Home / 2025 “Discover NE Victoria & Australia’s ‘Little Italy’ – Luxury Cuisine & Wine Experience”

2025 “Discover NE Victoria & Australia’s ‘Little Italy’ – Luxury Cuisine & Wine Experience”

Another UNIQUE Cooking Passions “Small-Group” Food & Culture Experience

King Valley is one of a cluster of wine regions in northeast Victoria, nestled among the foothills of the Australian Alps. A local wine industry has been around since the late 19th Century and today serves as something of an enclave for Italian grape varieties – WineSearcher.com

Photo – www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au

2025 DATES

– 7 Days / 6 Nights –

Monday September 29th 2025 to Sunday October 5th 2025

PRICING*

 $AUD5,985pp   (Double or Twin Share)
$AUD7,835pp   (Own Room)

4 Final Places Remaining

*ALL INCLUSIVE LAND CONTENT including 6 Nights Luxury Accommodations; Food & Wine Tastings & Experiences;
Coach Transport to & from Victoria’s High Country (ex-Melbourne); Hands-on Italian Cooking Class; Tour Photographer

 

Booking Deadline – 29th March 2025 

WHAT OUR TRAVEL ALUMNI ARE SAYING
“Discover NE Victoria ‘Little Italy in Australia’ – Luxury Food & Wine Experience”
Dear Nico and Belinda,
We just wanted to thank you both for the extraordinary care and personal touch you added to what was an amazing journey through North East Victoria.
We could not fault the trip and loved all the places we visited, the smorgasbord of food and drinks we tried and the warm welcome by the hosts at each venue. We had such a great group of fellow travellers and really enjoyed our time with them and getting to know them. Meeting the lovely Mandy was an added bonus.
We look forward to joining you both for another adventure. Kind regards…Ray and Liz
*****
Many thanks Nico and Belinda for a most wonderful tour. It was so well organised down to the finest detail. Perfect size of numbers. Everyone so happy and friendly. I would definitely love to travel again with you both. Love and best wishes…Deli xx
*****
Good Afternoon Nico and Belinda, A big thank you to you both for the recent “Little Italy” tour through the High Country in Victoria.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. So again my sincere thanks. (Poem attached)…Cheers, Rhonda
Please scroll down for more testimonials (and the poem)…
If you feel like experiencing an Italian “dolce vita” but can’t be bothered with the time & expense of long haul flights, passport controls and Europe’s newest trend of “over tourism” then join Nico & Belinda as they share with you “Little Italy within Australia” – an unforgettable Cuisine & Culture experience in one of Australia’s best kept Food & Wine Region secrets!
Only a short 3 1/2 hour drive from Melbourne, tucked away in the foothills of Victoria’s majestic Alpine National Park in North East Victoria, is regional Australia’s “Little Italy”, a food and wine trail that celebrates all things Italian including the King Valley’s famous “Prosecco Road” – the home of Prosecco in Australia – as well as some of Italy’s most famous varietals including Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio.
Not only will we experience the region’s unique wine culture & history, but this part of Australia is a culinary crossroads for foodies as well. We will indulge in meals at some of the region’s finest restaurants & wineries; visits to unique Victorian gourmet farm gate producers; Cheese Artisans, and regional Distillers; all while soaking in the serenity and beauty of Victoria’s Milawa Gourmet Region and its Alpine High Country in Bright.
Our 7 Day/6 Night “Discover NE Victoria ‘Australia’s Little Italy ‘ – Luxury Cuisine & Wine Experience” includes visits to:
As well as enjoying some of the finest food & wine of regional Victoria, you will also have the opportunity to explore the beauty and magic of Victoria’s Alpine High Country including the picturesque village of Bright; stepping into the historical & architecturally rich town of Beechworth in “Ned Kelly Country”;  and watching the sunrise over vineyards at one of Australia’s finest winery hotel.
Cooking Passions “Small Group” Cuisine & Culture Journeys 
Our  bespoke Cuisine & Culture tours have been designed so that you can make the most of your precious time, as we have done all of the “behind the scenes” research to scope out the finest luxury hotels, local transfers, sights, restaurants, & excursions, so you don’t have too. 
Each of our tours are designed so you can do as much or as little as you like, while allowing you plenty of free time to explore and immerse yourselves in the sights, shopping, relaxation and eating that YOU want to experience (we’ll be happy to provide suggestions and tips on some of our favourites from our previous trips). So all you have to do is book your preferred flight, pack a bag & a sense of adventure, and join us for an unforgettable and luxurious Australian Food & Wine experience!
Tour Highlights
Tour Inclusions
Included Not Included
✔︎   6 Nights Luxury Accommodation – Milawa, and Bright (High Country), Victoria    ✖︎ Domestic Airfares of your choice
✔︎  Italian Cooking Class – A Tavola (King Valley)      ✖︎ Melbourne Accommodation – Pre Tour
✔︎  King Valley & “Prosecco Road” Wine Region Visits    ✖︎ Optional Tours or Sightseeing Experiences
✔︎  Rutherglen Wine Region Visits    ✖︎ Additional taxi or ride-share while on tour 
✔︎  Alpine High Country Wine Region Visits    ✖︎ Alcoholic & Non-alcoholic beverages for included meals
✔︎  Included Meals – as per itinerary
✔︎  Luxury Coach Transfers – Melbourne/North East Victoria/Melbourne
✔︎  Group Escorts
✔︎  Tour Photographer
✔︎  Pre-Trip Briefing (Perth)

