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VINSANTO VIGOLENO & ABBEY WINETOUR

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Scent of medieval life and meditation wine, fortified burgh & the silence of peaceful cloisters.

CODE: VINSWTO04

GROUPS ONLY Min 20/Max 50 Part.

GENERAL INFO:

Duration: Full day Guided Tour, approx 6 to 7 hrs.

Departing Time: Generally 0900 AM but it depends on your choice at time of booking.

Hotel Pickup: Hotel pick up is available from most Piacenza Area located hotels. Fitted for: All

Languages: English, Francais, Espanol, Deutsch.

Seasonality: March to October 2008

TOUR DESCRIPTION:

Arda Valley t(he eastern one of the four major valleys of the Province of Piacenza) is famous for medieval sites and well preserved castles. Well known for an important meditation wine: the “Vinsanto di Vigoleno” & other superb wines. Morning departure from Piacenza.

Visit historical sites as the Medieval Burgh of Vigoleno, place of rare beauty and the monastic complex of Chiaravalle della Colomba Abbey.

Start with the Medieval Borough of Vigoleno a castle-village whose origins are rooted in the roman era. The name comes from the Latin Vicus Lyaeo, a site devoted to Bacchus because of the extraordinary wines of the area. It is a fortified complex of great interest which has maintained almost intact its original character. The Fountain Square, the Water Cistern and the Romanesque Church of San Giorgio where you can admire a fresco of St. George killing the dragon. Walk around the borough and be fascinated by local products, in particular by the excellent refined raisin meditation wine Vinsanto di Vigoleno, produced in extremely limited quantity.

The morning portion of your tour ends with an enjoyment of local cuisine, an interesting experience of senses: a Lunch in a typical "Trattoria Piacentina”.

Not to be forgotten (among the cured meats), the “queen” of this valley, the delicious sweet and perfumed "Coppa piacentina DOP".

Once sipped your aromatic and warm Expresso coffee, proceed to a fime wine estate to taste and enjoy te said meditation wine Vinsanto di Vigoleno.

Then proceed to the lowland to visit the Cistercian monastic complex of Chiaravalle della Colomba Abbey that owes its name to the dove (= in Italian: colomba) .

According to the legend, a dove drew the perimeter of the monastery overflying the area. The Cistercian community was founded by Bernard, abbot of Clairvaux (Langres, in Champagne) probably before the half of the 12th century. Very interesting and not to be missed are the Sacristy, the Capitol Hall, the Ancient Dormitory of the monks and, in the church, 17th and 18th century paintings.

The abbey museum shows, by means of explanatory drawings, the history of the abbey. End the visit stoping at the monk’s old Pharmacy where one can buy natural products as honey, erbs soap, digestives, liquors. Naturally monk’s homemade.

THE PRICE INCLUDES (Inclusions):

Entrance fees

Typical Piacentino Lunch in a Trattoria

Hotel pick up, Coach touring and hotel drop off

Your requested language speaking guide

Travel Insurance

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDES (Exclusions):

Optional gratuities

Food and drink, unless specified

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This tour must be booked at least 15 days in advance of your travel date. Confirmation will follow ASAP.

Tour is operated in English unless otherwise requested