Taste Italy with Saporium - A Culinary Journey of Food, Wine & Local Traditions

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Your Italian journey begins with your arrival in Desenzano del Garda, a lively lakeside town that perfectly blends charm and elegance.

By 2:00 PM, you’ll check in to your boutique hotel and settle into your room. After some time to relax, we’ll gather for a welcome drink — the perfect moment to meet your fellow travelers and share the excitement of the days ahead.

In the late afternoon, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through Desenzano’s historic center, discovering its picturesque piazzas, elegant boutiques, and beautiful lakefront promenade. This introduction sets the tone for the authentic experiences to come.

As evening falls, enjoy a traditional aperitivo, followed by a welcome dinner at a carefully selected restaurant nearby. Here, you’ll savor seasonal dishes paired with regional wines, immersing yourself straight away in the culinary delights of Northern Italy.

A gentle start to an unforgettable journey.

Today, we journey into the heart of Valpolicella, one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions. Our first stop is a prestigious winery, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of five of Italy’s most renowned wines, accompanied by crisp taralli and grissini to ensure a balanced experience.

Following the tasting, we’ll head to a famous trattoria known for its authentic Valpolicella dishes, crafted from the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. After this sumptuous lunch, you’ll return to the hotel with the afternoon free to rest, take a leisurely stroll, or explore Desenzano’s charming boutiques at your own pace.

Discover the enchanting towns of Sirmione and Peschiera, walking along scenic streets, historic piers, and lakeside promenades. In the morning, we’ll head to Lazise for a hands-on Italian cooking class, where you’ll master the preparation of two exceptional pasta dishes. Sit down with your fellow travelers to enjoy the fruits of your labor in a shared meal that celebrates tradition and craftsmanship.

Venture south into the Parma region, where a renowned salumificio welcomes you for an exclusive tour of their production process, followed by a tasting of their finest cured meats. The day culminates in lunch at a Michelin-recommended tavern, celebrated for its seasonal Emilian cuisine and commitment to local ingredients—an authentic taste of the Emilia-Romagna culinary tradition.

Explore the picturesque towns of Valeggio and Borghetto, two jewels of Northern Italy. Valeggio enchants with its medieval architecture and stunning landscapes along the Mincio River, while Borghetto, a tiny village of watermills and cobblestone streets, is often hailed as one of Italy’s most charming towns. For lunch, savor a DOCG specialty, the Malfatto di Carpenedolo, prepared with care in Carpenedolo, showcasing centuries of culinary heritage.

We begin the day with a morning visit to San Martino della Battaglia and Solferino, two sites of immense historical significance. Walk the fields where the pivotal 1859 battles for Italian unification took place, and admire the memorials that honor courage, sacrifice, and the birth of the Red Cross.

After this inspiring start, we travel to Castel Goffredo for a memorable lunch featuring the Tortello Amaro di Castel Goffredo. This unique pasta, filled with Costmary (Balsamita Major) and other local herbs, has been prepared here for generations—a perfect blend of flavor, tradition, and history.

The afternoon is yours to explore the town, enjoy a leisurely stroll, or simply relax, soaking in the local atmosphere

Our final day takes us to Mantua, a city of Renaissance splendor. Stroll through its most famous palaces, including Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te, both within easy walking distance from the city center. Conclude your journey with a traditional Mantuan lunch, savoring the flavors and recipes that make this city’s cuisine truly unforgettable—an elegant finale to your Italian adventure.