2025 “Discover NE Victoria & Australia’s “Little Italy” Luxury Cuisine & Wine Experience
Tour Itinerary

Sunday 28 September 2024** – PRE ARRIVAL IN MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Our “Discover NE Victoria & Australia’s ‘Little Italy’ Luxury Cuisine & Wine Experience” to North East Victoria experience officially commences on Monday September 29th 2025**, so we request that you arrive at least one day before the tour start date as we will commence our adventures first thing on Monday morning with an early departure from Melbourne’s CBD. Book into your preferred CBD Melbourne accommodation for your stay in Melbourne. Our Coach Pick Up location which will be in the CBD outside the QT Melbourne.
Take advantage of Melbourne on this “Grand Final Weekend”, so book your flights and accommodations early as Melbourne will be at its most vibrant on the weekend before the tour commences. Indulge in all that Melbourne has to offer from shopping, eating, scoring tickets to the Grand Final at the MCG  and just exploring this vibrant city.

Day 1 – Monday September 29th 2025 – Cactus Country and King Valley Wine Region

7:00am – Meet at our coach pickup location outside the QT Hotel in Melbourne CBD..
7:15am – Group departure for North East Victoria along the Hume Highway to Milawa.
10:30am – Visit to one of Victoria’s most unique gardens and winner of numerous travel awards.
Cactus Country* – Cactus Country transports visitors from the Victorian Murray bushland to the Mexican Mojave, African Sahara and the Argentinian Patagonia. This award-winning unique 12 acre desert oasis, situated a short drive off the Hume Highway in Strathmerton, includes over 1000 plant varieties from the smallest of succulents to the ‘el capitans’ of the cacti in the Valley of the Giants.

11:30am – Group departure for the King Valley Wine Region.
King Valley Wine Region
The King Valley – Australia’s Little Italy – is situated in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, in Taungurong country.
Surrounded by rivers, sub-alpine mountains, and picturesque rolling vineyards, this wine region boasts some of the highest altitude vineyards in Australia
making it the perfect location to produce its cool-climate and European style varietals.
 Once scattered with hops and tobacco farms worked by Italian immigrants, these same Italian migrants looked to their homeland roots for inspiration. They planted vineyards, first, with French varietals, like chardonnay, riesling, and merlot. They then went back to their roots and planted Italian varieties; sangiovese, verduzzo, barbera, and others.
The “Little Italy” of Australian wine regions had been created and by the end of the 1990’s, one such migrant, Otto Dal Zotto had planted Prosecco vines,
and Australia’s Prosecco Road was established in this small corner of the King Valley in North East Victoria.
12:30pm – Enroute to the King Valley, we will be travelling in the steps of Australia’s most infamous bushrangers – Ned Kelly. Also know as “Kelly Country” this part of Victoria as the home to the Kelly Family as well as the village of Glenrowan where Ned Kelly’s “final stand” occurred. We will have a lunch stop in Glenrowan where we can get up close & personal with Ned!

