A gourmet adventure, designed for
the active gourmet
on foot, by bike, on 4 wheels…

Piedmont (Piemonte) is a land of plenty traversed by the mighty Po River, and reaching the very summits of the Alps. It is bordered by both France and Switzerland.

The region has frequently been under foreign domination, and castles appear on nearly every hill. Many were built as early as the 10th century.

In 1860, Turin became first capital of the united Italy, keeping this role until Rome was overthrown by Garibaldi’s troops.

The cuisine of Piedmont is mind-blowing! The ‘Slow Food’ organisation (the opposite to fast food!) was born and nurtured in this zone. The markets drip with wonderful fresh produce and the pasta is made slowly – by hand – and consumed with great gusto.

The chocolate of Piedmont is arguably the finest in the world.

Hazelnut groves produce a feast of specialities, and the precious white truffle is at its finest in the woods of the Langhe.

And the wine! Barolo, barbaresco, barbera, and countless other world-renowned wines – Piedmont has the greatest number of DOC-certified wines in Italy.

The people are hospitable and dynamic – there can be no better place for an active gourmet journey.

(Donkey fans may choose to arrive one day earlier for this tour – the famed donkey palio (on the style of the Siena event), is staged in the square of Alba on the first Sunday of October each year.)

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

After lunch, arrive at either Asti or Albi and transfer to our accommodation at Rocchetta Tanaro

Bike issue. Informal ride in the area, including a spin around the paths in the nearby national park followed by a visit to a grissini maker and the local vinoteca.

Dinner in the town at the famed local restaurant, Trattoria Il Bologna (included)

Day 2: Tansfer to Barolo

After breakfast at our accommodation, head towards Nizza Monferrato, famed for gobbi, a blanched cardoon, much-prized by local gourmets.

After circumnavigating the town, set out for Roccheta Palafea in the Monferrato hills.

The ‘mothership’ will offer a smoother ascent of these hills for the less dedicated cyclist – note the remains of words of encouragement graffittied on the roads by supporters of the professionals in the Giro d’Italia cycle race.

Meet at the bar in Roccheta Palafea and admire the sweeping views from the tower before our first picnic lunch featuring local specialities.

Make the glorious descent through moscato vineyards to the important wine town of Canelli.

After a quick circuit of the town, noting the flood levels recorded on the walls, we will be making a guided visit to the “Underground Cathedral”.

Several famous wineries have ancient cellars, containing thousands of bottles, carved out of the tufa rock under the town.

Follow the banks of the Belbo River downstream river to Santo Stefano Belbo, home town of one of Piedmont’s famous sons, author Cesare Pavese.

From here, take the winding route over the hills to Mango, by bike or support vehicle, heading for the home territory of the king of Italian wines – Barolo. This town, with a world-wide reputation, has a population of only 682.

Our home for the next three nights is in a charming Agriturismo, just outside the town.

Dinner tonight is in Barolo town, in a trattoria which doubles as a small modern art gallery.

The owner follows a time-honoured Piedmontese tradition of serving a series of ‘dishes of the day’. One of the pasta courses is bound to be tajarin, found only in this area.

Day 3:

Today, a local cycling enthusiast will lead us on a circuit ride through the Barolo appellation on paths & small roads, passing through a series of appealing villages.

Take the chance to visit the local Barolo enoteca towering over the town in the Falleti castello

Vintage should be due to start any day now, so there should be a formidable crop bunches of nebbiolo grapes in the vineyards.

After lunch at a local trattoria, we will wend our way back to Barolo for a quintessential Piemontese experience - truffle hunting.

We meet a trufulau who will introduce us to his dogs and accompany us on a search for the renowned white truffles of Alba.

Dinner tonight is your own choice and cost.

Day 4:

After another startling breakfast at the agriturismo, we will depart for the thriving city of Bra, hometown of the now world-wide Slow Food Movement.

Explore the specialist food shops – don’t miss the exceptional sausages - purchasing for a picnic lunch.

Enjoy the wide range of tempting goods in the other stores and remember we have a van to transport your purchases.

Down to Pollenzo, once summer home of Kings of the Royal House of Savoy.

The giant brick residence now houses the world’s first gastronomic University, the Slow Food Hotel and the Wine Bank containing examples of all of Italy’s finest vintages. Every second year, a world cheese exhibition is held here.

