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Your Next Italian Vacation Should Include These Estates and Wineries

Aug. 12, 2018
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3 min read
Villa-Della-Torre-Allegrini
Your Next Italian Vacation Should Include These Estates and Wineries
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If you're planning a trip to Italy, we know it's going to involve a lot of pasta, pizza, dessert, probably a wine tasting or two — and rightfully so. But some olive oil estates and wineries are taking their tours and tastings to the next level.

These aren't your average olive oil or wine tours; they're experiences designed for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy Italian culture in a way you wouldn't have before, and may make you reconsider your next stay at a chain hotel in one of the nearby cities. We're getting hungry just thinking about it.

Take, for example, Vittorio Cassini in Liguria. The family-owned farm is only about a 20-minute drive from the Mediterranean Sea, and you can rent one of three available houses — each complete with at least two bedrooms and a kitchen, not to mention a backdrop that features the olive groves. If you stay here, you'll have access to pick-your-own produce and fresh milk, plus a private pasta-making lesson with the family's matriarch. For only $150 a night, this puts an Airbnb to shame.

Another one we have our eye on is Villa Della Torre Allegrini in Veneto. This 100-acre wine and olive oil estate is complete with furniture and antiques that date all the way back to the 15th and 16th centuries. While this one is a little pricer — around 300 euros a night — your stay will be complete with breakfast and a custom itinerary. This could include anything from a guided walk through the vineyard to a bicycle tour, or even a boat tour of Lake Garda. Of course, a stay here wouldn't be complete without a hands-on wine and olive oil tasting.

If you want just a little bit more of a traditional hotel experience, you need to check out Planeta Estate in Sicily. It's actually made up of two estates that are a 10-minute drive apart — and its hotel, La Foresteria, is right smack in the middle. Here, you'll find an infinity pool complimented by views of the Mediterranean Sea and all of the vineyards surrounding it. There's even a restaurant where you can eat some of the best food Sicily has to offer. For 180 euros a night, you'll have access to breakfast each day, cooking classes, and of course, all the olive oil and wine tours your heart desires.

Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some planning to do.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.