14:00pm – Arrival Milawa. Checking into our vineyard hotel, Lancemore Milawa, set amongst the vineyards of the Milawa Gourmet & Wine Region.
HOTEL – LANCEMORE MILAWA

 

HOTEL – LANCEMORE MILAWA
Recognised as one of Australia’s best regional hotels by Luxury Travel Magazine, Lancemore Milawa takes its cue from the astounding backdrop of Victoria’s High Country and the artisan producers of Milawa and the King Valley gourmet regions. The hotel went through an extensive $10 million restoration a few months ago where its 40 elegantly designed and spacious guest rooms capture  the serenity of surrounding landscapes, opening onto manicured gardens or overlooking neighbouring vineyards and distant alpine peaks.
13:30pm – Guided Wine Tasting at Brown Brothers Winery

PHOTO – www.winesofthekingvalley

Brown Brothers Winery
Brown Brothers is one of Australia’s leading family-owned wine companies, with the family making wine in Victoria for over 120 years.
Founded in 1889 by John Francis Brown, it was under the guidance of his son, John Charles Brown, that Brown Brothers established its reputation as a producer willing to experiment with innovative grape varieties. This experimentation and sense of adventure carries across the whole business and can be seen at cellar doors from Milawa to Tasmania.
Located in the lower reaches of the King Valley in North East Victoria, the Milawa Vineyard is the birth place of the Brown Brothers company.
Surrounding the Epicurean Centre and Cellar Door, the Milawa Vineyard is the fruit source for renowned wines such as Patricia Noble Riesling, Shiraz Mondeuse and Cabernet and Dolcetto. It is also home to Brown Brothers grape retrieval and winemaking facilities where thousands of tonnes of grapes are crushed each vintage.
15:00pm – Private Guided Wine Tasting at Brown Brothers
Remainder of the afternoon and early evening to relax on your balcony, glass in hand and views towards Mt Buffalo across the vineyards .
19:00pm – Welcome Dinner in Milawa

Accommodation: Lancemore Milawa

(Included Meals – D)

Day 2 – Tuesday 30 September 2025  – KING VALLEY / ITALIAN COOKING CLASS EXPERIENCE

am – Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at Lancemore.
09:15am – Group departure for a return to the King Valley and another visit to one of the region’s pioneering wine families The Pizzini’s.

Photo – Pizzini Wines

10:00am – ‘A Tavola’ Italian Cooking Class at Pizzini’s
This morning Katrina Pizzini will share with us her secrets to creating the silkiest fresh egg pasta and light as a cloud gnocchi in A Tavola’s purpose-built cooking school kitchen. Here’s your chance to channel your “inner-Italian” as we flour things up and get hands-on in preparing today’s lunch.
If you’d prefer a more leisurely morning, you can skip the “hands on” cooking class but join us later for lunch where you can take advantage of  enjoying the fruits of the group’s “hands on” labour as well as a wine tasting of Pizzini’s Italian classic varietals.

PHOTO – www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au


A Tavola Cooking School – www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au

PHOTO – www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au

14:30pm – Depart Pizzini’s after our Italian Cooking Class Lunch
14:45pm – Just before leaving this part of the King Valley, we will head a little further down the road to Chrismont Wines for a wine tasting at Christmont’s award-winning Cellar Door and  its unparalleled view of the surrounding Black Ranges. Arnie & Jo Pizzini’s extensive collection of Chrismont’s classic European and “La Zona” Mediterranean wines include emerging varietals such as Fiano, Arneis, Tempranillo and Sagrantino alongside the classic Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Barbera and Sangiovese varietals.

PHOTO – https://www.chrismont.com.au

pm – Remainder of the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: Lancemore Milawa

(Included Meals – B, L)

Day 3 – Wednesday 01 October 2025 – MILAWA GOURMET FOOD PRODUCERS TOUR & “PROSECCO ROAD” EXPERIENCE

am – Breakfast at your leisure at Lancemore.
09:30am to 10:30am – Milawa Gourmet Food Producers Tour – This morning we will go on a little foodie exploration of some unique offerings produced just a short drive from our accommodation.

