June 8, 2026
Our gastronomic getaway through the majestic Dolomites will begin with arrival to our rendezvous point, Venice Marco Polo Airport, where we’ll be welcomed by our Palatum Trip Leader. At the designated time, we’ll depart for our spectacular stay perched high above the stunning spa town of Merano in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Northern Italy. We will arrive for check-in to our former 17th century hunting lodge turned five-star mountain hideaway, Castel Fragsburg, a Two Michelin Key alpine dream suspended amongst the clouds. Free time will be enjoyed by all as we settle in to our enchanting retreat, before celebrating the start of our culinary adventure with a toast to our host, Chef Karen Akunowicz, within the elegant 16th century stube of Schlosswirt Forst, an epicurean homage to the Südtirol by Chef Luis Haller.

Meals: D
Overnight: Castel Fragsburg

June 9, 2026
This morning will be spent in the lush mountain pastures outside of Merano as we uncover the art of crafting Südtirol’s fabled ham specialty, Speck, with a local family who are experts in the production of Alto Adige’s signature porcine specialty. We’ll be welcomed for an exclusive visit of the farm to learn how their prized Speck and other charcuterie are crafted according to tradition, such as farmer’s bacon, smoked salame, and prosciutto crudo. The family will introduce us to how quality begins in the alpine landscape where the pigs are cared for with respect, spending their days enjoying GMO-free feeding, space to wander and fresh air, before learning more about the production process, including seasoning, curing and cold smoking. Our visit will culminate with a tasting of the family’s fine artisanal Speck and other charcuterie. From pasture to pilsner, we will next travel to a craft brewery that honors South Tyrolean tradition with their handmade pale ales, pilsners and more, while enlisting modern innovation to elevate the brewing process. A guided visit of the brewery will lead us to a lunch of rustic Tyrolean fare paired with a craft beer flight. Our day will continue with a guided visit of the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, an over 12 hectare paradise of pavilions, architectural curiosities, and botanical environments from around the world, swirling beneath the estate’s Neo-Gothic castle. The afternoon will be spent in Merano for free time to discover its historic center of shaded shopping arcades and architectural highlights spanning from the Middle Ages to the Belle Epoque, before convening for a dinner of modern Tyrolean meets Mediterranean dishes at a renowned ristorante nestled within the city’s medieval walls.

Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Castel Fragsburg

June 10, 2026
Blissful relaxation awaits us at Castel Fragsburg with a free morning to appreciate our hotel’s many wellness amenities. Enjoy access to the Healing Spa Castellum Natura with its serene relaxation room, steam room and sauna circuit affording panoramic views onto the Texelgruppe Nature Park. Set off on a leisurely walk through the estate’s lush Mediterranean gardens, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool surrounded by stunning vineyard views, or experience an exhilarating hike to the 14th century Castel Fragsburg Paternum. Our morning of wellbeing will be crowned with a hands-on workshop in modern alchemy as we discover the healing power of herbs while crafting our own herbal salve, connecting us to the alpine terroir through self care. Relaxed and ready for the next adventure, we’ll depart for the scenic Alto Adige DOC Wine Route with its terraced vineyards that kiss the sky. We’ll arrive at the 14th century estate of a winemaking family acclaimed for their dedication to organic production. A tranquil walk through the estate’s English style gardens will welcome us to whimsical mazes and intriguing works of art, before savoring an al fresco lunch with a tasting flight of the family’s organic wines produced from such varieties as Pinot Blanc, Lagrein and Pinot Noir. Our afternoon of wine appreciation will continue at one of the appellation’s most esteemed producers, Elena Walch, a fifth generation winemaking dynasty now led by daughters Julia and Karoline. A vanguard of Italian winemaking, Elena was instrumental in bringing acclaim to the Alto Adige appellation through her superior reflections of the terroir. We will be invited for an exclusive visit to the Castel Ringberg estate, a prestigious single vineyard owned by the Walch family for a century and punctuated by a Renaissance castle built by the Habsburgs. A scenic hike through the vines will afford us incredible views above Lake Caldaro as we learn about Castel Ringberg’s fame as the largest vigna in Alto Adige, comprising 20 contiguous hectares, and how a commitment to sustainable cultivation and small batch production has shaped their award winning wines. Our time at the estate will culminate with a five flight tasting of Elena Walch’s world class expressions made from varietals like Pinot Grigio, Lagrein and Chardonnay. A gastronomic highlight of our voyage awaits tonight at Castel Fragsburg’s Gourmet Restaurant Prezioso by Chef Egon Heiss, distinguished with a Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star for his carefully composed dishes and healthful approach to celebrating the 0km ingredients of the Südtirol.

Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Castel Fragsburg

June 11, 2026
Today we bid farewell to our glorious Merano hideaway and depart for the hillside vineyards above Bolzano for an introduction to heirloom recipes of Southern Tyrol at the historic maso (farmstead) of a local family. Surrounded by mountains and vines, we’ll be welcomed into the family’s cozy stube before rolling up our sleeves for a field to fork cooking class focused on the seasonal cooking that deliciously characterizes the territory. Together we’ll prepare a menu of quintessential recipes, such as canederli and Kaiserschmarrn, using ingredients picked from the farm’s own vegetable patch and herb garden, along with produce sourced from neighboring farmsteads. Our time in the kitchen will reach a delectable crescendo as we gather around the tavola for a convivial lunch of our handmade creations surrounded by the beauty of the farm. The afternoon will see our arrival to beautiful Bolzano, capital of the Südtirol region and a unique crossroads of Northern European and Mediterranean culture. A guided exploration of the medieval center will acquaint us with Bolzano’s tapestry of Gothic and Romanesque architecture and distinct blend of Italian and Tyrolean culture. We’ll appreciate charming squares like the Kornplatz (Piazza del Grano), the city’s oldest square and site of the former grain market, the 13th century Obstmarkt (Piazza delle Erbe) where a glorious farmer’s market has been taking place for more than 500 years, and the central Piazza Walther, crowned by the extraordinary 12th century Bolzano Cathedral. We’ll meander along the medieval shopping street, the Laubengasse (Via dei Portici), with its signature 12th century pastel arcades adorned with frescoes and decorative stuccoes, followed by free time to shop for Tyrolean treasures to take home. This evening we’ll check-in to our chic Eisacktal Valley retreat, Hotel Milla Montis, a four-star vision of contemporary design and mountainside charms awarded with a Michelin Key.

Meals: B, L
Overnight: Hotel Milla Montis

June 12, 2026
A morning spent exploring the meadowlands of the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) will offer us unparalleled views of the iconic mountain peaks of the Dolomites while experiencing one of Trentino-Alto Adige’s most glorious natural wonders. We will set off for the main village of the Val Gardena, Ortisei, gateway to the largest alpine plateau in Europe, where an exhilarating ride aboard the impressive Alpe di Siusi Rope Way will take us on a panoramic gondola ride up to the awe-inspiring Alpe di Siusi. A guided hike along the plateau’s trails will have us winding our way through serene emerald pastures where cows graze freely and undulating fields bloom with wildflowers as we admire a spectacular backdrop of the Sassolungo, Sassopiatto and Sciliar peaks. A stop at a quaint refugio (mountain hut) will help us refresh with some South Tyrolean bites, before returning to the pedestrian center of Ortisei by cable car. Our journey through the alpine landscapes of the Seiser Alm will continue with a one of a kind window into the food history and culture of Southern Tyrol hosted by a preeminent culinary expert. A professional chef and restaurateur with training throughout Europe, he would return to his ancestral lands where a family farming legacy lasting more than 500 years continues to thrive. Our arrival to the family’s idyllic mountain hut will introduce us to the creamery where their artisan Tyrolean style cheeses are crafted with love and care for tradition, followed by a luscious sampling. From the hut we will next embark on a foraging expedition to procure native wildflowers and herbs that thrive along the pastures of the Seiser Alm, before returning to the hut for a singular cooking experience where we’ll learn how to prepare flora-forward recipes rooted in age-old lore and highlighting what we found afield. Our special time at the hut will come to a delicious conclusion with a dinner of our mountain-inspired dishes.

Meals: B, Light Lunch, D
Overnight: Hotel Milla Montis

June 13, 2026
Today we will delve into the ancient alpine culture and rich agrarian heritage of the Alta Badia’s Ladin people, as we explore the flavors, folklore and farmstead life of this incredible community. Guardians of a living history with a language all their own, the Ladin people preserve their age-old traditions to this day, proud descendents of the original Rhaetian inhabitants of the Dolomites and the ancient Romans who would find their way to the great valleys of the north, from the Val Badia and Val Gardena to the Val di Fassa. The late morning will see our arrival to the maso (farm) of a local Ladin family who will share with us facets of daily life on their 18th century farmstead, built from wood and stone according to tradition, and self-sustaining with an organic vegetable garden, an old mill, stables bustling with prized Noriker horses and dairy cows, and a barnyard of hens, rabbits, sheep and goats. Our time on the farm will continue within the estate’s original stuben (wood paneled living areas) where we’ll convene for an authentic taste of ancient Ladin cuisine prepared by the family, based upon recipes that have been proudly passed down through the generations. From warming Panicia, a soup made from barley and smoked pork, and Cajinci arstis, fried potato ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta, to Custëis y craut (pork chops with sauerkraut) we will savor history on the plate. The afternoon will lead us to the distillery of a group of artisans passionate about preserving Ladin spirits and liqueurs made from hand-picked fruits, alpine herbs, flowers, pine and roots that grow in the surrounding mountains. A guided visit of the distillery will offer an inside look at the production process for crafting their elixirs and grappa infusions inspired by nature, followed by a tasting flight. Our final stop this afternoon will be Brixen (Bressannone), where over 1,000 years is preserved within its jewel box Old Town of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architectural delights. During a guided walk we’ll soak up the local flavor while exploring the Old Town’s narrow cobblestone lanes and arcaded streets capped by townhouses from the 15th and 16th centuries. We’ll admire sites like Cathedral Square dominated by the 10th century Cathedral of Brixen, the 13th century Adler Bridge, and medieval Stufels, Brixen’s oldest district, followed by a stop at a legendary pasticceria for a taste of South Tyrol’s much beloved baked treat, apple strudel. Free time will offer us a chance to independently discover Brixen’s charming melange of cafes, quaint wine bars, and boutique shops selling gourmet goods, before returning to the hotel. In the evening we will gather to raise a toast to Chef Karen and our expedition through the Dolomites during a sophisticated closing dinner paired alongside stunning alpine views at our hotel’s gastronomic restaurant by Chef Roland Oberhofer.

Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Hotel Milla Montis

June 14, 2026
This morning we bid goodbye to our idyllic Maranza retreat, Hotel Milla Montis, and set off for our point of departure, Venice Marco Polo Airport.

Meals: B
Overnight: N/A