Aperitivo with Monte Cassino History and the Gustav Wine
Description
You might have heard the word “aperitivo” once or twice if you have Italian friends, and this is an "Italian Aperitivo with Monte Cassino History and the Gustav Wine". I will serve you a "finger food dinner of delicious local products" with a unique experience in which I like to interact in order to exchange and offer historical information about Cassino, answer any questions and illustrate focal points regarding some sites of the battle of Cassino in WWII, with a lot of interesting maps and pictures and original information not easy to find in the classic tourist itinerary, wich give very different perspectives of the battlefield behind the Monastery of Monte Cassino. Not only, this is a good opportunity to have a special wine taste of the "Gustav Wine"; a bottle of a unique wine of which I invented the label, inspired by the vines I saw growing, during my walks on the paths around Monte Cassino.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hotel La Pace Experience, Corner Museum and Memorabilia of the Battle of Cassino. Multimedial storytelling with books and video of WW2. Amazing view of the Abbey of Monte Cassino. -) If you don't find your preferred timetable for this experience, please contact me.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Gustav Wine is an exclusive product, sell only from Hotel La Pace;
- If you have iformation and historical documents to share, like old pictures of relatives connected with the battle of Cassino, diaries or maps, I can help you to find the story and retrace the footprints to follow, of your ancestor.
- If you don't find your preferred timetable for this experience, please contact me.
Reviews(13)
The history talk with Pino is exceptional. His knowledge of the battle of Monte Cassino comes from not just years of research but also years of interacting with first, veterans of the campaign and now their family members. The Hotel La Pace is more like a museum with artifacts, letters and pictures lining the walls. Pino gives insight and background to bring the pieces together of what can be a very confusing time in WW II history. If you’re planning on visiting the Abbey don’t miss this first - wine is nice also!
Pino is not just an excellent host but also an extremely knowledgeable storyteller/historian. Thru pictures, videos and his descriptions, the Battle for Monte Cassino became clear and understandable. Nice Gustav Wine and snacks made for a perfect ending to his fascinating presentation. If you are planning a visit to the Abbey don’t miss this opportunity to know all about it before you go. Truly excellent.
Pino's knowledge and personal connection to the events of what took place in Cassino in 1944 are fascinating. We really enjoyed it, especially my mum, who's dad was present in the second battle. The wine was also very good.
Tied together the day visit to Montecassino. Videos talk and wine. Excellent. Pino is the best. Do not miss this
This evening with Pino Valente was very interesting and a little bit different. He is very knowledgeable about the Cassino battles and provided a unique insight to the war in Italy from an Italian perspective. Nice cheese and wine, many interesting artefacts, and Pino and his team were able to give us much valuable local (topographical) information about places we wanted to visit, and the locations mentioned by my father in his detailed war diary from 1944..
This was a truly special way to end our day in Cassino. Hosted by Pino at his accommodation—surrounded by an evocative collection of World War II artefacts—the experience was both deeply personal and thoughtfully curated. The Experience: Pino shared customized stories with us, with a particular focus on the Canadian contribution to the Battle of Monte Cassino. He tailored the conversation to our family, even drawing connections between our fathers’ wartime paths. It felt less like a tour and more like being welcomed into someone’s home for an intimate conversation about history, memory, and shared legacy. Adding to the evening’s poignancy, we met another guest whose father also fought with the Commonwealth forces. The sense of kinship and quiet reverence was moving. The tasting featured a bottle of Gustav wine—named for the infamous Gustav Line—as well as a generous spread of local meats and cheeses. While it’s clear that the hosts hope guests will also stay overnight at the accommodation, we were only able to join for the aperitivo. Pino and his wife were exceptionally gracious, packing up the wine and charcuterie for us to take with us on the train back to Rome. In Summary: This was more than a food and wine experience—it was a heartfelt tribute to those who fought, told with care and authenticity. For anyone with a personal connection to the war, or simply a deep respect for history, this experience offers a meaningful, human-centred perspective on Monte Cassino. Highly recommended, especially for Canadian and Commonwealth travellers tracing ancestral paths.
It was super interesting. A part of the story that was never told and needs to be known. That's why I find Pino's work fantastic.
A first class talk, discussion and film tailored to the family member's experience which we came to follow, we would recommend this activity to anyone who has personal/family association with the Polish fight and victory at the Abbey of Monte Cassino
Very informative and helpful. Pino Valente was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about his subject. Highly recommend that you complete this activity before going to the Abbey and the Polish memorial especially if you have a family interest as Pino brings the landscape and history to life.
Thanks to ongoing preparation and historical research, Mr. Pino made us aware of and passionate about a historical moment in our country about which we know little, or superficially. With this exciting experience we understood more about this page of history. Films, documents and a passionate story by Mr. Pino made us appreciate them Even more so is the visit to Monte Cassino. Plus a delicious wine and a generous aperitif. Highly recommended!