PHOTO – www.milawagourmet.com.au

Milawa Gourmet Region
Australia’s first official ‘gourmet region’ – the Milawa Gourmet Region is a food and wine gourmet epicentre located just outside the front door of our accommodation at Lancemore. The town centre of Milawa is situated at the intersection of the road to Myrtleford (Snow Road) and the road to Bobinawarrah. Here there are a selection of producers and shops each with rich, distinct offerings spanning across wine, preserves, honey and mead, restaurants, organic meats, gin and much more.
11:45am – Dal Zotto “Cento Passi (100 Footsteps)” Prosecco Experience

Photo – www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au

This morning’s exploration of the King Valley Wine Region will be with the Dal Zotto family, the pioneers of Prosecco in Australia. We will be taken on a journey of their story through a wander around their property in ‘cento passi’ (100 footsteps), where we will enjoy a glass of Prosecco while on a vineyard tour with one of the innovators themselves – Otto, Michael or Christian.
From the vineyard we will then visit the Dal Zotto garden as Elena shows how essential fresh seasonal produce is to life here.
Lunch will be at the Dal Zotto “Trattoria” where we will be treated to dishes featuring Northeast produce to complement Dal Zotto l’Immigrante wines – Prosecco, Barbera and Nebbiolo along with a fourth wine to match the season.
If there’s time, we’ll enjoy a favourite Italian Long Lunch pastime of a friendly post-pranzo “bocce” match amongst the Dal Zotto olive trees and vineyards.

15:45pm – Visit to the unique “distillery in the paddock” at the Hurdle Creek Still for a sampling of their Australian botanicals gin, pastis, and yuzu liqueur.

16:45pm – Return to Lancemore Milawa
pm – Remainder of the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: Lancemore Milawa

(Included Meals – L)

Day 4 – Thursday 02 October 2025 – RUTHERGLEN WINE REGION  

am – Breakfast at your leisure at Lancemore.
(*OPTION (Own Expense) – HOT AIR BALLOON EXPERIENCE) – For those in the group that might like to get a real sense of this spirited wine region from aloft and take in the beautiful King Valley and surrounds, depending on schedule & availability, take a flight in a Hot Air Balloon at dawn. From the vineyards and patchwork of fields, the views expand to the King and Ovens Rivers, spectacular Mt Buffalo, and the High Country beyond. For more details, please visit – https://www.goldrushballooning.com.au)

10:00am – Group Departure for our exploration of the Rutherglen Wine Region.

PHOTO – www.jetstar.com/victoria-rutherglen

Rutherglen Wine Region
Considered one of Australia’s most historic and iconic wine regions, the Rutherglen Wine Region has more than 160 years of winemaking history and is home to wineries passed down from generations.
It’s low land and long, dry autumns, combine to create perfect conditions for their rich reds. The region is also the adopted home of Durif, a French red wine variety with intense, bold characteristics. Their Durifs and range of fortifieds are famous on the world stage, with many awards and accolades held by the various wineries.
Muscat of Rutherglen is famous around the world and is a unique wine that could be considered a national treasure. Known as the world’s richest wine, some muscats available in Rutherglen have an average age of more than 50 years, which gives you an incredible opportunity to taste one of Australia’s most complex and decadent wines. Winemakers are playing on new takes of the old classics with some more refined styles of Durif and exciting innovations with their delicious Muscats and Topaques.
11:00am – Winery visit and tasting to experience the unique and historical wines of some of  Rutherglen’s wine producers..
12:15pm – Rutherglen Water Tower

PHOTO – www.explorerutherglen.com.au

A quick photo stop to take in Rutherglen’s iconic 36-metre high water tower, which is now affectionately called the ‘The Wine Bottle’. The tower was built in 1900 and held 72,000 gallons to supply the town’s water. The tower became a backup supply once the new reservoir was constructed in 1945. The mesh top section was erected in December 1969 with funds from the Rutherglen Wine Festival (now called “Winery Walkabout”) and from a distance gives the effect of a large wine bottle.
12:20pm – Jones Winery & Vineyard

                                                                        PHOTOS – www.explorerutherglen.com.au

Jones Winery & Vineyard, Rutherglen
On Jones Road, Rutherglen, the Jones family traditions of grape growing, winemaking and cooking have been kept alive for six generations.
Today, Arthur and Mandy Jones cultivate Rutherglen’s specialties of Durif, Shiraz and Muscat, as well as inspired plantings of Fiano and Marsanne, among others. Vines have been nurtured here since 1860. Arthur Jones tends the estate’s grapes and cattle, whilst Mandy Jones crafts wine with a taste of terroir. Mandy’s winemaking expertise is informed by 14 years’ experience in the Cotes de Bordeaux region at Chateau Carsin and a student at Le Cordon Bleu, in addition to oenology and applied science studies at Charles Sturt University.
12:30pm – Jones Wine Tasting and Winery Restaurant – Group Lunch

