...Valtellina DOCG. These wines are made at high altitude on cascading terraces clinging to steep hillsides. All these grapes are powerful Chiavennasca based wines (the local version of Nebbiolo, used to make Barolo). ou´ll carry on to one of the most important Valtellina wineries cooperation for an interesting private tour of the estate. You´ll see the fermentation rooms, barrel cellars, and will conclude the tour with a full tasting of four flagship wines, including Valtellina Superiore and the exquisite Sforzato. During the wine tasting you will indulge in plenty of “mountain cuisine” like rich cheeses, Bresaola and local salame and smocked ham.
VALTELLINA WINE & NEBIOLO GRAPE
the wines of Valtellina, a northern Italian province in Lombardy, just next door to the more famous vineyards of Piedmont. Valtellina is as well-known as a ski-resort and for its local cheeses, as for its Nebbiolo wines; the same grape as Piedmont's renowned Barbaresco and Barolo. Valtellina is a mountainous and dramatic area, with grapes grown on the slopes of a transverse valley (running east-west), which means maximum light exposure: the vineyards enjoy similar sunshine hours to those in Mediterranean Sicily. Vines are almost all planted on terraces carved into the granite and slate rock. Like similar vineyard landscapes in the Douro valley, all picking is by hand, as is the heavy work of hauling grapes up and down the slopes - around three-times more man-hours are required to work these vines than the gentler slopes of Piedmont. A few growers have invested in funicular transporters, and even helicopters to aid this back-breaking work. Nebbiolo has always been the only grape variety bottled in the region's red wines, though recently some experimental plantings of Merlot and Pinot Noir are being watched with interest. Some IGT wines (Indicazione Geografica Tipica, a similar concept to France's Vin de Pays) are already produced from these blends, and white wines too - both "blush"-style white Nebbiolo and small parcels of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. In general these Nebbiolos were rather softer and more approachable than many Barolo's of a similar age, and though few examples really stood out as "great" wines, I was very pleasantly surprised at the good quality drinking from a region I have rarely encountered previously. Some wines from the Valtellina region are designated Sforzato; a very similar style to Recioto Amarone, with the powerful wines having been fermented from air-dried grapes.

ITINERARY
h. 08.30am - Meet at the hotel ready to go. Our Ski guide and driver will come and pick you up. Wear your regular shoes and carry your ski boots.
h. 09.30am - Arrival at 3 Palle. Skiers will get off the bus with your ski guide and start skiing Mottolino (1st Livigno ski area). The non skiers will stay on the bus and will be dropped off in the city center.
h. 12.30pm - The bus will come and pick the skiers up at 3 Palle to transport them to the next Ski area (Carosello). The ones who want to dedicate the rest of the day to shopping will be dropped off in the city center.
h. 04.30pm - meet at the coach parking lot to depart Livigno for Bormio h. 05.30pm - Arrive at your hotel

INCLUDED
-Full Day Private coach
-1 Tour manager each bus
-Wine tasting "pizzoccheri"
NOT INCLUDED
-All what is not described in the "included"
IMPORTANT
-Bring your valid passport with you
-Do not buy more goods than what the regulations advise
-Wear confortable shoes
Personal Importation of Beverage Alcohol Products
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), regulates the importation of beverage alcohol products into the United States for commercial use. Under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, any person engaged in the business of importing beverage alcohol products into the United States for commercial use must have an importer's basic permit and obtain a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA). Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the importer must also pay internal revenue taxes and any applicable duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). When a person imports beverage alcohol products into the United States on a one-time basis for personal use, the above requirements (other than the payment of Federal excise tax and any applicable duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection) do not apply. In exceptional cases, individuals who import beverage alcohol products for personal use on a repetitive or continuous basis may be required to obtain an importer's basic permit and possess a COLA for these imported shipments. As a practical matter, it is usually at the discretion of the CBP District Director at the port of entry to make the decision of whether or not a particular importation is, in fact, for personal use only. In certain unusual circumstances, TTB may exercise joint jurisdiction with CBP in making this determination. If CBP and/or TTB decide that imported alcohol is for personal use, an importer's basic permit is not required, nor is it necessary to obtain a COLA; however, all federal, state and local taxes must be paid. In addition, other state, local or CBP requirements may apply. It should be noted that some states prohibit the direct shipment of beverage alcohol products to individuals. Anyone interested in importing alcohol for personal use should contact their state liquor control agency. A list of State Liquor Control Boards is available on the web site at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/control_board.shtml. If the beverage alcohol products are to be given away as personal gifts to friends, neighbors, or relatives, etc., or are to be similarly distributed, the Federal Government health warning label requirement is applicable. A gift of beverage alcohol products connected with the solicitation of orders for, or the sale of, such products constitutes commercial use and can only be conducted by a federally licensed Importer. Finally, the determination whether or not a shipment is for personal or commercial use cannot be decided solely on the size of the shipment but must be determined on a case-by-case basis considering the circumstances surrounding the importation. However, the size of the shipment may give rise to a question resulting in the need for an investigation by CBP or TTB. For information on CBP requirements, visit http://www.cbp.gov. Click on "Publications", then "Travel Publications", and open/save the file titled "Moving Household Goods to U.S." The document should contain various subsections with information on importing liquor and alcohol. If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the port through which you will be entering the country, and make prior arrangements for entering the alcohol into the United States. It may also be useful to contact the carrier you plan on using, as many have strict guidelines regarding the shipment of alcoholic beverages. You should also be aware that state laws might limit the amount of alcohol that may be brought into the state without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by CBP, even though this may be more restrictive than federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply.