We will visit the Wine Bank and have our picnic, and experience some traditional Piedmont medieval flag-throwing before returning to our accommodation.

Perhaps we will have time to visit the old city of Cherasco. The irresistible call of chocolate....

Back to the agriturismo where we will be treated to a home-cooked meal prepared by some of the locals. Take this unique opportunity to learn a few secrets of the Piemontese kitchen!

Day 5: Transfer day

Settle any accounts at the agriturismo.

Today, we transfer up the Tanaro River to Alba.

Spend the morning exploring this ‘city of the hundred towers’, home of Italy’s best-known truffle market during October.

Venture into the tented market where about 40 different stalls offer their wares to buyers from all over the world.

Alba has a selection of beautiful fashion shops, while their chocolate makers are among the most skilled in the world.

Around mid-day, over to the village of Barbaresco where the cellar master of Marchesi di Gresy, a New Zealander, will host us for a winery visit, tutored tasting, and lunch.

Descend to our home for the next two nights, a small hamlet in the Roero zone, in the foothills west of Alba.

The owners of this handsome agriturismo have gone to unbelievable lengths to re-create a farming enterprise with the genuine style of yesteryear. From the hand-picking and trampling of grapes, hands-on cheese making and preserving, and the preparation of a seeming tonne of pasta per day, old methods are employed as much as possible.

Dinner in the albergo – tasty food, wines from the property, and wild mountain music.

Day 6:

Either bike into Alba to visit the market, the ‘pulsing heart of Alba’ or go by mother-ship to Asti for the largest market in the region.

In the afternoon, take a chance to go further afield in the Roero, or hunt down and test one of the reputed eateries in Alba.

Tonight, our arrivederci dinner in traditional Piedmont style, pulling out all the stops.

Day 7:

A final breakfast, off to the railway station or to the car hire centre for transfer to other parts of Europe, OR follow the active gourmet across the border to experience the foods, wines and customs of France, avec plaisir...

The organiser reserves the right to change any details in this outline, should this prove necessary.

Included in each escorted active gourmet tour:

• Daily support vehicle (no panniers or backpacks needed!). Luggage and most purchases you make in the markets and antique shops can easily be transferred.
• An experienced facilitator with knowledge of the attractions, the people, and the history of the area.
• Quality accommodation in properties of character, for the most part with private facilities.
• Gourmet dinners (5) featuring the best of regional specialties – including the special arrivederci banquet on our final night, 3 lunches including spectacular picnics. Several times you’ll get the chance to ‘follow-your-own-nose’ for midday and evening meals.
• All breakfasts, including exquisite homemade preserves.
• Our active gourmet journeys offer a range of routes from undemanding to taxing, through the very heart of stunning countryside. High fitness levels aren’t absolutely essential though reasonable fitness is necessary.
• Pre-trip guidance (and cycle instruction is available if required) .
• Tutored wine tasting and special events.
• Rest days and independent exploration possible (we supply very detailed maps which allow a choice of routes).
• Literature, including a detailed itinerary, clothing guide, use of large-scale maps of the area, and general advice on travelling in Europe.
• Daily briefing and guidance.
• Hire of quality mountain bike.
• Active Gourmet Water bottle and hat.
• Luggage transfer between localities.
• A sense of adventure is compulsory!

Exclusions:

• Castle and museum entry fees (you choose!)
• Gratuities and most drinks.
• Golf club hire and green fees where applicable.
• Fishing tackle hire and lessons where applicable.
• Visas and passports (as necessary).
• Travel Insurance (mandatory).
• Personal items, e.g. laundry, telephone, faxes etc
• Canoe hire where applicable.

Or consider these options…

• Meet with European-based family to hire a canal boat and drift at your leisure. Thought about cruising the Venetian Lagoon or the Shannon River in Ireland?
• ‘Perigord plus’ – rent a car and explore the Dordogne.
• Get off the usual tourist trail eg to the Charente-Maritime area of France (Saintes & Cognac), or enrol at a cooking school in Chianti.
• Meet with friends; lease a villa near notable golf courses (and vineyards!!).
• Travel into Spain – the Basque Country and the Guggenheim.
• Portugal – you will have seen it on TV– now visit it for yourself.

Savour the Experience in 2009!

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