PHOTOS – www.explorerutherglen.com.au

Jones Winery Restaurant is headed by young chef Briony Bradford, who has a passion for classic French technique. Briony’s expertise has been developed by working with Michelin-starred chefs Claude Bosi at Hibiscus and Andre Garret at Galvin at Windows in London, and with Ross Lusted at The Bridge Room, Grant King at Gastro Park and Brent Savage at The Bentley Restaurant and Bar in Sydney
In Rutherglen, Briony and her team have access to a wealth of local ingredients, and collaborative relationships with farmers who produce them. The seasonal menu may include Murray Grey beef, bred on the property; local pork, trout, duck or goat; and a rainbow of local vegetables, including some from the kitchen garden.
Briony is inspired by gastronomic traditions, native ingredients and the sustainability ethos of ‘waste nothing’. Dishes are expertly executed, with all components made from scratch. Mandy applies the art and science of food pairing to ensure that there is an appropriate wine to match each one.
15:00pm – Group Transfer to Milawa.
pm – Evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: Lancemore Milawa

(Included Meals – B, L)

Day 5 – Friday 03 October 2025 – BEECHWORTH & VICTORIA’S ALPINE HIGH COUNTRY 

am – Breakfast at your leisure prior to check out from Lancemore.
10am – Group Departure to Beechworth and Victoria’s Alpine High Country.

PHOTO – https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/beechworth-vic

11am – Beechworth’s “Ned Kelly & Goldrush” Walking Tour – Beechworth is a carefully and tastefully preserved 19th century gold mining town which has become one of Victoria’s most popular historic goldrush experiences. It has over 30 National Trust-listed buildings, most of which have been well preserved. The extensive use of honey-coloured local granite, and the determination to maintain the facades of many of the town’s historic buildings has ensured that it is an ideal place for visitors to just wander and experience. The public parks and gardens, with their mature English trees, the wide tree-lined streets, the 19th century houses and the picturesque setting in the foothills of the Australian Alps contribute to the graceful and dignified air of this charming town.
Each building has a story to tell, with its contents adding layer upon layer of fascinating detail on subjects such as Ned Kelly, the Gold Rush, the town itself and the colourful people who called it home.
This morning we will go on a 45-minute guided-walking tour of the stone walls that have watched over Beechworth for 160 years.
13:00pm – Group Departure for the nearby village of Stanley, and an “Asian-Inspired” lunch (own expense) at one of regional Victoria’s most iconic country pubs.

Originally known as Snake Gully or Nine Mile, Stanley was a bustling gold mining town during the 1850’s and 1860’s. In 1857, the township was surveyed and officially named ‘Stanley’. By this stage there were over 5000 people residing in the district. The town had a number of hotels, a bakery, a general store, a brewery, a boot maker, a carpenter, a butcher and a sawmill.
Today, Stanley has a general store, a restaurant and the Stanley Country Pub. While the Stanley Country Pub building has been replaced, the site and licence remain original. Opening as the ‘Star Hotel’ in the 1850’s, it was part of J.A. Wallace’s chain of hotels across North-East Victoria, all named the ‘Star’.

 

14:30pm – Departure for the charming Victorian alpine village of Bright

                                                                                 PHOTO -www.visitbright.com.au

Alpine Valleys Wine Region
The Alpine Valleys Wine Region is one of the most picturesque wine-producing areas. The name signifies the area’s location and natural landscape with vines planted on the hillsides above the Ovens, Buckland, Buffalo and Kiewa rivers, which all originate in the Victorian Alps. The cool climate here suits grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The region’s Italian heritage is demonstrated by varieties like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Pinot Grigio.
The region’s unique terroir has three elements. First and foremost are the snow-covered mountains (Mount Buffalo, Mount Beauty, Mount Feathertop and Mount Bogong), which provide the valleys below with a constant source of cool alpine breezes, which extend the growing season and help to stave off frost. Secondly, the varying altitudes and slopes on which the vineyards are located (reaching up to 320m/1050ft) result in significant temperature and rainfall variations. Last but not least, the Ovens, Buckland, Buffalo and Kiewa rivers deposit alluvial components in the fertile soil which results in generous yields without compromising the quality of the wine.
15:00pm – Arrival in Bright, Victoria.
Bright, Victoria
The riverside town of Bright, located in the foothills of the Australian Alps, is renowned for its picture-perfect tree-lined streets, mountain views, local food and wine, boutique stores, markets, and outdoor adventures such as hiking, cycling and paragliding. All this, within close proximity to Victoria’s alpine ski resorts, has firmly established Bright as one of Australia’s most popular tourists destinations.
Check in to Art House Townhouse Apartments, our accommodation for the duration of our North East Victoria experience. Each of the two-level Art House Townhouses have two bedrooms (one with ensuite; and one with external bathroom) on the first floor and beautifully decorated and equipped kitchen & living spaces on the second floor.