BOOKING CONDITIONS
1. Italy Europe Tours responsibility will not exceed the limits foreseen by the Italian laws.
2. In case of “force majeure”, Italy Europe Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the excursions in every moment.
3. Italy Europe Tours is not responsible for any damages caused by the client.
4. Prices are quoted in EURO; the prices can be changed in every moment for as follows: in case of “force majeure” or changes of local or national taxes. In this case Italy Europe Tours will give communication to the clients immediately.
5. We reserve the right to cancel the excursions in case of bad weather conditions (especially for walking tours and fishing experience).
6. We also reserve the right to cancel the excursion in case there is an insufficient demand (minimum of people requested: 20 participants).
7. Notifications of a cancelled excursion will be provided as follows:
°Bad weather conditions: at least 1 hour before departure
° Insufficient demand: at least the day before the scheduled service at 08:00 p.m.
In these cases Italy Europe Tours will not pay any penalties to the client. If the client had already paid Italy Europe Tours for the service, will be refunded only for the sums paid.
8. Owing to the nature of our excursions, there will be no refund for “no show” or cancellation received by you less then 72 hours in advance.
9. We suggest: walking boots (no high heels shoes or sandals), water, sun cream, hat, binoculars, camera.
10. Vertigo sufferers may have problems with this excursions.
11. The excursions will be hold in English language.
12. Personal travel insurance is not included.
13. We are unable to accept responsibility for any aspect of your excursion affected by matters over which we have no control. Those include natural disaster, government action, visits or services not being part of our standard excursions, sale of optional luncheons, bad weather conditions, industrial disputes, technical transportation problems.
14. Italy Europe Tours accepts neither liability for actions and/or negligence of suppliers, or for the correctness of information given by them.
15. Italy Europe Tours is not liable for circumstances amounting to “force majeure”: it means unusual and unforeseeable events beyond the control of Top Level Travel or suppliers seeking to rely on them. Such circumstances may include (by way of example and not by way of limitation) war, threat of war, civil strife, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, epidemics, bad weather, terrorist activity, Governmental action, acts of God and all other similar events.
16. In case of sell of Italy Europe Tours’ Tours by a Travel Agent, it is liable about its actions and/or negligence. The travel agent is also liable about wrong information given to the client about Top Level Travel services and Tours.
17. Italy Europe Tours, as a T.O., is covered by “Unipol Assicurazioni” (Italy) insurance Company for tort liability, in conformity with the Italian legislative decree n° 111/95.
18. We suggest the clients to provide a personal travel insurance.
19. Tips and any personal extras are always not included.

...and forms of pasta before your eyes. Our chef's pasta class shows you how to mix, blend, knead, twist, and roll a fresh pasta called Pizzoccheri. Not only will you learn how to make it, but you will learn the history and technique on making true Italian pasta.
WHAT'S PIZZOCCHERI?
In the Valtellina area of Lombardy, there is a classic dish called pizzoccheri alla Valtellina. It's made with wide buckwheat pasta ribbons (the pizzoccheri) tossed with boiled potatoes and cabbage, melted butter flavored with sage leaves, and a local cheese called Casera or Scimud. This is my simplified take on this dish: I've replaced the sage with caraway seeds; substituted sautéed cabbage for boiled; omitted the potatoes; and replaced the Casera or Scimud with the more easily obtainable Fontina, a nutty cow's milk cheese.
Ingredients:
* 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
* 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
* 6 sage leaves, thinly sliced
* 4 cups (1/2 small head) shredded Savoy cabbage
* 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 12 ounces pizzoccheri (buckwheat noodles, see above; substitute fresh egg tagliatelle if unavailable)
* 1/2 pound Fontina from Val d'Aosta, rind removed and cubed
* 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Receipt:
Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the caraway seeds and sage leaves, cook 1 more minute, and add the cabbage. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper, and cook, stirring often, until the cabbage is limp and lightly browned in spots, about 10 minutes, adding a bit of water by the spoonful as needed to prevent the cabbage from burning or drying out. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pizzoccheri and the remaining 2 tablespoons of salt, and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Transfer the pizzoccheri to a deep serving bowl. Stir in the sautéed cabbage and onion, the reserved pasta cooking water, the Fontina, and the Parmigiano. Adjust the salt if necessary and serve hot. Serves 4 to 6

