Medieval Saluzzo
La Morra
Barolo wine enoteca
Barolo wine country
Enjoying the quiet roads
Monferrato hills
Piedmont church
Lago d'Orta
Lago Maggiore
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| Day 1 Saluzzo
We’ll meet at the hotel at 2 p.m. for a brief orientation, then you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon to assemble/fit bikes and explore the town. For those interested, we’ll do a short warm-up ride. Welcome dinner together.
Saluzzo is a flourishing medieval hill town, located at the foot of the Alps, 35 miles south of Torino. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with renaissance and medieval architecture, and offer a variety of churches, a castle and a palace to explore. Saluzzo has numerous restaurants, cafés, wine bars and is well known for its finely crafted furniture and antique shops.
Day 2 Saluzzo Market/Loop Rides
Ride Options: 37-60 miles/1,000-6,000 feet
We’ll visit a wonderful weekly market in the morning and take a walking tour of mediaeval Saluzzo, followed by a relaxing afternoon loop ride to the foothills of the Alps where we’ll visit the Abbaye of Staffarda. If you’re looking for a challenge, there’s an opportunity to ride into the Alps to the source of the Po River, with up to 6,000 feet of climbing! Dinner on your own.
Day 3 La Morra
Ride 45 miles/1,000 feet
We’ll leave the Po River Valley along quiet narrow roads bordered by poplar groves and corn fields to La Morra, located in the heart of the Barolo wine country. We’ll visit a castle in Racconigi and sample homemade gelato in Racconigi and Sommariva di Bosco, where chocolates are also a specialty. There may be an opportunity to visit Alba and go to the Annual White Truffle Festival! Dinner together at a fabulous Piedmontese osteria.
Day 4 La Morra Loop Ride/Wine Tasting Ride Options: 0-24 miles/2,300 feet
Relax and explore the town or join us for a loop ride through the vineyards of the Langhe region, famous for Barolo, the “king of Italian reds,” and the nebbiolo grape. The beautiful natural landscape of vineyards, gorges and woodlands is dotted with medieval, renaissance, baroque and 19th century architecture. We’ll visit the area’s enotecas (wine cellars) where we’ll taste local wines. Dinner together at a local agroturismo (working farm/winery), located amongst the vineyards.
Day 5 Asti
Ride 43 miles/2,200 feet
We’ll stop in Alba, where we’ll explore the village’s red-bricked medieval towers, baroque and renaissance palaces and cobblestone streets lined with gastronomic shops. We’ll ride along rolling hills with vineyards of Piedmont’s best-known wines, including barbaresco, dolcetto d'Alba, nebbiolo d'Alba, barbera d' Asti and Asti spumante, the local sparkling wine. Our hotel is located in central Asti, offering easy access to the village. Dinner on your own.
Day 6 Casale Monferrato
Ride 54 miles/4100 feet
We’ll ride along Monferrato vineyards on small country roads lined with walnut and poplar groves, to the fortified town of Casale Monferrato. On the way, we’ll visit the Santuario di Crea, a renowned Italian pilgrimage site, where we’ll stop for wine tasting and enjoy sweeping views of the vineyards below. Dinner on your own.
Day 7 Casale Monferrato
Ride Options: 0-41 miles/1,900 feet
Visit the oldest baroque synagogue, relax and explore the town, and/or join us for a loop ride in the Monferrato hills—your choice! In the afternoon, we’ll offer wine tasting at the enoteca in Vignale Monferrato. Dinner together with a world-famous chef!
Day 8 Borgomanero
Ride 62 miles, flat!
We’ll leave the wine-producing area behind and make our way north to the Italian lakes. We’ll ride through one of the largest rice growing areas of Europe, on flat roads that run through numerous small Italian villages. There’s an opportunity to visit San Nazzaro Sesia, a village built around an 11th century Benedictine abbey. We'll stop in Gatinara to taste this fabulous DOCG wine. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit some great local bike shops and gaze upon the sleek Colnago and Pinnerolo bikes! Dinner together at a local trattoria!
Day 9 Lago Maggiore
Ride 32 miles/1,050 feet
Today is a relaxing route along the shores of three beautiful lakes: Lago d’Orta, Lago Mergozzo and Lago Maggiore. In the afternoon, you can visit the village of Mergozzo, the famous botanical gardens of Villa Taranto in Pallanza, relax and enjoy the view from our lakeside hotel, or enjoy a stroll along Lago Maggiore with a gelato. Final celebration dinner together!
Pallanza, located on Lago Maggiore, is unmistakably Mediterranean in atmosphere, with palms and oleanders lining the lakeside promenades. Pallanza is home to the famous botanical gardens of Villa Taranto, which has over 20,000 species of plants.
Day 10 Lago Maggiore
Our tour ends after breakfast. For those who are heading home, there’s a one-hour bus transfer to Malpensa Airport for your midday plane departure. If you’re interested in extending your stay, we’ll be happy to offer suggestions—Lago Maggiore’s shoreline is a great place to relax before heading home.
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