It's All Italian

Let the Ride Take You...

There is a saying, “Everyone is Italian on Sunday.” Well, here in Lake County, let's celebrate the Italian way any day of the week. This fun day trip is easy to plan and even easier to enjoy!

Valentino Vineyards in Long Grove, IL

To start your tour, we have an authentic Valentino, well Rudy Valentino DiTommaso of Valentino Vineyards, a twenty-acre estate in Long Grove. At Lake County’s first vineyard, Rudy produces award-winning wines and presents a vineyard tour and tasting right at his home. Salute!  

Afterward, while you are playing “Mambo Italiano” on your coach and “hey mambo” is now stuck in your head, lunch is at, you guessed it – Mambo Italiano Ristorante in Mundelein. Owner Sal Cardone have a mouth-watering meal ready for you. 

Mambo Italiano Ristorante in Mundelein, IL

Every meal is prepared with care and the freshest ingredients because they want to nourish your bodies and souls at their family table. They will develop a prix fixe menu to meet your palate and budget. Mangia!   

Is learning the Italian language on your bucket list? Nancy Gabrielle with La Gabrielle has been teaching locals for many years. She will come to Mambo Italiano for a quick course on Italian with your group. She may inspire you to take a tour to Italy with her!

Lastly, who doesn’t like cannoli? “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” We have our own Tony Cannoli, who has taken it to an art form. The shop is tight for groups, so he offers cannoli demos on his patio during the warmer months, which includes a cannoli bite or full-size cannoli. Or you can pre-order your treats and pick up to enjoy on the motorcoach.  

Tony Cannoli Specialty Pastries in Mundelein, IL 

Back on the motorcoach, warm from the wine, food, good people and sugar, you will truly feel the love:  

Noi non potremo avere perfetta vita senza amici.

Meaning: We can’t have a perfect life without friends.

Fino alla prossima volta, until next time.