ITINERARY
h. 09.00am - Meet at the hotel ready to go.
h. 09.45am - Arrival in Villa di Tirano at our winery. Meet your chef and together with her you will go to the city center to shop all the ingredients you will need.
h. 11.00pm - Back at the winery ready to follow your chef's class in the kitchen.
h. 12.30pm - Your own prepared lunch is ready together with a great wine tasting. Enjoy it!
h. 02.00pm - Lunch and wine tasting is over but you will start a nice winery tour to understand the secrets of the wine production.
h. 04.30pm - Arrive at your hotel

INCLUDED
-Full Day Private coach
-1 Tour manager every 10 participants
-1 Chef evey 10 participants
-Preparation and information of Pizzoccheri
-Eat your own made Pizzoccheri including wine
-Wine tasting of 3-4 different wines
-Caffee, Cappuccino and/or Local Grappa
NOT INCLUDED
-All what is not described in the "included"
IMPORTANT
-Bring your valid passport with you
-Do not buy more goods than what the regulations advise
-Wear confortable shoes and clothes (You can get them dirty while preparing the pizzoccheri)

BOOKING CONDITIONS
1. Italy Europe Tours responsibility will not exceed the limits foreseen by the Italian laws.
2. In case of “force majeure”, Italy Europe Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the excursions in every moment.
3. Italy Europe Tours is not responsible for any damages caused by the client.
4. Prices are quoted in EURO; the prices can be changed in every moment for as follows: in case of “force majeure” or changes of local or national taxes. In this case Italy Europe Tours will give communication to the clients immediately.
5. We reserve the right to cancel the excursions in case of bad weather conditions (especially for walking tours and fishing experience).
6. We also reserve the right to cancel the excursion in case there is an insufficient demand (minimum of people requested: 20 participants).
7. Notifications of a cancelled excursion will be provided as follows:
°Bad weather conditions: at least 1 hour before departure
° Insufficient demand: at least the day before the scheduled service at 08:00 p.m.
In these cases Italy Europe Tours will not pay any penalties to the client. If the client had already paid Italy Europe Tours for the service, will be refunded only for the sums paid.
8. Owing to the nature of our excursions, there will be no refund for “no show” or cancellation received by you less then 72 hours in advance.
9. We suggest: walking boots (no high heels shoes or sandals), water, sun cream, hat, binoculars, camera.
10. Vertigo sufferers may have problems with this excursions.
11. The excursions will be hold in English language.
12. Personal travel insurance is not included.
13. We are unable to accept responsibility for any aspect of your excursion affected by matters over which we have no control. Those include natural disaster, government action, visits or services not being part of our standard excursions, sale of optional luncheons, bad weather conditions, industrial disputes, technical transportation problems.
14. Italy Europe Tours accepts neither liability for actions and/or negligence of suppliers, or for the correctness of information given by them.
15. Italy Europe Tours is not liable for circumstances amounting to “force majeure”: it means unusual and unforeseeable events beyond the control of Top Level Travel or suppliers seeking to rely on them. Such circumstances may include (by way of example and not by way of limitation) war, threat of war, civil strife, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, epidemics, bad weather, terrorist activity, Governmental action, acts of God and all other similar events.
16. In case of sell of Italy Europe Tours’ Tours by a Travel Agent, it is liable about its actions and/or negligence. The travel agent is also liable about wrong information given to the client about Top Level Travel services and Tours.
17. Italy Europe Tours, as a T.O., is covered by “Unipol Assicurazioni” (Italy) insurance Company for tort liability, in conformity with the Italian legislative decree n° 111/95.
18. We suggest the clients to provide a personal travel insurance.
19. Tips and any personal extras are always not included.