ACCOMMODATION – Art House Townhouses, Bright
Set in the heart of Bright’s food, wine and distillery district, these luxury appointed two-bedroom townhouses offer a new standard in designer comforts married with individual collections of fine Australian art prints produced by celebrated contemporary artists Margie Sheppard and Dean Bowen, plus key works by John Olsen.
The Art House Townhouses Bright offer an uncompromised, luxury designer living experience. While exteriors evoke an ultra-modern European urban appeal mixing timber, stone, and steel; interior design styling is centered around the Art, with soft furnishing tones and textures mimicking the colours and moods of the museum quality Art hanging within.
The townhouses showcase interiors of limited-edition Art prints, twin level living, a large modern kitchen with purpose-built butler’s pantry, polished floorboards, flat screen TVs, plus a generous living space dressed with the finest in European and Australian made designer furniture and soft furnishings.
The lounge space with its deep colours and incredible textured furnishings provides the ultimate space to enjoy a glass of local wine or perhaps a glass of the local Gin from Reed & Co Distillery.

pm – Remainder of the afternoon to go for a walk amongst the charming tree lined streets of Bright. This is the time of year when the grand avenues of trees begin to awaken from hibernation. The streets of Bright start to fill with blooms and birdsong fills the air.
18:00pm – Beyond the Cellar Door – North East Victorian Wines Experience – This evening we will be treated to a guided wine tasting of wines from the Victorian High Country Wine Region at one of Bright’s local cellar door/wine bar.

pm : Remainder of the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: Art House Townhouse, Bright

(Included Meals – B)

Day 6 – Saturday 04 October 2025  – ALPINE HIGH COUNTRY & BRIGHT’S SPRING SPECTACLE (Free Day)

am – Breakfast at your leisure. Take advantage of the custom designed kitchen in your townhouse with its premium Franke appliances, an extended range of serve ware, cooking utensils and most importantly butler’s pantry with the perfect tea and coffee station to prepare your own breakfast, or step outside your front door to enjoy breakfast at one of Bright’s best coffee houses.
As our final full day together, today is another opportunity for you to explore Bright and its surrounds however you would like. From just chilling out amongst the shops on Bright’s tree-lined streets, to sampling the region’s fresh produce, or  to immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the High Country, here are some suggestions to help you plan your exploration of Bright.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES*:
  • SCENIC RIVERSIDE & ALPINE WALKS – Choose from one of Bright’s many walks and escape into the Alpine countryside. From a leisurely stroll along the scenic Ovens River on Bright’s CANYON WALK (Moderate / 3km / 45 minutes) or take in the views over Bright with a short climb up to HUGGINS LOOKOUT (Moderate / 1km / 25 minutes)  to be rewarded with beautiful views over Bright and valley.

12noon – 16:00pm –  MURRAY TO MOUNTAINS RAIL TRAIL – Hire an E-Bike for the afternoon and join Nico & Belinda for a relaxed afternoon ride around Bright’s Rail Trail. Victoria’s best developed rail trail, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, offers cyclists of all abilities a fantastic Australian cycling experience through the heart of Victoria’s alpine region. As you cycle along the sealed off-road cycle trail you’ll savour delightful hidden valleys with sublime spring blossoming   views, spectacular mountain scenery as well as have the opportunity to get out of the saddle to grab a coffee and finish off at the beautifully situated Ringer Reef Winery for a light lunch or cheese tasting plate and glass of wine.

16:00pm – Distillery Tasting (Optional – Own Expense) – After a week of enjoying great food and regional wines, this evening we will move away from wine tastings to indulge in a sampling of locally produced spirits, just a hop/skip from where we are staying.

