Day 1
Where: Canale d'Alba
Terrain: Hilly
Ride: 12 mi or 19 km
Meals: L, D
One of your guides will meet you at Turin Airport for a late morning shuttle to your hotel in Canale where everyone will gather for an introduction over a glass of wine. In the afternoon we'll go for a short warm-up ride in the rolling hills of the surrounding area, giving you a taste of what’s to come. A welcome cocktail is scheduled for the late afternoon during which you will get an overview of the week ahead along with some practical information to make your vacation as comfortable and safe as possible. Our first dinner is at the hotel and will showcase the best cuisine of Roero.
Hotel Suggestion: Villa Tiboldi or Castello di Santa Vittoria
Day 2
Where: Canale d'Alba
Terrain: Hilly
Ride: 21 mi or 35 km
Meals: B, L, D
We’ll start the day by leaving Canale, heading towards San Damiano d’Asti and pedaling on secondary roads. We’ll pass through San Martino Alfieri, Castello di Govone, Priocca and Castellinaldo, all on the high plateau of the Roero region. Here you are in true wine country where grape varieties include Nebbiolo, Barbera and Arneis, no doubt a part of your evening celebrations! Lunch is planned with Marina and Emilio Marsaglia, wine producers in Castellinaldo. We will get to taste their wines and to enjoy their home cooking in a true cozy setting of a Piedmontese family winery. Each village you pass through today is topped with a castle. Most are now privately owned and very seldom open for visits, but they add to the uniqueness of the landscape as you enjoy exploring this region.
Hotel Suggestion: Villa Tiboldi or Castello di Santa Vittoria
Day 3
Where: Pollenzo
Terrain: Rolling
Ride: 18 mi or 30 km
Meals: B, L, D
Today’s ride is a roller coaster journey along beautiful ridges and gentle hills through yet more stunning countryside. On this easy day, you’ll mostly be riding on secondary roads before arriving to one of the hidden gems of Piedmont: the Corte Albertina in Pollenzo. You’ll have time to visit this interesting village, which is steeped in history. This site received the official recognition of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 as part of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. It now houses the University of Gastronomical Sciences, founded by the internationally recognized Slow Food Association. Slow Food began as a sophisticated parody of McDonalds’ arrival in Italy (Slow Food vs. Fast Food) and has grown into an international crusade for the preservation of culinary traditions, biodiversity and “the right to good taste.” We’ll meet a local Slow Food representative to learn a bit more about the movement, then we will visit the Banca del vino (Wine bank), a unique wine cellar housed in the Corte Albertina. We will stay at Albergo dell’Agenzia, which is in the main building of Corte Albertina, and which includes an immense park that was a hunting reserve of the King of Italy.
Hotel Suggestion: Albergo dell’Agenzia or Corte Albertina or Castello di Verduno
Day 4
Where: Monforte d'Alba
Terrain: Hilly
Ride: 21 mi or 40 km
Meals: B, L, D
Today we’ll say farewell to the Roero and ride from Pollenzo to Monforte d’Alba past more vineyards, where no doubt you will see local workers pruning, picking or plowing the land. Abundant apricot and peach orchards provide the setting for this lovely ride as you gradually cycle your way onward and upward. Tractors and trucks laden with grapes might hoot as you cycle along the sweet scented vineyards. On the way to Monforte, we recommend taking a short detour to the 13th century Grinzane Cavour castle, once home to the famous strategist Cavour. You’ll then climb to the quaint village of Monforte and the beautiful Villa Beccaris, where we will spend two nights. Tonight, once the dark settles, we will go truffle hunting with a real trifulau and his trusted dog. This is an experience you won’t forget! The white truffle of Alba is a delicacy that has made these hills famous among chefs worldwide.
Villa Beccaris or Villa Corte Gondina
Day 5
Where: Monforte d'Alba
Terrain: Hilly
Ride: 25 mi or 40 km
Meals: B, L, D
Today starts out with a descent to Barolo, an unpretentious village named after the King of Wines. We’ll visit the wine museum in Barolo castle that recently opened after renovation by architect Francois Confino. We’ll also visit the Enoteca Regionale di Barolo (regional cellar of Barolo), where you will have an instructive explanation of the Barolo wine production area. Between Barolo and La Morra, you’ll ride past rows of nebbiolo vines cultivated by such legendary producers as Renato Ratti, Bartolo Mascarello and Roberto Voerzio. La Morra is considered the balcony of the Langhe region because of its wonderful views of the entire area. Take your time here and have your cameras ready! Continuing cycling, you will reach our cooking class and lunch spot at the Marrone Family Winery. Time to enjoy life and to taste some Barolo on the terrace! Dinner is at a trattoria in the center of Monforte and it will be the perfect time to share stories about your day in the Barolo and truffle kingdom.
