New Date Added - October 5, 2008 Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles

Piedmont's Longest Running Bike Tour! Get this year's Europe at last year's value. Click for details.
The Southern Piedmont - A Feast for All Your Senses.

Highlights

Daily feasts of Piedmont's sophisticated cuisine and fine wine
Emerald valleys and hillsides laden with vineyards of Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera
Private winetastings and talks given by our local host and extended family of sommeliers
Peaceful, smoothly paved roads leading to ancient villages and castles
Overnights at the elegant Sant'Uffizio and Villa Sparina

Our tour of Piedmont unveils a region which has achieved the status of gastronomic and enological perfection. Nestled between the Alps and the Italian Riviera, the southeastern Piedmont is a patchwork quilt of rolling vineyards, ancient castles and verdant valleys. Pedal quiet roads where cherries, roses, almonds, hazelnuts and grapes flourish. Be our guest at exclusive winetastings … relax at heavenly villas … and dine at Italy's finest restaurants. You'll come home with a knowledge of winemaking, winetasting, and the elegant cuisine of this region.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Gavi
Ride the green pastures surrounding our lovely villa and visit the cycling exhibits at the new “Museo dei Campionissimi.” Later, we'll take our first tour of local wine cellars.

Day 2-3 – Acqui Terme:
The Castles of Monferrato, hilltop citadels that protect villages and vineyards, loom over our ride to Acqui Terme, a town featuring thermal spas that were established during the Roman Empire. Day 3, we roll through a broad winemaking landscape and tour a winery.

Day 4 – Verduno
Drink in magnificent views of the snow-capped Alps as we cross the Alte Langhe (literally, high hills) en route to Verduno-Piedmont's truffle capital.

Day 5 – Villages of Barolo
Pedal through the vineyards of Barolo, La Morra and Monforte - pausing, of course, to sample the local vintage. In Gallo, a local truffle hunter will teach us how to hunt the region's famous luxury!

Day 6 – Asti
Climb a panoramic ridge to Castello di Govone and ride across the undulating hills of Roero. We'll spend this evening at a restored 15th-c. Benedictine abbey, where owner Signora Firato and her family prepare fine Piemontese cuisine.

Day 7 – Vignale Monferrato
Ride a northern loop to peaceful Monferrato, situated high on a ridge, and on to Vignale Monferrato, the region's wine capital. Here we will stop at an enoteca to sample wines. The quiet roads and magnificent views of this route provide a great cycling experience.

Day 8 – Arrivederci!
We'll provide a morning shuttle to the Asti train station, so that you can easily make connections to any destination. We are happy to assist you with plans, whether you desire to explore Piedmont for an extra few days, or travel beyond!

Map

Picture Slideshow

Land of Barolo & Truffles

Upcoming Dates

~~May 31, 2008~~ (Sold Out)
Jun 14, 2008
Aug 27, 2008
~~Sep 6, 2008~~ (Sold Out)
~~Sep 18, 2008~~ (Sold Out)
~~Sep 27, 2008~~ (Sold Out)
Oct 5, 2008
~~Oct 11, 2008~~ (Sold Out)

Accommodations

Premier

Ability

Intermediate

Terrain

Rolling

Distance

238 total miles
40 mi/day average

Arriving

Novi Ligure

Departing

Vignale Monferrato

Price

$3,995-5/10, 5/31, 6/14
$4,095-8/27; $4,195-9/6
$4,295-9/18, 9/28, 10/5, 10/11

Single Supplement

$700 - 2008

Bike Rental

Included!

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