Monday, August 13, 2018

Art and Food 2018
Slow Food in Turin * Art in Lombardy  * Painting in Franciacorta 
   9 days/8 nights 
September 18-27, 2018

All of your senses to be filled…Italian style....La Dolca Vita!

Join  J E T S E T WISDOM this fall in Italy for the biennial Slow Food/Slow Wine and Terra Madre at Salone del Gusto in Torino, the secret art jewels of Milano (including the Last Supper), and finally three full days of painting in the Franciacorta regions peppered with winetastings, shopping at the world-famous Franciacorta Shopping Village and luscious Agriturismo foods.
Leaving the US or Canada on Tuesday September 18, 2018 and arriving in Milan, Italy on Wednesday September 19, we will be either meeting in Torino at our landmark hotel if you wish , or at a pre-arranged location at 0:930 at MXP Malpensa airport for the 1.5 hour drive to Torino.  After check-in you will have the option of a late afternoon tour of this baroque beauty called Torino to the Italians, (Turin) followed by a welcome local Piedmontese dinner.  Get familiar with the city of Torino and rest up for the opening day of Salone del Gusto- you will need comfortable walking shoes for our next couple of days.  
Salone Del Gusto is throughout the city of Turin at many different venues - Opening at 10 till 9:30 pm - a full and active day, but as much as you desire as your hotel is centrally located right in the fashionable Quadrilatero Romano district, an area known for its fantastic shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The San Giovanni Cathedral – home to the Turin Shroud – is right next door. We'll have dinner together as a welcome Wednesday evening, and also Friday evening. Thursday evening* will be a meet up for aperativo, you will be tasting all day at Salone del Gusto.
Thursday and Friday will be spent savoring the twenty regions of Italy at the Slow Food/Terra Madre Salone del Gusto show.  They are still finalizing special packaging, tastings, lectures but rest assured we will have plenty to choose from.  You’ll also have an opportunity to see the museums within walking distance, central as you wish.
Leaving Torino on Saturday midday, we will drive to Milan (about 1-1/2 hours) in our private coach. A lovely walking tour of your new neighborhood, next door to Pinocateca Ambrosiana, Peck for noshes, (as in if you're peckish) and The Duomo (cathedral) steps away from Palazzo Reale, housing one of the many world class collections. We'll glimpse into  a private palazzo The art world in Milan is all about beauty and exploration.
Minutes from La Scala ,  bohemian La Brera with its private galleries and Pinocateca La Brea, you will feel at home in this small private hotel, sharing harmony, culture and silence.   Milan promotes several museums housed in grand Palazzi locally, we’ll fit in at least two, and a stop at the Castello Sforzesco before a walk through Parc Sempione’s Trienelle Museum . Aperativo is a must on one of our evenings.
We will leave on Monday midday for a short drive up to Franciacorta to our agriturismo stay of three nights. Filled and inspired by the art of Milan and Turin, we will surely enjoy some plein-aire.  Do not worry - if painting is not your thing we have lots of other activities in mind.  However, painting in the vineyards and terraces of our lovely agriturismo should be a priority.  This undiscovered region is not to be missed.  Lago Iseo is beautiful, and the place of The Floating Piers exhibit in 2016:  www.christojeanneclaude.net/projects/the-floating-piers. 
We conclude, quite fittingly in the champagne region of Italy - (francia corta - short French) with amazing champagne.  We will have some time for a wine tour and  serious retail therapy at the close by Franciacorta Outlet Shopping Village for those interested.  Wednesday evening will be our farewell dinner at the agriturismo tasting their food and wine.
Flight transfers to Milan Malpensa or Bergamo from Franciacorta, morning of Thursday September 27, 2018. included.

What’s included/ what’s not …

9 days/ 8 hotel nights  Inclusive of almost all meals  (except denoted by *), with wine and water and gratuity, entry to Slow Food for two days,  two special event programs within the Salone del Gusto, Terra Madre, lodging in charming 4* hotels with double occupancy,  transfers and transport in a private limo coach throughout our 9 days. Other than airfare of your choice, everything is included but your retail 'therapy'!  Breakfast is included each morning at all of our hotels,  WIFI is complimentary. 
Limited Single occupancy available upon request at an additional fee. Airfare and airport transfers are not included other than Malpensa Milan, nor is travel insurance, which I would recommend. Please be advised that this tour is all about painting, art and food - and lots of great walking, especially at the Salon del Gusto.  Our first stay  is within the center of Turin of course for a respite when needed.
A deposit of 50% is required to hold your spot. All major Credit Cards are accepted.   This trip will be limited to 12, and spouses/partners/friends  are welcome. 
 Visa , MC and  Paypal accepted.  3% discount for check/cash.  
Please email Claudia Wisdom-Good at jetsetwisdom@gmail.com or 540.718.4046 for  pricing, further information, to sign up or any questions.  Don’t miss out - Terra Madre/Slow Food is only every two years -this Jetset WISDOM trip will not  be repeated until 2020.