta or gnocchi followed by a meat course (often
two different meats) and cheese and desserts. All accompanied
by excellent wines and the after-dinner liqueurs; including the
local homemade grappas for which the region is famous. Cookery
demonstrations from Guerrino – perhaps the risotto or tiramisu
or both!
Day Two Friday
After breakfast, depart with a mini-bus, and accompanied by Giuseppe,
visit the wonderful town of Bassano del Grappa. Short walk and
visit to the ‘botteghe’ of Bassano, ceramics, weavers,
art, restoration, and leather goods, culminating in a visit to
Nardini, the famous grappamaker, situated right on the old wooden
bridge; Ponti di Alpini, the symbol of Bassano. An aperitivo in
the bar is a must for visitors to Bassano. There are wonderful
shops, delicatessens, and Poli grappa museum. After free time
for lunch (perhaps a superb local pizza ) we depart for an afternoon
visit to the wonderful hilltop town of Asalo, and a tour of a
superb wine cellar and tasting of some of the excellent red wines
from the Veneto region.
Dinner (5 course with wines )bed and breakfast at your hotel.
Day Three Saturday
After breakfast, take the train from the local station to Venice.
(journey of 1 hour)
© A Gourmet Food & Wine Weekend
in Bassano
Whole day at leisure in Venice or you could take
an excursion to the islands to see the glass-blowing/lace-making
etc. A third alternative is to take a one-day cookery class in
Mira on the Venetian lagoon.Or you could
stay in Bassano del Grappa - it's market day, and the chance to
see the antics of some of the friends of the bride and groom as
Saturday is normally a rather splendid wedding day in Bassano
del Grappa ! - Often with the reception at our hotel's function
room! Return to hotel for dinner, bed and breakfast with wines.
Day Four Sunday
After breakfast, we bid farewell to our hosts , and set off for
a drive among the hills of the Prosecco wine route
The itinerary takes us through the hills lying to the north of
Treviso, between the course of the river Piave and the towns of
Conegliano and Vittoria Veneto, dedicated to wines, gastronomy,
and popular traditions. A visit to a wine cellar to taste the
local DOC wines, observe the different stages of production and
aging, and buy some Prosecco to take home for family and friends.
Lunch can be arranged in a wonderful country restaurant or in
the town of Treviso ( which claims to be the
bithplace of Tiramisu! )
Eventually, we make our way back to the airport for the flight
of your choice back to the UK.
© An aperitif and canapes before dinner
Prices for 4 days / 3 nights from £390.00 per person (based
on a minimum of 6 persons)
The
price includes:-
· Three nights accommodation in rural Bassano del Grappa
(sharing a twin room)
· Welcome drink and aperitif each evening
· Three evening meals (as described) inclusive of wine
supply and after dinner liqueurs.
· Airport transfers (Venice Treviso/Hotel)
· Return train fares from Bassano del Grappa to Venice
· Full day excursion in the Veneto with visits and winetasting
as described.
· Monday excursion on the Prosecco trail with winetasting
as described
· Spontaneous cookery demonstrations and generous hosting
by Guerrino Maculan
· Assistance and guiding (where applicable) from Giuseppe
Marchetto
· Individual travel planning to make your special occasion
exactly right, and tailor-made to fit your budget and requirements.
The price is exclusive of flights, which we can quote for you
or you may like to look around for some of the cheap flights on
offer from low-cost airlines from most London airports flying
to Venice Treviso or even Marco Polo ( From £14.99 per person
plus taxes )
Guerrino Maculan - Executive Chef
Guerrino Maculan and Giuseppe Marchetto
with Yvonne Leach
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