Hotel Suggestion: Villa Beccaris or Villa Corte Gondina
Day 6
Where: Alba
Terrain: Rolling
Ride: 25 mi or 40 km
Meals: B, L, D
This morning we’ll start the day by pedaling on a ridge to Serralunga d’Alba, which borders the Alta Langa, the highest and wildest portion of this territory. A majestic view of the Alps will accompany you for the majority of today’s ride. The vegetation changes as hazelnut-topped woodland covers the northern side of the round and gentle hills. These hazelnuts are harvested by the ton and transported to the Ferrero factory in Alba to make the famous Nutella chocolate, as well as Italian Gianduja chocolates, which you should of course try! We arrive in Alba, the capital of the white truffle area, also nicknamed the town of a hundred towers. Only a few of these fine red-brick towers have survived, but they still give the town its distinctive appearance. Of Celtic and Ligurian origin, called Alba Pompeia by the Romans, the town has kept a spiral-shaped medieval plan. You will have time to explore the elegant town center and to taste the local ice cream, before heading to charming Hotel Finati. This evening the guides will introduce you to an Italian tradition: l’aperitivo. Just mimic the locals and enjoy la bella vita!
Hotel Suggestion: Palazzo Finati or Hotel Savona
Day 7
Where: Alba
Terrain: Rolling
Ride: 28 mi or 45 km
Meals: B, L, D
The area southwest of Alba is part of the Barbaresco wine production zone. The original, small elegant village of Barbaresco, situated between Alba and Neive, will be part of our last ride in Piedmont. As you approach the village, its imposing 12th century tower stands out in the landscape. Almost square shaped, its height originally reached 36 meters, making it a strategic position overlooking the Tanaro Valley below. The tower is what is left of an imposing fortification once crowning the hilltop where Barbaresco rises. Down a winding descent we’ll head toward another of the beautiful villages of the Barbaresco wine appellation: Neive. How better to learn about these lands than by tasting some jewels and lunching with a small local Barbaresco grower? After lunch head back to Alba for some pre-departure shopping and a celebration cocktail in the square. A sumptuous farewell Italian dinner is the perfect way to say goodbye to Piedmont.
Hotel Suggestion: Palazzo Finati or Hotel Savona
Day 8
Where: Alba
Terrain: Departure
Ride: None
Meals: B
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Turin airport for your scheduled flight. Guides can help you with your travel plans to make sure you will have a safe trip home.
How to Get There
Airport/s - Milan Malpensa (MPX), or Turin Caselle (TRN)
Other transportation - Private transfer by Tourissimo from the airport to the first Hotel. Upon request, guests can be picked-up elsewhere (additional cost).
How to Depart
Airport/s - Milan Malpensa (MPX), or Turin Caselle (TRN)
Milan Malpensa (MPX), or Turin Caselle (TRN) - Private transfer by Tourissimo from last hotel to the airport.
Tour Level
Recreational/Active/Athletic - Active: 20 to 45 mi a day along rolling and hilly terrain.
Climate Data and Best Time to Go
April: temperature average 8C (46F) low / 18C (65F) max - precipitation probability 16%
May: temperature average 13C (55F) low / 23C (73F) max - precipitation probability 13%
June: temperature average 20C (68F) low / 26C (79F) max - precipitation probability 6%
August: temperature average 17C (62F) low / 27 (80F) max - precipitation probability 8%
September: temperature average 13C (55F) low / 22C (72F) max - precipitation probability 10%
October: temperature average 7C (45F) low / 16C (61F) max - precipitation probability 12%
This program usually runs from Saturday to Saturday
Info about food and wine, and Slow Food products
The Langa region is a true paradise for gourmands. In Angelo Gaja’s words, (Gaja is a central figure in Piedmont’s wine identity) “People truly come here to explore their passion for food and wine.” The territory offers first class ingredients, that together with traditions handed down from generation to generation, allow you to enjoy the authentic Langa dishes. The egg pasta used to prepare the tajarin, or plin, ravioli is homemade and the precious veal meat from the Province of Granda (name of the province of Cuneo in local dialect) is the basis for the preparation of ancient recipes like hand chopped raw meat, cold veal with tuna sauce and red wine braised meat. The simplest dishes are usually the most delicious and they look like they have been specially created to espouse the most precious autumnal ingredient, the Alba White Truffle, which will enhance their perfumes and tastes. In fact, the Slow Food movement was born in Bra (near Alba). The regional wine production boasts the most DOCG appellations of any other region in Italy, and during the week we will learn about Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Arneis and many other indigenous grapes. Most family-run wineries in Barolo are small and don’t do winery tours, as you would expect if you were in France or Napa. Luckily, Tourissimo will get the doors open for you.
Albergo dell'Agenzia Pollenzo (Piedmont)
Palazzo Finati Alba (Piedmont)
