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Arrival at Le Vedette with aperitivo in the garden or greenhouse depending on the weather
Dinner is an introduction to the Piedmontese kitchen during the best time of year, mushroom and white truffle season!
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Breakfast Beirut Style: a traditional breakfast spread of classics and dishes from Hisham’s books
We start the first day with practical masterclasses at home with Hisham making mammoul and learning how to cook with molasses.
Lunch and dinner paired from recipes of Hisham’s books paired with the best wines of Piemonte.
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Make your own manouche breakfast demonstration with zaatar, cheese, kishk and awarma.
The day starts with a morning visit to Ivrea Farmers Market and a tasting of local cheeses.
Back at Le Vedette, Hisham will then lead a session at home teaching kibbeh, sambousik and other recipes from his books.
Garden aperitivo with cocktails at Lupetto then followed by dinner at Gardenia, our local Green Michelin starred restaurant in the village of Caluso
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Morning visit to Tappero Merlo vineyard to taste Domenico’s craft of Erbeluce wines both still and sparkling
Lunch at Ristorante del Monte di Luca Berolatti for traditional Piemontese cooking
Plenty of time to rest or visit Ivrea for shopping
Aperitivo in the garden followed by a workshop, Mastering the Art of the Lebanese Grill led by Hisham and a pairing of Lebanese wines from Michael
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Farewell breakfast and leisurely departures
The Itinerary (subject to change*)
Melek Erdal & Sophia Smith Galer
Meet your expert guides
Melek Erdal
Melek Erdal is an Istanbul-born, London-based Kurdish writer and cook. Her food and recipes explore stories of community and identity. Currently working on her debut cookbook, Melek won the 2026 Jane Grigson Trust Sous Chef Award for new food and drink writing, the 2024 Fortnum & Mason Award for Food Writing and is a regular contributor to Vittles and The Guardian as well as co-host of Kitchen Cabinet on BBC Radio 4.
You can follow her on Instagram at @mels_place_east
Meet your expert guides
Sophia Smith-Galer
Sophia Smith Galer is an award-winning author, journalist and content creator whose work focuses on language, technology and culture. She appears regularly on BBC radio, University Challenge and in op-eds for The Guardian and Prospect magazine, Sophia makes weekly videos about language that receive millions of views.
In 2025, she launched her first app, Sophiana, that helps journalists turn their work into vertical video scripts; it won the Georgina Henry Award for Digital Innovation.
In 2026 she will publish her second book, How to Kill a Language an investigation into the phenomenon of linguicide and the forces - political, technological and cultural - that determine which languages survive.
You can follow her on Instagram at @sophiasgaler
Four days full of expert led workshops and tours in a group no bigger than 10 people for tastings, classes and hands-on workshops. We will visit vineyards, markets and much more.
Four nights’ accommodation at Le Vedette or next door at Castello Benso.
All meals and drinks and alcohol are covered.
Transfers to and from Turin Caselle (TRN) or Milan Malpensa (MXP) airports.
Welcome treats, suprises throughout the trip and the best goodie bag of your life
What is included?
What’s not included
Your flights or transport costs to and from Italy
Any meals or drinks not included in the itinerary
Any travel expenses relating to extended stays
Airport transfers not from Turin or Milan airports (further transfers can be organised with a surcharge)
Anything not mentioned in the ‘What is included’
Personal travel insurance
Our accommodation
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Bedroom One (Shared Classic)
Two double bedrooms with a shared bathroom with bath tub and shower. Each bedroom can be split into twin beds.
This is our entry level room, perfect for two couples or four friends that are happy to share.
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Bedroom Two
A room for an elegant retreat. Double bed with a spacious cedar wood lined walk-in wardrobe and private bathroom with shower. With direct access to the Library.
A luxurious room perfect for a couple or two friends.
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Bedroom Three
A room for an elegant retreat. Double bed with spacious entry hall and private bathroom with statement bath tub. With direct access to the Library
A luxurious room perfect for a couple or two friends.
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Bedroom Four (Grand Vista)
King bed with spacious cedar wood lined walk-in wardrobe and private bathroom with shower. Spectacular sunrise views over the landscape of the Canavese.
Perfect for a couple or solo traveller wanting a luxury space to themselves.
Pricing
Bedroom One
Simple charm with a shared bathroom, double occupancy is €1800 per person. Further discount can be applied for four people sharing
Bedroom Two & Three
Our elegant ensuite bedrooms offer privacy and refined comfort.
Double occupancy of these rooms is €2000 per person or a single is €2700
Bedroom Four
Our grand vista room offers incredible sunrise views and a luxurious king sized bed with walk in closet and plenty of space.
Double occupancy of this rooms is €2200 per person or a single is €3000
The experience
Every guest enjoys the same immersive retreat experience. Pricing varies only by room category.
Group bookings
For a total buyout of the entire retreat by one group or if you wish to book multiple rooms, please contact us directly for pricing.
Guests must be over 18 years of age
We sadly do not accept pets