TOUR AT A GLANCE – Pidemont Bike
Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Departures: Private departures from May to October.
Departing from: Novi Ligure, 9:00 a.m. Day 2
Tour finishes: Asti train station, morning Day 9
Price: €2,000 per person based on double occupancy and minimum 6 people (€2,300 for 4). Single Supplement €200.
Bordered on three sides by the snow-capped Alps, Piedmont is one of the most dramatic regions in Italy. The royal House of Savoy ruled over the territory for almost a thousand years, and gave birth to the independence movement that led to the creation of the Italian state in 1859. The capital, Turin, is one of the most sophisticated and beautiful cities in Europe, and the royal residences of the Savoy are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Piedmont is also renowned for its fabulous wines, the most famous being Barolo and Barbaresco. The cuisine compliments these robust wines, drawing inspiration from both French, Austrian, and Italian traditions. Try a filling, meaty bollito or a creamy-cheesy fonduta, made with the precious white truffle, one of the most prized and expensive ingredients in the world. This Piedmont Bike tour is for wine lovers.
Come bike through vineyards and rolling hills to beautiful villages and hilltop castles, then relax at night with a delicious meal and a glass of intoxicating wine. You will be in good hands with guide Carol Sicbaldi, whose family is originally from Piedmont and who still has cousins we’ll visit along the way. Our Piedmont bike trip combines the freedom and thrill of biking with the culture and cuisine you expect from Italy.
Day 1 – Saturday: Arrive interpedently in Novi Ligure, which is less than an hour by train from Genoa and just over an hour from Turin (Torino in Italian). Overnight Novi Ligure. Dine independently tonight. Hotel included.
Day 2 – Sunday: Meet your guide(s) after breakfast this morning at 9:00 a.m. for a safety talk and bike fitting. Our first ride takes you through the green pastures surrounding our beautiful four-star hotel in a renovated manor-house. We go to the wine hamlet of Gavi, and stop to visit the Romanesque church of San Giacomo and the remarkable16th century Genoese Fort. Overnight Novi Ligure. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 – Monday: Today we ride past vineyards, elegant Italian gardens, and historical Savoy villages to the 15th century Spinola Castle. We’ll visit a small family-run winery and then return home through a rolling, serpentine valley. Overnight Novi Ligure. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 – Tuesday: We begins with a 45-minute shuttle that takes us into the spa area of Acqui. Ride through the rolling hills of the southern Monferrato to Acqui Terme, a spa town noted for its curative waters. Roll along the Tanaro River and explore Le Langhe as we descend to medieval Alba, famous for its vineyards and intoxicating white truffles, sold at over $1,000 a pound. Overnight Alba. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
We like Barolo
Day 5 - Wednesday: This morning we have a loop ride to La Morra, offering views of the snow-capped Alps. We stop at Ristorante Belvedere for some polenta and wild greens before visiting the Renato Ratti Vineyards to learn the history of the region's winemaking. You'll have ample time to explore the ancient streets of Alba and indulge in one of the village’s most famous products, homemade peach gelato. Tonight is a “free night” for dinner, so you can go light or else indulge in one of the city’s fine restaurants. Overnight Alba. Hotel, breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 6 - Thursday: A spectacular ridge-top ride awaits you today, through hazelnut orchards to Grinzane Cavour, the birthplace and restored castle of Camillo Cavour, the founding father of the Italian nation. Lunch at the world-renowned Da Cesare. Overnight Alba. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7 - Friday: Today's route winds to Canale, famous for succulent peaches and delicate Arneis white wine. Climb a panoramic ridge to Castello di Govone. Built of red brick and golden tufa rock, it is the ideal romantic setting for a garden picnic. We then head to Asti, famous not only for its wine but also for the quality of the wild mushrooms and truffles found in the surrounding countryside. After your ride, take some time to explore the town’s tranquil medieval streets. We stay nearby in a restored 15th century Benedictine abbey perched above rolling farmland. The owner, Signora Firato and her family, prepare a wonderful meal of local specialties for you tonight. Overnight near Asti. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday: Ride north to peaceful Monferratotoday, situated high on a ridge. Follow the spectacular crest to Vignale Monferrato, the wine capital of the region, with immense communal wine cellars and a colorful dance festival. Overnight at Firato Abbey near Asti. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 9 - Sunday: Morning goodbyes and shuttle to Asti train station, about an hour by train from Turin (Torino) and Genoa. Breakfast included.
The biking in Piedmont is rolling and sometimes hilly. We normally ride between 40 - 65 km a day, with optional extensions as well as van support, which allows you to relax off the bike for a while. We have designed the trip so that there is always some free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or explore the towns where we stay. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region.
Useful Links -
Wines from Piedmont: general information on some great wines
Truffles: informative wikipedia article on this amazing (and expensive) fungus!
The House of Savoy: brief history of this royal dynasty (still poised to come back to Italy if the Monarchists had their way!)
Torino tourism: helpful site on the city and its surroundings
Piedmont Tourist Authority: general information on the region
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Italy has more sites on the list than any other country!
General Information
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Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate to challenging, it is suitable for anyone who is physically fit and regularly cycles. Because of vehicle support, cyclists of all ability levels may join. We generally ride about 50 to 60 km (30-35 miles) per day, which translates into about 4 hours of riding a day, more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon.Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page). Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page). Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