Reed & Co Distillery, Bright
Reed & Co Distillery is a family-owned and operated distillery and bar in the alpine town of Bright, northeast Victoria. Their philosophy is simple, they are captivated by the natural landscape and exist to create quality Australian spirits and experiences to represent the region and are worthy of sharing with others.
As chef-turned distillers, they seek discovery, continuously testing, tasting, and experimenting with techniques to create a quality that both represents them and captures the flavours of the North East. They hope that their love of artfully crafting spirits provides you with joy and a true North East experience worth returning for or recreating in your home.
18:30pm – Final Group Dinner

Accommodation: Art House Townhouse, Bright

(Included Meals – D)

Day 7 – Sunday 05 October 2025 – DEPARTURES and “ARRIVEDERCI”

am – Breakfast at your leisure.
10:00am – Checkout and Group Departure from Bright for our return to Melbourne before we say our final “goodbyes / arriverdercis” to the group!
13:30pm – Drop off to Melbourne Airport for any in the group that will be flying out. Please ensure that you arrange for any flights ex-Melbourne today to be scheduled for a late afternoon departure.
14:30pm – Drop off to Melbourne CBD for any in the group that will be continuing their stay in Melbourne.

PRICING & INCLUSIONS

Date: Monday September 29th 2025 to Sunday October 5th 2025
7 Days / 6 Nights

PRICING*
$AUD5,985 per person  (Double or Twin Occupancy)
Single Supplement (Own Room) + $AUD1,895 per person

8 PLACES REMAINING

*ALL INCLUSIVE LAND CONTENT including 6 Nights Luxury Accommodations; Food & Wine Tastings & Experiences;
Coach Transport to & from Victoria’s High Country (ex-Melbourne); Hands-on Italian Cooking Class; Tour Photographer
(Please refer to Inclusions & Non-Inclusions List below)

Booking Deadline – 29th March 2025 

The following is INCLUDED in the price:
The following is NOT INCLUDED in the price:
BOOKING DEADLINE* : 29 March 2025
BOOKINGS
To secure your places, please contact Nico Moretti at urbanprovider@icloud.com or on +61 402 154 358, and we will forward you a “Discover Australia’s “Little Italy” Booking Form for you to complete and forward back to us with your Booking Deposit.
Booking Deadline: 29 March 2025
Booking Deposit: An $AUD1,500pp BOOKING DEPOSIT is required to secure your booking for the tour, at the time of your reservation.
Final Payment: Payment in full is required at least 60 days prior to departure (Payment Due : 29 June 2025)
We look forward to hosting you on this very special “Italian” North East Victoria experience!! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate in contacting us.
Buon viaggio,
Nico & Belinda Moretti
Cooking Passions Cooking School
M: 0402 154 358
www.urbanprovider.com.au

WHAT OUR TRAVEL ALUMNI ARE SAYING

“Discover NE Victoria ‘Little Italy in Australia’ – Luxury Food & Wine Experience”

Hi Nico and Belinda, You both did a great job! But then you are pros at it by now.  We loved the fact that the tour was not on a regimented tight schedule and had flexibility for everyone.  Best of all we didn’t have to drive. The accommodation was great everywhere.

The best part of the tour was when the whole group came together casually each night and relaxed over drinks & nibbles to catch up on the day’s events. 

It was a good idea that most of the tastings at the wineries included a meal or other food,  otherwise we would all be wined out. All the meals were excellent.

MILAWA

BEECHWORTH

BRIGHT

Love to all…Josie and Dante

*****

Many thanks Nico and Belinda for a most wonderful tour. It was so well organised down to the finest detail. Perfect size of numbers. Everyone so happy and friendly. I would definitely love to travel again with you both. Love and best wishes…Deli xx

Good Afternoon Nico and Belinda, A big thank you to you both for the recent “Little Italy” tour through the High Country in Victoria.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

So again my sincere thanks. (Poem attached)…Cheers, Rhonda

LITTLE ITALY – POEM

Wicked Widows we are four
Always looking for a bit more
Sometimes we try much too hard
So many times end up flat on the floor

On this trip however, we’ve done well
At our age – sometimes, it’s hard to tell
If we’ve drunk too much OR not enough
But we know the food’s made our bellies swell

Accommodation’s been great – as has the Bus
We’ve got on and off without any fuss
The beds have been another story
With two of us sharing a bed n our night attire glory

We’ve had lots of fun with Belinda and Nico
Todd, Linda, Rod, Anne, Graeme and Claire also
It’s coming to an end when we’ll say our goodbyes
So thanks for your company all of you guys!

*****