Bicycling Canada, Quebec - Adventure Travel Group

What could be better than cycling, delicious food and great wine? The Piedmont region of Northern Italy is known for its villas, castles, vineyards and delicious, French-influenced cuisine. Piedmont, which translates to "foot of the mountains," is nestled between the French and Swiss Alps. This area is a lot less touristy than Tuscany and Umbria, making it a great area for cyclists. Our tour takes place during the grape harvest, so it’s a perfect time to visit the wineries and taste some of Italy's best red wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo and Asti Spumante, a sweet, sparkling white wine.

We’ll stay in some of the area’s most beautiful villages. We’ll have three, two-night stays so you can enjoy have plenty of time to for wine tasting and exploring the area. We’ll visit weekly markets, abbeys, wineries and also offer a wide variety of loop rides with options for plenty of climbing if you want more of a challenge. We also provide non-cycling options for each day, including hiking, sightseeing or simply exploring the local villages.

Airport Arrival/Departure City: Torino or Milan/Milan

Average Daily Mileage and Terrain
We’ll ride an average of 40 miles, over rolling hills along vineyards and fruit orchards. You have plenty of options for riding more or less, and for those who are looking for a challenge there are some great climbs in this area—including a optional 6,000-foot climb into the Alps! As with all our trips, you decide how much or how little to ride each day.

Weather: Get more information about the weather in this area here.

What's Included

Lodging in quaint, welcoming inns and hotels.
Hearty, cyclist-friendly breakfasts every day.
Most dinners (four-course dinners, including wine and coffee).
Full van support and snacks and drinks on the ride each day.
Experienced tour guides and daily detailed maps and route notes.
Transportation and luggage transfers during the tour.
Gratuities for transfers, hotels and restaurants.
Custom ATG bike jersey and souvenir map with tour route.

What’s Not Included

Airfare.
Lunches are on your own, so you have maximum flexibility in your day.
Non-group dinners on the free evenings. This gives you a chance to try the restarurants of your choice.
Bikes are not included, but are available for an additional fee.
Personal services, including laundry, telephone, hotel minibar charges, etc., are not included.
Travel insurance.

What Our Guests Are Saying
"A typical day bicycling with Gary and Lise in the Piedmont during autumn:

"You wake to a bell ringing outside your room in the piazza across the street. It's probably 7:30am and breakfast is being served downstairs. Bruno is making a cappuccino for you. It's his grandmother's house and it has been renovated into a classically decorated hotel.

"After the morning briefing with details of stops along the way, you head out. Half the group decides to stay behind to explore the once-a-month market that takes place in the piazza. Gary leads the more ambitious group out early-they have a different route in mind. They'll ride 4000ft uphill to the source of the Po River in the Alps. While there, they'll stop at a restaurant/lodge owned by an acquaintance of Gary's (he and Lise must know just about everyone in Italy) have a little lunch, vino, and Genepy, a concoction made with herbs locally.

The ambitious lot will wind their way back down the hill to meet up with the other half of the group who is completing their marvelously scenic and hilly loop ride at a 12th century abbey and touring of the grounds.

"The next morning, we'll wake up and do it all over again, only completely differently.I can't wait to get back, I am not going without Gary and Lise!" Catherine Havener, Seattle, WA.